Matthew Washington

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms on a one-year, $13.65-million contract, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Rodgers' deal includes $10 million guaranteed and has a maximum value of $19.5 million. More to come. Check back for updates.

Rookie defensive lineman Shemar Stewart harshly criticized the Cincinnati Bengals' front office as he continues to sit out practice amid contract negotiations."I'm not asking for nothing y'all (the team) has never done before," Stewart said, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Kelsey Conway. "But in y'all (the team's) case, y'all (the team) just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games."The Bengals are attempting to change the language in the first-round pick's contract that allows the team to void future guarantees, sources told Conway.Stewart's camp is requesting a deal that is similar to what 2024 and 2023 first-round selections Amarius Mims and Myles Murphy, respectively, negotiated in past years.The Texas A&M product confirmed Tuesday that he would not participate in practice until his contract is signed. Stewart has been attending team meetings and working out on his free time as he awaits a breakthrough in negotiations."I've been doing this for most of my whole life, and then all of a sudden it's gone over something very simple to fix. It's kind of disappointing," Stewart told reporters, including Jungle Roar Pod's Mike Petraglia.Despite being frustrated over the lack of progress on his rookie deal, Stewart said the contentious negotiations have not soured him on the franchise."I'm not going to say that. I'm still new here. We still have a long future ahead of us," he said. Stewart isn't the only Bengals pass-rusher sitting out practice during the team's mandatory minicamp this week. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson did not show up for the start of workouts amid his desire for a new deal entering the final year of his current contract.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is rounding back into form after multiple injuries derailed his 2024 campaign.McCaffrey entered last season dealing with an Achilles injury that forced him to miss the Niners' first nine games. The three-time Pro Bowler played in just four contests before a knee injury in Week 13 ultimately ended his campaign.The two-time first-team All-Pro is once again running full tilt after a long rehab process."I feel great," McCaffrey said, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "I think this offseason I spent a lot of time kind of building back a base starting from scratch, so a lot of it was rehab and wanted to put myself in a position where I didn't miss a day of OTAs and I could practice and play football again, be healthy and not miss a day, and I did that."San Francisco struggled last year with many of its starters sidelined with injuries. The Niners missed the playoffs in 2024 after clinching a postseason berth in three consecutive seasons, which included an appearance in Super Bowl LVIII.The dynamic halfback has been turning heads this offseason and garnered praise from the 49ers' coaching staff."Christian is, I mean, he is a psycho in a good way, and so he does everything imaginable every single day," head coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday, per Pro Football Talk's Myles Simmons. "Last year he couldn't because he was battling (injuries) all last year. And this year he is healthy, so he is right back to being who he's always been, and it's really fun to watch."McCaffrey enjoyed an impressive 2023 campaign where he posted 2,023 scrimmage yards, including a league-leading 1,459 rushing yards, to go along with 21 total touchdowns.

Star pass-rusher Khalil Mack said his pursuit of postseason success was a key factor in his decision to re-sign with the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason."You're chasing that feeling, (playing) important games deep into the season," Mack said, according to the Orange County Register's Elliott Teaford. "I can't give up on that dream, on that goal."Mack admitted the mental grind of playing and practicing caused him to briefly mull retirement before signing a one-year contract worth $18 million in March.He also revealed he had interest playing elsewhere this season. "I would be lying if I said there wasn't," he said, though he didn't go into any further details.However, the three-time first-team All-Pro says the familiarity with his teammates and the club's direction ultimately made it an easy decision to return to L.A for a fourth season."Why not here?" Mack said Wednesday. "You've got tremendous leadership here. ... Knowing what you're stepping into, being very familiar with the guys that we have already here and knowing what Coach (Jim) Harbaugh is building, what (GM Joe Hortiz) is building."Yeah, it was a no-brainer."L.A. has made two playoff appearances in Mack's first three seasons with the franchise. The Chargers were bounced in the wild-card round by the Houston Texans last year in a lopsided 32-12 contest.Despite being one of the league's most decorated active pass-rushers, the 34-year-old hasn't won any of his five postseason games over his 11 pro campaigns.Mack has earned a Pro Bowl nod in each season with the Chargers. He has recorded 39 tackles for loss, 31 sacks, and 49 quarterback hits over that span.He's getting used to life without running mate Joey Bosa, who signed with the Buffalo Bills in free agency. But Mack praised linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu, who led the Chargers with 8.5 sacks in 2024."He's been a star essentially for the past three years, so I don't think it's going to be any different," Mack said of Tuipulotu, per ESPN's Kris Rhim.Mack has recorded 142 tackles for loss, 107.5 sacks, and 32 forced fumbles over his career, which also includes stints with the Oakland Raiders and Chicago Bears.

Warning: Story contains coarse languageThe Tennessee Titans concluded their three-day mandatory minicamp Thursday, but rookie quarterback Cam Ward doesn't intend to take it easy between now and the start of training camp July 22."Just work out, stay in the playbook, and throw the fuck out of the ball," Ward said when asked about how he plans to spend his summer break, according to team reporter Jim Wyatt.The 2025 first overall pick displayed his efficiency under center, completing 42 of 58 passes across the team's drills and seven-on-seven competition. Ward said he felt good about his performance in minicamp despite tossing two interceptions in the final practice."At the end of the day, I'm a gunslinger," Ward said. "I live by that, and I'll always die by that. Coach (Brian) Callahan knows the type of guy he has in the quarterback room in me, and I'm just thankful I have guys around me to help me out."The 23-year-old highlighted his desire to play "clean football" especially when the offense is in the red zone. "I'd rather do all the crazy stuff in practice so in the game I know I can get away with it," he added.The West Columbia, Texas, native passed for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while completing 67.2% of his passes in his final collegiate season at Miami in 2024.The outspoken signal-caller shared that his confidence is at a 10 ahead of his NFL debut. Ward admits he's still working to get his timing down with his veteran pass-catchers, headlined by Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett.Ward is competing to be the Titans' starting quarterback among a contingent that includes 2023 second-round pick Will Levis.

Quarterback Dak Prescott isn't putting much focus into cementing his legacy with the Dallas Cowboys as he prepares for his 10th season with the franchise."The legacy and the things, and whatever comes after I finish playing, will take care of itself. I wanna win a championship," Prescott said Thursday, according to team reporter Patrik Walker. "Be damned if it's just for my legacy, for this team, for my personal being, for my sanity, the legacy will take care of itself. I have to stay where my feet are."The three-time Pro Bowl passer appears to be healthy after tearing his hamstring against the Atlanta Falcons in November. His 2024 campaign concluded with him throwing for 1,978 yards, 11 touchdowns, and eight interceptions with a 64.7% completion rate in eight games.Prescott and the Cowboys are looking to rebound from a 7-10 campaign that included missing the playoffs and parting ways with head coach Mike McCarthy after the season. The 31-year-old signal-caller has led Dallas to five playoff appearances during his tenure, but he hasn’t advanced past the divisional round.Prescott said he believes the club is headed in the right direction after making some key upgrades. Brian Schottenheimer was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach in the offseason. Talented wideout George Pickens was acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers in May. Prescott explained that he’s "super excited" about the Cowboys' potential next season."The changes we've made and not just on offense, but on defense as well, bringing in people, obviously, George really opens up things for all those other receivers (alongside CeeDee Lamb)," Prescott said. Dallas will open the regular season Sept. 4 against the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.