NFL Player News

Wilson was the 29th overall pick in last year’s draft by the Titans but played just three snaps with the team after a couple stints on the COVID list and a DUI before he was traded to Miami for a seventh-round pick swap in March. Wilson lasted less than two weeks with the Dolphins. He was a first-round pick for a reason, but Wilson’s career couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start. It’s a worthwhile flier for a talent-deficient Giants roster. Wilson is still just 22 years old.

Rodgers met with the Steelers on Friday in a meeting that flew largely under the radar prior to his arrival at the team’s facilities. NBC’s Mike Florio reported shortly after the meeting that it’s a “safe bet” that Rodgers will eventually sign with the Steelers, but it doesn’t sound like Rodgers is in a rush to put pen to paper. The 41-year-old has had a limited market since news of his impending release from the Jets surfaced, but the Steelers are the only team that is simultaneously viewed as contenders who would be willing to let him start for them in 2025. Unless an unexpected team emerges as a suitor, Rodgers joining the Steelers sounds more like a matter of when than if.

Elliss will remain with the Patriots after the team opted to match the Raiders’ offer to the restricted free agent. Elliss was a key member of the Patriots’ defense last season, starting in five of the 16 games he appeared in while racking up 80 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and five pass breakups. He also forced one fumble and picked off one pass. It was the best season of Elliss’ four-year career. He should have plenty of opportunities to contribute to Mike Vrabel’s new-look defense next season.

Pennel totaled 25 tackles and three sacks for the Chiefs last season while appearing in all 17 games. The 11-year vet also tied a career-high with seven starts, turning in one of the best seasons of his career to date. Pennel will likely be tasked with reprising a similar role to what we saw last season, but after averaging nearly 18 snaps per game, he should see plenty of time on the field.

Cousins wants to avoid the situation he found himself in last season. Less than two months after signing a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons last year, Cousins watched as the Falcons surprisingly went out and drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick in the draft. The selection of Penix immediately put pressure on Cousins to perform well to remain as the team’s starter, but by Week 16, Penix was named the starter while Cousins quickly became the highest-paid backup in the league. The Falcons have appeared more than willing to keep Cousins on the roster for the upcoming season, but a trade would benefit all sides, as it would give Cousins a chance to play and the Falcons a chance to pick up some assets in return. With the draft concluding on April 26th, it’s possible we’ll know Cousins’ new landing spot come May.

It’s possible this spells the end for 40-year-old Nick Folk, who has spent the last two seasons with the Titans. Slye kicked last season for the Patriots, converting on 26-of-33 attempts while going 6-for-9 on distances of 50 or more yards. He hit a career-long 63-yard field goal in last season’s Week 4 game against the 49ers. Slye is a career 81.7 percent field goal kicker, and could have the inside edge to win whatever kicker competition comes his way once training camp starts up.

Blackmon, a former third-round pick, has been a five-year starter for the Colts. Last season, he started in all 16 games he appeared in, notching three interceptions and four pass breakups while also totaling 86 tackles. He’s appeared in 31 of a possible 34 regular season games over the last two seasons and will be 27 at the start of next season. The Panthers continue to look for ways to improve a defense that ranked 32nd in points allowed and touchdown passes allowed. Blackmon earned a PFF coverage grade of 73.5 last season and would give them a solid starter on the back end if the two sides can agree to a deal.

Rodgers, 41, reportedly spent six hours with the Steelers on Friday. The future Hall of Famer doesn’t have many other options outside of Pittsburgh — unless he’d rather retire, of course — and it seems to be more a matter of “when” rather than “if” he lands in the Steel City. Russell Wilson would likely be the next quarterback domino assuming Rodgers’ agreement comes to fruition.

As long as Brian Daboll has a job to save in 2025, we can expect the Giants to exhaust any and all options at quarterback if the price is right. Despite the team signing Winston to a two-year deal worth up to $16 million last week, Wilson continues to be a potential option for Big Blue. According to Florio, his source also said the Giants “technically remain in the mix for Aaron Rodgers,” while adding the future HOFer is unlikely to join the team. Wilson has met with the Browns and Giants this offseason and could still wind up returning to the Steelers. That said, the Steelers seem to be waiting on Rodgers, the Giants do have Winston in place, and the Browns are holding the No. 2 overall pick in next month’s draft. We’ll likely know Wilson’s landing spot before the start of camp, but it’s possible the team’s most interested in him will wait to see how the draft plays out before committing to him.

Scott drew interest from other teams, according to Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer. The 29-year-old is a depth safety and considered a special teams ace. With only two other safeties on the roster, it made plenty of sense for Carolina to bring him back. It’s the second consecutive offseason the Panthers have given Scott a one-year contract.

Pascal, who turned 30 in December, faded into obscurity over the last three seasons with the Eagles and Cardinals. He had back-to-back seasons with at least 600 yards receiving in 2019 and 2020 with the Colts, but has less than 600 yards receiving over the last four seasons combined. It’s unlikely the Giants are bringing Pascal in for a fantasy-relevant role in 2025. He’ll merely bolster New York’s wide receiver room as a veteran depth piece.