NFL Notes: Michael Sam, Bears, Browns, & Rams

Michael Sam

Former Rams seventh-round pick Michael Sam has left Montreal Alouettes’ training camp for personal reasons, according to Tom Pelissero.

However, the team will leave the door open for Sam whenever he’s ready to return.

Statement from the team, per Pelissero:

“The Montreal Alouettes fully respect Michael Sam’s decision and rally around him to offer him all time and support needed.”

Bears

• Brad Biggs has a “hunch” that Bears TE Martellus Bennett will report to mandatory minicamp on Monday, despite the fact that he’s looking for a new contract.

Browns

Browns S Tashaun Gipson mentioned during a radio interview earlier in the week that he’s “going to show up” for the team’s offseason workouts.

“That’s definitely the plan,” Gipson said, via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. “This situation, first and foremost, is a blessing. Here I am, a guy who’s undrafted. Now I’m in contract negotiations. So, yeah, I love the city of Cleveland. There’s no other team that I would rather play for. That’s the team that gave me the opportunity, and I’m more than grateful for the opportunity that they gave me looking back on it. So there’s no other place I want to play. As far as a timetable [for my return to the team], that’s just something that I just can’t give right now because of the matter of the situation.

“But, you know, absolutely at the end of the day, I’m going to play football. No matter if this contract situation is shook out, I will be playing in Cleveland. It’s just about, how will it be? I would like a long-term extension, but if it doesn’t work out, then you know, hey, I’m going to show up, be the same guy that I’ve been for the past three years, not causing problems, and continue to give 100 percent to the city of Cleveland and my organization.”

Ulrich mentions that if Gipson plans on showing up to workouts, it would make sense to do so next Monday.

Rams

• Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch doesn’t expect the Rams to pursue free agent G Evan Mathis unless he comes cheaper than expected.