Team news: Pittsburgh Steelers | Page 4

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.

Seahawks are giving Cooper Kupp a three-year deal, per source.

Related Players: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jake Bobo, Marquez Valdes-Scantling

JSN's career slot rate is sitting at 77.3%, while Kupp has been mostly featured out of the slot as well, which could signal some more out-wide usage for the youngster. Smith-Njiba is undoubtedly still the WR1 in Seattle, so they will absolutely figure it out, but the two are more interchangeable than it would have been with JSN + DK Metcalf. Continue to consider Smith-Njigba a high-end WR2, while we could see Kupp on the WR2/3 fringe if he is at full health.

Veteran WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling is signing with the Seahawks on a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million, per sources.

Related Players: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jake Bobo, Dareke Young

This adds a little bit of depth to the wide receiver room and gives Sam Darnold a much-needed deep threat. Valdes-Scantling himself isn't much of a fantasy target himself though, as the 30-year-old will now be on his fourth team since the 2023 season.

Star WR Chris Godwin returns to Tampa, sources say, taking less money to stay with Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and the rest of the gang.

He gets a 3-year, $66M deal with $45M guaranteed.

Related Players: Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan, Rakim Jarrett, Ryan Miller

Godwin was having a phenomenal season before his Week 7 dislocated ankle, and will look to fill his slot role again, even if the offense looks a little different under new OC Josh Grizzard. Grizzard was the team's pass game coordinator last season, so that's a good sign that we could see Godwin reprise his role as a fantasy WR2.

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.