Aaron Rodgers (Photo via TMZ)
Aaron Rodgers will officially be a free agent, and the rumors are set to begin about which team will sign him for the upcoming 2025 season.

The soon-to-be former New York Jets quarterback was tracked down by TMZ this week following a workout and promptly asked him what he was factoring into consideration for his next squad.

“If they want you,” Rodgers responded.

He was then pressed for more, to which he responded, “If they got a good team.”

Aaron Rodgers is looking for his next squad after he and the Jets met, and they informed him they will be moving forward without him.

“Last week we met with Aaron and shared that our intention was to move in a different direction at quarterback,” said head coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey earlier this month.

The only question remains if any team is clamoring to sign an aging quarterback whose best days are likely behind him.

Rodgers had an up-and-down year in 2024, but his numbers are still better than the career highs of many signal callers around the league.

Does Aaron Rodgers have Anything Left In The Tank?

Aaron Rodgers (Photo by Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
Aaron Rodgers is 41.

Although he looked like a QB in his 40s last year, he still had a serviceable season.

The four-time MVP, who’s the fifth player in NFL history to throw 500 touchdown passes in the regular season, had a disappointing two-year stint with the New York Jets that produced nothing of substance.

Rodgers’ first season in New York ended just four snaps into his debut because of a torn left Achilles tendon.

He worked his way back to the field for the 2024 season and tossed for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns. Both ranked third for a single season in franchise history.

Everyone Is Falling In Love With Grand Theft Auto VI’s New Female Character Who Looks Stunningly Real

GTA Lucia (Photo via Twitter)
Social media might be down incredibly bad as Lucia from Grand Theft Auto is going insanely viral.

GTA 6’s trailer 2 officially broke a record after the upcoming second look at the game, which has continued to take forever to come out.

GTA 6 broke the record for the longest wait between a first and second trailer for a Rockstar Games title ever.

Rockstar has built a rich world of criminals, lunatics, and thieves spanning from Liberty City to San Andreas and beyond. With GTA 6 on the horizon, fans have become ecstatic after seeing a picture of Lucia.

For those unaware, she is a female criminal in the game. Grand Theft Auto states that she did her time at a prison complex in the State of Leonida in the mid-2020s for an unknown crime.

As anticipation builds for the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, a picture shows Lucia stripped down to a two-piece bikini.

#GTA6 #GTAVI #GTA
GTA 6 Lucia pic.twitter.com/Is6BuMEi9b

— Watchman (@DarkChannel_) December 26, 2024

Here is how fans reacted to Lucia’s apparent new look in Grand Theft Auto:

“Everything is woke if you’ve never seen a woman’s body irl,” one fan said.

Everything is woke if you’ve never seen a woman’s body irl

— Truffle (@Lynndor_Truffle) December 28, 2024

“They better have some awesome clothing to choose from. Gotta look cute while doing missions,” a second fan added.

A third fan knew they were no match for her: “If I was in a beauty contest against her, she’d get first place, and I’d get disqualified.”

“She’s beautiful, my sapphic heart can’t take it 🤧,” another X user added.

“not leaving my house anytime soon,” a fan stated about the impending release of the game.

“No arsenal, but ima be a gooner for sure, a sixth fan added.

One final fan added: “Anybody upset about a video game character needs to seriously reevaluate their life.”

Fans Have Waited A Long Time For Grand Theft Auto To Release New Game

After more than a decade of waiting, Grand Theft Auto VI is supposedly finally set to come out in 2025.

Despite their hopes for a release this year fading, the community remains engaged in hopes that a second trailer will be released in early 2025 and a release date of the actual game will come out.

With each passing day, the desire for more news grows stronger.

Hopefully, 2025 will give the fans what they so desperately want.

 

Dan Orlovsky speaking on “First Take” (Photo via ESPN)
Popular ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky dropped a strong hint that he’s on his way out of the Worldwide Leader in Sports.

The former NFL quarterback joined the network in 2018 after retiring from football. The 41-year-old Orlovsky has mostly worked for popular ESPN programs such as “NFL Live”, “Get Up” and “First Take.”

But during a post-Super Bowl 59 edition of “First Take”, Orlovsky stated that he was taking a “long” break from television and that he’s unsure what the future holds. He thanked his ESPN colleagues, further hinting at a potential departure:

“I’m taking a break, won’t be on TV for a long time….never know what the future holds but I’m taking a break just want to say thank you. Appreciate you guys so much.”

Last week, Michael McCarthy and Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports reported that Dan Orlovsky’s contract is up, and that the Worldwide Leader in Sports would like to extend his deal.

 

The report noted that Orlovsky also has “options”, with some speculating that he could land a coaching job. Regarding his comments on “First Take”, Front Office Sports also reports that he was referencing a vacation.

