June 17, 2025
Several coaches who watched quarterback
Aaron Rodgers closely last year believe that the Pittsburgh Steelers got a steal with the 41-year-old on a team-friendly contract that pays $13.65 million and pushes toward $20 million with incentives. "He's still throwing the s--- out of the ball, honestly," a veteran NFL offensive coach said. "He's the best quarterback they've had since [
Ben Roethlisberger]. We will see how the body holds up, but I think he's going to help them immensely." Despite a disappointing season with the New York Jets in 2024, Rodgers still threw for almost 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns. Mobility and health are issues, but Rodgers still has the arm strength and field vision to get it done in the Steel City. The problem is that Pittsburgh's offense is likely to be run-heavy, giving Rodgers limited fantasy upside as a low-end QB2.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
June 17, 2025
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
Sam Howell was usually the second QB to rotate into team drills during offseason workouts behind
J.J. McCarthy, which suggests that Howell is the front-runner for the No. 2 job. However, nothing he did this spring indicated that he will push McCarthy to start in 2025, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. "He's kind of like J.J.," head coach Kevin O'Connell said, "where he's made some throws where you're like, 'Man, probably shouldn't have made that throw. But I now know on this play, I've got to be careful of this.' And it's all growth." Behind Howell is
Brett Rypien and undrafted rookie
Max Brosmer. The Vikings acquired Howell in a trade this offseason with Seattle. The former fifth-rounder by the Commanders has completed 62.6% of his passes for 4,139 yards, 22 touchdowns and 23 picks in 20 games (18 starts) in his three NFL seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
June 17, 2025
There are plenty of question marks surrounding Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick last year, after he missed his rookie season in 2024 with a torn right meniscus in his knee. However, ESPN's Kevin Seifert writes that McCarthy's arm strength has been fine after it was a topic of discussion going into the 2024 draft. "He definitely has an arm," receiver
Justin Jefferson said. "That's for sure. He can definitely zip it whenever he needs to." His arm has looked especially lively on throws down the middle of the field, and McCarthy is starting to learn to vary his throws after Jefferson noted last summer that the rookie tended to throw every ball the same way -- hard and straight. With no threats to the starting job under center, the 22-year-old is Minnesota's clear starting QB going into 2025 and has some of the best weapons in the league. He's a QB2 with upside in fantasy.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
June 16, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers and safety DeShon Elliott agreed to a two-year, $12.5 million contract extension on Monday that includes $9.21 million in guarantees, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Elliott cashes in with Pittsburgh after posting a career-high 108 tackles (72 solo), an interception, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 15 regular-season games (14 starts) in his first year with the team. The 28-year-old defensive back finished as the No. 15 defensive back in IDP fantasy leagues in 2024 while working next to Mikah Fitzpatrick in the defensive backfield. Elliott will continue to have an every-down role in his second year in the Steel City in 2025. He'll be in play as a DB streamer in IDP leagues, but last year's production is most likely Elliott's ceiling.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
June 16, 2025
New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has been the team's offensive play-caller for every offseason practice open to the media, according to The Athletic's Dan Duggan. Head coach Brian Daboll has stuck with the same play-caller throughout the offseason in each of his first three years as the head coach, so all signs are pointing toward Kafka reclaiming the play-calling duties after Daboll took over in 2024. Kafka called the plays in Daboll's first two years as the head coach but was stripped of those duties when he was promoted to assistant head coach last year. The Giants offense finished worse in 2024 in most major statistical categories, so it looks like they will go back to Kafka with veteran quarterback
Russell Wilson set to open the year as the starter. New York had its best offense under Daboll with Kafka calling the plays in 2022, when they finished 19th overall in offense and fourth in rushing.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
June 16, 2025
New York Giants starting left guard Jon Runyan (ankle, shoulder) was limited to individual drills at last week's mandatory minicamp, according to The Athletic's Dan Duggan. Runyan is believed to have undergone surgery to fix a separate shoulder after last season, although he's making progress and could be ready to rejoin the team in workouts at training camp at the end of July. After his cameo at practice last week, Evan Neal took over as the team's first-team left guard. In addition to having surgery on his shoulder, Runyan apparently had surgery on his right ankle to fix a torn ligament. The 27-year-old's injuries caused him to be sidelined for the final four games of the 2024 season. Runyan started all 13 games he appeared in last year and also started all 34 regular-season games in his final two years in Green Bay in 2022 and 2023.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
June 16, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles running back
Saquon Barkley said he hasn't felt the effects of setting a career-high with 345 carries during the regular season last year while adding 91 more rushing attempts during the team's Super Bowl run. "I feel really good," Barkley said. "I feel like I'm entering my prime." The 28-year-old led the NFL in carries, rushing yards (2,005) and yards per game (125.3) in 16 regular-season starts in 2024 in his first year in Philly. Not much has changed with the Eagles offense, meaning Barkley could have another outstanding campaign in his second year with the team in 2025 if he can stay healthy all year. Barkley's phenomenal 2024 season makes him the consensus No. 1 overall pick in fantasy drafts going into this fall. He also added 33 receptions for 278 yards and two more touchdowns on 43 targets.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Tim McManus
June 16, 2025
The Carolina Panthers have talked with free-agent safety Justin Simmons' representation, but no deal is imminent as of now, a league source told The Athletic's Joe Person. Simmons remains available this offseason despite recording 62 tackles (36 solo), two interceptions and seven pass breakups in 16 starts in 2024 in his first season with the Atlanta Falcons. The 31-year-old veteran was a two-time Pro Bowler in his eight seasons with the Denver Broncos after they took him in the third round in 2016 out of Boston College. Simmons is no longer in his prime, but he's had at least two interceptions in all nine of his NFL seasons and would certainly be an upgrade for Carolina's secondary going into the 2025 campaign. The Panthers had one of the worst defensive units in the league last year.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Joe Person
June
16,
2025
Minnesota
Vikings
wide
receiver
Jordan
Addison's
trial
date
in
connection
to
his
2024
DUI
citation
is
now
set
for
July
15
in
the
Superior
Court
of
California.
