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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been notorious for his off-field drama over the past few years.
He's starting to shift those narratives during his early time in Pittsburgh. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero says that Rodgers is settling into his new role, developing chemistry and establishing connections within the organization.
“It’s been really good in the building so far,” Pelissero said Tuesday on the Rich Eisen Show. “The way that Aaron is treating people, the way he’s gone about his business, getting to know his teammates. He’s been good to be around.”
Rookie quarterback Will Howard has already sung Rodgers' praises, hailing the four-time MVP as a great mentor for his transition to the NFL.
"He's been so awesome to me so far," Howard said on the Chipped Ham & Football Podcast. "Obviously, we've only got to be together for three days, but I've got a really good feeling about him and this whole quarterback room. I think we already meshed really well in this past week, hit it off, and got a good vibe. And Aaron's been so willing to help me."
Howard spent four seasons at Kansas State before transferring to Ohio State in his national championship run. Now, as a Steeler, he hopes to develop and eventually compete for the starting position as a possible franchise option.
Luckily, he'll have plenty of guidance from Rodgers along the way.
More K-State News
Kansas State's Jerome Tang Sparks Early Passion in Wildcats’ Offseason
Former K-State RB DJ Giddens Already Lauded As Big-Time Colts Addition
NBA Twitter Comically Pushes Back On Michael Beasley's Dwight Howard Antics
More must-reads:
- Bengals' Zac Taylor explains shocking Joe Flacco move for Packers game
- Lions CB Terrion Arnold to return 'sooner than expected'
- The 'Most NFL QB two-rushing-TD games' quiz
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Bengals' Zac Taylor explains shocking Joe Flacco move for Packers game
Roughly 24 hours after outsiders learned that the Cincinnati Bengals were acquiring veteran quarterback Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor confirmed that Flacco will start over Jake Browning when 2-3 Cincinnati plays at the Green Bay Packers (2-1-1) this coming Sunday. While speaking with media members, Taylor explained that somewhat surprising decision. Why Zac Taylor believes he can get Joe Flacco "up to speed quickly" "He's already spent a lot of time meeting with us, getting up to speed, so I feel really good about where he's at," Taylor said about Flacco, per Dave Clark of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "You just know him. ...Very comfortable with his style, concepts he's good at, things that we do. All of the terminology, there's a carryover, more so than I would have anticipated. So I feel like we can get him up to speed quickly." Flacco lost three of four September starts with the Browns before the Super Bowl XLVII Most Valuable Player was benched in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel. According to Pro Football Reference stats, Flacco began Wednesday ranked last in the NFL among qualified players with a 60.3 passer rating for the ongoing season. Additionally, he's 28th out of 32 signal-callers with a 36.7 adjusted QBR. That said, Flacco is a 40-year-old who has seen every defensive concept an opposing coordinator could and will throw his way. Back on Sept. 21, he helped the Browns earn a 13-10 win over the Packers in downtown Cleveland. Zac Taylor likes that Joe Flacco faced this Packers defense in September "It's different than a young quarterback coming in, trying to learn the system and understand what a defense is trying to do to try to challenge you," Taylor added about his decision to start Flacco versus the Packers. "Not only that, but he's played Green Bay this year, so he's already gone through a week of prep. ...Now the communication and the weekly rhythm is maybe different and unique, but he's already prepared for this opponent. So he gets a chance to refresh himself on that, while at the same time just learning our system and our terminology...and how we operate." Shortly after Taylor made his comments, ESPN BET had the Bengals listed as massive 14.5-point underdogs against Green Bay. Perhaps that line and the fact that he was discarded by Cleveland will give Flacco some extra motivation heading into the showdown that will take place at Lambeau Field.
North Carolina reportedly considering nuclear option with Bill Belichick, and that's justified
Terry McLaurin's latest injury update leaves questions about his status on Commanders' offense for Monday Night Football
The Washington Commanders have an extra day this week to prepare for the Chicago Bears and heal up, which is needed for some of the injuries on the team. The team has been getting healthy at the right time, but they're still missing three key players who have missed time over the last few weeks. They would love to get them back for a primetime NFC matchup against the Bears, who are getting their own impact players back from injury. The biggest name for the Commanders to watch this week is wide receiver Terry McLaurin, and we got our first update on Wednesday. Terry McLaurin did not practice on Wednesday Everyone is wondering when McLaurin will make his return, especially with Jayden Daniels back from his own injury, and the hope is this week, with the extra day. Head coach Dan Quinn said on Monday that the team was optimistic about McLaurin's return, along with right guard Sam Cosmi and wide receiver Noah Brown, but they had to wait until the team practiced to see their availability. Well, the team showed up to practice on Wednesday, and McLaurin did not participate like Quinn warned right before the players took the field in his press conference. "You'll see Noah out at practice today," Quinn said. "Terry won't. And then with the extra day, we'll just kind of work our way through with Terry to see where we're at and just kind of watch as we're going through it with him and Noah both.” The team will practice again on Thursday before taking Friday off as a recovery day, then take the field again on Saturday and Sunday to get a final game status on players' availability for Monday night, including McLaurin. McLaurin didn't need surgery and avoided going to the IR, which would've put him out for four games, and the team is going into the third game since he was injured, making his return likely this week or next. The good news, however, is that Brown looks like he will be available this week for the first time in a while. Noah Brown is back at practice Regardless of whether McLaurin returns or not, getting Brown back would help the offense while Deebo Samuel and Luke McCaffrey have been carrying the load over the last two weeks. Brown is the one who caught the Hail Mary touchdown last season in this matchup, and who knows what plays he could make on Monday. The more weapons, the better. The offense should continue to lean on the run game, especially against a really bad Bears' run defense, but getting more weapons back for Daniels, who looked much better last week, will long a long way on Monday night. Hopefully, that includes McLaurin, but we will have to wait and see through the rest of the week.
