QB Aaron Rodgers has informed the Steelers that he plans to sign and attend mini-camp. Rodgers had an offer from the team sitting for over two months, but was still mulling retirement. He provides a massive upgrade over QB Mason Rudolph, especially for WR D.K. Metcalf's fantasy outlook. Even so, Rodgers hardly inspires confidence that he will return to All-Pro form approaching age 42.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Memphis WR Roc Taylor to an Undrafted Free Agent contract after the 2025 NFL Draft. This past year, he had boosted use as a downfield threat (14.5-yard aDOT). Taylor confirmed that speed with a 4.49 (at 213 pounds) at the combine. After two quiet seasons, Taylor’s production exploded as a 2023 junior at Memphis. He tallied team highs in catches (69) and receiving yards (1,083). The yardage marked a nice 27.2% team share, while Taylor added a strong 2.60 yards per route run. The Alabama native remained steady as an outside WR in 2024. He had a 7.23 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) based on his predraft testing. He also ranked 18th among Combine WRs in 2024 Target Share at 23.3%, and 32nd among those WRs in PFF Receiving Grade with a 74.1. He ranked 40th among WRs in our Draft Sharks predraft Rookie Model scoring a 5.77. Our Comp for him in our Rookie Guide is Romeo Doubs.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ohio State QB Will Howard with the 185th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. Howard spent his first four college seasons at Kansas State, completing just 58.8% of his passes at 7.4 yards per attempt. But he transferred to Ohio State ahead of the 2024 season and led the Buckeyes to a national championship with an impressive campaign. Howard racked up 4,010 passing yards and 35 TDs on a 73.0% completion rate and 9.5 yards per attempt. He benefitted from playing with one of the best supporting casts in college football, but Howard also ranked ninth in the country in Pro Football Focus passing grade. He was especially effective throwing deep, registering the second-best PFF deep passing grade and the best adjusted completion rate on throws 20+ yards downfield. Howard doesn’t have the biggest arm but is an accurate and cerebral passer. He’s also an underrated athlete, earning an 8.80 Relative Athletic Score at 236 pounds. Howard averaged 20.5 rushing yards per game last year and was used on some designed runs by Ohio State.
The Steelers selected Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson in Round 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Johnson led Iowa in rushing as a true freshman in 2022, showing his grinding skills between the tackles. He ran 151 times for 779 yards and six TDs. After an ankle injury slowed him down in 2023, he enjoyed an exceptional year in 2024 on a struggling Iowa offense. His great vision and contact balance led to 240 rushes for 1,537 yards and 21 TDs on the ground. Johnson is the typical Hawkeye RB, consistently churning his feet to pick up additional yardage. He also leads the class in rush yards over expected per attempt for his career, picking up an additional yard per rush over expected. Johnson could eventually become a three-down NFL back if he can develop as a pass catcher. He’s simply not a burner, and that predictably showed up at the NFL Combine with his 4.57 forty time.
QB Aaron Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee Show that he's still considering retiring. He added that he has remained in touch with teams about playing this season but is currently focused on his personal life. "I’m open to anything and attached to nothing," Rodgers said. "Retirement could still be a possibility."
CBS Sports' Aditi Kinkhabwala reports that the Steelers have not gotten an update on QB Aaron Rodgers' plans since their March 21 meeting. "Aaron Rodgers is more likely to retire than sign with a team that's not a Super Bowl contender," Kinkhabwala adds.
Steelers owner Art Rooney II said Tuesday that he expects his team to sign free agent QB Aaron Rodgers. “We keep hearing that he’s headed in our direction,” Rooney said at the NFL owners meetings, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I’d say we feel pretty good about it at this time.” Rooney added that he's willing to wait "a little longer" to get an answer from Rodgers. Rodgers initially met with the Steelers on March 21.
When the Steelers let RB Najee Harris leave for the Chargers in free agency, it sure seemed to clear the way for Jaylen Warren to take the backfield lead. GM Omar Khan confirmed that at this week's NFL meetings.
The Jets will release QB Aaron Rodgers, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. The move has been expected for a while but will become official after 4 pm ET on Wednesday. The Jets are taking on $49 million in dead money by dumping Rodgers. He's coming off an underwhelming season, resulting in a 5-12 record. Rodgers averaged just 229 passing yards per game on 6.7 yards per attempt -- tied for his worst mark as a starter.
FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz reports that the Steelers are finalizing a one-year deal with RB Kenneth Gainwell. The 26-year-old (as of March 14) spent his first four seasons with the Eagles after arriving as a fifth-round pick.
The Steelers have placed a second-round tender on restricted free agent RB Jaylen Warren. That'll pay him $5.346 million for the coming season, barring a longer-term agreement between the player and team. The tender also doesn't keep Warren from hitting free agency. It does, however, mean that any team signing him away from Pittsburgh would have to send the Steelers a second-round pick.
The Steelers are acquiring WR DK Metcalf from the Seahawks and giving him a big contract extension. NFL Network reports that Metcalf is getting a four-year, $132 million extension tacked onto the final year of his current deal. That will pay him $33 million per year after this season and lock him in with Pittsburgh through 2029. Seattle is getting a second-round pick (52nd overall) plus a late-round pick swap.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Seahawks WR DK Metcalf has requested a trade. Metcalf has one year remaining on his contract and just turned 27 in mid-December. He's reportedly seeking a new contract.
On a day where so many RBs exceeded expectations, former Iowa Hawkeye RB Kaleb Johnson just did as expected. He ran a 4.57 40-yard dash at 224 pounds. He also tied for the worst 10-yard split of the day for a RB at 1.62. Despite the average 40-yard dash, Johnson is still expected to be a top-100 NFL Draft selection.
Fox's Jay Glazer reports that the Jets recently told QB Aaron Rodgers that they're "moving on from him." That reportedly came in a meeting Rodgers had flown back to New Jersey for. So not only should we expect the Jets to be in the market for a new QB, but Rodgers also appears to be interested in playing in 2025.
Texans WR Robert Woods (hip) is active for today's game vs. the Chiefs. He didn't practice all week, so it's unclear what kind of role Woods will be ready for today. He's not a recommended play in any fantasy format.
Texans WR Robert Woods (hip) is listed as questionable for Saturday's Divisional Round game vs. the Chiefs. He didn't practice all week. Woods played 51% of the offensive snaps for an injury-riddled Texans WR corps in the Wild Card win over the Chargers. His absence would force WR Xavier Hutchinson and potentially WR Jared Wayne into more snaps against Kansas City. WR Nico Collins, TE Dalton Schultz, and WR John Metchie project as the top three targets.
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers (knee) put in a full week of practice and isn’t listed on the final injury report for Sunday’s game vs. the Bills. Rodgers said early in the week that he has a minor MCL injury, but it doesn’t look like it’ll be a factor this weekend.
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers (knee) was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice. He's dealing with what he called a minor MCL injury but is clearly on track to start Sunday's game vs. the Bills.
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers is "uncertain" for Sunday's game vs. the Bills due to a knee injury, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. We'll look for more details on the injury and track Rodgers' status throughout the week. His absence would put QB Tyrod Taylor under center for New York. He's a capable backup but would be a downgrade for WRs Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson. Rodgers has played well lately, completing 64% of his passes and 8.0 yards per attempt with five TDs over his last three games.
Search
