2025 NFL Discussion

[CheezWizHed]

I'll start off the 2025 NFL discussion with... What will Aaron Rodgers do now?  Retire? Go to the Vikings? What decision will he make after his annual darkness retreat? 

[nate82]

2 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

I'll start off the 2025 NFL discussion with... What will Aaron Rodgers do now?  Retire? Go to the Vikings? What decision will he make after his annual darkness retreat? 

I think the money is on Rodgers going to the Steelers.  The Steelers are kind of caught in the they are good but not good enough to be a threat in the AFC.  They are the Kohl era Bucks of the NFL.  Even if they add Rodgers it isn’t really enough to push them over into the top tier of teams in the AFC.  Still a playoff contender but that is it.  I don’t believe the Vikings are a serious destination for Rodgers.  The 49ers could be a sneaky team for Rodgers depending what they do with Purdy.  

[JosephC]

I think it could be down to just 2 options for Rodgers.  I'm guessing the Titans and Giants end up drafting Ward and Sanders, so they are out.  The Browns and Seahawks have cap issues that prevent Rodgers ending up with either of them.  He is obviously not going back to the Jets.  That leaves the Raiders and Steelers.

I thought the Raiders because they have so much more cap space to throw so much more money at him (and at this point, I think Rodgers will take the money over winning).  But it would actually be pretty easy to structure a deal that would guarantee him 35 million that would only have a first year cap number of 11-12 million dollars...I don't think the contract is limiting factor for the Steelers at all.

I'd guess the Raiders.  As much as they will probably want to trade the mansion for Ward or Sanders, I think they fall short and end up with Rodgers.

[bigred]

22 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

I'll start off the 2025 NFL discussion with... What will Aaron Rodgers do now?  Retire? Go to the Vikings? What decision will he make after his annual darkness retreat? 

I think he'll retire, but he's such a Prima Donna now, I really don't care what he does. 

[JosephC]

It all depends on the money.  I don't think Rodgers would come back for anything less than 25 million guaranteed.  I would kind of suspect something like this-

3 years, 90 million, 35 million guaranteed

25 million signing bonus

2026 = 2 million base salary (guaranteed), 2026 cap number = 10.33 million

2027 = 15 million base salary (8 million of this is guaranteed), 10 million roster bonus payable mid March, 2027 cap number = 33.33 million

2028 = 28 million base salary, , 10 million roster bonus payable mid March, 2028 cap number = 46.33 million

I could see that working for both side.  2028 won't happen.  Rodgers looks at it as a 1 year, 27 million dollar deal or a 2 year, 52 million dollar deal...good enough money for him to keep playing.  If he's bust, the signing team gets him at an attractive 10.33 million cap number for 2026 and then are responsible for another 24.667 million that they could spread out over 2027 and 2028, hardly a crippling cap hit considering overthecap is projecting the 2027 cap to be 314 million.

[OldHeidelberg]

This Rodgers to the Rams thing may have some life to it now that I see they are willing to let Stafford go. It sounds like they want to move on and Rodgers for a year is boom or bust and the bust could get them a high pick to get their new QB in 26. Plus, Adams is linked to all the west coast teams and Kupp on his way out. For Rodgers this is best case by far if he plays in 25.   

[LouisEly]

Eagles are supposedly going to release Darius Slay.  Will be 35 next year, but graded out by PFF as the 52nd best CB out of 223 in pass coverage, so he may have some gas left in the tank.  Would not at all mind a 1-year deal.

[JosephC]

Slay would be a good addition.  Last year QBs had a 63.6 QB rating when targeting him and only 5.5 yards per attempt.

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/darius-slay-eagles-cornerbacks/

Seems like he has quite a bit left in the tank.

Also known as a leader and plus locker room presence.

I would still have Carlton Davis as my #1 CB target, but would definitely slot Slay (well) ahead of Kristian Fulton as my #2 target.

[RedStickBrew]

 

[CheezWizHed]

43 minutes ago, RedStickBrew said:

 

I'd take him back on the Packers as I think he really covers multiple needs (goto WR, mentor for our young WRs), but I doubt he is interested in coming back.  I have to believe he is West Coast bound. 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

14 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

I'd take him back on the Packers as I think he really covers multiple needs (goto WR, mentor for our young WRs), but I doubt he is interested in coming back.  I have to believe he is West Coast bound. 

He seemed pretty darn interested in coming back when you read between the lines on his latest comments. I am pretty meh on it. I much rather we bring in somebody younger.

[OldHeidelberg]

1 hour ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

He seemed pretty darn interested in coming back when you read between the lines on his latest comments. I am pretty meh on it. I much rather we bring in somebody younger.