Addison
pleaded
not
guilty
in
December.
Even
if
Addison
read more...
June 16, 2025
Per the team, the New York Jets have signed defensive end Kingsley Jonathan (undisclosed) and offensive lineman Marquis Hayes (one-year, $840,000) to contracts. Guard Zack Bailey and defensive back Tre Swilling were waived in corresponding moves. Jonathan signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2022 as an undrafted free agent and was with the team for the better part of three seasons, but also had stints with the Bears and Texans. Hayes was a seventh-round pick out of Oklahoma by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2022 NFL Draft, though he did not appear in a game for the team over his three campaigns there. He also spent time on the Commanders' and Packers' practice squads in 2024. Both athletes are set for depth roles with New York.
--Alex CiullaSource: New York Jets
June 16, 2025
Rob Kleifield of the team reports that the Minnesota Vikings have signed undrafted free agent offensive lineman Vershon Lee to a three-year, $2.965 million deal. Defensive back Bubba Bolden was released in a corresponding move. Lee appeared in 51 games (40 starts) over five seasons at South Carolina and is one of the more versatile linemen in this year's class. During his time as a Gamecock, the 24-year-old drew 18 starts at center, 16 at left guard, and six at right tackle. He's buried on the team's depth chart at center, but there's no guarantee he doesn't help out elsewhere if he shows enough to make the 53-man roster. Lee joins rookie first-round pick Donovan Jackson, and veterans Justin Skule, Ryan Kelly, and Will Fries as new additions to Minnesota's offensive front.
--Alex CiullaSource: Rob Kleifield
June 16, 2025
Per the team, the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to terms with fourth-round rookie defensive lineman C.J. West on a four-year, $5.2 million contract. The 23-year-old was a three-year collegiate starter who culminated his time in the NCAA with the Indiana Hoosiers in 2024 after four campaigns with Kent State. West is a three-technique defensive tackle with good athleticism for his size (6-foot-1, 316 pounds), though he lacks length for the position. Currently, he's listed second (unofficially) on the team's depth chart behind teammate Kevin Givens, and figures to play a rotational role behind him if he displays confidence in camp. While his numbers in college were nothing to write home about, his blend of agility and strength could make him a sneaky standout on the team's defensive front, considering the presence of superstar pass-rusher Nick Bosa.
--Alex CiullaSource: San Francisco 49ers
June
16,
2025
Pittsburgh
Steelers
running
back
Jaylen
Warren
recently
noted
via
the
team's
website
that
he
adjusted
his
training
this
offseason
in
anticipation
of
handling
a
larger
workload
in
2025.
"I
approached
this
offseason
differently,"
said
Warren.
"I
read more...
June 16, 2025
ESPN's Mike Reiss writes that the New England Patriots concluded their mandatory minicamp last week with rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell, who was the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft, working as the top left tackle. "I definitely would say I've gotten more comfortable as the days have gone on, with the playbook and the scheme. It's only going to keep getting better," Campbell said, adding that he plans a brief break to get away before the official start of training camp on July 23. The 21-year-old was a three-year starter at LSU and figures to start right away at left tackle in 2025 to protect the blind side of second-year quarterback
Drake Maye. With short arms, Campbell is going to have to overcome that against elite pass-rushers with his technique and athleticism.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss
June 16, 2025
Washington Commanders right guard Sam Cosmi (knee) was on the field last week working with athletic trainers, performing agility work and doing light 40-yard jogs after suffering a torn ACL in the Divisional playoff victory over the Detroit Lions. There's no timetable for Cosmi's return, but Washington is optimistic about his recovery. "He's hitting all the benchmarks but when does he get there? I don't know...we're not going to miss one step with him," head coach Dan Quinn said. Nick Allegretti, who started at left guard last year, is currently being tasked with filling in for Cosmi on the right side of the offensive line. Brandon Coleman is now filling in at left guard. Cosmi, the team's former second-round pick (51st overall) in 2021 out of Texas started all 17 regular-season games each of the last two years, but he probably won't be able to play until midseason in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - John Keim
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