Team news: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Jets ran the ball less than any team last season. The biggest reason for that (Aaron Rodgers) is gone. It would not shock me if the Jets went from last to first in terms of rushing attempts — the product of a run-first scheme led by offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, and the dynamic, dual-threat quarterbacking of Justin Fields in the fray. The Jets are modeling their offense after the one Engstrand and Aaron Glenn came from in Detroit, where, in theory at least, Breece Hall would play the Jahmyr Gibbs role while Braelon Allen would step in as the David Montgomery, power-running type. — Zack Rosenblatt

Those are pretty big expectations, but the thought of it is exciting. Rosenblatt went on to say Allen was a training camp breakout last year who never got a chance to get going in a bad offense, but he’ll have plenty of opportunities in 2025 to make his mark and prove he can be the long-term starter with Hall in the last year of his contract.

Steelers-Dolphins trade, Part II: Dolphins are trading tight end Jonnu Smith to the Steelers for a late-round pick swap, per ESPN sources.

Smith will get a one-year contract extension for $12 million.

Related Players: Pat Freiermuth, Pharoah Brown, Julian Hill

What's good for the Steelers offense isn't necessarily a good thing for fantasy. Freiermuth is coming off a career-high 65 receptions, but even with a lack of a bona fide WR2 in Pittsburgh, it's doubtful he hits that number with Smith in town. This obviously means Smith will have to fight for targets as well, and puts both of their TE1 outcomes in question. Jonnu, at least, has familiarity with Arthur Smith, so we can envision usable weeks, just not nearly as many as he would have had in Miami.

The TE options leftover in Miami can be safely avoided, unless they make a move for another guy. Malik Washington becomes slightly more palatable as a (very) late-round dart throw.

Renegade A-Rod: Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers informed the #Steelers he’ll fly to Pittsburgh on Friday and sign before next week’s minicamp, sources tell The Insiders.

Finally, a done deal: Rodgers, 41, will play his 21st NFL season in black and gold.

Related Players: Mason Rudolph

Pelissero followed up with,

"Contract parameters have been in place for months; Rodgers has said publicly he told teams that he’ll play for $20 million, and the sides need to finalize the contract. Once he signs, he’s expected to be on the field when minicamp begins Tuesday."

This gives the Steelers pass-catchers a solid QB option, but the DK Metcalf/Rodgers pairing is incredibly interesting. We'll keep you updated on what former Packers players end up signing in Pittsburgh this summer.

Details of the Steelers-Cowboys trade expected to be completed today.

Steelers receive 2026 3rd-round pick and a 2027 5th-round pick.

Cowboys receive WR George Pickens and a 2027 6th-round pick.

Related Players: DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, Roman Wilson, Pat Freiermuth, CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy

With the relative lack of impactful Draft compensation, it's a wonder this didn't get done prior to or during the 2025 NFL Draft, but Pickens is on the move regardless.

For the Steelers, this makes Roman Wilson a little more intriguing as he heads into Year 2, and Freiermuth should see a little bump closer to high-end TE2 consideration.

For the Cowboys, this slightly lowers CeeDee Lamb's potentially astronomical target share, but gives QB Dak Prescott a much more reliable No. 2 option in what was already projected as a pass-heavy offense with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders making up their backfield. Pickens is now more of a high-end WR3 than a fringe WR4.

The Steelers are signing veteran WR Robert Woods to a 1-year, $2M deal. A new target and big-time locker room presence for… whoever their QB ends up being. The former Texans WR lands in a great spot.

Related Players: DK Metcalf, George Pickens, Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson

Should Woods stick on the team until the regular season, he'll have more of an impact keeping sophomore Roman Wilson on the field than he would for the top of the depth chart. We'll have to wait and see how things shake out with Pickens' status as a Steeler throughout the summer.

As expected, the Steelers have placed a second-round RFA tender on RB Jaylen Warren, his agents told NFL Network.

Related Players: Najee Harris, Cordarrelle Patterson

This ensures that Warren will be back in Pittsburgh unless a team gives up a second-round draft pick, which won't be happening. We'll have to wait and see if the team makes anymore news in the backfield (namely, Najee), but Warren should be considered a back-end RB3 as it stands.

The Steelers are sending a 2025 second-round pick to Seattle in exchange for WR DK Metcalf.

Pittsburgh will sign Metcalf to a five-year, $150 million extension, per source.

Related Players: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, George Pickens, Calvin Austin, Mike Williams

It was reported that Metcalf wanted to play "somewhere warm" with a competitive quarterback, and the Steelers have exactly zero of those things. Metcalf will battle Pickens as Pittsburgh's WR1, with Justin Fields possibly in pole position as the starting QB. Metcalf should be considered in fringe WR2/3 range.

Two-time Pro Bowl WR DK Metcalf has requested a trade and the Seahawks have agreed to explore options.
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Days before free agency, the 27-year-old Metcalf immediately becomes the top receiver available.

Related Players: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jake Bobo

There's no doubt there are plenty of teams that would be in the market for Metcalf's services, but it remains to be seen if this is a power move after Tyler Lockett's release or not. If Metcalf does end up leaving, JSN will absolutely rocket up WR rankings.

Seahawks are releasing an all-time franchise great, wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who piled up 8,594 receiving yards and 61 touchdowns across 10 seasons in Seattle. The Seahawks are opting to release Lockett rather than pay him his $17 million salary for this season, including a $5.3 million roster bonus due March 16.

Related Players: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, DK Metcalf

It doesn't seem like Lockett is done with the NFL, but we'll have to wait and see what kind of opportunity he'll find as a potential WR3 on another team. JSN gets a nice bump here, particularly with subsequent news that Metcalf has requested a trade.

Eagles are rewarding Saquon Barkley with a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension that makes him the highest-paid running back in NFL history, per sources. The deal makes Barkley the NFL’s first $20 million+ per-year running back. Barkley also has the ability to earn an additional $15 million in incentives and escalators. The deal includes $36 million fully guaranteed at signing.

The Eagles are taking the rare step of extending Barkley one year into his three-year deal - and in the same league year in which they signed him to the initial contract.

Related Players: Kenneth Gainwell, Will Shipley

Barkley gets the bag after a fantastic season that saw him string together breakaway runs that led to an eventually Philly Super Bowl win. Though he's up against the proverbial "age curve", he showed no signs of slowing down in '24 and should remain a high-upside fantasy commodity in '25.