You make it sound like we are talking about bringing in Adam Thielen 🙂. I don't think he has lost a step and as Cheezwizhead said he checks a lot of boxes for us. I would prefer him to DK if Metcalf would cost us a higher pick. The Packers need to step up though as he won't come cheap and the draw of the west coast may be tough. Jacobs recruiting him should help. 

[CheezWizHed]

4 hours ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

He seemed pretty darn interested in coming back when you read between the lines on his latest comments. I am pretty meh on it. I much rather we bring in somebody younger.

I've not seen him say anything other than ordering another taco... 

I REALLY think we need a vet WR to set the bar for the younger guys.  I'm also nervous about Doub's concussion history so Adam's could take his role very easily (and be better at it).  And hopefully help Wicks take the same steps he did to improve his hands. 

[OldHeidelberg]

9 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

I've not seen him say anything other than ordering another taco... 

I REALLY think we need a vet WR to set the bar for the younger guys.  I'm also nervous about Doub's concussion history so Adam's could take his role very easily (and be better at it).  And hopefully help Wicks take the same steps he did to improve his hands. 

I think a security blanket on 3rd and 4th down for Love and a legit red zone threat are the biggest things Adams would bring. Solving the red zone issues may be the Packers top offseason need. Adams may not take the top off the defense like a healthy Watson but he would draw plenty of coverage away from the other guys.

 

Edit: Some morning googling tells me Packers are the betting favorite to land Davante FWIW

[Joseph Zarr]

Bears addressing their O-Line early in the off-season via trades is interesting.

(2026 4th Rd pick sent to KC)

This a day or so after:

 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

13 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

I've not seen him say anything other than ordering another taco... 

I REALLY think we need a vet WR to set the bar for the younger guys.  I'm also nervous about Doub's concussion history so Adam's could take his role very easily (and be better at it).  And hopefully help Wicks take the same steps he did to improve his hands. 

He made a bunch of appearances on podcasts and shows heaping praise on what a great organization GB is and how great Love looks, what a composed awesome guy he is etc., I believe he started doing that last year. And I think he kept saying something like "you never know what could happen." He has basically said "I want to go back to GB" without saying it. Don't know if it's going to happen, don't know if Gute wants him, but I think it's probably the #1 place he wants to be. It makes a lot of sense. If you were him, why not end your career in a place you know, you're comfortable, they are close to the top, and you always liked?

[SeaBass]

As far as Adams "wanting" to come back I don't think there would be any barriers to it other than normal player acquisition ones like fit, contract, etc. I don't feel any bridges were burned when Adams got traded, by all accounts the Packers accommodated Davante's preferred destination and tried to do the best they could for him. That's respect given and I think he knows that and appreciates it. 

I too might prefer to look elsewhere though. If he comes back that's fine but the contract will be large and he's aging. I do also think he could help. So whatever happens, happens I guess but if they don't bring him back it's not going to bother me.

[Joseph Zarr]

<popcorn gifs>

 

[nate82]

3 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Bears addressing their O-Line early in the off-season via trades is interesting.

(2026 4th Rd pick sent to KC)

This a day or so after:

 

I think this almost guarantees the Bears trade out of the #10 pick in the draft.

[OldHeidelberg]

17 minutes ago, nate82 said:

I think this almost guarantees the Bears trade out of the #10 pick in the draft.

They have 2 picks in the top of the 2nd round so they are probably not too worried about giving up mid round picks to bolster the line. I have no idea but I think it is just as likely they move down in the 2nd if they want to get some picks back.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Not a chance Metcalf garners a first going public like that. 3rd or 4th is my prediction.

[nate82]

32 minutes ago, OldHeidelberg said:

They have 2 picks in the top of the 2nd round so they are probably not too worried about giving up mid round picks to bolster the line. I have no idea but I think it is just as likely they move down in the 2nd if they want to get some picks back.

Wouldn’t necessarily be to recover picks more a long the players available to draft at that spot.  Most mocks have it being a heavy Oline pick.  I think the Bears trade that pick to get something other than an Oline player.

[nate82]

I saw some sports website saying the Titans should trade the #1 pick for Purdy.  How does this even make sense?

[OldHeidelberg]

13 minutes ago, nate82 said:

Wouldn’t necessarily be to recover picks more a long the players available to draft at that spot.  Most mocks have it being a heavy Oline pick.  I think the Bears trade that pick to get something other than an Oline player.

They could still use an OT I think but you could be right. Maybe they have their eye on moving up for one of the premier D players as well and wanted to make sure they improved on the oline first.

[Joseph Zarr]

From a Cappa Casualty to a new deal in Vegas: