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Aaron Rodgers

Vikings To Consider Competition For QB J.J. McCarthy In 2026?

November 30th, 2025 at 11:12pm CST by Rory Parks

The Vikings allowed quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones to depart in free agency this offseason, underscoring their faith in 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy. While Minnesota wanted an experienced backup behind McCarthy – which explains the club’s April acquisition of Sam Howell and the signing of Carson Wentz after Howell was traded in August – neither of those players was seen as a threat to McCarthy’s starting job. In 2026, the Vikes could be looking for someone who will actually push the Michigan product for the QB1 role.

Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, multiple league insiders suggest Minnesota may follow the QB blueprint the Colts took during the 2025 offseason. In other words, the Vikings could acquire a veteran or reclamation project to compete with McCarthy, in much the same way Indianapolis signed Jones to battle with Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall choice of the 2023 draft. Jones, who had washed out with the Giants, found new life in Indiana and is in line for another lucrative, multiyear deal (or at least the hefty $46.1MM franchise tag) in 2026.

[RELATED: Vikings, Seahawks Made Similar Darnold Offers]

Fowler says Jones remains an ideal fit for the Vikings, who could make a run at their former backup if the Colts are unable or unwilling to keep him off the market. Fowler also names the 49ers’ Mac Jones and the Texans’ Davis Mills as possible Minnesota targets. Both of those players were once viewed as potential franchise quarterbacks, and while Jones’ tenure in New England and Mills’ stint as Houston’s full-time starter did not end well, they both have built some trade value this season thanks to their efforts in relief of their respective clubs’ top signal-callers.

Mills, 27, has not been a world-beater during C.J. Stroud’s time in the concussion protocol, but he has led Houston to a 3-0 record in the games he has started, throwing five touchdowns against one interception in the process. Mac Jones, meanwhile, went 5-3 as a starter with Brock Purdy on the shelf, posting a completion percentage of 69.6% (fourth-highest in the league) and a 97.4 quarterback rating. He generally looked like the player who finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2021, and while both he and Mills are under contract through 2026, they both could be trade targets of teams like Minnesota (Fowler says the Niners could even fetch a Day 2 pick for Mac Jones).

Kyler Murray, who may already have taken his last snap for the Cardinals, and (interestingly enough) Richardson also fit the mold of players the Vikings could consider, as Fowler notes. The ESPN scribe says Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell has respect for Richardson, who has expressed interest in playing under an offense-oriented HC, specifically Sean McVay or someone from his coaching tree (like O’Connell).

If the Vikings instead consider a player closer to the end of their career, Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco might be options (Minnesota spoke with Flacco this offseason, and Rodgers made it known the Vikes were his preferred landing spot). Likewise, a reunion with Wentz could be on the table, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.

Wentz, who will turn 32 next month, had several strong showings earlier this year when McCarthy was sidelined with an ankle sprain. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury he sustained in Week 5 derailed his next two starts and brought a premature end to his season. Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune says Wentz’s shoulder surgery went well, so if O’Connell liked what he saw from the former MVP candidate, he could return in at least a backup capacity, or even as competition for McCarthy.

After missing all of his rookie campaign due to injury, McCarthy has struggled with more health issues this season. He missed five games due to the above-mentioned ankle sprain, and he will be sidelined for his team’s Week 13 contest while going through the concussion protocol. When he has been on the field, he has not played particularly well, completing only 54.1% of his pass attempts and throwing 10 interceptions and just six touchdowns en route to a 2-4 record.

Thanks in large part to McCarthy’s struggles, elite wideout Justin Jefferson has posted a career-low yards-per-game average (72.3) and catch percentage (60.6%). The two-time First Team All-Pro nonetheless offered public support for his young passer.

“It’s early,” Jefferson said (via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert). “He’s new to the game. He’s new to the NFL. He’s learning just like everyone else has to learn as a rookie, and he obviously had to go through the mental stage of having to overcome an injury the first year. So just a tough transition for him. But I feel like just him learning these past couple games, and of course learning [during] the stretch of this season, I feel like he’s going to bounce back in a different way than everybody else is going to think so.”

Veteran running back Aaron Jones expressed a similar sentiment, saying, “I told [McCarthy] that the ones who counted you out, they’re going to have to recount.”

While McCarthy is sidelined, UDFA rookie Max Brosmer will get the first start(s) of his career. A strong performance could at least put him in consideration for an extended run in 2026.

