NFL Notes: Panthers, Patriots, Redskins

Panthers

Panthers GM Dave Gettleman believes this year’s team resembles the 2015 unit that made it to the Super Bowl.

“Last year we were tired, and I think guys got carried away,” Gettleman said, via Panthers.com. “It’s hard – I’ve seen a Super Bowl hangover after you win it and after you lose it, and it ain’t pretty.

“There’s a different attitude this year. I feel like this is 2015 all over again with this group.”

Patriots

Patriots HC Bill Belichick mentioned that WR Brandin Cooks is doing a good job of picking up their offense after he came over in a trade with the Saints.

“Brandin’s worked hard. Definitely, he has some skill. A transition for him [from New Orleans]; he’s working hard to make it,” Belichick said, via Mike Reiss of ESPN. “We’ll see how it goes when we get into a more competitive situation [in training camp], but he learns well. It looks like he’s been able to do some multiple things, but we’ll see how all of that transfers in training camp.”

Redskins

A source with knowledge of Redskins QB Kirk Cousins‘ contract situation tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that the recent reports of negotiations are just “noise” and there is nothing to report at this time.

“So much noise. Nothing to report. Will be interesting to see what happens mid-July.”

According to Florio, if the Redskins are offering anything less than the franchise tag total of $23.94 million and next year’s transition tender of $28.7 million at signing, a deal won’t get done.

Florio adds that Cousins has both the leverage and the financial security in this situation, which means there’s really no reason for him to not to maximize his situation.