Bengals QB Jake Browning angry about being benched for Joe Flacco, but team had no choice
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning has officially been benched, and he is not taking it lightly. Browning has started the last three games for the Bengals in the wake of a toe injury that Joe Burrow suffered in Week 2. After going 0-3 in those games, the Bengals decided to acquire Joe Flacco in a trade with the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor announced on Wednesday that Flacco will start in Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers. That means the new guy is taking Browning's job right away, which is hardly a surprise. Jake Browning is not happy about losing his job Browning spoke with reporters shortly after Taylor revealed that Flacco will start in Green Bay. The 29-year-old quarterback said the situation "sucks" but that he understands how the business of the NFL works. "I think it sucks but, like I said, everyone's in the middle of a season. I think, 'Welcome to pro football,'" Browning said. "If you don't play well, you're gonna get replaced, and that's what I'm going through." Browning also admitted he is angry over being benched. Though, he said he is not willing to shoulder the blame for everything that has gone wrong for Cincinnati since Burrow went down. "For me, I'm trying to respond the right way. Obviously, I'm pi--ed. If I wasn't pi--ed, then I shouldn't be in this locker room," Browning added. "I'm aware of the role I played in the offensive struggles over the last few weeks, but I'm also not shouldering the entire situation. I went through yesterday, watched my throws, tried to come up with some stuff I want to work on, and just doing that." Zac Taylor had no choice but to make a switch Browning threw three interceptions in Cincinnati's 37-24 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. He completed 26 of 40 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns as well, but anything positive that the veteran did came when the game was essentially out of hand. In his two starts prior to the Lions loss, Browning threw for a total of 265 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. The Bengals scored 13 points in the two games combined. Ja'Marr Chase looked extremely frustrated at times and even had a heated exchange with Taylor on the sideline. Taylor had been facing tremendous pressure from fans to make a quarterback change. It would not be a surprise if Cincinnati's front office and some players expressed a desire for Browning to be benched, as well.
Tennessee Football vs Arkansas Razorbacks Predictions
The Tennessee Vols are set to play against another SEC program inside their home stadium. This will be a very intriguing matchup based off last season's outcome. The Vols will hope to get back at the Arkansas Razorbacks, who will be coached by Bobby Petrino in this game. The Vols On SI staff got together to share their predictions. Take a look: Dale Dowden: Arkansas 31, Tennessee 41 "Tennessee, coming off the bye week, should be fresh, as well as getting a few guys back into the lineup. Arkansas will keep it close; a few key stops on defense, giving Tennessee the ball, creates the 10-point deficit." Offense: "I expect Tennessee to continue on its path of success. The Vols have shown multiple times that they can win in various ways. The two big concerns on offense are the dropped passes, and at times, Aguilar still gets slightly forceful with the ball at times, but overall, I like the offense to take care of business at home." Defense: "The Vols have struggled a bit in the passing defense this year, but overall it's been a bend but don't break type of year. The offense has scored 40 or more points in every game this year. A few stops to give the offense a few extra possessions will win most games." Bold Take: "Boo Carter has over 100 punt return yards and a touchdown." Caleb Sisk: Arkansas 13, Tennessee 38 "Tennessee is coming off a crucial bye week, and although this may be the unpopular opinion, I believe the Tennessee Vols win in blowout fashion, while the Razorbacks struggle to find their stride." Offense: "The Vols have been dominant on the offensive side of the football. I believe that the Tennessee Volunteers will play a clean/semi-clean game with two punts or fewer as well as one or fewer turnovers." Defense: "Tennessee has to be able to contain the quarterback, and I believe they will. This will be the best performance from the Tennessee edge rushers that we will see up to this point, which is very bold, but with the right coaching patterns, it is very possible that Tennessee attacks the stunts and gets home." Bold Take: "Aguilar has four passing touchdowns with one player being on the receiving end of two of those plays. That player being Braylon Staley."
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