NFL Rumors: Aaron Rodgers is making his future very clear
Nick Saban is laughing at all the retirement rumors surrounding him and so is Aaron Rodgers.
The moment the Jets quarterback suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against the Bills, people jumped to the conclusion that his career could be over. But Rodgers is making it extremely clear that he intends to play for New York again at some point.
On Friday, Rodgers appeared on the Pat McAfee show and said as much without actually saying it.
"I think what I'd like to say is, give me the doubts, give me the timetables, give me all the things that you think can, should or will happen because all I need is that one little extra percent of inspiration," Rodgers said. "So give me your doubts, give me your prognostications and then watch what I do."
That does not sound like a man who doesn't plan to suit up next year.
That's also why the Jets sticking with Zach Wilson as their quarterback this year makes sense. The free-agent quarterbacks out there aren't game-changers. The only good options are longer-term options. And Rodgers is still the plan for 2024.
NFL Rumors: Budda Baker is the perfect Avonte Maddox replacement
It was tough to find out Eagles defensive back Avonte Maddox is likely out for the season with a torn pec suffered during Thursday Night Football. But some Eagles fans have already landed on the ideal replacement.
Budda Baker, come on down!
The Cardinals safety reportedly requested a trade in February, making him the subject of endless trade rumors during the summer. Even before losing Maddox to injury, the Eagles were one of the teams floated as a destination.
Now Howie Roseman has even more incentive to go out and get him.
When the Eagles announced the release of Rashaan Evans and Trey Sermon on Friday, many assumed it was a sign that "Howie is cooking."
One thing complicates this plan. Baker just landed on the injury report and is now questionable for the Cardinals' game against the Giants on Sunday. If that injury designation is precautionary, it could be yet another sign that something is brewing.
We're not saying Eagles fans should get their hopes up. But that move would make a whole lot of sense.
NFL Rumors: Matt Canada called the same play eight times
The Steelers have to acknowledge it at some point: They've got an offensive coordinator problem.
In Week 1, Kenny Pickett and the Steelers offense got humbled big time by the 49ers. To be fair, San Francisco has one of the best defenses in the game, but there's another big difference between the performances of the two teams. One offense has Kyle Shanahan running the show. The other has Matt Canada.
Put Brock Purdy in Canada's offense and he'd look just as bad as Pickett on Sunday. Put Pickett in Shanahan's offense and he'd cook.
Need an example to back that up? Dan Orlovsky revealed that Canada called the same passing play eight times against the 49ers defense.
"They ran the same play, pass play-wise, eight times so there's got to be more variety in their pass game," Orlovsky said.
A good defense starts to pick up on offensive tendencies quickly, and SF undoubtedly has a good one. To think that the same play would work over and over again is madness.
Fans were skeptical of bringing Canada back after last season. Mike Tomlin bet on his OC taking the offense to the next level but Week 1 showed that's just not going to happen.
