Chris Godwinre-signed with the Buccaneers in free agency in a move which will allow him to remain a member of the only NFL team he has played for. The Pro Bowl wideout elected to do so despite notable interest from multiple suitors.
The Patriots were known to be in the market for a notable free agent addition at the WR spot. New England eventually inked Stefon Diggs, but before that the team also made a strong push for Godwin. The Pats wrote “blank checks” in the latter’s case, and further details on that front have emerged.
Godwin told The Athletic’s Dan Pompei New England offered him $30MM per year (subscription required). His latest Bucs pact, by contrast, carries an AAV of $22MM. Choosing to remain in Tampa Bay involved turning down considerably more money from the Patriots (whose offer could have increased even further), but three other key suitors were involved in this case as well.
The Steelers were one of them, Godwin added. That comes as little surprise, of course, given Pittsburgh’s long-running pursuit of a high-profile wideout. Well before their D.K. Metcalfacquisition, the team was heavily involved in efforts to land Brandon Aiyuk; Christian Kirk was also a target ahead of the 2024 trade deadline. With George Pickensno longer in place, the Steelers have signed Robert Woodsbut they are still in the market for pass-catching help.
Godwin would have provided New England or Pittsburgh with an upgrade at the receiver position, but he will instead remain a key factor in Tampa Bay’s passing game. The 29-year-old has topped 1,000 yards four times in his Bucs tenure, and he was averaging over 82 yards per game (the second-highest figure of his career) before his 2024 campaign came to an end. Despite the injury to his ankle – among other ailments – he was recovering from, Godwin drew plenty of interest as a potential free agent. His preference was to remain in a familiar setting and by doing so continue his partnership with fellow wideout Mike Evans.
“It’s not always the case that you are surrounded by a ton of good people who care about the right things, who have similar goals and treat people with respect,” Godwin said. “The first thing for me is I want to work with people that I enjoy it with.”
Evans is under contract for one more season, so his productive tandem with Godwin will continue in 2025. The latter will stay in place beyond the coming campaign given his latest commitment to Tampa Bay, one which included turning aside lucrative opportunities from a number of suitors to depart.
10:31pm: Rodgers passed his physical and officially signed his contract with the Steelers on Saturday, according to Rapoport. It’s a one-year deal with a base value of $13.65MM and $10MM in guaranteed money, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Playtime and team performance incentives could boost Rodgers’ earnings to a maximum of $19.5MM.
With the i’s dotted and the t’s crossed, Rodgers is now set to participate in Pittsburgh’s mandatory minicamp next week.
12:01pm: The Steelers’ monthslong pursuit of Aaron Rodgers is all but over. The four-time MVP just has to pass a physical before formally signing in Pittsburgh to take over as the team’s starting quarterback for the 2025 season.
Rodgers’ physical should happen in the coming days, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, likely by the time the Steelers’ minicamp starts on Tuesday. Rodgers will have three days to familiarize himself with his new teammates, coaches, and playbook before the team breaks for the summer until training camp kicks off in July. According to Rapoport, the Steelers and others familiar with the veteran quarterback’s thinking were expecting this timeline all along.
However, unlike his move to New York, Rodgers doesn’t have an established rapport with his new coaches and teammates. The Jets hired former Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett and signed longtime Rodgers teammateAllen Lazardin anticipation of the veteran quarterback’s arrival in 2023, but Pittsburgh made no such moves this offseason. Rodgers did practice with D.K. Metcalf this offseason, but he has no playing history with Steelers OC Arthur Smith or any of the team’s offensive weapons.
Details of Rodgers’ deal with the Steelers remain unknown. The base salary is expected to be in the $10MM range floated by Rodgers back in April, per Rapoport, with incentives that could reach $20MM at most.
That would be the lowest APY of Rodgers’ career outside of his rookie contract. Rapoport suggested that Rodgers was willing to take an inexpensive deal to help the Steelers bolster their roster around him, but it’s unlikely he could have earned more elsewhere after receiving little interest from other teams this offseason.
The 2025 offseason has seen a number of high-profile receivers change teams via free agency. The likes of Davante Adams, Cooper Kuppand DeAndre Hopkinshave undertaken a change of scenery so far. The same will also soon be true of Keenan Allenand Amari Cooper.
