Russell Wilson Still In Play As Fallback Steelers Option; Aaron Rodgers Down To Two Teams?
The Steelers’ preference entering the negotiating period was to keep Justin Fields in place instead of Russell Wilson. That plan is no longer an option since the former agreed to a two-year Jets deal on Monday.
Wilson is still on the market, and he would obviously be a familiar option after spending the 2024 season as Pittsburgh’s starter (when healthy). The Steelers have become one of the suitors for Aaron Rodgers, however, and a deal could be in place soon. As talks on the Rodgers front continue, Wilson is not out of Pittsburgh’s plans yet.
Should the Rodgers negotiations break down, Wilson resides as a fallback option at this point, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. That might be a humbling position for a playoff team’s primary starter to reside, but Wilson looks to have other options. The Giants and Titans are believed to be interested, though New York is also in on Rodgers, who cannot officially be released until Wednesday afternoon. The Browns are also believed to still be eyeing a veteran, despite their Kenny Pickett acquisition.
A report Monday night indicated a Rodgers-Steelers deal could go down today, and SI.com’s Albert Breer said during a Rich Eisen Show segment the Steelers were fairly confident as of Monday that Rodgers would select them. The Giants remain in the mix, and Breer expects Rodgers to end up in Pittsburgh or to switch locker rooms at MetLife Stadium. The Giants have made their pitch and are indeed waiting on Rodgers’ decision, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes.
Although a weekend report connected the Vikings to Rodgers — in what would be an eerie parallel to the Brett Favre career path — Breer indicates he would be surprised if the future Hall of Famer ends up in Minnesota. That said, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano does not view the Vikings as out of this mix yet. This situation differs from last year’s Wilson decision and what could happen if the Falcons cut Kirk Cousins, as Rodgers could see a notable salary in 2025. The Broncos were already paying Wilson’s salary, while Cousins’ 2025 money is guaranteed as well.
The Steelers and Vikings are coming off playoff seasons and would be better positioned to complement Rodgers this year; that said, the Giants have been busy in free agency, most notably re-signing Darius Slayton and adding Jevon Holland and Paulson Adebo. While Minnesota has J.J. McCarthy and New York holds the No. 3 overall pick, Pittsburgh may be committed to a full season of Rodgers if he is to sign. The Steelers not holding a pick in the top 20 would stand to give them an advantage for Rodgers, who would not need to look over his shoulder at a prospect — in all likelihood — were he to choose Pittsburgh.
As for Wilson, waiting on Rodgers’ talks with the Steelers may not sit too well. The younger of the two aging options finished two spots higher in QBR (23rd to 25th) last season and piloted the team to the playoffs. The Steelers’ late-season collapse, however, has not reflected well on Wilson, who appears behind Rodgers with the Giants as well.
Decisions should come soon, but Rodgers having this much say in how the QB market plays, at 41 and coming off an underwhelming Jets tenure, is interesting. But teams are still intrigued by the all-time QB talent. He has a clear route to play a 21st season and remain a starter.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post
Vikings, G Will Fries Agree To Deal
The Vikings added one former Colt along the offensive line in the form of center Ryan Kelly yesterday, and another is also headed to Minnesota. Guard Will Fries has a deal in place, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.
This will be a whopping five-year, $88MM pact, Fowler adds. KTSP’s Darren Wolfson’s reported yesterday that the sides were discussing a deal, so it comes as little surprise one has now been worked out. Fries will face massive expectations upon arrival given the nature of this commitment.
Fries does not have a connection to Ryan Grigson like Kelly does, as Fries is a first-time free agent who had joined the Colts in the 2021 draft. Despite not joining a team on Day 1 of the legal tampering period, Fries will cash in. While this is on the longer end of the term-length spectrum — especially as the cap has climbed like his has this decade — Fries is receiving a big number to join the Vikings. Guarantees will provide more illumination, but it is clear Minnesota eyed Fries from the start.
The Vikings have been busy Tuesday, agreeing to deals with two high-profile street free agents (Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave) to beef up their defensive line alongside Harrison Phillips while adding Fries as their other new piece with Kelly. The two Colts defections come as Indianapolis added long-rumored Minnesota Sam Darnold fallback option Daniel Jones. As Jones prepares to take a run at another starting job, two Colts blockers will prepare to help J.J. McCarthy transition after missing his rookie season.
A Colts starter for roughly two seasons, Fries is coming off a season-ending injury. He sustained a broken leg early last year; that halted considerable momentum. The fifth-year veteran is not yet 100%, per ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder, but all indications point to him having no issues being ready for next season on time. This contract certainly displays Vikings confidence on this front. The Vikings needed to go big for Fries, whom the Colts tried to re-sign. Pushes from the Patriots, Giants, Seahawks and Cardinals drove the market to this place, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes, as Fries did very well for himself despite the early-season injury.
Fries, who emerged out of the 2021 seventh round, graded as the league’s second-best guard (per Pro Football Focus) and had won his run- and pass-blocking matchups at a career-best rate (per ESPN) before the Week 5 setback. This came after a 17-start 2023, as Fries had taken over for less effective starter Danny Pinter during the 2022 season.
Not on the younger end among this year’s free agent class, Fries (27 in April) will be asked to start at one of the Vikings’ guard spots. Former second-round pick Ed Ingram‘s Vikings future is in doubt, after a 2024 benching, and Dalton Risner — who has not seen free agent markets come close to Fries’ new level — is again out of contract.
Adam La Rose contributed to this report.
Giants To Sign S Jevon Holland
Jevon Holland found himself as one of the top free agents left on the board in the aftermath of Monday’s action. He has managed to find a new home quickly during the second day of the negotiating period, however. 
Holland has agreed to terms with the Giants, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This will be a three-year, $45MM pact, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds. The deal includes $30.3MM in guarantees, per Rapoport’s colleague Tom Pelissero.
The top safety on PFR’s Top 50 Free Agent list, Holland checked in at No. 6 overall. The 25-year-old Canadian was held without an interception in 2024, a factor which threatened to hurt his earning potential on the open market. Another, of course, was the overall trend (which was particularly visible last offseason) of teams shying away from big-ticket safety signings. Nevertheless, Holland has managed to secure a notable payday.
With 301 tackles, 25 pass deflections and five each in the sack and forced fumble categories, the former second-rounder will be expected to produce in a number of areas for New York. Holland is set to join a team which ranked top-10 in pass defense last year but struggled on that side of the ball in several other areas. The Giants allowed Xavier McKinney to walk last spring, but they have made a commitment in line with many of the top safety deals worked out in 2025 to acquire Holland.
Once it became clear the Dolphins would not use the franchise tag in this case, a free agent departure loomed. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes the team did make an effort to re-sign Holland, but he had several options to choose from on the open market. The interested suitors included the Panthers, Commanders, Colts and Titans, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported yesterday. Carolina and Indianapolis have since made big-money commitments in other safeties, helping explain this Giants agreement.
New York has been active in adding on defense so far this offseason, including a lucrative deal for cornerback Paulson Adebo. He and Holland will be counted on to operate as impactful starters in 2025 and beyond as the team looks to bounce back from a disappointing season last year.
Steelers Moving Close To Deal With Aaron Rodgers?
PFR’s poll pointing to a potential Aaron Rodgers-Steelers fit did not draw a high vote count back in December, but it is starting to look like this could happen. A Rodgers deal with Pittsburgh may be close.
The Steelers could have a deal in place with Rodgers as soon as Tuesday, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports. The future first-ballot Hall of Fame became connected to the Steelers recently, but Florio adds the parties have been in talks for several days — when it became clear Justin Fields would explore free agency.
[RELATED: Jets Agree To Terms With Justin Fields]
Pittsburgh still may need to fend off the Giants, who were rumored to prefer Rodgers to Russell Wilson. Despite the Steelers using Wilson as their primary starter last season, it appears they do as well. Although Rodgers will turn 42 before 2025 ends, he is still drawing interest from QB-needy teams.
Rodgers’ desire, per Florio, to play two more seasons factors into his decision-making here. Whereas the Giants are likely to add a first-round quarterback — they are at least in position to do so and have been linked to trading up to No. 1 overall — the Steelers hover outside the top 20 in the draft and are not in a position to nab one of this class’ top two options. As such, the Steelers would be in better position to hold off on a younger passer if they land Rodgers, who has not confirmed he is playing in 2025.
It has been believed Rodgers will come back for a 21st season, and despite an underwhelming Jets tenure, the all-time QB talent has generated a bit of a bidding war — as far as fit goes, at least. The Giants may still be involved here, Florio adds, but the Steelers would stand to give Rodgers a better chance to reach the playoffs in 2025. Baggage aside, Rodgers would provide the Steelers with an upgrade on what they have deployed at QB in recent years — particularly from a passing standpoint. As far as the rest of the Rodgers experience goes, that would be borderline must-see TV when paired with Mike Tomlin.
Despite Rodgers’ antics over the past few years, the Steelers taking this chance does not seem too farfetched based purely on football. Although the four-time MVP has not closely resembled that version in recent years, he finished with 28 touchdown passes compared to 11 interceptions last season. QBR still ranked Rodgers 25th — three spots behind Wilson — last season, when he tied a career-low with 6.7 yards per attempt. After Kenny Pickett and the Wilson-Fields combination did not do enough to complement Pittsburgh’s defense, the team may be close to a gamble — fit-wise — as the T.J. Watt–Cameron Heyward–Minkah Fitzpatrick trio’s primes wane.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/10/25
Here are today’s minor NFL moves that may have been missed during an otherwise extremely busy first day of the tampering period:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
Chicago Bears
- Re-signed: S Tarvarius Moore
Dallas Cowboys
- Re-signed: LS Trent Sieg
Denver Broncos
- Re-signed: T Matt Peart
Detroit Lions
- Re-signed: T Dan Skipper
Indianapolis Colts
- Re-signed: WR Ashton Dulin
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Chuma Edoga
Kansas City Chiefs
- Re-signed: LS James Winchester
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DB Lonnie Johnson
Miami Dolphins
- Re-signed: DT Matt Dickerson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: S Bubba Bolden
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT Khyiris Tonga
New Orleans Saints
- Re-signed: DT Nathan Shepherd
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Chris Board, T James Hudson III
San Francisco 49ers
- Re-signed: RB Patrick Taylor
Tennessee Titans
- Re-signed: CB Darrell Baker Jr., LS Morgan Cox, OL Andrew Rupcich
Washington Commanders
- Re-sign: P Tress Way
Giants To Sign DE Chauncey Golston
The Giants are staying busy to close out Day 1 of free agency. Hours after bringing in Roy Robertson-Harris, the team is adding Chauncey Golston.
An ex-Cowboys front-seven piece, Golston is making in intra-NFC East move by agreeing to a three-year, $19.5MM deal with the Giants, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. Two-thirds of Golston’s deal is fully guaranteed, the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins tweets.
Formerly a third-round pick out of Iowa, Golston has spent his entire career with Dallas. A starter path did not emerge for the versatile D-lineman until last season, when he lined up as a first-stringer in 13 games. A Cowboys team that lost DeMarcus Lawrence needed Golston more, and he accumulated 5.5 sacks and eight QB hits.
Golston does not present a flashy resume, starting only three games before 2024 and never eclipsing 1.5 sacks before last season either. Going into his age-27 season, Golston does bring experience at both D-end and D-tackle in Dallas’ 4-3 scheme. Playing more on the edge in 2024, Golston may end up an Azeez Ojulari replacement as a third rusher behind Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Though, a D-end role in the Giants’ 3-4 look would open up a starting spot for a player guaranteed two full seasons.
Ojulari has not yet relocated, but that has long been expected. This addition would seem to further point the four-year contributor out the door. As for Dallas, Lawrence has said he hopes to re-sign with the Cowboys; he is coming off a Lisfranc injury that ended his season before the midway point. The Cowboys also have Sam Williams coming off an ACL tear. Williams may be asked to pick up the slack, as he was last year following the Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler exits, but it appears the team is in need for more help alongside Micah Parsons.
QB Jameis Winston In Conversation With 49ers, Chargers
It’s looks like West Coast could be the best coast for veteran quarterback Jameis Winston, as senior NFL insider Josina Anderson reports that the recent backup has been in conversation with the 49ers and Chargers for potential backup roles. While it doesn’t appear that he’s a priority in New York, Anderson notes that the Giants could get involved here, too, depending on the outcome of talks with other passing options.
The former No. 1 overall pick from the 2015 NFL Draft has slowly seen a demotion in his NFL career, going from a full-time starter in Tampa Bay to part-time starting roles in New Orleans and Cleveland. During a five-year stint to start his career with the Buccaneers, Winston had started most every game that he was available, aside from a short period in 2018 as he served a suspension for allegedly groping a female Uber driver and had to win his job back from Ryan Fitzpatrick.
In 2020, he signed with the Saints as a backup to Drew Brees but took over the starting job the next year, before suffering a season-ending ACL tear. The following two years saw him serve in New Orleans as a backup to Andy Dalton and Derek Carr. This past season, he signed on with the Browns to serve as a backup to Deshaun Watson, ultimately finding himself in the starting lineup once again when Watson was ruled out for the season with an Achilles tendon tear.
Both situations in San Francisco and Los Angeles are obvious backup situations behind young quarterbacks who have an extremely solid hold on their starting jobs. The Chargers recently gave Justin Herbert an extension that, at the time, made him the highest-paid player in the NFL, though he was quickly surpassed by Joe Burrow. Brock Purdy isn’t quite there yet, though he will finally make multi-millions in 2025, but the 49ers have been in conversations about extending him for some time now.
In San Francisco, the 49ers would be bringing in Winston as an improvement over Tanner Mordecai, as Joshua Dobbs and Brandon Allen head to free agency this week. The Chargers are simply looking to fill their depth chart at the position as they currently don’t have anyone under contract behind Herbert; Taylor Heinicke and Easton Stick are set to be free agents, as well.
The Giants have several options on the table as the explore options with veteran free agents like Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson after watching other options like Sam Darnold and Justin Fields come off the market. Winston would actually be a smart signing for them as they’ve also been heavily linked to using their No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on a quarterback. If they do draft a passer in the first round, Winston has proved he can be an effective starter to bridge the gap until the rookie is ready to take over.
Giants To Re-Sign WR Darius Slayton
For a second time in three offseasons, Darius Slayton has agreed to stay with the Giants. Despite rumors pointing the veteran wide receiver out of New York, he will stay and receive a significant raise.
Slayton is sticking with the Giants on a three-year, $36MM deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. This doubles Slayton’s previous base salary and ensures he will continue to operate in a new role of Malik Nabers sidekick.
The Giants had given Slayton a two-year, $12MM deal in 2023; that came after they took the rare step of slashing his rookie-deal salary in 2022. As was the case heading into that 2023 free agency period, the Giants were expected to lose Slayton. The wideout was aiming to join a contender this offseason, but FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz notes the Giants and their six-year wideout continued negotiations on an extension into the season. After Big Blue did not trade Slayton at the deadline, the longtime Daniel Jones weapon will again circle back to the team that drafted him.
Four times a 700-plus-yard receiver (and zero clearing 800), Slayton had established himself as a midlevel WR2. But the former fifth-round pick became a nominal No. 1 for Giants teams that had missed on some other WR investments. Slayton, 27, played a lead role in the Giants’ 2022 playoff berth, joining Saquon Barkley as the team’s top skill-position players during a surprise divisional-round season.
