Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Rodgers Continues to Hint at His Next Destination
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare to start OTAs on Tuesday, Aaron Rodgers recently dropped another cryptic hint that he'll be playing for them in 2025.
At a fan question-and-answer event hosted by rapper Mike Stud, Rodgers was asked if he'd ever play for the Chicago Bears.
"No, but I believe there's a team that might play in Chicago this year on a road trip," Rodgers said via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. "I don't know, not sure. Got to check it out."
Pittsburgh plays at Chicago in Week 12, and the Steelers have been viewed as Rodgers' most likely landing spot after the veteran quarterback visited with them this offseason.
At the NFL's annual league meetings on April 1, Steelers President Art Rooney II said "all signs are positive" that Rodgers is coming to Pittsburgh. Head Coach Mike Tomlin has said there's no deadline for Rodgers to sign. Linebacker Alex Highsmith told NFL Network last week on "The Insiders" that waiting on the 41-year-old's decision isn't a "distraction at all."
Rodgers didn't attend mandatory minicamp when he played for the New York Jets last season. Even if he signs with Pittsburgh, Rodgers has not given a timetable for when he would plan to report.
As the wait for Rodgers' decision continues, Highsmith says the Steelers will continue to support Mason Rudolph as their starter.
"The guys are rallying around him and, like I said, he's been with us before and guys know him, Pittsburgh fans know him," Highsmith said. "The way that he helped us finish in 2023 was awesome.
"No matter who's back there for us, whether it's him or if Aaron Rodgers is gonna come, I'm just excited. Whoever's back there, we're gonna have their backs."
Week 1 at Buffalo Bills (Sunday Night Football)
Quarterback: Josh Allen
Key Additions: DE Joey Bosa, WR Josh Palmer, DT Larry Ogunjobi
Key Departures: CB Kaiir Elam, WR Mack Hollins, P Sam Martin
Head Coach: Sean McDermott
2024 Record: 13-4, Lost in AFC Championship Game
The Ravens will look for revenge after last season's narrow loss in the Divisional Round. The Bills are again seen as a top contender in the AFC and this matchup could have huge seeding implications.
Week 2 vs. Cleveland Browns
Quarterback: Joe Flacco
Key Additions: DT Mason Graham, DT Maliek Collins, DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Flacco
Key Departures: WR Elijah Moore, QB Jameis Winston, RB Nick Chubb
Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski
2024 Record: 3-14
The Browns have a major question at quarterback with veterans in Flacco and Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel (third round) and Shedeur Sanders (fifth round). However, Cleveland retained star pass rusher Myles Garrett with a four-year mega extension and the Browns defense projects to be ferocious once again. AFC North games against the Browns are always hardnosed.
Week 3 vs. Detroit Lions (Monday Night Football)
Quarterback: Jared Goff
Key Additions: CB D.J. Reed, DT Roy Lopez, CB Avonte Maddox
Key Departures: CB Carlton Davis III, OLB Za'Darius Smith, G Kevin Zeitler, S Ifeatu Melifonwu
Head Coach: Dan Campbell
2024 Record: 15-2, Lost in Divisional Round
The Lions delt with defensive injuries throughout the 2024 season, and it caught up with them in the postseason. Detroit has one of the best rosters in the NFC and will be a good test for both squads when they face off.
Week 4 at Kanas City Chiefs
Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes
Key Additions: T Jaylon Moore, CB Kristian Fulton, DT Jerry Tillery
Key Departures: G Joe Thuney, S Justin Reid, DT Tershawn Wharton, WR DeAndre Hopkins
Head Coach: Andy Reid
2024 Record: 15-2, Lost Super Bowl LIX
The Chiefs are coming off a blowout loss to the Eagles in the Super Bowl and have more questions about their roster than in years past. Chiefs-Ravens will be a much-anticipated rematch after last year's game came down to an Isaiah Likely toe.
