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The Facts: Jackson's MVP campaign broke the record books. Now John Harbaugh is looking for the next evolution of his offense. The coach said Thursday the ensuing focus for the Ravens quarterback in 2020 is generating more deep pass plays when teams focus on stopping their historic run game. "Those corners are going to be one-on-one and those safeties are going to be one-on-one against receivers, especially on some downfield throws, and we got to make them pay for it. We absolutely have to make them pay," Harbaugh said. "The ability to make them pay for tilting their defense toward stopping our run game with a really, really efficient passing game. I do believe that's the next step of this offense. I really do believe Lamar is going to take the next step." Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line: The Ravens offense should remain a run-based concept with Jackson's explosive ability, coupled with a stacked backfield led by Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill and second-round rookie J.K. Dobbins. "I wouldn't say we're going to scrap the run game and I wouldn't say we're going to become a more conventional offense -- that's the last thing we want to do," Harbaugh. "We didn't change the offense to scrap the idea that we want to cause people problems. We just want to get better at taking advantage of weaknesses." That being the case, what Harbaugh expects from Jackson in 2020 is to take advantage of where the defense is weak. When they step up to stack the box against Jackson and the backs, the quarterback must make them pay deep. Those deep shots were the worst part of Jackson's electric game last season. The signal-caller ranked 27th in completions of at least 15 air yards with a connection rate of 43.8 percent on such throws (ranked 22nd). In the playoff loss to the Titans, Jackson struggled to connect on deep shots, completing just 35.3 percent as the AFC's top seed last year bowed out of the postseason. The good news? If Jackson's deep ball evolves like his run game did, an already potent offense in Baltimore will be nearly unstoppable.

The Facts: Hopkins says he’s the top pass catcher in football, and that his numbers would dwarf those of other star receivers if he had played his entire career with an elite quarterback. Hopkins said on ESPN that there is no doubt in his mind where he ranks. “I definitely think I’m the best,” Hopkins said. “I know I’m the best.” Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: Hopkins has never led the league in catches or yards, but he said that’s a reflection of the offenses he has played in. Hopkins said he would have better numbers than Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas or Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones if he had their quarterbacks. “Mike’s my boy. We were just texting yesterday. But he knows if I had Drew Brees my whole career what these numbers would be,” Hopkins said. “Julio Jones knows if I had Matt Ryan my whole career, he knows what my numbers would be. Those guys are definitely blessed to be in a position where their whole career they had a Pro Bowl quarterback. ...” As PFT's Michael David Smith notes, the Cardinals traded for Hopkins in the hopes that he and Kyler Murray can become an elite quarterback-receiver duo for years to come. And perhaps Hopkins can work in an offense that gives him the chance to put up the best numbers of any wide receiver in the NFL.

The Facts: Prescott still hasn't agreed to a long-term deal with the Cowboys, which has had somewhat of an effect on the team's offseason. The impact reaches beyond the near-weekly rumors about demands from Prescott's side, and even beyond phone calls between Prescott's representation and the Jones family. Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy alluded to a less-than-frequent rate of communication between the two sides when asked about Prescott's involvement in Dallas' offseason procedures. "He's involved in a business situation, and I have full confidence he will be ready to go," McCarthy told reporters of Prescott, via The Athletic's Michael Gehlken. "There has been communication. This is the way these business situations go sometimes, and you respect that." Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line: As NFL.com notes, part of such business includes leverage, which becomes less powerful if one side holding the leverage seems too eager to get a deal done. There's a certain art to indicating interest and walking away, only to be lured back by an individual (or a franchise) looking to make a deal. Prescott will be involved to some degree, of course, as he's tasked with learning a new offense in McCarthy's first season, just as the rest of the Cowboys are. The difference, though, is Prescott is still attempting to work out a lucrative deal to secure his services for many years to come. His earning potential can't quite afford to be available for every single meeting.

The Facts: Shortly after Ron Rivera became Washington’s head coach earlier this year, he said that people shouldn’t forget about Smith when it came to discussions about the team’s quarterbacks. Smith has been out of action since suffering a severe leg injury in 2018 that required numerous surgeries and a decision about amputation that left Smith feeling lucky to be alive. It did not leave him feeling like a return to action was out of reach and Rivera told Mike Tirico on Tuesday that he doesn’t doubt the quarterback’s resolve. Rivera added that Smith’s determination will only take him so far as there are physical milestones he has to hit before any comeback thoughts can be taken seriously. Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: “The one thing that he and I talked about, more than anything else, is he’s got to be able to protect himself out on the football field before anything can happen, before we can allow him back on the field,” Rivera said. “He’s doing a great job, he’s working hard. He’s carrying himself the right way. He’s doing things the way he’s supposed to and we’ll see.” Rivera said he hopes to have a clearer picture on Smith’s outlook at some point in late August.

The Facts: The Raiders brought back a tight end they have some background with. The team announced they have signed re-signed Paul Butler. To make room for him on the 90-man roster, they placed tight end O'Leary on the reserve/non-football injury list. Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: Butler spent time with the Raiders the last two seasons. He was on the practice squad most of 2018, after hanging around as an undrafted rookie from California (Pennsylvania). He also spent part of last year on the practice squad, but the team waived him in May.

