The Cincinnati Bengals are poised to secure a record-breaking contract extension for their star wide receiver duo, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, totaling $70 million annually. This monumental move spells trouble for the Pittsburgh Steelers, particularly for their emerging star, George Pickens, who is expected to command a hefty contract of his own in 2026.

As the Steelers face multiple contract renewals, including stars like T.J. Watt and DeShon Elliott, retaining Pickens may prove financially impractical. With the Bengals’ investment in their offense, the Steelers may consider trading Pickens while his value is high, especially with the looming draft approaching.

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves at a crucial juncture as they contemplate their quarterback situation for the upcoming offseason. With Russell Wilson and Justin Fields set to be free agents, both have shown flashes of potential with the Steelers in 2024. Yet, whispers of alternative directions loom. Could the Steelers also entertain the idea of pursuing Sam Darnold? Or perhaps even the legendary Aaron Rodgers? Recent reports suggest the New York Jets are likely to part ways with the 41-year-old MVP. Steelers safety DeShon Elliott, however, has expressed his disapproval on social media, humorously urging the team to let Rodgers retire gracefully.

Despite a tumultuous 2024 season marred by injuries and inconsistency, Rodgers still managed to reach a milestone of 500 career touchdown passes and rank among the top performers for his age. As the market for quarterbacks heats up, the Steelers will need to weigh their options carefully, considering both the veteran experience and the potential upside of younger talents on the roster.

The Miami Dolphins are poised to receive three compensatory draft picks in 2025, with predictions indicating one will come in the third round. However, compensatory pick expert Nick Korte notes that the Dolphins are unlikely to secure a third-round pick for the loss of Christian Wilkins, instead receiving a fourth-round selection. They will likely obtain a third-round pick for the loss of Robert Hunt to the Carolina Panthers and a seventh-round pick for safety DeShon Elliott's move to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Dolphins' other free agent losses, including Andrew Van Ginkel and Brandon Jones, were offset by their own free agent acquisitions.

The compensatory draft pick formula, outlined in the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement, is complex, considering factors like Average Yearly Compensation (AYC), playing time, and postseason accolades for qualifying players. Teams that lose more compensated free agents than they gain are awarded compensatory picks, which may lead to various rounds based on the players' financial and performance metrics. The Dolphins last received compensatory picks back in 2020, trading them shortly after. The Dolphins are expected to finalize the details of their 2025 picks following the NFL's announcement, which typically occurs in March.

Budda Baker delivered an outstanding season for the Arizona Cardinals, finishing second in the NFL in tackles with an impressive 3.7 tackles over expected per game. This remarkable efficiency set a high standard for defensive backs, underscoring Baker's elite status in the league.

The New York Giants saw promising performances from rookie defensive backs Tyler Nubin and Andru Phillips, both of whom stood out in their respective tackle metrics, contributing significantly to their team's defensive efforts.

BALTIMORE -- Safety DeShon Elliott expressed his frustration following the Pittsburgh Steelers' 28-14 AFC wild card loss, marking another disappointing playoff exit for the team. Elliott highlighted the Steelers' troubling pattern of strong regular seasons followed by poor playoff performances, emphasizing the need for the team to figure out how to finish strong and improve their postseason results.

Coach Mike Tomlin reflected on the collective effort of the team throughout the season and the disappointing conclusion, while edge rusher T.J. Watt lamented the team's inability to stop the run, which was pivotal in their loss to the Ravens. The Steelers have now lost six of their last eight playoff appearances, raising significant concerns about their postseason strategies.