Week 5 vs. Houston Texans
Quarterback: C.J. Stroud
Key Additions: T Cam Robinson, G Ed Ingram, G Laken Tomlinson, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Key Departures: T Laremy Tunsil, G Kenyon Green, S Eric Murray
Head Coach: DeMeco Ryans
2024 Record: 10-7, Lost in Divisional Round
The Ravens routed the Texans, 31-2, last season on Christmas and beat Houston twice in 2023. The Texans are revamping their offensive line this season and have a new play caller in Nick Caley.
Week 6 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford
Key Additions: WR Davante Adams, DT Poona Ford, G Coleman Shelton
Key Departures: WR Cooper Kupp, LB Christian Rozeboom, DE Michael Hoecht
Head Coach: Sean McVay
2024 Record: 10-7, Lost in Divisional Round
The Rams gave the Super Bowl champion Eagles their closest game of the postseason last year and were able to retain Stafford this offseason. Los Angeles is a contender in the NFC and should prove to be a strong test for Baltimore.
Week 8 vs. Chicago Bears
Quarterback: Caleb Williams
Key Additions: C Drew Dalman, DT Grady Jarrett, G Joe Thuney, TE Colston Loveland
Key Departures: G Teven Jenkins, G Coleman Shelton, DE Darrell Taylor
Head Coach: Ben Johnson
2024 Record: 5-12
Johnson was the top coaching candidate this offseason and the former Lions offensive coordinator stayed in the NFC North with a young rising quarterback. As Williams enters Year 2, eyes will be on how the offense grows in 2025 with new weapons and a revamped offensive line.
Week 9 at Miami Dolphins (Thursday Night Football)
Quarterback: Tua Tagovailoa
Key Additions: LB K.J. Britt, RB Alexander Mattison, DT Kenneth Grant
Key Departures: DT Calais Campbell, G Robert Hunt, S Jevon Holland, LB Andrew Van Ginkel
Head Coach: Mike McDaniel
2024 Record: 8-9
The Dolphins had a down season in 2024, missing the playoffs while questions surrounding their roster persist. It's still unknown if wide receiver Tyreek Hill and cornerback Jalen Ramsey will be in Miami next season, so by the time this game is played the Dolphins could look very different.
Week 10 at Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback: J.J. McCarthy
Key Additions: LB Eric Wilson, C Ryan Kelly, RB Jordan Mason
Key Departures: QB Sam Darnold, T Cam Robinson, S Cam Bynum
Head Coach: Kevin O'Connell
2024 Record: 14-3, Lost in Wild Card Round
The Vikings are kicking off the McCarthy era after moving on from Darnold. Minnesota had one of its best seasons in franchise history last year but a blowout loss in the Wild-Card Round put a damper on things.
Week 11 at Cleveland Browns
Quarterback: Joe Flacco
Key Additions: DT Mason Graham, DT Maliek Collins, DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Flacco
Key Departures: WR Elijah Moore, QB Jameis Winston, RB Nick Chubb
Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski
2024 Record: 3-14
The Browns have a major question at quarterback with veterans in Flacco and Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel (third round) and Shedeur Sanders (fifth round). However, Cleveland retained star pass rusher Myles Garrett with a four-year mega extension and the Browns defense projects to be ferocious once again. AFC North games against the Browns are always hardnosed.
Week 12 vs. New York Jets
Quarterback: Justin Fields
Key Additions: CB Brandon Stephens, T Armand Membou, Fields
Key Departures: QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Davante Adams, RT Morgan Moses
Head Coach: Aaron Glenn
2024 Record: 5-12
Glenn is entering his first season as the Jets retool their roster in the post-Rodgers era. The biggest question will be how Fields performs under center and if the offense can take a step forward.
Week 13 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Thanksgiving)
Quarterback: Joe Burrow
Key Additions: DE Shemar Stewart, RB Samaje Perine
Key Departures: G Alex Cappa, DT Sheldon Rankins, DE Sam Hubbard (retired)
Head Coach: Zac Taylor
2024 Record: 9-8
The Bengals had one of the top offenses in the NFL last season but struggled on defense. Starting 0-3 proved too big of a hole as Cincinnati missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Bengals' big move this offseason was extending star wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Star defensive end Trey Hendrickson is in a contract dispute and exploring a trade.