The Facts: It’s not a great time to be a free agent running back, but the Eagles are one team with some interest in adding a veteran at the position. The Eagles have interest in Freeman and LeSean McCoy, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: Both players have been mentioned as possibilities for the Eagles this offseason. Philadelphia made an offer to Freeman, who so far has been disappointed with the offers he has received and is reportedly considering sitting out the season if he doesn’t get an offer he likes. McCoy, who played his first six NFL seasons for the Eagles, has not yet received a contract offer but could end up back in Philly. As PFT notes, Miles Sanders led the Eagles in rushing as a rookie last year and is expected to handle the bulk of the running back duties this year as well, but Philadelphia would like to add a veteran who can fill the role that Jordan Howard played last year.

The Facts: HC Matt Nagy said Trubisky has been "really good" about QB competition. Still, Nagy admitted “the big question” will be how Trubisky will handle the competition with Nick Foles, for whom the Bears traded a fourth-round pick in March. Reported by the Chicago Sun-Times

Diehards Line: Nagy, who spoke with multiple national outlets Wednesday, reiterated to NBC Sports Network’s “The Rich Eisen Show” that the Bears won’t decide on their next quarterback until they can actually see them under center. “We are losing reps right now in the [organized team activities],” he told the show. “We will have to get them back in training camp. We will have to be creative as to how we do that as a staff. But we will make it work.” As for how Trubisky is dealing with the situation? “Any person, when that happens, you’re just going to feel like, ‘OK, how do I make this better?’” Nagy said. “And for probably a day or two, [Trubisky] was that way. After that and ever since, he’s been really good. And I appreciate that about him.”

The Facts: Throughout the offseason, questions swirled about the new coaching staff's comfort entering the season with Haskins as the starting quarterback. Still, as we set to enter June, Haskins remains the Redskins' starting quarterback and new OC Scott Turner noted this week on a conference call that he's been impressed with the second-year signal-caller's mental acuity during virtual meetings. "When we're talking to him [on Zoom sessions], he's speaking the language," Turner said. "It's pretty easy to tell if they get it or not. Dwayne's doing a great job." Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line: As NFL.com suggested, the mental aspect of the pro game is where the best starters make strides in their second year and beyond. With a full offseason to focus on reading defenses and identifying coverages and rushes, the game slows down for some young signal-callers. According to Turner, Haskins is improving in his film study and knowledge base. Still, big questions still need to be answered about Haskins' physical game once offseason workouts begin at some point this year. His footwork and ability to avoid sacks both need to improve if he's to make a Year 2 leap. But from a mental approach, it's a positive to hear the new OC glow about a young quarterback, even in a curtailed offseason. "You can tell he's putting the work in away from the meeting time," Turner said. "Obviously as a coach and putting in this new offense, I'd love to have more time with him. I think that we're doing a great job with making the most of the situation."

The Facts: While QB Sam Darnold should benefit from newfound protection along the offensive line as general manager Joe Douglas brought in eight O-linemen this offseason, Bell also has good reason to feel energized about the changes up front. "Asked if he's noticed the Jets' aggressive pursuit of road-graders in front of him, Bell told me via text, 'Absolutely. Can't wait, either,'" wrote ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler in an article detailing the NFL’s five most intriguing drafts that included the Jets. Reported by NewYorkJets.com

Diehards Line: Fowler wrote that people around the NFL were curious how Douglas would run his first draft after the "luxury" of having a regular season under his belt. "After signing four offensive linemen (guard Greg Van Roten, center Connor McGovern, tackle George Fant, guard Alex Lewis) to three-year deals worth more than $80 million early in free agency," Fowler continued, "the Jets doubled down in the draft with run-blocking behemoth Mekhi Becton (6-7, 364 pounds) at No. 11 overall. In both cases, the Jets prioritized Darnold's pass protection over getting receiver help." They did add some help on the outside later in the draft (landing Denzel Mims) and in free agency prior to that (Breshad Perriman). But the additions up front are noteworthy, not just for Darnold, but for Bell and running mate Frank Gore as well.

The Facts: Jones is like Aaron Rodgers in at least one way: He wants to finish his career with the Packers but doesn't know whether that can happen. The fourth-year running back, who tied for the NFL lead with 19 touchdowns last season, is entering the final year of his rookie deal. The Packers drafted a running back, AJ Dillon of Boston College, in the second round after they took Rodgers' possible eventual replacement, Jordan Love, in the first round. "Whether it's my first year or my last year on a deal, I'm going to be just as motivated," Jones said Wednesday. "It doesn't change just because a contract is on the line for me. I mean, I'm going to continue to work and do everything in my power. I trust my agency and the Packers. With that, I would love to be a lifelong Packer. That's my take on that." Reported by ESPN.com

Diehards Line: Jones, a fifth-round pick in 2017, had a breakout season in 2019, when he totaled 1,558 yards from scrimmage and tied with Christian McCaffrey for the NFL's touchdown lead. Jones registered his first 1,000-yard rushing season and needed the fewest carries (236) by a Packers running back to hit that mark since John Brockington in 1971 (1,105 yards on 216 carries). McCaffrey reset the running back market with a four-year, $64 million extension earlier this offseason. At $16 million per year, it made him the NFL's highest-paid running back. The Packers haven't given a second contract to a running back they drafted since James Starks, a sixth-round pick in 2010. Jones is set to make $2.13 million this season. Complicating matters for Jones and the Packers is the fact that he is one of five starters scheduled to be free agents next spring. The others are left tackle David Bakhtiari, defensive tackle Kenny Clark, center Corey Linsley and cornerback Kevin King. Jones' primary backup, Jamaal Williams, also is entering the final year of his deal. Dillon's presence further complicates the situation.