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Insider suggests four-time Pro Bowl option for Steelers if Aaron Rodgers doesn't sign
It sure seems as if the Pittsburgh Steelers are waiting on four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers to make his decision.
After being cut by the Jets earlier this offseason, the 41-year-old quarterback is in the process of mulling over his NFL future. Retirement is an option, as it has been ever since his final season with the Green Bay Packers. If he plays in 2025, though, it seems likely he ends up with the Steelers.
If Rodgers does decide to hang up his future Hall of Fame cleats, ESPN's Adam Schefter feels the Steelers do have a second option at quarterback not named Mason Rudolph or Will Howard, who they selected out of Ohio State in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Kirk Cousins is still under contract with the Atlanta Falcons (through 2027), but they've moved on to Michael Penix Jr. as their starter. If the Falcons decide to trade Cousins, and they should certainly consider it, there's only one more team in the NFL that could be looking for a starter right now, and that's the Steelers.
That is, of course, if Rodgers doesn't decide to go to the Steel City, according to Schefter.
"The only option there is right now for Kirk Cousins is the Pittsburgh Steelers," Schefter said on his Tuesday podcast (h/t Bleacher Report). "And that's if Aaron Rodgers doesn't sign with Pittsburgh by his choice. Because the Steelers are waiting for Aaron Rodgers to sign on the dotted line. It sounds like Aaron Rodgers is going to sign on the dotted line."
While Schefter does expect Rodgers to end up with the Steelers, he did say that Cousins would become their primary target if the Packers legend decides not to play in 2025.
Notably, the Falcons will have to pay Cousins $27.5 million in 2025 in base salary alone, so they do have reason to try to trade him. He's a really expensive backup quarterback.
It's also worth noting that Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot did recently address the idea of trading Cousins. Atlanta is open to that idea, or any idea really, as long as the trade makes sense.
"We’re always patient with those types of things because if something comes to us with Kirk or any other player that makes sense and it’s going to help this team, then we’re going to be aggressive and we’re going to do it," Fontenot said on "Mad Dog Sports Radio" (h/t Pro Football Talk). And if it’s not something that’s going to ultimately help this team, we always have to ask that question: Is it the best for the Atlanta Falcons or this organization? And if it is, we’re going to be willing to do it. But all that communication is always ongoing.”
More must-reads:
- How Steelers reportedly expect Aaron Rodgers saga will end
- Steelers may have found another steal in UDFA pool as Pittsburgh lands an athletic freak
- The 'Most passing yards in an NFL game' quiz
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Packers HC bothered by rookie's 'unacceptable' behavior during preseason game
Green Bay Packers right tackle Anthony Belton had a forgettable first half against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday when he committed five penalties in the first half. The rookie was called for a false start, two illegal formation penalties, a face mask and unnecessary roughness. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was peeved by the unnecessary roughness penalty, which the second-round pick was called for when he pushed Colts cornerback Johnathan Edwards from behind after the play. Per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, LaFleur "let Belton have it" at halftime. Following the game, LaFleur explained to the media why that behavior bothers him — it hurts the team. “That’s the one that really bothers me because that is — I mean, they all bother me — but you can’t be getting personal fouls because that really hurts the team, puts you in a really tough position,” LaFleur said. “That is completely unacceptable in my mind. I appreciate the effort that he plays with and I thought he did a really nice job…I love the effort. It’s just, you got to be smart in those situations.” Belton's penalties were costly for the Packers. One of the illegal formation flags took away what would have been a touchdown pass from quarterback Taylor Elgersma to tight end Ben Sims. The 15-yard penalty on the unnecessary roughness call turned a manageable 3rd-and-5 into a 3rd-and-20. Saturday's preseason game is a learning experience for the 2023 third-team All-ACC offensive lineman. The Packers can't have Belton on the field if he's going to commit that many penalties, and the unnecessary roughness mistake would have been easy to avoid.
