Everything that happens in the NFL has some additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.
Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the NFL.
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June 5: What Aaron Rodgers to the Steelers means for fantasy
Matt Bowen: Aaron Rodgers plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday.
Rodgers, who will turn 42 during the 2025 season, threw for 3,897 yards, 29 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions last year as a member of the New York Jets, who, coincidentally, will host the Steelers in Week 1. Justin Fields, who started the first six games for Pittsburgh last season, is now the presumed starter for the Jets.
In terms of Rodgers' fantasy impact, we had already been projecting his stats based on him joining the Steelers.
So let's discuss the veteran quarterback's skill set at this stage of his career and what it means on the fantasy front for the Pittsburgh offense.
Based on the tape I've watched, the arm talent still pops with Rodgers, as do the quick release and accelerated field vision. He can get the ball out and identify post-snap coverage rotations with ease. Yes, the mobility and pocket poise have declined, which does limit his opportunities to create outside of structure at a higher rate, but in a run-oriented offense, one that will also use play-action elements to keep the pocket firm, Rodgers can function and produce in Arthur Smith's system.
With Rodgers' arrival, DK Metcalf's fantasy value gets a slight boost from where it had been before the QB's arrival. Metcalf has the field-stretching ability to run the outside verticals and deep in-breakers, plus he will be a top quick-gain target for Rodgers on slants, unders and screens. That puts Metcalf in the WR2/Flex range heading into the 2025 fantasy season, while Pat Freiermuth remains a midtier TE2 with potential streaming upside who can be viewed as a big body option in the middle of the field.
Remember, Rodgers averaged 15.1 PPG with both Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams as his top targets last season in New York. And in a Steelers offense that will use the run game as a foundational piece, Rodgers fits best as a QB2 who can be started in 2QB Superflex formats or as a matchup-based streaming option.