NFL Player News

This of course assumes Rodgers, 42, will return for another season under center for the Steelers, now coached by Rodgers’ former Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy. The Steelers acquired Pittman from the Colts on Monday. Rodgers, Boyd said, “seems to prefer veterans who understand the nuances of route running, how to read coverages and what it takes to prepare for an opponent. Pittman, a solid possession receiver who slots in as a No. 2 behind [DK] Metcalf, checks a lot of those boxes.” Pittman, entering his age-29 season, last season had a career low yards after the catch per reception, reeling in 80 balls on 110 targets as Alec Pierce emerged as Indy’s No. 1 wideout. If the Steelers offense is pass heavy enough Pittman could hold some value in deeper PPR formats in 2026.

Hobbs had a dreadful injury-ravaged year with the Packers, and only started through Week 7. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reports that this is a post-June 1 release, leaving Green Bay with $8 million in eventual cap savings this year. Hobbs, who signed a four-year contract with the Packers last offseason, feels like a candidate to start elsewhere in 2026 if healthy. He won’t factor into compensatory draft pick formulas since he was released and is only entering his age-27 season.

The Falcons released Darnell Mooney and KhaDarel Hodge, leaving them with a depth chart behind Mooney of Olamide Zaccheaus, Casey Washington and Deven Thompkins. The Falcons, who lost their first-round pick in the ill-fated James Pearce trade, also don’t have many draft picks this year and could be less likely than most teams to draft a wideout that could challenge Dotson for a role. We’re not quite at “sleeper” status here, but we’re at least late-round Best Ball curious.

Newsome was traded to the Jaguars last October and started 11 games for them. The former first-round pick allowed opposing receivers to go for 48-582-5 against him on 73 targets, and has struggled over the last two seasons after a strong first three years in the league. Newsome played almost exclusively on the outside last season, but has shown enough versatility throughout his career to play both outside and in the slot. Newsome will make for a nice addition to a secondary that just lost Cor’Dale Flott to the Titans on the first day of legal tampering.

The Steelers on Monday signed Rico Dowdle, formerly of the Panthers, to a two-year deal worth $12.25 million, as Gainwell left Pittsburgh in favor of Tampa. DeFabo said the new-look Pittsburgh offense could see Warren occupy last year’s Gainwell role (Gainwell was among the league leaders in running back targets and receptions). Warren, DeFabo said, “has been at his best in a third-down role and out of the shotgun; Warren is now likely to assume the pass-catching role that Gainwell occupied last year. Given the increased opportunities in this area, Warren may produce results similar to those of Gainwell, though he’s not as refined as a route runner.” Such a scenario would make Warren far more valuable than Dowdle in PPR formats this season, though Dowdle could be a flex option if he gets first crack at goal line carries and functions as the team’s primary ball carrier.

Schefter reports that Hendrickson has spoken to multiple teams, but says that the deals recently signed by Danielle Hunter and Jaelan Phillips may have complicated things. Hunter received a one-year $40.1 million extension from the Texans last week, and Phillips agreed to a four-year deal with the Panthers that averages out to $30 million a year. Hendrickson, 31, reportedly considers himself as good as if not better than both Hunter and Phillips, meaning he could be seeking a deal in the range of what they received. Hendrickson totaled 35 sacks from 2023 to 2024, but he recorded just four sacks in 2025 while being limited to seven games due to injury. Hendrickson is still a premier pass-rusher who will see a good pay day when signed, but it could take some time before a deal is negotiated if he is unwilling to budge from his current demands.

Bass missed all of the 2025 season due to a hip/groin injury. The sixth-year vet will earn $1 million in guaranteed money next season with a chance to earn up to $3.5 million in additional incentives, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Bass converted 24-of-29 field goals when he last played while going 4-of-4 on kicks of 50-plus yards. Bass has two years left on his current deal.

After spending the first four years of his career with the Commanders, St-Juste joined the Chargers in a backup role. The 356 snaps he appeared on, per PFF, were his fewest since his rookie year, but he earned the highest coverage grade of his career (77.1) while holding opposing receivers to 19-205-1 on 38 targets. St-Juste is a solid fifth-year vet with 47 games of starting experience under his belt.

Several teams are pursuing Woolen, a free agent who likely won’t return to Seattle after the team gave Rashid Shaheed a massive contract on Monday. Woolen, who has 53 passes defended and 12 interceptions over four seasons in Seattle, will be an important addition to whichever secondary he joins in 2026. The Giants allowed the 12th highest drop back EPA in 2025.

Vera-Tucker’s deal is worth “up to” $48 million. The former No. 14 overall pick played at every offensive line position other than center while on his rookie contract, though most of his reps have come at the two guard spots. He most recently started all 15 games of his 2024 campaign at right guard. Vera-Tucker was supposed to play out his fifth-year option with the Jets in 2025, but a torn tricep in practice just before Week 1 ended his season before it began. AVT has a lengthy injury history. He has only played more than seven games in two-of-five years. On the other hand, he has generally played well when healthy, and the Pats needed to keep adding talent to their offensive line.

Thornton caught 19 passes for a career-high 438 yards and three touchdowns as the Chiefs’ deep ball receiver in 2025. The Chiefs’ receiving cupboard is bare but Thornton at least had a connection with Patrick Mahomes on deep targets. He returns to Kansas City on a two-year deal and will be in the mix for WR4 on the Chiefs’ depth chart in 2026. For fantasy purposes, Thornton will be a boom-or-bust dart throw again, but the Chiefs’ wide receiver moves later in the offseason will shape his value.