BALTIMORE — Chuck Pagano enjoyed the easy-going nature of retirement. He played golf, worked out and visited with his grandkids. He’d do chores around the house. But most days, by 10 a.m., he’d stare at the clock wondering what to do with the rest of his time.

“Life was pretty good,” he said. “A lot of my friends were like, ‘Are ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — Derek Carr was guaranteed $30 million from the Saints whether or not he played a snap this season. All he had to do was be on New Orleans’ roster.

But the former Raiders quarterback, who sustained a shoulder injury last season that put his career in peril, did not think that was the right thing to do. So, rather than play ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — After a lengthy courtship that was beginning to take on the look of a Netflix mini-series, Aaron Rodgers has told the Steelers he plans to sign a one-year deal and attend minicamp next week, sources have told the Post-Gazette.

Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP who is the league's seventh all-time leading passer, was brought in to ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Aaron Rodgers is no longer holding the Steelers hostage, embarrassing them, making them look foolish and whatever other nonsensical thing was said about him since this saga began a few months ago.

He is a Steeler, he will be the starting quarterback, and hopefully now we can all get back to our regularly scheduled programming and...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Our long-running local nightmare has ended.

The Penguins have a coach and the Pirates still can't hit. But Aaron Rodgers is finally joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the 41-year-old, four-time NFL MVP agreeing to a one-year deal on Wednesday afternoon.

While the deal will inevitably produce some skepticism, the Steelers didn...Read more

RENTON, Wash. — There’s a national consensus surrounding the 2025 Seahawks.

It’s that they’re not very good.

So say the sportsbooks, which set Seattle’s over/under for wins at either 7.5 (FanDuel, Bally) or 8.5 (BetMGM). And ESPN’s Football Power Index projection metric, which assigned the Seahawks an FPI of minus-1.4 — 21st in ...Read more

DENVER — After holding off from casting any free-agent stones and turning to UCF’s RJ Harvey in April’s NFL draft, the Broncos’ backfield plans for 2025 seemed all but set.

Suddenly, a new name may be entering the fray.

Denver is hosting former Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins on a visit Wednesday night and Thursday, a source ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Jared Verse and Braden Fiske joined the Rams last season as something of a one-two punch.

The former Florida State teammates were drafted in the first and second rounds, respectively, and lived up to their billing as individuals and as a collective force.

Verse, an edge rusher, became the NFL defensive rookie of the year. Fiske...Read more

MIAMI — Jonnu Smith is being paid like an NFL backup, and until that market correction gets addressed nobody should expect the tight end to grace the practice field until next week’s mandatory minicamp.

And even then the “Battle for The Benjamins” isn’t over. It’s just put on pause.

That’s why we’re hearing Smith’s name being...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The most remarkable aspect of Howie Roseman’s reign as the Eagles’ decision-maker perhaps lies less in his salary cap manipulation, which is the best in the business, and less in his talent evaluation, which blossomed in the last five years.

Rather, the most remarkable aspect of how he does business is his boldness. His ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Mason Rudolph seemed to sense it was coming, like a defensive back blitzing off the edge. He and Miles Killebrew have also taken a beating since attending a Donald Trump rally in West Mifflin along with Steelers legend Rocky Bleier this past Friday.

Is that unfair? Tough to say. But it’s something I tried to explore a little ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Politicians were out in force at the rally held at U.S. Steel’s Irvin Works in West Mifflin on Friday to celebrate a deal uniting the Pittsburgh steelmaker and Tokyo-based Nippon Steel. And the stands were packed with cheering, orange-uniformed steelworkers.

Then the three NFL football players came on stage.

Long-retired ...Read more

SEATTLE — The Seahawks have three quarterbacks on their roster, two of whom have significant starting experience (Sam Darnold, Drew Lock) and one is a rookie the team hopes can develop into a legitimate starter (Jalen Milroe).

What the Seahawks don’t have is any question about who will be the starter in 2025 — Darnold.

Coach Mike ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers have been discussing a new contract with outside linebacker T.J. Watt with the expectation they will come to some agreement with the four-time All-Pro and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year before the start of the regular season, sources have told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

However, that doesn't mean there ...Read more

DETROIT — It was the ankle injury, the groin injury and the various foot injuries, including the inoperable toe. It was the knee injury, the back injury and the fractured throat (!). It was the torn pectoral muscle last season, and the unrelenting pain.

It was all that and more, and ultimately, it was too much. Lions’ center Frank Ragnow is...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles finalized a trade Monday to send Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2026 mid-round pick.

The framework of the deal was mostly agreed to last Friday, but both teams waited to make it official until after June 1 to allow the Eagles to spread the edge rusher’s remaining cap hit over two seasons. ...Read more

DETROIT — One of the most important pieces of the Detroit Lions' vaunted offensive line is hanging up the cleats.

Center Frank Ragnow on Monday announced his retirement on Instagram after seven seasons, four Pro Bowls and three second-team All-Pro honors.

Ragnow was not been present at the team's OTAs last week, and it appears this is the ...Read more