Guest of the League
TNGLFL Est. 2001
FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Aaron Rodgers offers hint at joining Steelers in jab at Bears

Sat May 24 2:39pm ET
Field Level Media

Aaron Rodgers may have tipped his hand as to the identity of his next NFL employer.

While making an appearance at a Mike Stud concert in Austin, Texas on Friday, Rodgers was asked by a young fan whether he'd play for the Chicago Bears.

Her question was met with a bit of laughter from the audience, given Rodgers' previous claim that he "owned" the rival Bears during his time as the star quarterback of the Green Bay Packers.

"No, but I believe there's a team that might play in Chicago this year on a road trip," Rodgers said. "I love Chicago, though. Way more than they love me."

If one is willing to read into Rodgers' comment, the Pittsburgh Steelers play in Chicago on Nov. 23. The Steelers, of course, long have been rumored to be the eventual landing spot for Rodgers.

Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were the starters in Pittsburgh last season and both signed free agent deals to play in New York -- Wilson with the Giants, Fields with the Jets.

Quarterbacks currently on Pittsburgh's roster are Mason Rudolph, a former Steeler who is returning after a season with the Tennessee Titans, Skylar Thompson and sixth-round draft pick Will Howard.

Rodgers, 41, passed for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns with the Jets in 2024, returning from a season-ending Achilles injury suffered in his first game with the team in September 2023.

A four-time NFL MVP and 10-time Pro Bowl selection, Rodgers ranks fifth in league history in touchdown passes (503) and seventh in passing yards (62,952).

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Fantasy Life Championship Live Stream (5-21)

Player Notes
Marvin Harrison Jr. May 24 10:40am CT
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals second-year wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who bulked up and added muscle to his frame this offseason, said he's confident in what the Cardinals offense can do in 2025. "I'm very confident in what we have offensively," Harrison said. "From top to bottom, the quarterback, offensive line, skill positions, I think we have everything we need to accomplish our goals." The 22-year-old fourth overall pick last year finished his rookie campaign with 62 catches, 885 yards and eight touchdowns, ranking fifth in receiving yards for a rookie. Harrison said he has spent plenty of time with quarterback Kyler Murray outside the facility as he continues to gain chemistry with him. Fantasy managers that draft him in 2025 will be hoping that his added strength will make him more of a contributor after the catch. Although his rookie year didn't live up to expectations, Harrison could easily take the next step in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Shough May 24 10:30am CT
Tyler Shough

If New Orleans Saints rookie second-round quarterback Tyler Shough wins the team's QB competition this offseason and starts in Week 1 this fall, he would be the first Week 1 rookie starter for the organization since Archie Manning did it in 1971 after being taken second overall out of Ole Miss. After Derek Carr's abrupt retirement, Shough will be competing with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener (oblique) for the starting gig under center after being taken 40th overall in the second round in April. He's the third-highest QB selection for the Saints in their history after taking Manning at No. 2 overall and Bo Burris at 27th overall in 1967. Perhaps giving Shough a leg up is the fact that he's old for a rookie -- he will turn 26 on Sept. 28 after seven seasons in college. Considering his draft status, Shough is considered the early favorite to win the job. If he does, he'll be a low-end QB2 in superflex fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Nakobe Dean May 24 10:20am CT
Nakobe Dean

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean (knee), who is recovering from the torn left patellar tendon he suffered in the wild-card round of the playoffs last season, has taken up ballet to become lighter and more agile. "There's way more flexibility, of course. Way more mobility," Dean said of the results of his ballet training. "It's definitely something that's helping with my rehab." Last year, Dean and Zack Baun were the Eagles' top two tacklers, with Dean contributing 128 to go with three sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception. The 24-year-old played a career-high 815 defensive snaps in 2024 in 15 games and was an elite run-stopper for Philly's strong defense. Dean finished as the No. 14 linebacker in IDP fantasy leagues in his third year in the NFL. He is likely to be ready for the start of the 2025 season this fall, but don't be surprised if the Eagles manage hi workload carefully early on.

