Sun, Jul 13th 4:07am EDT
By Ari Koslow
Steelers beat reporter Mike DeFabo believes Cordarrelle Patterson “could find himself on the outside looking in” for a roster spot in 2025. (Source: Mike DeFabo)
Fantasy Impact: Despite losing Najee Harris in free agency, Pittsburgh drafted Kaleb Johnson and signed Kenneth Gainwell to pair with Jaylen Warren in the backfield. Patterson will be competing for a roster spot in training camp.
Sun, Jul 13th 3:49am EDT
By Ari Koslow
Jeremy Fowler reported that Terry McLaurin was “not happy with where things are with an extension.” (Source: Jeremy Fowler)
Fantasy Impact: The two sides are hoping to get a deal done before the start of training camp on July 22. McLaurin has skipped all offseason workouts with the Commanders to this point. This remains a situation to monitor over the next week.
Former Bengal Tyler Boyd said he would "absolutely" play for hometown Steelers. (Source: Around the NFL on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Boyd, who remains a free agent, spent last season with the Titans after eight years with the Bengals. He could return to the AFC North. "Absolutely," Boyd said regarding whether or not he'd suit up for Pittsburgh. "You know, all my family is here. I'd be able to have the majority, all of my family, be able to support me."
According to Cleveland Browns wide receiver Diontae Johnson, Kenny Pickett, who was acquired via trade this offseason, is expected to be the team's starting quarterback. (Source: Nick Shook, nfl.com)
Fantasy Impact: Johnson said on the podcast "Sports and Suits" that he "[thinks] they are going to roll with Kenny [Pickett] for right now" as the team's starting option under center. Cleveland traded a fifth-round pick and QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the former Pittsburgh first-round selection. The Browns' QB competition runs four deep with Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders, but it remains murky who will emerge as the Week 1 starter or if one of the quarterbacks will be traded or released. If Pickett starts, he could be pursuing a bounce-back season after tailing off with the Steelers.
Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons could pursue a shorter deal in order to re-enter the market sooner, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. (Source: Rich Eisen Show on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: According to Pelissero, the league is "trending toward shorter-term deals [and] higher percentages guaranteed," which could impact Parsons' next contract. While he expressed optimism that Dallas and Parsons will come to terms on a deal, with the per-year value likely already established between the two parties, the impasse could be the contract length, with Jerry Jones and the Cowboys historically preferring long-term extensions. For now, Parsons remains in negotiations on an extension but plans to attend offseason workouts.
Adam Schefter reported that the Rams and Chargers are among Jalen Ramsey’s preferred landing spots. (Source: Adam Schefter)
Fantasy Impact: Ramsey recently said he prefers to be traded to a team on the west coast. It is possible a trade happens before training camp according to Schefter.
The Panthers have reportedly talked to free agent S Justin Simmons about a possible deal. (Source: Joe Person on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The report was made by Joe Person of The Athletic. Simmons spent last season with the Falcons after eight years in Denver. The veteran could add more experience to a Panthers defense that saw other additions earlier in free agency as well.
Daniel Popper of The Athletic reported that Chargers UDFA TE Stevo Klotz “feels like a lock for the practice squad." (Source: Daniel Popper)
Fantasy Impact: Popper added that Klotz has "the potential to make an impact as an elevation player during the season.” He was primarily a blocker during his time at Iowa State. He could earn a role on special teams with the Chargers.
Adam Schefter reported that the Falcons "could be enticed" to trade TE Kyle Pitts. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Pitts is also reportedly dealing with a strained muscle in his foot. Schefter noted that multiple teams have reached out about a potential trade for Pitts. He is on the final year of his rookie contract. This remains a situation to monitor heading into minicamp and training camp.
Wed, Jun 4th 11:34am EDT
By Ari Koslow
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the Steelers have “the expectation” they will agree on a new contract with T.J. Watt before the start of the regular season. (Source: Gerry Dulac)
Fantasy Impact: There hasn't been much word this offseason on talks of an extension between the two sides. This remains a situation to monitor as the season continues to approach.
According to multiple sources who spoke to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Trey Hendrickson is prepared to miss games or even the season if he does not land a new contract with the Bengals. (Source: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Hendrickson has made it clear he won't play on his current contract. It is unclear if the two sides have made any recent progress. This remains a situation to monitor as the offseason program progresses.
The Dolphins have had trade discussions with the Pittsburgh Steelers about Jonnu Smith. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: It explains why Smith was not at OTAs earlier in the week. He expressed an interest in reworking his deal that is scheduled to pay him $4.8 million this season. It does not appear that the Dolphins are interested in extending him, so a trade is possible. Smith said he prefers to stay in Miami if a deal can get done.
Rachaad White hinted on social media that he could be entering his final season with the Buccaneers. (Source: Rick Stroud on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: As Stroud notes, White used emojis in a caption on social media that hinted this year could be the "last ride" for him in Tampa Bay. He projects to enter the season as the passing-down back again in the Bucs backfield alongside Bucky Irving.
Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press reported that he expects the Lions to throw the ball downfield more” under new OC John Morton. (Source: Dave Birkett)
Fantasy Impact: Morton replaces Ben Johnson who is now the Bears head coach. He was previously the passing game coordinator in Denver where Bo Nix threw downfield far more than Jared Goff did. It should help the potential fantasy value of Jameson Williams as the primary downfield threat.
The Dolphins reportedly reached out to free agent CB Asante Samuel Jr. (Source: Barry Jackson)
Fantasy Impact: Samuel could take over the role Jalen Ramsey held last season in the Dolphins secondary if he is traded. He is expected to be ready for the season after undergoing neck surgery last year.
Titans coach Brian Callahan said on Tuesday the team plans to be even more cognizant of Tony Pollard's workload this season. (Source: Jim Wyatt on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Callahan said earlier this week the Titans backfield could be a three-way split this season. He noted that Pollard in 2024 “carried the ball a lot” and that “in a perfect world, we have to have more of an even split with Pollard, [Tyjae] Spears." The Titans also drafted Kalel Mullings who converted to running back from linebacker in college.
Steelers beat writer Nick Farabaugh reported that the team called the Saints about a possible trade for WR Chris Olave. (Source: Nick Farabaugh)
Fantasy Impact: It sounds like a trade is unlikely to happen, but it's still a situation to monitor. The Steelers wide receiver room took a bit of a hit after trading George Pickens to the Cowboys. Roman Wilson, and Calvin Austin are currently the receivers competing for the WR2 role behind DK Metcalf. The Saints picked up Olave’s fifth-year option in April, so it sounds like they will want to keep the young receiver long-term.
Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com said he believes rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa “could make his earliest impact on special teams.” (Source: Tim Twentyman)
Fantasy Impact: TeSlaa did not return kicks in college at Arkansas, but he did run a 4.4 40-yard dash. He'll likely have to wait for his role as a wide receiver early on in his rookie season.
The Seahawks and free agent DB Shaq Griffin are in discussions on a potential reunion. (Source: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Seattle is looking to add depth in its secondary. Griffin made a Pro Bowl as a Seahawk in 2019. There is no official deal as of now, but both sides appear to have interest.
Terrance Biggs of Sports Illustrated believes Falcons WR Nick Nash could “work his way” into the team’s wideout rotation. (Source: Terrance Biggs)
Fantasy Impact: Nash signed with Atlanta as an undrafted free agent shortly after the conclusion of the NFL Draft. The former San Jose State wide out led all receivers in college football last season in catches, yards, and touchdowns. He will compete in training camp for a depth role in the Falcons wide receiver room.
