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          NFL mandatory minicamps 2021: League heads into summer hiatus

          • ESPN
          Jun 17, 2021, 03:00 PM ET

          NFL mandatory minicamps wrapped up on Thursday, marking the official start of the NFL's summer hiatus before players begin to report for training camps five weeks from now.

          Some teams cut their minicamps short, giving players an extra day to unwind in an exotic location somewhere or at home to wait for the release of Madden 22, which revealed a cover featuring Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes on Thursday.

          Elsewhere, Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he's "pulling" for Le'Veon Bell despite the free-agent running back's recent comments, Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Dwayne Haskins is ready to "prove" how much he loves football and the Miami Dolphins showed off their new facility.

          Here are some snapshots from Thursday's minicamps:

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          Brady, Mahomes share Madden 22 front

          The last time the NFL played a game, Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes were on opposite sidelines in Super Bowl LV. Now, before the 2021 season kicks off, those quarterbacks will be together again -- on the latest Madden cover. Mahomes and Brady are sharing the cover of Madden 22, the EA Sports video game that has become part of the NFL culture. It's the first time two players are on the game's front in more than a decade.

          Haskins says his goal is to 'prove' he loves football
          Speaking for the first time since his release from Washington, former first-round quarterback Dwayne Haskins said he has one primary goal as he attempts to reboot his career with the Steelers. "I just wanted to prove to the coaching staff and my teammates how much I love football," Haskins said.

          Andy Reid 'pulling' for Le'Veon Bell
          Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid declined to get in a war of words with running back Le'Veon Bell, saying, "I'm pulling for him in the future." Bell, who joined the Chiefs during last season but played little, recently wrote on Instagram that he would retire before playing for Reid again.

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          Quotes of the day

          "It's obviously an honor. ... He's a great dude. He's willing to give advice. Hopefully next time we can beat them and they're not beating me when I'm going to do the shoot with him."
          Patrick Mahomes on sharing the Madden 22 cover with Tom Brady

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