Overall, however, Slayton has been tied to below-average offenses. He is now committing to a team that does not have a starting quarterback yet. The Giants hold the No. 3 overall pick and have been linked to both Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. One of the two vets may well be targeting Nabers and Slayton in 2025, but Slayton’s deal will soon tie him to a longer-term prospect — perhaps one taken in this year’s first round.
Neither of Joe Schoen’s Day 2 receiver investments — Jalin Hyatt, Wan’Dale Robinson — have distinguished themselves as a reliable pass catcher, but Slayton has. The Giants will move forward with the Dave Gettleman draftee once again.
Steelers, Giants In On Aaron Rodgers; Latest On Russell Wilson Market
Seeing Justin Fields prefer to test his market rather than re-sign with the Steelers before free agency, Pittsburgh viewed it as necessary to enter talks with outside QB options. Although one target (Sam Darnold) is off the board, a much bigger name remains.
The Steelers are indeed in talks with Aaron Rodgers, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo. They might have a real chance to add the future first-ballot Hall of Famer. Although the Giants are believed to be eyeing Rodgers as their preferred bridge option, SNY’s Connor Hughes indicates some around the league expect Rodgers to end up in Pittsburgh.
The Giants are waiting to see if Rodgers is truly interested in staying in New York, Hughes adds. If Rodgers proves elusive for the Giants, Hughes adds they are still interested in Russell Wilson. Though, a handful of other teams are as well. While the Jets, Raiders and Seahawks checked the veteran QB box off their respective to-do lists, the Titans and Browns join the Giants and Steelers in pursuit of at least a bridge option. Cleveland’s Kenny Pickett acquisition may not represent the team’s true veteran option.
Tennessee is interested in Wilson as well, Hughes reports. The team was believed to be showing interest in Darnold before free agency, but a price ceiling — one that checked in south of where Seattle ended up going — came into play regarding that push. Wilson would profile as a stopgap for a Titans team that is not certain to exit Round 1 with a passer. Though, Tennessee would have the right of first refusal here due to holding the No. 1 pick.
As it stands, the Steelers do not appear interested in re-signing Wilson, per Dulac and Fittipaldo. The QB impressed at points but clashed with Arthur Smith during a season that ended with a five-game skid. The Steelers had been in talks with Wilson, but after so much noise came out about a Fields re-signing, the veteran may look elsewhere as well. Though, the Post-Gazette cautions Wilson could be back in play depending on where things settle. He does not look like the Steelers’ preferred option. It remains to be seen how serious the Steelers are about adding Rodgers. A few dominoes remain on the QB market as the legal tampering period rolls on.
Giants To Sign DL Roy Robertson-Harris
Roy Robertson-Harris visited with the Cardinals shortly after his release. The veteran defensive lineman has found a deal in short order, but it is not with Arizona.
Robertson-Harris has instead worked out an agreement with the Giants, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. This will be a two-year, $10MM deal, he adds. A veteran of 62 starts, he should be able to provide at least a rotational presence along the interior for New York. The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson clarifies the max value of the deal is $9MM.
A former Bears UDFA, Robertson-Harris had signed a Jaguars extension — a contract the team traded to the Seahawks midway through. After using Robertson-Harris sparingly post-trade, Seattle made the veteran interior D-lineman one of its bevy of cap casualties. Robertson-Harris drew interest from the Cardinals, but he will land in New York.
Robertson-Harris (62 career starts) signed two Jags contracts, the second a three-year deal worth $23.4MM. Pro Football Focus graded him 81st among interior D-linemen in 2024. For his career, the career-long 3-4 defensive end has 19 to go with 27 tackles for loss and 67 QB hits. Robertson-Harris, 31, started 17 games for the Jaguars in 2022 and ’23 and posted 6.5 sacks and 10 TFLs during that span.
The Giants will have Robertson-Harris as an option to use in their 3-4 scheme — an alignment the vet has played in throughout his career — alongside All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence. The team still has Rakeem Nunez-Roches and D.J. Davidson on its roster as well.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.