Gauntlet 2.2 - The Season Approaches

Gauntlet : The Season Approaches
Genre : Sports / Drama
Showrunner: Antoine Fuqua
Writer : Matt Parker

Cast: William Fichtner, Josh Duhamel, Trevor Jackson, Eric Roberts, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Jared Keeso, Jessie Buckley, Saffron Burrows, Corey Hawkins, John David Washington and Charles Melton

Plot: Heading into training camp, Coach Kean Heath (William Fichtner) is meeting with his coaching staff, including new offensive coordinator Stan Swift (Jared Keeso), go over the team's depth chart. Heath is pretty content with the moves made during the off-season and the draft, and most of the staff agrees with him. Swift, however, speaks up and says that he feels the team is lacking a true number one wide receiver. A few of the other coaches change their tune and begin to side with Swift. Heath asks Swift who exactly he thinks they could get to fill that supposed void. Swift says that Colson is still a free agent, plus he was Colson's position coach in college, so he should be able to learn the system pretty quickly. Heath begrudgingly admits that it's not a bad idea. He leaves the conference room and heads to his office to make a phone call.

Tim Collins (Josh Duhamel) is packing up his things and leaving the house of Sharon Matthews (Saffron Burrows). She tells him that he can give her a call once he's done with football and maybe they can resume their relationship, but she is not interested in spending another season dating a football player. Collins is obviously heart-broken by this decision, but he does as Sharon requests.

Jefferson Thomas (Trevor Jackson) and his new girlfriend Gwendolyn (Jessie Buckley) are out for a run along the Mississippi River. While they take a water break along the Riverwalk, Thomas is approached by some fans who ask for his autograph. He obliges. After the fans leave, Gwendolyn admits that she is impressed by the fans recognizing his face even though he wears a helmet during games.

Former Memphis Pharaohs running back and current Free agent Lincoln Tatum (John David Washington) calls his agent to see if any teams have been in touch since his workout. The agent says unfortunately nobody has, but with training camp about to begin time is running out so if he doesn't hear from anyone soon that may be a bad sign.

Heath and Swift enter the office of team owner Leonard Palmer (Eric Roberts). Heath asks for the green light to make a highly competitive offer for the services of Colson. Palmer looks over to Swift, who subtly nods his head. Palmer tells Heath to go ahead and make him an offer.

Rookie Pharaohs quarterback Alex Wright (Patrick Schwarzenegger) arrives at the team facility for the rookie mini-camp and immediately begins trying to absorb the team's playbook. He is greeted by Swift and immediately starts discussing the different formations the team will be utilizing. Wright is clearly overwhelmed by Swift's expectations of him, but tells Swift he will do his best to get the playbook down as soon as possible. During the rookie drills, Wright impresses the coaching staff with his dead-eye accuracy. Even without knowing the playbook all the way, it is clear that Wright can make throws few other have the natural arm skill to do. Collins watches from the stands. He knows his days are numbered if Wright continues practicing as well as he is.

Coach Heath sits down with free agent wide receiver DeAndre Colson (Corey Hawkins) to offer him a multi-year contract to join the Memphis Pharaohs. Looking over the offer sheet, Colson is quick to sign on for the 3-year, $30 million contract. Heath shakes his hand and gets ready to show Colson around the team facility. They quickly run into Coach Swift. Colson and Swift give each other a big hug. Swift takes over the tour and starts showing Colson around the team facility, leaving Heath standing in the hallway holding the signed contract.

Lincoln Tatum and his boyfriend Jeremy (Charles Melton) are driving down a dark road late at night when suddenly a deer jumps into the path of their car. Tatum serves out of the way of the deer, but hits a tree. Jeremy, who was not wearing a seat belt, is sent flying through the car's windshield.