New England Patriots links 7/31/20 - Brian Lewerke returns and more

TEAM TALK

• The Patriots return Brian Lewerke to the fold.
• Matthew Slater to play in 2020 after considering opting-out.

LOCAL LINKS

• Henry McKenna (Patriots Wire) believes that the Patriots do not expect any more players to opt-out of the 2020 season.
• Henry McKenna (Patriots Wire) shares who Stephon Gilmore believes the best player in the NFL is.
• Sean T. McGuire (NESN) loves Stephon Gilmore’s reaction to his selection as one of the league’s ten best players.
• WPRI looks at how the secondary might fare in 2020.
• Reid Goldsmith (ClutchPoints) examines the Patriots’ retired numbers.
• Jerry Trotta (MusketFire) lists some players who can now step into starting roles due to the recent opt-outs.
• Sierra Goodwill and Evan Lazar (CLNS) discuss the New England running back situation. (VIDEO)
• Phil Perry (NBC Sports Boston) argues that the math just does not work for the Patriots to sign Jadeveon Clowney.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Samit Sarkar (Polygon) on the new football video game in the works from 2K Sports.
• Frank Schwab (Yahoo) asks: If the Bills can’t knock off the Patriots in the AFC East this season, then when?
• Frank Schwab (Yahoo) defends the selection of Lamar Jackson as the league’s best player.
• Mark Schofield (Touchdown Wire) has pre-training camp Power Rankings. What does that clown know anyway?
• Carter Donnick (The Draft Network) examines the best quarterbacks in the league.
• Alexis Mansanarez (The Draft Network) makes the case for the Seahawks letting Russell Wilson cook.
• Mark Schofield (Touchdown Wire) looks at some key draft matchups lost with COVID-19 cancellations.
• Lindsey Thiry (ESPN) Chargers make bold statement by signing Joey Bosa to a record extension.
• Danny Heifetz (The Ringer) How will the NFL contact trace in a contact sport?
• Kaelen Jones (The Ringer) posits that Clyde Edwards-Helaire can be the focal back for the Chiefs.