Week 14 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback: Mason Rudolph
Key Additions: WR DK Metcalf, DT Derrick Harmon, Rudolph
Key Departures: WR George Pickens, QB Russell Wilson, LT Dan Moore Jr.
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
2024 Record: 10-7
The Steelers led the AFC North for most of the 2024 season before the Ravens overtook them late in the year. Pittsburgh ended on a five-game losing streak, including a Wild Card loss in Baltimore. Quarterback is still the biggest question in Pittsburgh, as Aaron Rodgers is rumored to be on his way but has yet to sign.
Week 15 at Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback: Joe Burrow
Key Additions: DE Shemar Stewart, RB Samaje Perine
Key Departures: G Alex Cappa, DT Sheldon Rankins, DE Sam Hubbard (retired)
Head Coach: Zac Taylor
2024 Record: 9-8
The Bengals had one of the top offenses in the NFL last season but struggled on defense. Starting 0-3 proved too big of a hole as Cincinnati missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Bengals' big move this offseason was extending star wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Star defensive end Trey Hendrickson is in a contract dispute and exploring a trade.
Week 16 vs. New England Patriots
Quarterback: Drake Maye
Key Additions: T Will Campbell, WR Stefon Diggs, DT Milton Williams
Key Departures: DT Daniel Ekuale, K Joey Slye, CB Jonathan Jones
Head Coach: Mike Vrabel
2024 Record: 4-13
Vrabel is in his first season at the helm in New England and has an up-and-coming quarterback in Maye. The Patriots were big spenders in free agency, signing Diggs and Williams to lucrative contracts. New England could be on the rise.
Week 17 at Green Bay Packers
Quarterback: Jordan Love
Key Additions: WR Matthew Golden, LB Isaiah Simmons, G Aaron Banks
Key Departures: CB Eric Stokes, C Josh Myers, DT T.J. Slaton
Head Coach: Matt LaFleur
2024 Record: 11-6, Lost in Wild Card Round
The Packers have a strong roster and one of the best head coaches in the NFL. They got a big boost from running back Josh Jacobs last season and used a first-round pick on a speedy wide receiver in Golden.
Week 18 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback: Mason Rudolph
Key Additions: WR DK Metcalf, DT Derrick Harmon, Rudolph
Key Departures: WR George Pickens, QB Russell Wilson, LT Dan Moore Jr.
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
2024 Record: 10-7
The Steelers led the AFC North for most of the 2024 season before the Ravens overtook them late in the year. Pittsburgh ended on a five-game losing streak, including a Wild Card loss in Baltimore. Quarterback is still the biggest question in Pittsburgh, as Aaron Rodgers is rumored to be on his way but has yet to sign.
Cincinnati Bengals: Rookie Holdout Shemar Stewart Says He's Being Reasonable
Edge rusher Shemar Stewart, the 17th overall pick in the draft, has been observing rookie workouts but has not participated in on-field rookie drills and has yet to sign.
According to Pro Football Talk, Stewart and the Bengals are at odds over language in his contract related to the potential voiding of future guarantees. PFT reported that the contract signed by Cincinnati's first-round pick in 2024, tackle Amarius Mims, did not include the language that the Bengals are now attempting to insert into Stewart's deal.
"I'm not asking for anything crazy," Stewart said via ESPN.com’s Ben Baby. "I just want things to be consistent. I just want consistent language as in the past contracts. I just won't practice until I get that."
The Bengals are scheduled for OTAs Tuesday-Thursday and June 2-4, with mandatory minicamp from June 10-12.
Cleveland Browns: Fifth-Overall Pick Mason Graham Agrees to Contract Terms
The Browns and fifth-overall pick Mason Graham agreed to contract terms on Tuesday, according to Rapoport.
Graham had a stellar career at defensive tackle for Michigan, guiding the Wolverines to a national championship in 2023.
The Browns selected Graham after trading down from No. 2 to No. 5 in a blockbuster deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who took wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter at No. 2.
Graham was a first-team All-American in 2024 after recording 45 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. He and second-round linebacker Carson Schwesinger, the 33rd overall pick, are expected to join Cleveland's revamped front seven led by All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett, who signed a massive contract extension in March.