From RotoBaller

Dallin Holker May 24 10:10am CT
Dallin Holker

New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore said that tight end Dallin Holker (undisclosed) is dealing with a "minor" injury during OTAs. It's unclear exactly what is bothering Holker or if it will keep him out of mandatory minicamp in early June. The 25-year-old went undrafted out of Colorado State before debuting with the Saints last year. Holker mainly served as New Orleans' No. 3 tight end a year ago and caught only three passes on four targets for 21 yards in 12 games played (two starts). Foster Moreau (knee) is also sitting out of OTAs due to injury, which will lead to more reps for Juwan Johnson, Jack Stoll and Michael Jacobsen. If Holker is healthy for the start of the 2025 regular season, he'll once again serve as TE dept for the Saints and can be ignored in fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Joe Flacco May 23 10:30pm CT
Joe Flacco

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that the team won't split their quarterback repetitions this offseason evenly for each of veteran Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. "It's not going to be like everybody gets 25% of the reps, that's not how it's gonna be," Stefanski said. It sounds as though Gabriel and Sanders could see more reps in practices because of the fact that they have less experience than both Flacco and Pickett. "We want to give everyone enough reps so that we can learn more about them." It's anyone's guess as to who will win the starting job under center for the Browns to begin the 2025 regular season, but it would be a bit of an upset if it's one of either Gabriel or Sanders. The 40-year-old Flacco won't have much fantasy upside if he wins the job, but he could give the Browns the most realistic shot at winning to begin the year.

From RotoBaller

Kayvon Thibodeaux May 23 10:30pm CT
Kayvon Thibodeaux

The New York Giants restructured the contract of linebacker Brian Burns on Friday by converting $10 million-plus of his 2025 base salary into a signing bonus in order to get far enough under the salary cap to complete the signing of rookie first-round defensive end Abdul Carter, who signed a four-year, fully guaranteed $45,255,180 deal on Thursday. Burns, a first-rounder himself in 2019 out of Florida State, had a strong first year in New York in 2024 with a career-high 71 tackles (42 solo), 8.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 18 QB hits, eight pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 17 starts. The 27-year-old two-time Pro Bowler will combine with Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux to give the G-Men one of the better pass-rushing units in the NFL. Since his rookie season with the Carolina Panthers in 2019, Burns has had at least 7.5 sacks in his six NFL seasons.

From RotoBaller

Jameson Williams May 23 10:20pm CT
Jameson Williams

The Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett expects the Detroit Lions to attack defenses more deep down the field in 2025 under new offensive coordinator John Morton, which should primarily benefit big-play wide receiver Jameson Williams. The 24-year-old pass-catcher had his fifth-year option picked up for the 2026 season after breaking out in 2024 in his third year in the league to the tune of 58 receptions, 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns on 91 targets over 15 regular-season games (11 starts), where were career-highs across the board after injuries and a suspension limited him in 2022 and 2023. Williams' 2024 numbers were good enough to make his the WR22 in point-per-reception formats, but he's still a bit of a boom/bust fantasy option in a Lions offense with lots of playmakers. He will need to be efficient with his touches, but Williams showed last year he's a home run threat every time he touches the football.

From RotoBaller

Stefon Diggs May 23 10:10pm CT
Stefon Diggs

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee) is taking part in OTAs this week without wearing a brace on his surgically-repaired right knee. In his lone season with the Houston Texans in 2024, Diggs only played in eight games before tearing his right ACL on Oct. 27. The 31-year-old veteran pass-catcher was on his way to a big season before the season-ending injury, catching 47 of 64 targets for 496 yards and three touchdowns. Barring a setback with his knee during offseason workouts and training camp this summer, it looks like Diggs should be 100% ready to go for Week 1 of the 2025 season. Diggs will be the team's unquestioned WR1 after signing a three-year, $63.5 million deal in free agency, and he'll have second-year QB Drake Maye throwing him the pigskin. There's plenty of skepticism about Diggs coming off a major knee injury in fantasy. His floor and ceiling will be lower, but he could make up for it with volume in PPR setups.

From RotoBaller

Spencer Rattler May 23 11:40am CT
Spencer Rattler

The New Orleans Times-Picayune's Matthew Paras reports that New Orleans Saints second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler looked very comfortable during the team's OTA practice on Thursday, and you could tell that he has a year under his belt. Meanwhile, rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough was a little more hesitant, although he shined on a deep ball to receiver Rashid Shaheed down the sideline. Everyone is already expecting Shough to win the QB competition in New Orleans after the sudden retirement of Derek Carr this offseason, but the 24-year-old Rattler isn't going to go down with a fight in an open competition this spring and summer. Rattler completed just 57% of his passes for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions in seven games in 2024 as a rookie, but he has the experience edge and could get the nod if Shough isn't quite ready to start in Week 1 this fall.