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers To Return In Week 13

November 30th, 2025 at 7:00am CST by Nikhil Mehta

NOVEMBER 30: While Rodgers is indeed playing in Week 13, he is doing so with at least three fractures in his wrist, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. One of those is a more significant break that can only occur as a result of considerable force.

As Rapoport adds, howerver, since Rodgers’ bones are fractured but are not displaced, and since he is able to tolerate the pain, he can play. His willingness to do so has reportedly increased the respect the locker room has for him.

NOVEMBER 28: Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor) that quarterback Aaron Rodgers will return from a one-game absence and start on Sunday against the Bills.

“Full participant today, no injury designation Sunday. All systems go,” Tomlin said.

Rodgers went down in the Steelers’ Week 11 win over the Bengals with a fracture in his left (non-throwing) wrist. He was hoping to suit up in Week 12, but ultimately sat out to avoid further damage to his wrist. Mason Rudolph got the start instead and could not get the win over the Bears. A strong Pittsburgh running game racked up 186 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, but Rudolph only passed for 171 yards despite completing 24 of his 31 passes. To be fair to Rudolph, the Steelers defense allowed 31 points, but they also produced a score of their own, so the offense was only responsible for 21 of the team’s 28 points.

The Steelers will hope that Rodgers’ return will help them against the Bills’ top-ranked pass defense. Buffalo has allowed just 168.2 passing yards per game this year, the lowest in the league, though they have struggled against the run. Between Rodgers’ injury and a Steelers offense that has been stronger on the ground, they may lean on their rushing attack on Sunday.

A win on Sunday would put Pittsburgh one game ahead of Baltimore in the AFC North after the Ravens’ loss to the Bengals on Thursday night. But a more severe injury to Rodgers’ wrist could put the rest of their season in jeopardy. The Bills have a 25.1% pressure rate, a 10.6% knockdown rate, and a 7.9% sack rate, all top 10 marks in the league, while the Steelers’ 21 sacks allowed are the ninth-fewest in the league. Their offensive line will need to continue their success on Sunday afternoon to keep Rodgers safe.

Steelers Optimistic Aaron Rodgers Will Return In Week 13

November 25th, 2025 at 12:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

The fracture in Aaron Rodgers‘ left wrist left him sidelined for Week 12. With the Steelers coming off a loss, they will likely have their starting quarterback in the fold once more.

When speaking to the media on Tuesday, head coach Mike Tomlin said (via Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) he has “great optimism” about Rodgers being able to suit up this week. Plenty will depend on how the coming days play out in practice, of course. At this point, though, Tomlin is “comfortable with [Rodgers’] general trajectory.”

That update comes as little surprise. It quickly became clear last week that Rodgers will not require surgery, and as such a lengthy absence has not been expected. The 41-year-old wore a brace on his non-throwing hand during practice, and pain management is not believed to be a major issue in this case. After Rodgers pushed to be able to play last week, he will no doubt do the same ahead of Week 13’s game against the Bills.

Pittsburgh turned to Mason Rudolph against the Bears. The veteran completed 24 of his 31 attempts, but that yielded just 171 yards and one touchdown (to go along with one interception). The Steelers lost 31-28 and they now sit at 6-5 on the year. With the Ravens riding a five-game win streak, Baltimore now sits atop the AFC North. Rebounding against the Bills will be critical for Pittsburgh’s postseason outlook.

While Rodgers is on track to be available, the news on other injury fronts is less positive. Tomlin said (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor) defensive tackle Derrick Harmon is dealing with a knee injury. He specified this is a separate issue from the MCL sprain which left the first-round rookie unavailable early in the season. Tomlin is unsure if the same knee has been affected by this latest ailment.

Harmon will be out for at least Week 13, and the same is also true of left tackle Broderick Jones. The third-year blocker is thus in line to miss a game for the first time in his career. Tomlin noted (h/t Pryor) swing tackle Calvin Anderson and offseason acquisition Andrus Peat will share first-team reps on offense this week. Those two will compete for the starting gig on the blindside while Rodgers continues to prepare for his return.

Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers Focused on ‘Safety’ Over Pain Management; QB To Miss Week 12

November 23rd, 2025 at 10:03am CST by Nikhil Mehta

NOVEMBER 23: Rodgers will not play against Chicago in Week 12, per Rapoport and NFL Network colleague Tom Pelissero. The duo expected Pittsburgh’s QB1 to suit up againt Buffalo in Week 13.