This spring has also provided notable moves at the position via trade, however. A total of four swaps including wideouts have taken place in 2025; in three of those cases, the player included in the deal changed teams for the first time in their career. For all squads involved, the outcome of the trades will be key in determining their success this season and beyond.
March began with the 49ers sending Deebo Samuelto the Commanders. That deal – which yielded a fifth-round pick in return – came when team and player mutually agreed a parting ways was in order. Samuel had previously requested a trade, but his 2022 extension allowed him to remain in San Francisco. The 29-year-old has been unable to duplicate the production from his All-Pro campaign in 2021 when he showcased his receiving and rushing abilities.
Between a downturn in output and the massive extension which was (eventually) worked out with Brandon Aiyuklast offseason, many expected 2024 would be Samuel’s final year in the Bay Area. Shortly after the season ended, it became clear the Commanders were among the teams pursuing the former Pro Bowler. For at least one year (since he is a pending 2026 free agent), Samuel will offer the Commanders a veteran secondary WR option to complement perennial 1,000-yard performer Terry McLaurin.
Samuel saw his base salary for this year guaranteed via a restructure upon arrival in Washington. $3MM in incentives are present as well, adding to his earning potential on a Commanders team looking to replicate its surprising offensive success from 2024. The 49ers, meanwhile, will move forward with Aiyuk. Jauan Jenningsand a number of younger options capable of handling at least a depth receiver role.
Christian Kirkinitially appeared to be a cap casualty for the Jaguars this offseason. Instead of cutting the former Cardinal, however, the team’s new regime traded him inside the division to the Texans. A seventh-round pick in next year’s draft prevented Houston from having to win a bidding war for his services. Just like Samuel, Kirk restructured his contract shortly after being acquired.
The 28-year-old is also a pending free agent, so he too could prove to be a rental. Nico Collinswill remain WR1 for the Texans in 2025, but the loss of Stefon Diggsand the likelihood of Tank Dellmissing considerable time while recovering from multiple knee surgeries will give Kirk a notable role on his new team. Mentioned as a Steelers trade deadline target last fall, the former second-rounder saw his production decline over each of his three Jaguars seasons. Kirk should nevertheless be able to operate as a useful deep threat as the Texans transition to new offensive coordinator Nick Caley.
The skill positions have undergone many changes in Jacksonville this offseason. Kirk’s trade was accompanied by the decision to cut wideout/returner Devin Duvernay, along withGabe Davis. With Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engramalso no longer in the picture, first-year head coach Liam Coen will have a number of new pass catchers in place for 2025. The success of that new group will be a key talking point.
Even before March, D.K. Metcalf’s Seahawks future was uncertain. A desire to land a second extension (putting him near the top of the position’s market) paved the way for a trade request. General manager John Schneiderlater said finances were not at the heart of the decision to pull off a trade, noting the two-time Pro Bowler’s strong desire to move on. Seattle’s asking price originally included a first-round pick, but that was soon lowered.
In the end, a second-round selection (in addition to a swap of Day 3 selections) proved to be sufficient for the Steelers to acquire Metcalf. The trade was immediately followed by a four-year, $132MM extension agreement. As a result of that pact, Metcalf, 27, met his known goal of joining the list of receivers earning at least $30MM per season on average. His AAV of $33MM ranks fourth at the position.
As Seattle moves forward with a receiver group centered on Kupp (who was added on a homecoming deal following his Rams release) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Pittsburgh will rely heavily on Metcalf for 2025 and beyond. Questions loom about Pittsburgh’s 2025 quarterback starter and his upside, but expectations will be high for in Metcalf’s case as a player who has posted no fewer than 900 yards in each of his six NFL seasons.
At first, the Metcalf addition seemed to put the Steelers in place to pair him with George Pickensfor at least one campaign. The latter found himself on the move one month ago, however. Pickens was dealt to the Cowboys in exchange for a third-round pick in next year’s draft (with late-round selections in the 2027 event being exchanged as well).
