Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Rodgers Was Not Steelers' First Choice
Aaron Rodgers' journey with the Pittsburgh Steelers begins at their mandatory minicamp this week (June 10-12).
It will be a fascinating partnership between Rodgers, a 41-year-old future Hall of Fame quarterback, and Mike Tomlin, the NFL's longest-tenured head coach.
Rodgers wants to close his career in glory, while Tomlin hopes to end the Steelers' six-game postseason losing streak, dating back to 2016.
Rodgers will hold a press conference following Tuesday's practice, where he'll answer questions about why he chose Pittsburgh over retirement or other suitors. It had been rumored for months that the Steelers would sign Rodgers, and it finally happened over the weekend when he made it official and chose jersey No. 8.
However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Rodgers wasn't the Steelers' first or second choice at quarterback. Schefter said the Steelers were interested in trading for the Los Angeles Rams' Matthew Stafford, then pivoted to trying to retain Justin Fields, who instead signed with the New York Jets. Ultimately, they went all-in on Rodgers.
The Steelers hope adding Rodgers to a team with a strong nucleus will lessen the load he has to carry. The New York Jets finished 5-12 in 2024 with Rodgers as their starter, but only six quarterbacks threw more touchdown passes last season.
Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders Praised for Work Ethic
Cleveland still must sort out its crowded quarterback room that includes Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
All four quarterbacks got reps during OTAs, and a pecking order has not been determined. The Browns hold their mandatory minicamp this week (June 10-12), and Sanders' work ethic has drawn praise from Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees.
Sanders' fall to the fifth round may have been the biggest surprise of the draft, but Rees said Sanders has been locked in since arriving in Cleveland.
"He's really put in a lot of work, as all those guys are," Rees said via the Browns’ website. "You can tell on the mental side of the game, learning the system, calling it and having that rhythm to it, he's put a lot of work and time and effort into that. When you do that, the game starts to slow down and you can focus on finding completions. He's done a nice job of that as camp progresses."
Cincinnati Bengals: Ja'Marr Chase Plans to Elevate Leadership
Ja'Marr Chase has a difficult act to follow after winning the triple crown in 2024, leading the NFL in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and touchdown catches (17). How will he top that? Even Chase isn't sure.
"I know you want to know because I did the most absurd BS last year," Chase said via Geoff Hobson of cincinnatibengals.com. "What's left? That's my question mark, too."
Becoming more of a leader is one aspect that Chase is targeting. The Bengals are determined to start faster, believing that their 0-3 start in 2024 cost them a playoff berth.
"I always looked at myself as a leader," Chase said. "Not verbally. Through my actions, I hold people accountable. I speak up if I have to. It's a little more obvious that I have to be a captain this year. I don't talk as much, but I speak up when I have to.
"I don't know how we start fast. They paid me and Tee (Higgins), hopefully that's the starting fast move right there. … Having everyone here again with the opportunity to work with Joe again. That should get us better, getting back early and working."