The UConn product was a fifth-round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in 2005. He appeared in 26 games over his NFL career with the Lions, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Orlovsky went 2-10 as a starter and threw for 3,132 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Dan Orlovsky Would Be Sought-After By Rival Networks

If Orlovksy were to leave ESPN, there would certainly be no shortage of teams interested in his services. He’s young for an NFL analyst at 41 (he’ll be 42 in August) and would thus be a quality long-term investment for a rival network like CBS, Fox, Amazon Prime Video or NBC.

ESPN has performed a long series of budget cuts over the last two years, so it says a lot that they want to keep Orlovksy. Since ESPN is reportedly keen on keeping Orlovksy, he can at least field offers from other networks to help secure the best possible deal from the Worldwide Leader in Sports.

Everyone Is Falling In Love With Grand Theft Auto VI’s New Female Character Who Looks Stunningly Real

GTA Lucia (Photo via Twitter)
Social media might be down incredibly bad as Lucia from Grand Theft Auto is going insanely viral.

GTA 6’s trailer 2 officially broke a record after the upcoming second look at the game, which has continued to take forever to come out.

GTA 6 broke the record for the longest wait between a first and second trailer for a Rockstar Games title ever.

Rockstar has built a rich world of criminals, lunatics, and thieves spanning from Liberty City to San Andreas and beyond. With GTA 6 on the horizon, fans have become ecstatic after seeing a picture of Lucia.

For those unaware, she is a female criminal in the game. Grand Theft Auto states that she did her time at a prison complex in the State of Leonida in the mid-2020s for an unknown crime.

As anticipation builds for the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, a picture shows Lucia stripped down to a two-piece bikini.

#GTA6 #GTAVI #GTA
GTA 6 Lucia pic.twitter.com/Is6BuMEi9b

— Watchman (@DarkChannel_) December 26, 2024

Here is how fans reacted to Lucia’s apparent new look in Grand Theft Auto:

“Everything is woke if you’ve never seen a woman’s body irl,” one fan said.

Everything is woke if you’ve never seen a woman’s body irl

— Truffle (@Lynndor_Truffle) December 28, 2024

“They better have some awesome clothing to choose from. Gotta look cute while doing missions,” a second fan added.

A third fan knew they were no match for her: “If I was in a beauty contest against her, she’d get first place, and I’d get disqualified.”

“She’s beautiful, my sapphic heart can’t take it 🤧,” another X user added.

“not leaving my house anytime soon,” a fan stated about the impending release of the game.

“No arsenal, but ima be a gooner for sure, a sixth fan added.

One final fan added: “Anybody upset about a video game character needs to seriously reevaluate their life.”

Fans Have Waited A Long Time For Grand Theft Auto To Release New Game

After more than a decade of waiting, Grand Theft Auto VI is supposedly finally set to come out in 2025.

Despite their hopes for a release this year fading, the community remains engaged in hopes that a second trailer will be released in early 2025 and a release date of the actual game will come out.

With each passing day, the desire for more news grows stronger.

Hopefully, 2025 will give the fans what they so desperately want.

 

Terry Bradshaw (Photo via Fox NFL Sunday)
Terry Bradshaw has been in the broadcasting game for over four decades.

The FOX NFL Sunday analyst and former quarterback has been a fixture in American living rooms as a broadcaster for so long that many fans remember him more for talking about football than for his actual career on the field.

The former Louisiana Tech quarterback says that eventually, he will hang up his suits, but that isn’t happening now.

There’s been some speculation that Terry Bradshaw has been told to retire by Fox Sports, but he has made it clear that “that hasn’t happened.”

The former Louisiana Tech quarterback stated, “You know what man, I don’t know when that time comes when then they say to me, you know ‘happy trails’. Yeah man, you want to say that’s never going to happen,” he said.

“But I guess when the Cowboys are playing the New York Giants, and you go, ‘Well uh… uh today we have uh… uh, our number one game today as you well know, it’s this huge game between… uh… you know they are really doing good right now (mimicking someone telling him ‘Dallas’ off mic) Dallas!’ Yeah, you can see that you’re pretty much gone. That hasn’t happened yet. But, you know what, when you realize that the time has come, that’s a sad time.”

Despite being a beloved icon in the sport, the ex-Pittsburgh Steelers hero has been dealing with an onslaught of critics who have been blasting him for forgetting simple details on air, like team names, or just mumbling nonsense.

 

Terry Bradshaw Is Having Too Much Fun

Terry Bradshaw has been advised to end his broadcasting career, but the four-time Super Bowl champion has made his feelings clear about his job.

Every week, it becomes a reoccurring theme where fans demand that he hangs it up and retire from broadcasting.

Despite the mounting pressure from fans, Bradshaw expressed his joy with his job during an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show in October.

In response to a question from the first American Idol champion about whether he still enjoys his job, Bradshaw replied: “So much fun.”

“I’m one of those people that are lucky to go to work and can’t wait to get there. It’s so much fun to get up early as you, we work all day, we’re 12 hours in the studio working all the games throughout.” He added: “The people here in New York may see us do one show but we do 12.

