Hey there, football fans! Guess what? A brand new league year has kicked off as of 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday! This means all those deals folks were chatting about during the legal negotiating period can finally be made official. Plus, trades like DK Metcalf joining the Pittsburgh Steelers are getting the green light. So, buckle up—there’s lots happening in the football world!
We’re a few days deep into free agency now, and while things were pretty chill as we approached the new year, some stuff did go down. For instance, the New York Jets are about to wave goodbye to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, making it easier for him to team up with a new squad. The Denver Broncos took care of some serious roster needs, too!
Winners: Denver Broncos
The Broncos got busy on Day 1 of the new league year by landing veteran tight end Evan Engram on a two-year deal. Last season, Denver’s tight end game was essentially non-existent, but now they’ve added a player who could snag 100 catches! This is a huge win for Engram because he’s stepping into a big role in Sean Payton’s offense, which has been called the “joker” position in the past. The last stars to take up that spot? Names like Jimmy Graham and Jeremy Shockey. Engram could be in for a breakout year at 30!
Loser: Pittsburgh Steelers
Now, let’s talk about the Steelers. They’re pretty much on the edge of their seats waiting for Aaron Rodgers to make a move. The Jets are letting him go, but who knows where he’ll end up? This is rough for both Pittsburgh and the New York Giants since their search for a QB is all over the place right now. The Steelers have already lost out on some options like Justin Fields, and their main man for last season, Russell Wilson, is also checking out the Browns and Giants. If he takes the plunge there, it’s gonna be Rodgers or bust for Pittsburgh, and that’s not a fun place to be!
Loser: Russell Wilson
Speaking of Wilson, he’s stuck in a bit of a pickle too because of this whole Rodgers drama. He’s set to visit the Browns and Giants, but Pittsburgh seems like his best bet since he played there last season. However, the Steelers are chasing Rodgers pretty hard, which leaves Wilson in limbo. He’d rather get settled with a team soon, but external factors are keeping him on hold.
Career Move: Demarcus Lawrence
Check out Demarcus Lawrence, still cashing in at 33! The guy’s leaving the Cowboys after ten years, but he just signed a three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks worth up to $42 million with $18 million guaranteed. Not bad for a dude recovering from last season’s foot injury! Seattle’s rolling the dice on an older player coming back from injury, but for Lawrence, it’s a golden opportunity to make some serious bank.
