It’s hope season, when everyone’s team could win the Super Bowl. That hope will only grow from here — all the way up until fans face reality in Week 1 of the 2026 season.
For now, this is the first phase of best-shape-of-his-life season. NFL players will soon report to minicamp and some have already reported to OTAs. Rookies have, for the most part, completed their rookie minicamps. And so, if you ask the coaches, every player is in incredible shape — “the best shape of his life.”
This is “Sound Smart,” where I try to spin forward, dive deeper and think outside the box. If I do my job, you’ll have a better understanding of what really happened over the past week of the NFL offseason.
1. IF THERE’S ONE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW, IT’S …
Aaron Rodgers is back to his same old stuff.
Aaron Rodgers was supposed to sign this weekend. He reportedly was going to be in Pittsburgh to meet with the Steelers to work out a deal to play his 22nd NFL season. But according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he hasn’t yet met with the team, though his agent may have had some discussions. In any case, there is still no deal coming out of the weekend.
Which is just so classic for Rodgers.
He has a habit of not doing what everyone expects him to do. Everyone thought he’d finally sign this weekend. He didn’t. And so we’re in another holding pattern — waiting for Rodgers. It’s like this every offseason, with the QB dragging out the process and creating uncertainty, like he did with the New York Jets and like he did last year with the Steelers and is doing now with the Steelers.
It’s just more of the same from Rodgers. And this is what Pittsburgh should’ve expected: a long wait.
The NFL future of Aaron Rodgers continues to be up in the air, much like the past few seasons. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Steelers have an offense that’s ready to hum. There’s a nice infusion of experience and youth, like at receiver with veterans DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Germie Bernard. At tight end, there’s up-and-comer Darnell Washington and proven producer Pat Freiermuth. At running back, there’s incumbent starter Jaylen Warren and newcomer Rico Dowdle. The offensive line has plenty of talent, even if it’s not exactly clear yet who will start where.
All those guys are waiting for Rodgers.
And in all likelihood, he’ll show up — like he always does — in time for training camp.
But just because that has happened in the past doesn’t mean it’s going to happen again. And the situation got a little murky when new Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur refused to rule out the possibility of adding Rodgers.
“We’re focused on the guys coming in,” LaFleur said on the “Jim Rome Show” last week. “We’ve got a [QB] room that we’re excited to work with, and that’s solely the place our focus is.”
It’s not a sure.
It’s not a no.
Rodgers is a free agent. He can signal wherever.
The Cardinals, just like the Steelers, chosen a quarterback within the draft. Arizona snagged former Miami QB Carson Beck to work beneath journeymen Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew. Rodgers may simply present up and be QB1 for the Cardinals. And naturally, he may simply go away the Steelers on the altar.
Nobody desires to see Mason Rudolph once more, however he is the one who would most likely begin if Rodgers doesn’t return to Pittsburgh. The Steelers even have Will Howard, a sixth-rounder final yr, and rookie Drew Allar, a developmental prospect who landed within the third spherical this yr. I believe Allar has lots of potential, however the workforce would most likely like to take a seat him for a full yr. All that makes Rodgers a vital a part of Pittsburgh’s plan.
And so long as Rodgers is on the market — undecided — the Steelers are hanging in limbo. They’re primarily dedicated to him, even when he hasn’t formally dedicated to them. That’s the way it all the time goes with Rodgers.
But it surely’s at the moment of yr that I all the time marvel: Why did the Steelers join this — once more? Why did Pittsburgh need extra of this? Rodgers is not something greater than a bridge quarterback at this level. He is not what he was. And but groups speak themselves into one other yr with the man. Once they do, that is how he repays them.
2. BUY & SELL
BUY: Saints QB Tyler Shough
Not solely was he a nice shock in his rookie season, he additionally noticed the workforce throw an infinite quantity of help behind him throughout the offseason. New Orleans added RB Travis Etienne and guard David Edwards. The Saints then drafted receivers Jordyn Tyson and Bryce Lance and tight finish Oscar Delp. Second-year head coach Kellen Moore just isn’t hesitating to construct out a core of playmakers in New Orleans. Shough ought to play level guard in the course of all of it.
SELL: Browns QB Shedeur Sanders
If Deshaun Watson has the benefit within the QB competitors, then one thing has gone very, very unsuitable for Sanders. And if Sanders can’t make issues work in Cleveland this yr, he is likely to be out of the league by 2028 — and possibly even 2027.
Shedeur Sanders (2) seems on as Deshaun Watson runs a drill throughout a voluntary veteran minicamp in April. (Photograph by Nick Cammett/Getty Pictures) (Photograph by Nick Cammett/Getty Pictures)
BUY: Vikings edge Dallas Turner
Minnesota traded Jonathan Greenard, and given the truth that he had 12 or extra sacks in 2023 and 2024, the Vikings did it in a comparatively quiet method, netting a third-rounder in a bundle throughout the draft. That felt like an actual present of help of one of many league’s shortly ascending gamers in Turner. The Vikings additionally drafted a pair of defensive tackles to work with Turner and assist take away a number of the consideration. It must be a giant yr for the younger edge participant.
SELL: Cowboys edge Donovan Ezeiruaku
Ezeiruaku figures to get extra taking part in time in 2026, however solely as a result of the Cowboys did little to herald competitors. In his last 5 video games of the 2025 season, Ezeiruaku managed simply 11 pressures. On the season, he completed with two sacks, and he performed essentially the most snaps among the many Cowboys’ defensive ends. It was a staggering lack of manufacturing for a protection that desperately wanted edge assist.