NOVEMBER 22: Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a limited practice participant on Thursday and Friday and is listed as questionable on the official injury report for Sunday’s game against the Bears. He has been dealing with a fracture in his left (non-throwing) wrist.

Rodgers said on Wednesday (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor) that his priority is “safety” rather than pain management, suggesting that he is more concerned about sustaining additional damage to his wrist than he is about playing through discomfort. That said, Rodgers has been pushing to play, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who reports team doctors are taking a more cautious approach. The 41-year-old passer was seen wearing protective gear on his left wrist during practice this week, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network says Rodgers believes he can adequately protect himself in a game situation.

When asked about a more specific timeline for making a decision, Rodgers deferred to head coach Mike Tomlin.

Mason Rudolph will start on Sunday if Rodgers cannot go. The six-year veteran had two brief relief appearances earlier this season and an extended showing in Week 11 after Rodgers’ injury. Rudolph played well to close out a win over the Bengals, completing 12 of his 16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown, though that did come against the worst defense in the NFL.

The Bears have a bottom-10 defense and rank 30th with 6.2 yards per play allowed, but they lead the league with 22 takeaways. That sets up a somewhat simple challenge for Rudolph: take care of the football. In Chicago’s seven wins, they have forced 20 turnovers; in their three losses, they have forced just one.

If Rodgers does not play on Sunday, he seems trending towards a return in Week 13 against the Bills in a matchup that could have significant implications for AFC playoff seedings.

Aaron Rodgers Will Not Require Surgery; Steelers QB Hopes To Play In Week 12

November 18th, 2025 at 10:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

Monday saw Aaron Rodgers undergo further testing on his injured left wrist. Positive updates have emerged on that front.

Surgery will not be required, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. That marks an expected but significant development given Rodgers’ importance to the Steelers. Head coach Mike Tomlin has since confirmed during his Tuesday press conference that Rodgers is dealing with a fracture which he will need to play through down the stretch.

“Really it’s just about bracing it and securing it for his comfort and safety,” Tomlin said of the situation with Rodgers’ wrist (via Mike DeFabo of The Athletic). “And then it’s about how functional he is.”

Rodgers will not practice tomorrow, Tomlin added to little surprise (h/t ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). His status for Week 12 will be a question mark over the coming days as a result, though Rodgers hopes to be able to suit up. Sunday may very well represent the longtime Packers star’s final opportunity to play against the Bears, even if he elects to continue playing in 2026.

Mason Rudolph filled in for Rodgers to close out Pittsburgh’s Week 11 win over Cincinnati. The Steelers sit atop the AFC North at 6-4, but they only hold a one-game lead over the Ravens at this point. Being at full strength on offense will be critical, although Tomlin said (via Pryor) conversations about Rodgers receiving medical clearance for this week have not yet taken place.

Updates to this situation will be worth watching closely over the coming days. In the meantime, the Steelers will have Rudolph in place as a potential starter. The veteran returned to Pittsburgh this past offseason by signing a two-year free agent deal. Rudolph did so despite knowing Pittsburgh was interested in adding Rodgers to the mix as a short-term upgrade under center. Things have largely gone according to plan at the QB spot so far, but a change atop the depth chart for at least one week may prove to be necessary.

NFL To Review Ja’Marr Chase-Jalen Ramsey Incident; Latest On Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers

November 17th, 2025 at 8:00am CST by Rory Parks

NOVEMBER 17: Despite the “tiny fracture” in his wrist, Rodgers “is pushing to play” on Sunday, according to Rapoport, who hears there’s a “50/50” chance it will happen. It will come down to whether Rodgers is able to grip the football.

NOVEMBER 16, 10:05pm: Per Schefter, there is concern that Rodgers sustained a “slight break” in his left wrist. More clarity, including how much time Rodgers might miss, will come after his evaluation on Monday. It sounds as if some missed time is expected, because Schefter followed his report regarding the possible break with a post suggesting Rudolph will be under center when the Steelers face the Bears in Week 12.

Nonetheless, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network says this is not expected to be a long-term issue.

5:54pm: The Bengals lost an important divisional game against the Steelers on Sunday, dropping them to 3-7. Already without starting quarterback Joe Burrow until at least Week 13, Cincinnati may also lose its top wideout, Ja’Marr Chase, for a game. 

