Team news: Pittsburgh Steelers | Page 5

Two-time Pro Bowl WR DK Metcalf has requested a trade and the Seahawks have agreed to explore options.
.
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.

Dolphins WRs Tyreek Hill (wrist) and Jaylen Waddle (knee) are both questionable for Sunday vs. Cleveland.

Related Players: Malik Washington, River Cracraft, Jonnu Smith

Waddle feels like the more likely candidate to miss, but it's been reported that Tyreek has been playing through ailments through most of the season. Consider Hill a WR2 if he suits up.

Chiefs Pro-Bowl DT Chris Jones officially is inactive today vs. the Steelers.

Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. officially is inactive, WR George Pickens officially active.

Related Players: Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson, Mike Williams

The Steelers WR room looks a little more palatable with Pickens in the lineup, but it's still not enough to push Russell Wilson above deep-league SuperFlex territory. Consider Pickens a WR3 for Week 17.

On Tuesday, Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said that Aaron Rodgers is uncertain to play against the Bills as a result. Ulbrich added that he would bet on Rodgers being in the lineup, however.

Related players: Tyrod Taylor

Rodgers hurt his knee against the Rams last Sunday and Taylor was seen warming up on the sideline while Rodgers got medical attention, but Rodgers remained on the field for the entirety of the 19-9 loss that dropped the Jets to 4-11 for the season, the story said. Those counting on him will want to monitor his status but it looks like he at least has a chance to go in Week 17, which is in the early slate of games on Sunday.

The weather wasn't the only thing frigid on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. So was the on-field relationship between New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who was targeted only three times over the first 55 minutes and spoke cryptically afterward about why he wasn't a factor in the 19-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

"I'd like to be involved, love to make an impact on the game, but people see it differently," Wilson said. "That's out of my control."

Wilson had only been targeted five times over five quarters heading into the final frame in Week 16. In the same span, Adams was targeted 17 times. Even Allen Lazard (seven) had more chances than Wilson, who ranted during last week's win because he wanted the ball against single coverage on a specific red zone play, the story said. Wilson did finish with a 6-54-0 line after four late receptions. There should be lots of changes coming to the Jets for the 2025 season, but the story speculated Wilson could ask for a trade if the trend continues. The Jets and their offense will be one of the bigger stories to follow this offseason.

Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill (wrist/personal) was limited in practice today and is now questionable for Sunday vs. San Francisco.

WR Jaylen Waddle (knee) didn't practice all week and is doubtful.

Related Players: Jonnu Smith, Malik Washington, River Cracraft

We're assuming Hill will be fine by kickoff, but it's definitely a situation worth keeping an eye on. He's currently projected as a WR2, with Jonnu Smith possibly absorbing even more work with Waddle unlikely to see the field.

Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle and Dee Eskridge are both DOUBTFUL.

Related Players: Tyreek Hill, Jonnu Smith, Malik Washington, River Cracraft

Smith has basically been operating as the No. 2 pass-catcher for the Dolphins over the past couple of months, so this could end up pushing him into double-digit target rate, making him a top-5 option (if he wasn't already). Tyreek stays in the WR2 range, while the other ancillary options can be ignored.

The Steelers ruled out WR George Pickens and QB Justin Fields for Saturday vs. Baltimore.

OLB T.J. Watt (ankle) is off the injury report and will play.

Related Players: Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson, Mike Williams, Scott Miller

We really can't trust any of these ancillary pieces with Pickens missing, and it comes as a huge downgrade to Russell Wilson and the offense, in general.