From RotoBaller

Tommy Mellott May 23 11:20am CT
Tommy Mellott

The Athletic's Tashan Reed reports that Las Vegas Raiders rookie sixth-rounder Tommy Mellott got significant action at slot receiver during an OTA practice this week. The quarterback-turned-receiver made cornerback Darnay Holmes fall on an in-and-out route on one rep before catching a pass from quarterback Geno Smith and turning upfield. Receiver Tre Tucker made the most impressive play of the day on a deep route where he got open over the top of the safety for a diving catch. Tucker started most of last year, but his role could be in jeopardy in 2025 after the Raiders drafted Dont'e Thornton and Jack Bech. Mellott is fast and athletic at 6-foot, 208 pounds but will most likely serve in a depth role at wideout in his first year in the NFL while also contributing as a return option on special teams.

From RotoBaller

Ashton Jeanty May 23 11:10am CT
Ashton Jeanty

Las Vegas Raiders rookie first-round running back Ashton Jeanty used a unique backfield stance in his final season at Boise State last year, standing straight up before a snap to give him a better view of the defensive alignment. However, in OTAs with the Raiders, Jeanty has used a more prototypical stance at the suggestion of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who thinks it gives the RB a stronger base to explode out of once the ball is snapped. The 21-year-old was the sixth overall pick in this year's NFL draft and will immediately come in and take over RB1 duties in Vegas, with veteran Raheem Mostert backing him up. Jeanty is physical, fast and hard to tackle and profiles as a workhorse back while excelling on the ground and through the air. Expect to pay a pretty penny on draft day for Jeanty in both redraft and dynasty drafts with expectations sky-high entering his rookie campaign.

From RotoBaller

Maxx Crosby May 23 11:10am CT
Maxx Crosby

Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby (ankle) missed several games last season due to a high-ankle sprain and underwent tightrope surgery in the offseason, but The Athletic's Tashan Reed reports he's healthy again this offseason. Crosby was a full participant in organized team activities on Thursday and is ready to roll. "I didn't have an offseason," Crosby said. "I've been here the whole time. It's been five months of hardcore training and rehabbing every single day." The 27-year-old pass-rusher missed the final games of the 2024 season but still finished with 7.5 sacks, 45 tackles (28 solo), 17 tackles for loss, 20 QB hits and five pass breakups in 12 starts in his sixth year in the NFL. Crosby has been one of the top defensive playmakers since entering the league in 2019 with 59.5 sacks in 95 games (89 starts) for the Raiders. Now that he's fully healthy, he'll be a high-end fantasy defensive-line target.

From RotoBaller

MarShawn Lloyd May 22 10:00pm CT
MarShawn Lloyd

The Athletic's Matt Schneidman writes that Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (appendix) is currently healthy and without restrictions during offseason work as he heads into his sophomore season in the NFL. Lloyd, a third-round pick last year, was supposed to be Josh Jacobs' backup in 2024 while providing an intriguing speed and pass-catching element to the backfield, but injuries limited him to just one game. A healthy Lloyd should easily be Jacobs' backup despite Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks exceeding expectations a year ago. In addition to appendicitis, Lloyd missed time last year with ankle and hamstring injuries. He is extremely talented and has the tools to eventually be a three-down back in the NFL, but after a lost rookie season, he'll pretty much only be a handcuff for Jacobs in ingle-year fantasy leagues in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Savion Williams May 22 10:00pm CT
Savion Williams

The Athletic's Matt Schneidman isn't convinced that Green Bay Packers rookie third-round wide receiver Savion Williams will be a regular contributor in his first season in the NFL, but he writes that the Packers coaches are talking about him as if he will be. That's bad news for wideouts Bo Melton and Malik Heath making contributions this fall alongside Williams, rookie first-rounder Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks. Remember, Christian Watson (knee) is expected to miss at least half of the 2025 season. Williams is an athletic 6-foot-4, 222 pounds, but barring injuries on the receiver depth chart above him, he could very well be limited to a few offensive snaps per game and return duties on special teams. His usage will be something to watch in training camp and the preseason, but as of now, Williams is unlikely to be draft-worthy in single-year fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Williams May 22 9:40pm CT
Caleb Williams

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' left foot is now forward under new head coach Ben Johnson. "I think it helps out certainly with the quick game from the gun, and then helps us being a little bit better at a throwing posture for a lot of the other things that we're asking him to do," Johnson said. The new head coach said that Williams was already exploring the change himself when he initially discussed the footwork with Williams. The minor change probably won't have much of an impact one way or another as the 23-year-old second-year signal-caller looks to bounce back from a disappointing rookie season, but it's a reminder that Chicago's new head coach is doing everything he can to get more out of Williams in 2025. Getting the ball out quicker -- Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times -- is of utmost importance. He should be more efficient under Johnson and should be targeted as a QB2 with upside.