BUY: Eagles WR Makai Lemon
With A.J. Brown probably leaving city and the Eagles (but once more) installing a new offensive system, Philly should have focused USC All-American Lemon within the draft with a job in thoughts for OC Sean Mannion’s offense. That’s why you commerce up for a participant you’re keen on (which is what the Eagles did). Lemon may need essentially the most catches of any rookie receiver.
Makai Lemon seems at Recreation 3 of the Japanese Convention first spherical playoffs between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. (Photograph by Mitchell Leff/Getty Pictures)
SELL: Browns WR Jerry Jeudy
The Browns drafted receiver KC Concepcion within the first spherical after which took receiver Denzel Boston within the second spherical. Cleveland simply employed coach Todd Monken, whose background is in offense. When there’s a brand new crop of talent gamers and a brand new coach, these new guys are sometimes going to get each alternative to succeed. And which means the veteran Jeudy probably is not going to.
BUY: Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa
Keep in mind when the Lions traded three third-round picks to maneuver up and get TeSlaa? They cherished him within the draft final yr. And whereas he didn’t see loopy quantity as a rookie, he had a landing on almost half of his catches. His stat line was 16 receptions for 239 yards and 6 touchdowns. There’s one thing there. I wager the Lions attempt to get extra out of him this yr.
SELL: Saints TE Juwan Johnson
I simply listed all of Shough’s playmakers and — if I’m being sincere — I forgot to say Johnson. He has, for a very long time, appeared like a participant on the verge of a breakout yr. And he lastly acquired it in 2025. Sadly, his successor arrived within the draft (Delp) and the workforce introduced in additional pass-catchers to eat into Johnson’s workload. It seems prefer it’s downhill from right here for Johnson.
BUY: Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt
This dude was alleged to be the following huge factor at operating again in Washington, particularly after Austin Ekeler went down with an harm. The Commanders, nevertheless, refused to belief Croskey-Merritt with a large workload. However even with Washington throwing darts at operating again — including Rachaad White, Jerome Ford and rookie Kaytron Allen — I believe Croskey-Merritt is essentially the most gifted, by far. Expertise ought to win, particularly in that group of ho-hum RBs.
3. HE SAID WHAT!?
“We type of seen him as an issue, not a prototype.”
Buccaneers edge Rueben Bain Jr. took one of many draft’s most notable slides. Early within the course of, he appeared like a possible top-five decide — after which his arm size measured shorter than anticipated. At that time, he appeared like a top-10 draft selection — however then information broke that he was concerned in a 2024 automobile accident during which an individual later died. Whether or not due to these elements or not, Bain landed at No. 15 to the Bucs.
A troublesome draft day, nevertheless, can result in an extended profession. Bain is a sensational match for the Todd Bowles protection in Tampa.
“Everyone’s acquired a prototype. And we type of seen him as an issue, not a prototype,” Bucs GM Jason Licht told “The Pat McAfee Show.” “I’ve seen that film and it’s known as: ‘A.Q. Shipley taking part in a decade within the league.’ Rueben’s arms are so much longer than A.Q.’s, too — most likely by about 5 inches. … We simply noticed him as a sport wrecker on the faculty [level].”
Bain was a full-time participant at Miami, the place he had 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss final season. He additionally added an interception for good measure. He’ll probably settle proper right into a beginning function alongside defensive deal with Vita Vea and rising pass-rusher Yaya Diaby.
Buccaneers first-round decide Rueben Bain Jr. poses with GM Jason Licht (left) and coach Todd Bowles throughout Bain’s introductory press convention. (Photograph by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures)
Through the pre-draft course of, I spoke with Bain about how a lot he performed in his last faculty season on the trail to the nationwide championship sport.
“Simply need to be on the sphere always,” Bain advised me.
He ought to get the possibility to do exactly that in Week 1. Contemplate him a official choice to win Defensive Rookie of the Yr.
[2026 NFL Draft Superlatives: Who Wins OROY, DROY? Biggest Steal? Best Upside?]
4. OFFSEASON ODDITY
The NFL and the officers have a brand new collective bargaining settlement, and followers must be completely thrilled.
I don’t blame you for not taking note of the officiating negotiations with the NFL. I don’t blame you if that is the primary you’ve heard of it. Labor disputes don’t make for essentially the most compelling information, notably when the gamers aren’t concerned.
However the NFL and the NFLRA have agreed to a deal that can maintain the officers on the sphere for 2026 and past.
The NFL product is vastly higher when it has its officiating groups in place. Some might bear in mind simply how badly and shortly issues fell aside in 2012 when the officers staged a lockout. Infamously, that was the yr of the “Fail Mary,” the place a sport ended on a Hail Mary catch that, on the sphere, one official known as incomplete on the similar time one other official known as the play a catch. The landing counted, and the Seahawks beat the Packers 14-12. But it surely was a messy controversy, and the clearest instance that the NFL wanted its officers again on the sphere.
That’s as a result of the fill-in officers got here from all types of backgrounds, together with the highschool stage. The coaching wasn’t sufficient to arrange them for the NFL sport. And their expertise got here from a model of the sport that was a lot, a lot slower than the NFL’s product.
Backside line is, this was an enormous win for followers.
The present officers won’t all the time get it proper, however they’re — no doubt — the most effective referees on the market. The NFL is fortunate to have them again for years to return.