In the fourth quarter of the Bengals-Steelers contest, Pittsburgh’s Jalen Ramsey was ejected for punching Chase. While passing along a video of the incident, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo says Ramsey’s transgression appears to have been more of a grab of Chase’s facemask than a true punch. Ramsey and Chase had already been flagged for offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, however, so Ramsey presumably would have been ejected regardless.

Ramsey’s teammate, Joey Porter Jr., told reporters after the game that Chase spit on Ramsey, which triggered the mercurial defensive back’s reaction (video link via ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin). Porter acknowledges he did not see the alleged expectoration, and Chase unequivocally denied it (via Martin).

But in a video passed along by Fox 19 sports photographer Austin Briski, it appears Ramsey was correct and that Chase did, in fact, spit on him. Head referee Bill Vinovich said in the postgame pool report that neither he nor any other members of his crew witnessed that part of the altercation (from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, via Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).

An NFL spokesman told ESPN’s Adam Schefter the league will be reviewing the incident. And, as Garafolo reminds us, league precedent indicates spitting does merit a suspension.

Eagles DT Jalen Carter technically was not suspended for spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the first regular season game of the 2025 slate. However, that was only because the incident took place immediately after the opening kickoff, and before Carter even played a snap (Carter was fined the amount of a full game check). Since the Chase-Ramsey incident transpired in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s matchup, Chase could certainly be hit with a brief ban as well as a fine.

The spitting saga overshadowed the fact that the Steelers played half of the game without starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The soon-to-be 42-year-old sustained a left wrist injury late in the first half and did not return. Per Rapoport, Rodgers will undergo an evaluation on his wrist on Monday morning.

Backup Mason Rudolph completed 12 of 17 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown.

Steelers ‘Hope’ To Retain QB Aaron Rodgers In 2026

November 9th, 2025 at 10:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

Whenever Aaron Rodgers‘ career ends, he will officially retire as a member of the Packers. His current team could spend another season with him atop the QB depth chart, though.

It was reported late last month the Steelers would be open to re-signing Rodgers for 2026. The future Hall of Famer took a one-year deal to head to Pittsburgh, and he stated before the campaign began he expected to hang up his cleats once the season ended. If a different approach were to be taken, the Steelers would welcome it.

Taking previous reports one step further, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports writes the team “hopes” Rodgers will continue playing next season. Pittsburgh entered the year without a long-term succession plan in place under center, but a second season with Rodgers at the helm would give the team more time to establish one. Not long from his 42nd birthday, the four-time MVP has given the Steelers a consistent presence at the QB spot, especially compared to their other post-Ben Roethlisberger passers.

Rodgers was not a lock to play in 2025, and he spoke with other teams (including the Vikings, reported to be his preferred destination) before joining the Steelers. He has delivered strong showings across the board while remaining healthy and leading the team to a 5-4 record. Provided Rodgers continues to enjoy a productive campaign, it would come as little surprise if a mutual interest were to emerge regarding a deal covering 2026.

The Steelers allowed Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to depart in free agency, reuniting with Mason Rudolph along the way. He was made aware of Pittsburgh’s Rodgers interest but signed a two-year deal nevertheless. The Steelers also added a developmental arm in the form of sixth-rounder rookie Will Howard. The Ohio State product has yet to see any time on the field, and that is likely to remain the case with Rodgers and Rudolph healthy.

Pittsburgh’s defense played a key role in the team’s win against the Colts but in general the unit has not lived up to expectations. If that continues, the Steelers’ offense will face increased pressure. Rodgers has done well to date, and Jones cautions the team’s approach will depend on how the coming weeks play out. At this point, though, efforts to continue Rodgers’ career for one more year can be expected after the current campaign comes to an end.

Steelers Open To Retaining Aaron Rodgers For 2026; QB Will Retire With Packers

October 25th, 2025 at 10:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

Aaron Rodgers‘ lengthy free agent spell resulted – as expected – in a Steelers agreement. The future Hall of Famer took a one-year pact, and prior to the start of the campaign he made it clear 2025 is likely his final one in the NFL.

Rodgers gave thought to retirement prior to signing with Pittsburgh, and only a small list of suitors was in place while he was on the market. Things have gone as well as team and player could have hoped so far, but the 41-year-old has given no indication he will continue playing past the current season. In the event that were to change, the Steelers would be open to a 2026 Rodgers setup under center.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports (subscription required) Pittsburgh “would love” to have Rodgers back in place for next season. The four-time MVP currently leads the NFL in touchdown percentage (8.1%) and he has helped lead the Steelers to a 4-2 record and top spot in the AFC North. Pittsburgh’s offense in general has plenty of room for improvement moving forward, but if Rodgers can remain healthy a case could be made for him to continue his career at least one more season.

