PITTSBURGH — As a crowd of us gathered around Aaron Rodgers on Tuesday afternoon, the quarterback’s first comments with the Steelers following a minicamp session when he largely stuck to individual work, Mike Tomlin sat alone just a few feet away at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex and gazed out toward the practice fields.

The scene was striking ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Davante Adams lined up on the right side, ran a short slant pattern to the middle of the field, and then caught a pass from Matthew Stafford and sprinted up the middle toward the end zone.

A few players later, Adams crossed the field left to right and then extended his 6-foot-1 frame while leaping high to grab a pass over the ...Read more

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — For all the offseason spectacle surrounding Kirk Cousins, the first day he had to be at work for the Atlanta Falcons was anticlimactic.

He showed up for the team’s mandatory minicamp this week. Cousins confirmed that he’d rather be playing for a team where he has a real chance to start, but that’s not possible ...Read more

NEW YORK — Jets pass rusher Jermaine Johnson missed 15 games last season due to an Achilles injury he suffered in Week 2.

However, Jets coach Aaron Glenn says he will be ready for their Week 1 matchup against the Steelers at MetLife Stadium.

That happens to coincide with the return of Aaron Rodgers, who was Johnson’s teammate with the Jets...Read more

MIAMI — How Tua Tagovailoa changes his body in the offseason has been heavily discussed for the last few years.

In 2023, it was “thick Tua,” an ode to his increased body mass. In 2024, it was “skinny Tua” due to his weight loss as he looked to become quicker on his feet. Now, in 2025, the focus has turned from physical to mental.

“...Read more

FOXBORO, Mass. — Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs kept a smile on his face during his media availability Tuesday through a series of tough questions about a viral boat incident from Memorial Day Weekend on the final day of spring practices, but he wouldn’t break.

Diggs was asked about the video, which saw him pass out a pink substance in...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt did not participate in the first mandatory minicamp practice on Tuesday as he and his representatives continue to seek a new contract.

Watt is entering the final year of the five-year, $112 million contract ($80 million guaranteed) he signed in 2021 that made him the highest-paid defensive ...Read more

DENVER — After a week of deliberation following a highly-publicized visit to Denver, the Broncos have stamped another high-impact name to beef up their backfield.

The club is signing former Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins to a one-year contract, a source confirmed to The Denver Post. The deal has a base value of $2.745 million and $2.5 ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Two things can be true.

With Aaron Rodgers signed for a reasonable rate, the Steelers must use some of their available salary cap space and add another wide receiver, whether that's Keenan Allen, Allen Lazard or Tyler Boyd.

I'm also encouraged by what's already here.

DK Metcalf offers an upgrade over George Pickens as the ...Read more

NEW YORK — Jameis Winston seems like the forgotten man in the Giants’ quarterback rotation, with Russell Wilson being handed the starting job and rookie Jaxson Dart being groomed as the future of the franchise.

But Winston is not forgotten when they take the field, even on limited reps.

Last Thursday was a perfect example: Wilson‘s first...Read more

BOSTON — Welcome to the end of the beginning.

The New England Patriots’ mandatory minicamp opened Monday, with all players expected to report for the team’s final three practices this spring. The Pats will hit the field for three straight days, then take a five-week break before returning for the start of training camp in late July.

To ...Read more

DENVER — It began with more than 3,000 square feet of exposed red brick on the backside of a vacant commercial building off Market Street. Slabs jutted out from fused concrete at incongruent angles, no single smooth patch on the beast’s scales.

Gus Rey needed approximately 35 spray-paint cans of a particular shade of Bronco baby-blue, many ...Read more

ALLEN PARK, Mich.— After a strong showing in his rookie year, the Detroit Lions made Brian Branch a full-time safety to pair alongside budding star Kerby Joseph.

Fast forward just one year, and the two have a strong case as the best safety tandem in the NFL. Joseph just received the most lucrative safety contract in NFL history, while Branch ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Quick, name a good offensive line in the NFL.

You probably said the Philadelphia Eagles, and you’d be right. The Super Bowl champions’ o-line is fantastic.

But what is the second-best offensive line in the NFL?

When I ask that to folks around the league, I hear a few different names: Baltimore, Detroit, Denver and ...Read more

MIAMI — The trauma Miami Dolphins fans experience isn’t accidental.

It has been triggered by 25 years of being lost in the wilderness as a franchise, a result of neglect, or malpractice.

The problem South Florida has entering this season is there’s little evidence anyone in the organization has found a way back to NFL relevancy, ending ...Read more

DENVER — Watch the slants. Crunch the stats. And it is hard not to come to this conclusion: Wide receiver Devaughn Vele will be a breakout star for the Broncos this season.

No, really.

Vele arrived for spring workouts with clear intent, determined to open eyes and change minds. During media viewing periods, few players have looked better, ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — No to Shedeur Sanders in the draft, no to journeyman Mason Rudolph as the starter.

Yes to Aaron Rodgers at age 41.

No to improving the odds of losing up to a high slot in the 2026 NFL draft, though draftniks like the next quarterback class.

Yes to another winning season. Because we’re the Steelers. We don’t tear our home ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Aaron Rodgers’ one-year deal with the Steelers is for $13.65 million with $10 million guaranteed and includes another $5.85 million in incentives, sources have told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Rodgers, 41, a four-time NFL MVP, arrived at the Steelers facility in the South Side on Saturday morning to sign the contract, which ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The best throw of Super Bowl LIX didn’t mean a thing. Not really, anyway.

It arrived long after the outcome became obvious, deep into the fourth quarter of a blowout. And it actually came from the arm of the losing quarterback, the one who would arrive at his team’s facility only days later, there to ask his coaches a ...Read more