JaMarcus Russell has been getting tons of attention this offseason, but it’s not for the reasons a former NFL quarterback hoping to return to the league would like.
First were the reports that he was returning, albeit at 308 pounds (later rounded up to 315). Then news came this week that he had dropped 27 pounds, meaning he was at least making progress.
Rapid weight loss — or gain — is just something that makes people pay attention, though. It doesn’t indicate whether NFL teams are really ready to bring Russell on board for another try.
Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com, however, reports that some teams may be willing to do just that.
“I’ve been following his comeback story pretty closely,” Freeman reports one NFC scout as saying. “I think a lot of teams are. Good chance he gets a second shot.”
Russell isn’t just a little over playing weight — he has also received criticism for slacking off and not being a team leader. The 27-year-old has since said he wants to leave those ways behind for a chance to play in the NFL again.