Since Ben Roethlisberger‘s retirement, the Steelers have struggled to find a productive replacement over any extended period. Last season’s Russell Wilson–Justin Fields experiment resulted in a playoff berth but both passers moved on during free agency after one Pittsburgh campaign. The Rodgers signing was obviously not seen as a long-term investment but it brought about the potential for an upgrade over what the team has had in previous years in terms of play under center.

It remains to be seen how Rodgers’ debut Steelers season will finish and whether his stance will change on the matter of retirement after it ends. In any case, it was recently learned he will officially conclude his career as a member of the Packers. That comes as little surprise, of course, given Rodgers’ illustrious run during his 18 years in Green Bay.

“Regardless of when I hang it up, that’s the bulk of my career. I’ll retire a Packer and see what happens after that,” Rodgers said (via Russini’s colleague Matt Schneidman). “Damn near everything great in my life is because of my football career, and my football career starts and will end one day with Green Bay. So I’ve got a lot of love for all those memories and a lot of great friends I still carry with me to this day.”

That update comes shortly before the Steelers and Packers will play each other in Week 8. Rodgers taking on the team with which he won a Super Bowl will make for one of the league’s top storylines over the coming days, but his overall playing future will also be worth monitoring.

Steelers Looking To Add WR To Maximize Success With Aaron Rodgers

October 23rd, 2025 at 11:02pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Steelers are interested in adding a wide receiver before the NFL’s trade deadline, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

This is nothing new for Pittsburgh, who are constantly mentioned in receiver trade rumors. They have been as active in the position’s market as any other team in the last year, acquiring Mike Williams before the 2024 deadline, landing D.K. Metcalf in a blockbuster move in March, and sending George Pickens to the Cowboys in May. Despite interest in adding another wideout before the season, the Steelers decided to see what their offense would look like with Aaron Rodgers under center.

The results so far have been encouraging. Pittsburgh is 4-2 with sole possession of first place in the AFC North. Behind them are the 3-4 Bengals, who are hoping that Joe Flacco can keep their offense afloat until a potential late-season return from Joe Burrow. The 2-5 Browns are reportedly targeting a top quarterback prospect in the 2025 draft, indicating they have no intention of competing this year. The Ravens are 1-5 and enter Week 8 desperately needing Lamar Jackson to return from his hamstring injury before their season slips completely away.

As a result, the Steelers have a clear opportunity to run away with the division and even compete for a top AFC playoff seed. That has created a desire to maximize the team’s chances of making a run while they have Rodgers, per The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo. Running back Jaylen Warren is averaging 36.8 receiving yards per game and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has deployed all three of his tight ends effectively, but the Steelers could use more consistent production from their receiver room.

Rodgers has established a good connection with Metcalf, but Pittsburgh’s other wideouts have not stepped up. Calvin Austin went quiet after a 70-yard performance in Week 1 and missed the last three games with a shoulder injury. 2024 third-rounder Roman Wilson has only five targets on 92 snaps despite hopes of a second-year breakout. Depth options Ben Skowronek and Scott Miller have not offered much, either.

Whether it’s adding a more reliable rotational piece or a legitimate WR2, the Steelers seem intent on adding a wide receiver in the coming weeks, according to FOX Sports’ Eric Williams. Unlike last year, the positions trade market isn’t particularly hot, which might mean that Pittsburgh has less competition to acquire a receiver, but also that there are fewer players for them to target.

NFL Minor Transactions: 10/22/25

October 22nd, 2025 at 7:36pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s midweek minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Designated to return from IR: QB Will Howard
  • Waived (with injury settlement): T Gareth Warren

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While several players were designated to return from injured reserve today, Norton and Johnson’s designations took place back on 8/26, the roster cut deadline. The Texans are in danger of being without their top three receivers in Week 8. Tank Dell is already on IR, but Nico Collins and Christian Kirk’s statuses for the weekend are up in the air as Collins deals with a concussion and Kirk has been dealing with n hamstring injury.

Not that they’ve needed him, since Aaron Rodgers has looked a bit more effective than he was in his days with the Jets, but Howard is nearing a return to the roster for the remainder of his rookie season. It will be interesting to see where the sixth-rounder slots in on the depth chart as he adds another level of security behind the 41-year-old Rodgers.

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