NFL Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Le'Veon Bell, Kirk Cousins and More

The crack of pads in the summer heat as teams report for training camp not only announces the return of the NFL, it also revives the rumors market surrounding the league at the same time.

With contracts to sort out, cut days approaching and front offices around the NFL needing to make decisions pertaining to the short and long term, the market has a way of commanding the spotlight once more, even dwarfing on-field action itself in the form of preseason exhibitions.

Below, let's take a look at the biggest rumblings making the rounds so far.

Carolina's Extension Priorities

Chuck Burton/Associated Press

The Carolina Panthers were a quiet team to watch heading into the preseason because of several key faces on the roster needing extensions.

Then the Panthers blew up the news cycle.

Carolina relieved general manager Dave Gettleman of his duties on July 17, an unexpected turn of events considering he'd led the team through the draft and free agency. Interestingly enough, the Panthers then turned around the same week and inked Trai Turner to an extension, as confirmed by the offensive lineman himself on Twitter.

The question now becomes where the new-look front office turns next. According to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, before Gettleman was fired the front office wanted to focus on a veteran leader: "And when Gettleman returns to the office this week, his first order of business is expected to be getting an extension done with veteran linebacker Thomas Davis, according to one of the sources."

Getting 34-year-old Thomas Davis a new contract makes sense. He's a leader and the heart and soul of the defense alongside Luke Kuechly. Age hasn't mattered much to one of the league's iron men—Davis tallied 106 total tackles last year.

As the report mentioned, though, tight end Greg Olsen might not be happy if the Panthers focus on the defender first. Olsen, 32, technically has two years left on his deal, per Spotrac, though there's an opt out after 2017.

This creates an interesting problem for the Panthers, as the team needs all the weapons on the field around Cam Newton next year. In the long term, the team hasn't built up the spot in anticipation of losing Olsen, so keep an eye on the budding situation.

Cousins-Redskins Revelations

Nick Wass/Associated Press

As the drama between the Washington Redskins and Cousins continues to unfold, we keep getting new small details.

Initially, it seemed the Redskins were being stubborn with the situation considering they're on the hook for about $44 million in tag money over the course of the past two years because of terse negotiations with Cousins.

And while that's an eye-popping number, one could argue it makes some sense the Redskins don't want to tie themselves to Cousins long term because he's perhaps not in the tier of elite players who win titles. The counterargument, of course, is about half the league would love to have him.

Recently the complexion of the situation changed thanks to a report from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook: "Washington's most recent offer in May failed to secure the quarterback long term, and Cousins appears to have the rare privilege of being in the catbird seat in these discussions."

To summarize, Washington offered a five-year deal with the first two years guaranteed, but both of those guaranteed years came in at slightly less than what Cousins will make playing under the cap in 2017.

For Cousins, either option would've held value. The contract would give him security for two years before perhaps spitting him out on the market at the age of 30 and allowing him to chase one more monster deal. Making the most cash possible in 2017 and then chasing that monster deal next season works, too.

Call it one of the most interesting impasses we've seen in a long time, and one that doesn't figure to end soon.

Bell-Steelers Saga Takes a Turn 

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

It's hard to imagine an NFL where Le'Veon Bell doesn't suit up with the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Though he's only been in the league four years and missed 17 regular-season games, we're talking about a back who is a fixture of the franchise and has already amassed north of 6,000 total yards and scored 31 total touchdowns.

Alas, it's understandable if fans of the team start to panic even slightly as Bell plays out 2017 under the franchise tag. According to Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, Bell turned down a long-term offer from the team:

Bell clearly wants to bet on himself and let a flirtation with the open market force the Steelers into a bigger payday. While it makes sense, his habit of missing time could backfire on this approach.

Then again, Bell is arguably the best back in the league and is all of 25 years old. He feels he's worth more than what the Steelers have to offer right now, and his talent plus Pittsburgh's aging problem under center (Ben Roethlisberger is 35 years old) means a heavier reliance on him in the coming years, which could shorten the length of his career and chances to sign big contracts.

Pittsburgh is far from a disaster here, though the stalled talks between the two sides means a critical standoff will unfold next offseason. Bell, for reasons other than his incredible on-field talent, is one of the league's top names to watch next year.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com.