From RotoBaller

Colston Loveland May 22 9:40pm CT
Colston Loveland

Chicago Bears rookie first-round tight end Colston Loveland (shoulder) was present but not participating during Thursday's OTA practice as he recovers from a shoulder injury, according to The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain and Adam Jahns. Loveland had surgery on his right shoulder in January to fix an AC joint dislocation and isn't ready for on-field work just yet. It's unclear if the 21-year-old 10th overall pick will be ready to take part in mandatory minicamp in early June, but the expectation is that he'll be ready to rock for the start of training camp at the end of July. The Bears still have Cole Kmet at the tight end position, but Loveland should have an immediate big role on offense in his rookie season as long as he's healthy. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder is an excellent pass-catcher and has a high ceiling at the next level, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues should temper expectations in Year 1.

From RotoBaller

Cam Skattebo May 22 9:20pm CT
Cam Skattebo

The Athletic's Charlotte Carroll wonders if New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo can usurp Tyrone Tracy Jr. for the RB1 job in 2025. It's possible, but Carroll goes on to say that it's more realistic that Skattebo, the team's fourth-rounder out of Arizona State this year, jumps Devin Singletary for the RB2 role to begin his rookie season. Skattebo offers a more physical complement to Tracy's speed and is already a fan favorite in the Big Apple because of his physicality and underdog mentality. For now, Carroll is giving the slight edge to the veteran Singletary well before training camp, but it's very possible that Singletary falls further down the depth chart after losing the starting gig to Tracy in 2024. Skattebo makes up for his lack of speed with plenty of power and explosiveness. Don't be surprised if he becomes New York's primary pass-catching back early on in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Jalin Hyatt May 22 9:20pm CT
Jalin Hyatt

New York Giants wide receivers Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton and Wan'Dale Robinson are set as the team's top three wideouts going into the 2025 season, and The Athletic's Charlotte Carroll writes that Jalin Hyatt appears to be the favorite for the No. 4 role despite coming off a disappointing 2024 season in which he had only eight catches for 62 yards. The third-rounder in 2023 will face competition from plenty of undrafted free-agent pass-catcher that were brought in, and the G-Men have also been considering adding former Bills and Jaguars receiver Gabe Davis. If the Giants don't add Davis, the WR4 job will be Hyatt's to lose in training camp this summer. His straight-line speed matches up well with quarterback Russell Wilson's deep-ball prowess, so the 23-year-old should take a step forward if he stays healthy.

From RotoBaller

Russell Wilson May 22 9:00pm CT
Russell Wilson

The Athletic's Charlotte Carroll writes that there is no open quarterback competition for the New York Giants after they traded back into the first round of this year's NFL draft to take Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss. Head coach Brian Daboll has repeatedly said this offseason that Russell Wilson will take the first-team repetitions to start the spring and is expected to be the Week 1 starter. But because Wilson is only on a one-year deal, he's viewed as a bridge QB. Veteran Jameis Winston is an insurance policy in 2025 and a future backup for Dart in 2026. However, with both Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen on the hot seat after going 9-25 the last two years, pressure could mount in the Big Apple for Dart to get his chance sooner than later in 2025 if Wilson and the G-Men struggle early on. Wilson is still a great deep passer and could click with receiver Malik Nabers, but there's little fantasy upside at this stage of his career.

From RotoBaller

Foster Moreau May 22 8:50pm CT
Foster Moreau

New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore said that both tight ends Taysom Hill (knee) and Foster Moreau (knee) will not take part in the team's offseason program due to knee injuries. Both players will miss OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Hill tore his left ACL in December of last year and probably won't be ready for training camp in late July, either. If the 34-year-old Swiss Army Knife looking unlikely to miss the start of the regular season, too, it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility that he'll be a salary cap casualty with a cap hit of almost $18 million in 2025. Moreau suffered a knee injury in early January and is still rehabbing. When healthy, the 28-year-old should compete with Juwan Johnson for the top pass-catching role at tight end in 2025. Hill is the most fantasy friendly TE in New Orleans if he stays, but he could be even more boom-or-bust if he stays in the Big Easy coming off his serious knee injury.

From RotoBaller