— Brian Chojnacki (@BroadcastingBri) June 12, 2018
Don’t let Leonard Fournette’s face fool you, it’s time for more fun. This week, 28 of the 32 teams, are on the practice field for mandatory minicamps. The Bears, Dolphins, Patriots and Lions got a head start going through minicamp last week.
Over the next three days, coaches will put their rosters through evaluations and competition for the last time before training camp. And the players gotta be there. Unless they’re holding out, then they’re not coming.
Here’s some of the best stuff from around the league:
But first, who’s not here?
The annual tradition of top players sitting out mandatory minicamps is here. So far, the list is headlined by a 1,200-yard rusher and the league’ defensive player of the year.
Those not at minicamps:
Adam Schefter breaks down the contract dispute between the Falcons and Julio Jones that has the WR sitting out minicamp.
Five days after winning the Champions League for the third year in a row, Zinedine Zidane stunned the football world with news of his decision to step down as Real Madrid manager.
Zidane made the announcement Thursday alongside club president Florentino Perez, saying he had taken the club as far as he could during his two-and-a-half years in charge.
“I love this club and the president dearly but it is time for a change, and that is why I took this decision to step down,” Zidane said.
Despite leading the club to yet another Champions League triumph, it appears that Real Madrid’s failures in the league and Copa del Rey took a toll on the 45-year-old.
“If I was the manager here next season, it would have been tough for us to win trophies. You saw in the Copa (del Rey) this season and I can’t forget our domestic campaign that easily,” he added, according to the Guardian.
Real Madrid finished the domestic campaign 17 points back of La Liga champion Barcelona in third place, and bowed out of the Copa del Rey after losing to Leganes in the quarter-finals.
Perez, who said he hoped the Frenchman would be by his side “forever,” echoed a sentiment shared by many in saying that he was surprised by Zidane’s departure.
“This was a totally unexpected decision. Zidane informed me of his choice yesterday,” added Perez.
Real Madrid enjoyed a wildly successful spell under Zidane, who was appointed manager in January 2016 following Rafael Benitez’s dismissal. Less than five months later, Zidane guided Real Madrid to European glory.
He entered the record books after his last match in charge when Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 in the Champions League final, becoming the first manager in the modern era to win the tournament three consecutive times.
The win also admitted Zidane to an exclusive club as only the third manager – alongside Carlo Ancelotti and Liverpool’s legendary Bob Paisley – to win a trio of European Cups/Champions League trophies.
Although Perez did not delve into possible replacements, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has previously been linked to the job, reports the BBC, though he just signed a new five-year deal. Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri and former Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri are also reportedly expected to be considered for one of the most desirable jobs in football.