Giants have firm stance on possible Jameis Winston trade
The New York Giants have one of the deepest quarterback rooms in the NFL, and there has been speculation that Jameis Winston could be the odd man out when the regular season begins. It does not sound like Winston is going anywhere, however. Russell Wilson is expected to be the Giants' starting quarterback in Week 1. The big question is whether Jaxson Dart or Winston will enter the year as Wilson's primary backup. Dart has played well through two preseason games, and Brian Daboll and his coaching staff have raved about the former Ole Miss star. Some have wondered if the Giants could entertain trade offers for Winston should they decide they view Dart as their No. 2 quarterback. Assistant general manager Brandon Brown was asked about that on Tuesday, and he all but ruled it out. "I appreciate people that are interested, but Jameis is a New York Giant. The way that he's gone about his business from day one, he's made it very intentional of the fact that he wants to be here and he wants to be here for the long haul," Brown said. "Teammates love him. His preparation process, whether it's the off-field things that he does in terms of community relations, Bible studies, things in the locker room, galvanizing the group together — not just the quarterback room, but the offense as a whole. "He's been comic relief, but he's also been a really good example of how to be a pro and handle your business in terms of prehab, rehab and postgame care. So, I'm happy he's here, and he's gonna continue to do those things. He hasn't wavered, and he hasn't been shaken by any distractions at all." Winston signed a two-year, $8M contract with the Giants in free agency this offseason. The deal could climb as high as $16M with incentives, but he would need to play quite a bit to hit those. The Giants value Winston's extensive experience, just as they value Dart's upside. There is a reason they signed both Wilson and Winston and traded up to draft Dart. They believe in all three players, and they likely will not be inclined to trade Winston unless they receive an excellent offer.
Adam Schefter's latest Micah Parsons update gives Packers fans even more reason to believe in a blockbuster trade
Days after Ian Rapoport reported that the Green Bay Packers would make total sense as Micah Parsons' landing spot if the Dallas Cowboys decide to trade the All-Pro edge defender, Packers fans have gained another reason to believe that a deal is actually possible. On ESPN Radio, NFL insider Adam Schefter mentioned that the Cowboys parting ways to Parsons truly is a realistic scenario. "It sounds like at some point in time—whether that's now, after the season, after two seasons—it sounds like the two sides are headed to a divorce at some time," Schefter said. On the Pat McAfee Show, Schefter said something similar. "These things always can change, and situations often change at the end of August and September. It changed for CeeDee Lamb last year. It changed for Dak Prescott last year. This one doesn't feel that way. It doesn't feel that way today. That doesn't mean it can't change, but the way that it's tracking, it feels more likely that these sides are headed for a divorce today than they would be for a new deal. Now, I don't know that it'll play out that way, but that is what I see when I look at the market, first of all. Now, I don't know whether that means there will be a trade. I think the most likely scenario would be that he's there this year, his contract expires, they franchise tag him, and then after they franchise tag him, then they have the ability to go and try and trade him." Micah Parsons is playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal with the Cowboys, and he will make $24.007 million in 2025. Even though he's slated to hit the free agent market next offseason, Dallas could utilize the franchise tag to keep him around—which would be 120% of his current salary, $28.8 million. Parsons wants a long-term deal with the idea of becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in football, surpassing $40 million in yearly salary. To make that happen, the Packers would have to be willing to spend the combination of high draft picks and the big extension. But at 26 and with his extremely productive profile, Parsons is the type of player worthy of that effort. For now, though, the Cowboys control the cards.
'Fantastic club, but I only want to go to Chelsea' – Player dedicated to only joining The Blues
There is a player that is dedicated on only joining Chelsea right now and will go nowhere else, not even Bayern Munich. Oddly, Fabrizio Romano has been all over Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea all summer, almost as if he’s been pushing it to happen! I’m joking of course, but he has been putting regular updates out on it almost on a daily basis, and he had another one out yesterday. Sources: Chelsea now expecting permanent offers in for Christopher Nkunku! Xavi Simons is another attacker Chelsea are looking to try and sign before the window closes alongside Garnacho. The Simons stuff has become pretty frustrating really, but there is still an expectation that Chelsea will be signing him this window. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has also put out more info on it last night when he told DAZN that he gives Simons to Chelsea an 85% chance of still happening this window, which is very positive I guess. But yesterday it was reported that Chelsea are confident of signing both players this window still. Garnacho only wants Chelsea Fabrizio Romano spoke on his YouTube channel last night and said: “Bayern called Garnacho’s camp to understand the situation, and the answer was, ‘Thanks, fantastic club, but I only want to go to Chelsea.’ As I’ve been telling you, as of today he won’t go to any other club.” Why does he only want Chelsea? It’s great of course, that some players seem to really want to come to Chelsea. But why does Garnacho only want to join the club? I just find that really odd. What if Chelsea cannot sign him because they cannot agree a fee? Then what? He’s turning other clubs down and gambling on waiting for Chelsea? I find it very odd. But as I say, it’s great that he desperately only wants to join Chelsea!
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