Rodgers’ recent visit with the Steelers reportedly went well. Smith joined Rodgers, and they “watched film together and chatted about their thoughts,” Anderson said. “From Pittsburgh’s viewpoint, I heard they walked away that day feeling really good about the vibe of the meeting, per a league source.” If he indeed signs with the Steelers, Rodgers would helm Smith’s massively run heavy offense, one that was 4.3 percent below its expected pass rate in 2024, the fourth-lowest rate in the NFL. It would be a far different situation than the one Rodgers, 41, had in New York, where he appointed offensive coaches, including OC Nathaniel Hackett.

This comes after Lance received no interest in free agency. Entering his age-25 season, Lance has thrown a grand total of 461 passes since high school and has never appeared to be an NFL-caliber quarterback. Last year with the Cowboys, Lance completed 25 of 41 pass attempts for 266 yards and an interception. He added 11 rushes for 41 scoreless yards over four appearances for Dallas. He has five touchdown passes over 12 games in the NFL since the start of 2021. Lance could finally get some playing time north of the border and perhaps revive his NFL career in the coming years. There’s a good chance Lance has taken his final snap in the NFL, however.

Russell Wilson signing with the Giants means Rodgers is down to one — maybe two — options if he’s going to return in 2025 following his catastrophic two years with the Jets. Rodgers would face precious little competition for the Week 1 starting job in Pittsburgh, with Mason Rudolph the only other viable quarterback on the roster right now. Rodgers, 41, ranked 24th out of 39 qualifying quarterbacks in drop back success rate in 2024. He would very likely represent a QB upgrade for Steelers pass catchers in 2025.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Diggs’ contract includes $26 million guaranteed. The 31-year-old tore his ACL in Week 8 last season and may not be ready for Week 1. However, the Patriots needed a veteran wide receiver to add to a middling group that saw no wideouts over 700 receiving yards and just DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte over 400 yards last season. With less than half of the deal guaranteed, the Pats mitigate the risk that Diggs does not return healthy and productive. He was a Pro-Bowler and 1,000-yard receiver each season from 2020-2023 with the Bills and caught 47 passes for 497 yards and three touchdowns for the Texans in 2024. Still a top target-earner when healthy, Diggs will aid QB Drake Maye’s development while the Pats grow the offense. Fantasy managers can treat Diggs as a stash that will have fantasy WR2 upside as the season goes on.

Wilson has found a suitor in the Giants, signing a one-year deal worth up to $21 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal includes $10.5 million guaranteed, essentially making that Wilson’s salary for 2025 with the potential for more. The Giants were in the market for a veteran quarterback and now have two after also signing Jameis Winston. The dominos will continue to fall as the Steelers are still without a quarterback, though Aaron Rodgers seems destined for Pittsburgh despite the snail-like speed of his free agency decision. Meanwhile, Wilson is now poised to start for the Giants in 2025 after throwing for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 11 games for the Steelers last season. The ceiling for Malik Nabers and the Giants’ pass-catchers is lower with Wilson than Winston and the addition of the two veteran quarterbacks indicates the team will either pick a rookie to sit the entire 2025 season, or wait until the 2026 draft to add a rookie quarterback.

“The Titans have become increasingly impressed with Ward and, while they are expected to listen to offers for the No. 1 overall pick, it now would take an even stronger package to acquire the draft’s top selection,” Schefter says. This is quickly barrelling into either consensus No. 1 overall pick territory or one of the great rug pulls of all-time to try to generate more trade interest for the selection. We’d bet on the former given how exuberant the praise from Titans staff has become. If Tennessee brings some of their own offensive players to this private workout, it will likely be a glaring neon sign that Ward is going No. 1 overall.

The links between the Giants and Sanders have been obvious since the 2024 season was left for dead in November. Schefter points out that he had New York Giants cleats on before the Alamo Bowl. It certainly would appear that the Giants at No. 3 should be an unsurprising outcome for Sanders in this draft. Assuming the Titans select Cam Ward No. 1 overall — which certainly appears to be the consensus right now — the Browns will probably have to take Sanders at No. 2 if they want him.

McCarthy told Kay Adams on Monday that Minnesota coaches had not named him the starter after the team said last week it would not pursue Aaron Rodgers “at this time.” Coming off a knee injury that cost him his entire rookie campaign, McCarthy appears to be the favorite for the team’s Week 1 starting job. His recovery and performance in training camp could complicate things, however. NFL Network reported last week that the Vikings had rejected trade calls for McCarthy this offseason. McCarthy would certainly be set up for success in Kevin O’Connell’s quarterback-friendly system: The pass-catching trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and TJ Hockenson is one of the best in the league.

As Schneidman points out, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst was the only GM to appear at a private workout for Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan. McMillan is currently ranked as the No. 7 prospect on Dane Brugler’s top 100 and could become the first wide receiver drafted in the first round by the Packers since they took Javon Walker in 2002. McMillan may not fall to the Packers, who currently hold the No. 23 overall pick in the draft, necessitating a trade up. But in a draft that could feature three or four first-round picks at the position, Green Bay should have options if they want to upgrade at receiver.