True-or-false NFL offseason: Cowboys' defensive investments, Steelers' Aaron Rodgers waiting game and more

With free agency and the draft in the rearview and the calendar turning to May, we thought it would be the perfect time to examine the start of the NFL offseason before attention turns to rookie and mandatory minicamps.

Below, we examine five key storylines and see where things stand. 

All hope is lost for Pittsburgh Steelers if quarterback Aaron Rodgers retires.

For the second year in a row, Rodgers has hijacked Pittsburgh's offseason, with the team's immediate future directly tied to whether he'll play in 2026 or retire.

His fit in first-year coach Mike McCarthy's offense is obvious after the two spent 13 seasons together with the Green Bay Packers (2006-18). Based on the quarterbacks on Pittsburgh's roster, Rodgers would also be most likely to maximize the team's wide receiving options, including DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr. and 2026 second-rounder Germie Bernard.

While the best option for this season, Rodgers' return may do more to hold the team back to push it forward. If the four-time MVP was in his prime, it would be one thing. But the Steelers aren't an over-the-hill, 42-year-old quarterback away from winning the Super Bowl. They need someone younger, and while second-year quarterback Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar aren't realistic solutions, starting either would likely get Pittsburgh closer to finding a franchise cornerstone. | FALSE

An A.J. Brown trade would be a win-win for Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots.

The end is near. As the calendar turns to May, we're a month out from a likely trade sending Brown from the Eagles to Patriots. On April 20, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported a deal "is still on the table and still tracking to happen on or after June 1."

For Philadelphia, a trade would move Devonta Smith into the WR1 role, a designation some inside the organization believe could lead to a breakout season. The Eagles also added rookie wideout Makai Lemon, arguably the top receiver in his class, at No. 20 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. He could take Smith's spot in the pecking order with the Eagles missing a beat.

The Patriots, meanwhile, still could use someone of Brown's skill level. They added Romeo Doubs on a four-year, $68 million contract in free agency and homegrown talents Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas are ascending, but none have a history as a go-to wideout. All are young enough that it's possible one seizes the opportunity, but New England would be better off not leaving it to chance. | TRUE

The Dallas Cowboys now have a playoff-caliber defense.

Jerry Jones promised that the Cowboys would be active this offseason in fixing an awful 2025 defense, and refreshingly for Cowboys fans, it wasn't just bluster.

Dallas was busy on that side of the ball leading up to and during the draft, signing 3-4 defensive end Otito Ogbonnia, safeties P.J. Locke and Jalen Thompson and cornerback Cobie Durant in free agency while trading for edge-rusher Rashan Gary and inside linebacker Dee Winters. The Cowboys then spent five of their seven draft picks on defense, beginning with defensive back Caleb Downs (No. 11 overall) and edge-rusher Malachi Lawrence (No. 23 overall) in Round 1 and later linebacker Jaishawn Barham (No. 92 overall), cornerback Devin Moore (No. 114 overall) and defensive end LT Overton (No. 137).

The unit has the makings of being most improved in the secondary after ranking last against the pass in 2025. In addition to the overhaul in talent, the Cowboys hired former Eagles defensive backs coach Christian Parker as defensive coordinator.

The offense, which ranked No. 2 in yards last year, should be just as prolific, making Dallas a playoff contender as long as its defense can simply be a middle-of-the-pack unit. The pieces are there for it to hold up its end of the bargain. | TRUE

The Cincinnati Bengals did enough to help quarterback Joe Burrow.

Cincinnati traded out of the first round in the 2026 draft by sending No. 10 overall to the New York Giants for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. That came after previously adding 4-3 defensive end Boye Mafe, safety Bryan Cook and veteran interior lineman Jonathan Allen in free agency.

Even with the moves, the Bengals still have enough question marks that could spoil another year of Burrow's prime. They lack a quality second outside corner opposite DJ Turner, and their linebackers are also suspect in coverage. As much as Lawrence should help generate pressure, his impact against the run may be minimal. Last year, the Giants were the only team that allowed more rushing yards than the Bengals. | FALSE

Tampa Bay Buccaneers should extend quarterback Baker Mayfield before 2026 season.

Mayfield is entering the final year of a three-year extension signed in 2024, but signs point toward him being part of the team's long-term future. 

"All of our plans revolve around Baker," general manager Jason Licht recently said during a local radio hit, per NFL.com.

Licht is wise not to rock the pirate ship by agitating his star QB, but Tampa shouldn't be in any hurry to extend Mayfield. After an MVP-caliber start to the 2025 season, his production nosedived over his final 11 starts as the Bucs went 3-8. A myriad of injuries reportedly played a role, but after averaging 195.8 passing yards per game with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions from Week 7-18, Tampa needs to see him at 100 percent on the field before agreeing to a lucrative long-term extension.

The concern with going that path is with a massive comeback season, Mayfield's value would skyrocket, costing the Buccaneers millions. But what's worse: Paying a franchise quarterback accurate market value or being stuck with a diminished player on a contract north of $45M per year? Put that way, the answer is clear. | FALSE