Pickens – who did not request to be moved – has one year remaining on his rookie contract. The 24-year-old is not aiming to sign a Cowboys extension at this point, so much will depend on his performance with his new team. Of course, this situation will also contain plenty of scrutiny in terms of maturity and locker room fit in Dallas. Issues on those fronts led to an ambivalence among many Steelers with respect to Pickens’ departure.
The Cowboys did not draft a first-round receiver as many thought they would, but adding Pickens will provide the team with a high-potential CeeDee Lambcounterpart. A strong showing from that tandem will help Pickens’ market value on a re-signing or a long-term arrangement with a third team. For Pittsburgh, meanwhile, Metcalf’s supporting cast faces questions (although another pass-catching addition is being explored). The Steelers’ decision to make one lucrative investment at any given time in a receiver is common enough, but the impact of replacing Pickens with Metcalf will be felt in 2025 as well as future years.
Keeping in mind the prices paid in these trades and the other receiver-related moves made by the teams who parted ways with those involved in the swaps, which do you think will work out the best? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and have your say in the comments section below.
JUNE 6, 8:40am: Rodgers has insisted that money is not his primary motivator and suggested that he would be willing to take $10MM – his lowest salary since his rookie contract – to play in Pittsburgh. The base value of his deal with the Steelers is expected to be in that neighborhood, per Rapoport, with the potential for more money via incentives.
JUNE 5,10:08pm: The Steelers have officially announced the one-year deal (pending physical).
To no surprise, Rapoport adds this will be a one-year deal. Rodgers will fly to Pittsburgh tomorrow, allowing him to sign ahead of next week’s minicamp. The four-time MVP will thus handle starting duties for 2025 as the Steelers look to upgrade their play under center on a short-term basis.
Uncertainty has clouded this situation throughout the offseason, but for quite some time signs have exclusively pointed to this arrangement taking place. Pittsburgh’s initial intention was to keep one of Russell Wilsonor Justin Fields in place as a holdover from the team’s 2024 QB setup. Instead, Fields left for the Jets in free agency while Wilson (preferring not to wait for Rodgers to make his decision) will handle starting duties for the Giants.
Since losing both of their quarterbacks from the previous campaign, the Steelers have been connected to Rodgers. After two years with the Jets – one which ended after four snaps due to an Achilles tear and one which was marred by inconsistent play and turmoil in the organization – he was released. The manner in which Rodgers was informed of the decision by the new Jets regime was not well-received, but a first career foray into free agency brought with it conversations with a number of teams. The Giants were among them, although the team’s preference was to use the 2025 draft as a means of finding a long-term solution under center.
The Vikings represented a potential destination as well, with Rodgers informing them they were his preferred landing spot. After allowing Sam Darnoldto depart in free agency, though, Minnesota is prepared to move forward with 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthyunder center. In mid-March, the possibility was raised that Rodgers would either sign with the Vikings or retire. Neither route has been taken.
Shortly after that report emerged, a free agent visit took place in which Rodgers went to the Steelers’ facility. That did not produce an agreement, but a contract offer was made. While continuing to weigh the option of hanging up his cleats – and focusing his attention on a personal matter – the longtime Packers star mainly remained quiet with respect to public comments on his future. Clearly, Rodgers’ off-the-field situation has now reached a point where he is committed to suiting up for a 21st season in the NFL.
The Steelers have Skylar Thompsonon their quarterback depth chart, and the team reunited with Mason Rudolphin free agency. The latter (who totaled 21 appearances and 13 starts across his first Pittsburgh stint) was made aware before signing of the possibility a deal such as this was a distinct possibility. The team aimed to have a firm Rodgers answer before April’s draft took place, but even without one Pittsburgh operated as though he would eventually arrive. Indeed, owner Art Rooney II expressed optimism on that front multiple times while the Steelers’ only rookie addition came in the form of sixth-rounder Will Howard.
Late last month, Rodgers hinted further that he would spend the 2025 campaign in Pittsburgh. The 41-year-old has already worked out with trade acquisition D.K. Metcalfthis offseason while remaining in constant contact with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (whom ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes was a key factor in Rodgers’ decision). No firm timeline was ever established for a deal to be worked out, and missed reps at OTAs are certainly far from ideal. Realistically, though, upcoming minicamp represented a logical deadline for Rodgers to report to the team and begin acclimating to OC Arthur Smith‘s scheme.
Since Ben Roethlisberger‘s retirement following the 2021 campaign, the Steelers have been unable to find an effective replacement under center. Given Rodgers’ age, he will of course not be seen as a long-term solution at the position. Next year’s draft – which will take place in Pittsburgh, no less – looms as one to watch with respect to another notable rookie investment on the team’s part.
In the meantime, another postseason berth will be the goal for Tomlin and Co. The Steelers have never posted a sub-.500 record during his tenure, but playoff success has proven hard to come by dating back to the waning stages of Roethlisberger’s decorated career. If healthy, Rodgers could give the team’s offense its highest floor in years. Considering his age, declining mobility and production since the start of the 2022 season, however, it very much remains to be seen how effective his debut Steelers season will be.
One of the impacts of today’s news is the fact Pittsburgh will no longer be in the market for Kirk Cousins. The Falcons have consistently stated their preference to keep him as a backup, but the four-time Pro Bowler has aimed for a change of scenery all offseason. The Steelers were keeping tabs on a potential trade while awaiting word from Rodgers, their preferred target for a short-term addition. Now, Cousins can essentially be locked into remaining with Atlanta unless a starting quarterback is injured this summer.
Rodgers’ legacy will be dictated in large part by the success of his Packers stint. To say the least, though, things did not go according to plan during his Jets tenure. How this third chapter of his career plays out will be one of the league’s more interesting storylines.
With the Steelers adding S Quindell Johnson yesterday, the team ended up moving on from one of their other defensive backs. The choice was Bledsoe, a former sixth-round pick by the Patriots. The Missouri product got into four games during his two seasons in New England. Following a brief stint in the UFL, Bledsoe caught on with the Steelers’ offseason roster back in January.
JUNE 5: Parham has officially been placed on injured reserve. As a result, his season is over. Parham will hit free agency next spring with his value having taken a notable hit.
The former Charger signed with the Steelers in February on a one-year deal for the veteran minimum. He was expected to slot in as tight end depth behind starter Pat Freiermuth, but will now spend the season on the sidelines, leaving Pittsburgh thin at the position.
The Steelers only have two other tight ends with any NFL experience: 2023 third-rounder Darnell Washingtonand 2022 sixth-rounder Connor Heyward. Both have primarily served as blockers in the NFL – Heyward as a hybrid TE/FB and Washington as a jumbo-sized inline blocker – though the latter showed up at OTAs 10 pounds lighter, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show. Pittsburgh’s undrafted rookie tight ends, DJ Thomas-Jones and J.J. Galbreath, will now have the opportunity to make a strong impression this summer and push for a roster spot.
In the event that Smith stays in Miami, the Steelers may have to pivot to a veteran free agent. MyCole Pruitt logged 271 snaps in Arthur Smith‘s offense last year, and 19-year veteran Marcedes Lewisrecently revealed that he wants to sign with a new team for the 2025 season.
Parham, meanwhile, won’t see the field for a second consecutive season. After four years as a rotational option with the Chargers, he was released last August during final roster cuts. He landed on the Broncos’ practice squad, but was not elevated a single time during the regular season.
Watt’s current contract — one agreed to days before the 2021 season — is worth just over $28MM per year, so he should be in line for a significant raise after two consecutive top-five finishes in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He will turn 31 during the 2025 season, which could raise age concerns in Pittsburgh, but Garrett is only a year younger with 3.5 fewer sacks since 2023. Watt has also been durable despite a high snap share; he has started 44 straight regular-season games dating back to 2022, though an MCL sprain at the end of the 2023 season sidelined him for the playoffs.
The 2017 first-round pick has been one of the league’s best pass rushers for his entire career, including a 22.5-sack performance in 2021 that tied Michael Strahan‘s single-season record. Watt’s 31.5 sacks over the last two years trail only Trey Hendrickson, who is at an impasse in his own extension negotiations with the Bengals. Hendrickson is also entering his age-31 season but took longer to reach Watt’s level of elite production. If one of the two can agree to new terms with their team, it might clarify the market and lead to a resolution for the other.
Another consideration for Watt isD.K. Metcalf‘s four-year, $132MM contract, which surpassed the future Hall of Fame OLB’s current deal to set new franchise records in per-year and total money. The current edge rusher market should allow Watt to beat Metcalf’s $33MM APY, but setting a new high in total money will require a four-year deal though Watt’s age-35 season in 2029.
As Dulac notes, edge rusher production tends to drop after age 30, so guarantees will be a sticking point in negotiations. The Steelers typically shy away from post-Year 1 guarantees, but they made an exception for Watt on his current contract. Watt’s 2021 extension included a team-record $80MM in fully guaranteed money with guaranteed salaries in 2022 and 2023. That will set a precedent for similar terms on an extension that would guarantee Watt’s salary in 2026 and 2027. Ultimately, the two sides’ ability to reach an agreement will likely come down to the Steelers’ willingness to pay Watt as an elite edge rusher for the rest of his career.
Gill becomes the 13th wide receiver on the Browns roster. While that certainly seems like a lot, keep in mind that the Browns need to run drills for four quarterbacks and some receivers aren’t able to participate at the moment. An undrafted receiver out of Fresno State last year, Gill spent the last two months of the season on the Browns’ practice squad.
The Eagles add another undrafted rookie to their group in Adeyi. The speedy, diminutive wideout spent his final two collegiate seasons at Sam Houston State. He had 30 catches for 271 yards and a touchdown, with another score on the ground. He returned punts for the Bearkats in 2024, as well.
This week started with a point on the NFL calendar that has been important for decades. Although teams have not needed to wait until June to make their most expensive cuts in many years, they do not see the funds from post-June 1 designations until that point.
With June 1 coming and going, a fourth of the league has seen the savings from post-June 1 releases arrive. That has affected the NFL’s cap-space hierarchy. Here is how every team stands (via OverTheCap) following June 2 changes:
New England Patriots: $67.34MM
San Francisco 49ers: $53.49MM
Detroit Lions: $40.12MM
New York Jets: $39.8MM
Las Vegas Raiders: $36.16MM
Arizona Cardinals: $32.11MM
Dallas Cowboys: $32.11MM
Pittsburgh Steelers: $31.88MM
Seattle Seahawks: $31.21MM
Tennessee Titans: $30.16MM
Green Bay Packers: $28.94MM
Cincinnati Bengals: $27.08MM
Los Angeles Chargers: $26.83MM
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $26.63MM
Jacksonville Jaguars: $26.54MM
Philadelphia Eagles: $25.79MM
New Orleans Saints: $22.62MM
Washington Commanders: $21.13MM
Indianapolis Colts: $20.09MM
Los Angeles Rams: $19.44MM
Baltimore Ravens: $18.95MM
Carolina Panthers: $18.69MM
Minnesota Vikings: $18.49MM
Cleveland Browns: $18.2MM
Houston Texans: $16.3MM
Denver Broncos: $16.23MM
Chicago Bears: $14.76MM
Miami Dolphins: $13.81MM
Kansas City Chiefs: $10.75MM
Atlanta Falcons: $5.02MM
New York Giants: $3.82MM
Buffalo Bills: $1.69MM
The Jets saw their situation change the most from post-June 1 designations, as $13.5MM became available to the team after itsAaron Rodgers and C.J. Mosleycuts. Teams have up to two post-June 1 designations at their disposals. Five clubs — the Jets, Browns, Ravens, Eagles and 49ers — used both slots. Only three other teams made a post-June 1 cut before that seminal date. The eight that made these moves will have dead money split between 2025 and 2026.
Baltimore used the cost-defraying option to release Marcus Williams and Justin Tucker, while Cleveland — in Year 4 of the regrettable Deshaun Watson partnership — used it to move on from Juan Thornhill and Dalvin Tomlinson. As the Eagles’ option bonus-heavy payroll included two hefty bonus numbers for Darius Slay and James Bradberry, the reigning Super Bowl champions released both 30-something cornerbacks. Together, Slay and Bradberry will count more than $20MM on Philadelphia’s 2026 cap sheet. As for this year, though, the Browns, Eagles, Ravens and 49ers respectively saved $9.85MM, $9.4MM, $6.3MM, $6.4MM and $5.6MM, according to Spotrac.
Derek Carr‘s retirement being processed Tuesday also changed the Saints’ funding. The team will spread the dead money ($50.13MM) across two years. Even with the number being reduced this year, the Saints will be hit with the second-highest single-player dead money hit (behind only the Broncos’ Russell Wilson separation) in NFL history as a result of the Carr exit. The Saints will only be responsible for $19.21MM of that total in 2025. As they did with Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox‘s retirements last year, the Eagles will also process Brandon Graham‘s hit this way.
The longest-tenured active NFL HC, Mike Tomlin continues to move closer to Chuck Noll‘s duration number in Pittsburgh. The four-time Super Bowl winner logged 23 seasons; Tomlin is now in Year 19. He received another extension — a three-year deal — last June.
Another season without a playoff win followed, further establishing a trend for a franchise that has settled into a sector with a historically high floor. Of course, the Steelers have not enjoyed a particularly high ceiling in many years. They have not won a playoff game since a six-field goal performance edged the Chiefs, who used that home loss as a launch point to trade up for Patrick Mahomes, in the 2016 divisional round. The Steelers are 0-5 in the postseason since.
Tomlin, 53, received assurances in January — after a 10-3 start ended with five straight losses, the last a one-sided wild-card defeat in Baltimore — he would be back for a 19th season. While the Steelers have drifted into strangely desperate territory during this months-long Aaron Rodgers pursuit, the extended courtship does not indicate Tomlin is coaching for his job. On the contrary, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac indicates the accomplished HC’s seat is not particularly hot.
The dynamics of this situation have generated interest for years, as Tomlin’s popularity among Steelers fans appears to be waning — as January one-and-dones mount — while national respect remains. The Super Bowl-winning HC, of course, has never experienced a losing season in his lone HC gig. He has done well to navigate undesirable QB situations for several years, dating back to the 2019 season Ben Roethlisberger largely missed with an elbow injury that effectively ended his prime. Tomlin reaching a 10-7 mark with Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph in 2023 proved quite impressive, and the Steelers — who carried a minus-20 point differential into those playoffs — were within one score of the No. 2-seeded Bills until midway through the fourth quarter.
Famously having employed only three HCs since 1969, the Steelers give their power brokers plenty of time to operate. Kevin Colbert was in place for 23 years as Steelers GM or de facto GM, and it would stand to reason Omar Khan is not on a hot seat entering his fourth year in the role. He and Tomlin have continued to fortify a high-end defense, after the unit’s work had dipped a bit during the “Killer B’s” period, that has kept the operation afloat during this period of quarterback uncertainty. Though, the Steelers have also seen their QB situations produce undesirable results for a while.
That has led to this Rodgers waiting period. The Steelers are still banking on the 41-year-old passer to end his lengthy free agency stay and sign; Rodgers and Tomlin have been in contact during most of the offseason. As of last weekend, however, the team did not have true assurances Rodgers would ultimately commit. Rodgers has dropped hints, as he makes public appearances while not being part of the Steelers during OTAs. A prediction that a late-May signing would commence proved inaccurate.
The Steelers acquired an additional 2026 third-round pick (via the George Pickens trade), as a pursuit of a hopeful long-term QB option looms for next year, but Rodgers is the team’s main focus — to the point this pursuit is overshadowing the steady AFC North outfit’s offseason — for 2025.
The Steelers also won a playoff game in 2015, an Andy Dalton-less wild-card contest in Cincinnati marred by late Bengals penalties, but followed their Super Bowl XLV appearance with one-and-done showings in 2011 and 2014. A stretch with three postseason wins in 14 seasons is not a great look for a head coach; though, having zero losing seasons in that span certainly is. Pittsburgh has opted for stability, but it will be interesting to see if this Rodgers- or Kirk Cousins–led season changes Steelers ownership’s view of the situation. Tomlin has certainly earned the benefit of the doubt, even as frustration mounts, and a 20th season will mark the next milestone. How much longer should the team proceed in this direction?