Everyone Is Falling In Love With Grand Theft Auto VI’s New Female Character Who Looks Stunningly Real

GTA Lucia (Photo via Twitter)
Social media might be down incredibly bad as Lucia from Grand Theft Auto is going insanely viral.

GTA 6’s trailer 2 officially broke a record after the upcoming second look at the game, which has continued to take forever to come out.

GTA 6 broke the record for the longest wait between a first and second trailer for a Rockstar Games title ever.

Rockstar has built a rich world of criminals, lunatics, and thieves spanning from Liberty City to San Andreas and beyond. With GTA 6 on the horizon, fans have become ecstatic after seeing a picture of Lucia.

For those unaware, she is a female criminal in the game. Grand Theft Auto states that she did her time at a prison complex in the State of Leonida in the mid-2020s for an unknown crime.

As anticipation builds for the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, a picture shows Lucia stripped down to a two-piece bikini.

#GTA6 #GTAVI #GTA
GTA 6 Lucia pic.twitter.com/Is6BuMEi9b

— Watchman (@DarkChannel_) December 26, 2024

Here is how fans reacted to Lucia’s apparent new look in Grand Theft Auto:

“Everything is woke if you’ve never seen a woman’s body irl,” one fan said.

Everything is woke if you’ve never seen a woman’s body irl

— Truffle (@Lynndor_Truffle) December 28, 2024

“They better have some awesome clothing to choose from. Gotta look cute while doing missions,” a second fan added.

A third fan knew they were no match for her: “If I was in a beauty contest against her, she’d get first place, and I’d get disqualified.”

“She’s beautiful, my sapphic heart can’t take it 🤧,” another X user added.

“not leaving my house anytime soon,” a fan stated about the impending release of the game.

“No arsenal, but ima be a gooner for sure, a sixth fan added.

One final fan added: “Anybody upset about a video game character needs to seriously reevaluate their life.”

Fans Have Waited A Long Time For Grand Theft Auto To Release New Game

After more than a decade of waiting, Grand Theft Auto VI is supposedly finally set to come out in 2025.

Despite their hopes for a release this year fading, the community remains engaged in hopes that a second trailer will be released in early 2025 and a release date of the actual game will come out.

With each passing day, the desire for more news grows stronger.

Hopefully, 2025 will give the fans what they so desperately want.

 

Kay Adams likely had fans gawking during one of her recent appearances, having drawn lots of positive comments due to her fashion choice.

The FanDuel TV host shot her ‘Up & Adams’ show live from the facility of the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday, with new head coach Dave Canales, owner and chief administrative officer Nicole Tepper, and Panthers legend Luke Kuechly all joining her at different points.

Although there must have been a lot to take in given the novelty surrounding the Panthers’ project, lots of viewers were taken aback by Adams, who wore a sleek, tan bomber jacket.

You can check out some photos from her interviews right below:

 

“Kay you always have the most adorable smile and you seem to be so much fun!” one fan wrote.

“Goodmorning to Kay Adams and Kay Adams only,” said another.

“Kay Adams so fine dawg,” another commented.

“Kay Adams is the most beautiful woman in the world…who just happens to be an NFL Expert!,” another comment read.

Adams has returned to the air after a break that followed the culmination of the 2023 NFL season.

She spent Super Bowl week in Las Vegas and had a very busy schedule, shooting her last show on February 15. But she’s back this week, much to the delight of fans.

Everyone Is Falling In Love With Grand Theft Auto VI’s New Female Character Who Looks Stunningly Real

GTA Lucia (Photo via Twitter)
Social media might be down incredibly bad as Lucia from Grand Theft Auto is going insanely viral.

GTA 6’s trailer 2 officially broke a record after the upcoming second look at the game, which has continued to take forever to come out.

GTA 6 broke the record for the longest wait between a first and second trailer for a Rockstar Games title ever.

Rockstar has built a rich world of criminals, lunatics, and thieves spanning from Liberty City to San Andreas and beyond. With GTA 6 on the horizon, fans have become ecstatic after seeing a picture of Lucia.

For those unaware, she is a female criminal in the game. Grand Theft Auto states that she did her time at a prison complex in the State of Leonida in the mid-2020s for an unknown crime.

As anticipation builds for the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, a picture shows Lucia stripped down to a two-piece bikini.

#GTA6 #GTAVI #GTA
GTA 6 Lucia pic.twitter.com/Is6BuMEi9b

— Watchman (@DarkChannel_) December 26, 2024

Here is how fans reacted to Lucia’s apparent new look in Grand Theft Auto:

“Everything is woke if you’ve never seen a woman’s body irl,” one fan said.

Everything is woke if you’ve never seen a woman’s body irl

— Truffle (@Lynndor_Truffle) December 28, 2024

“They better have some awesome clothing to choose from. Gotta look cute while doing missions,” a second fan added.

A third fan knew they were no match for her: “If I was in a beauty contest against her, she’d get first place, and I’d get disqualified.”

“She’s beautiful, my sapphic heart can’t take it 🤧,” another X user added.

“not leaving my house anytime soon,” a fan stated about the impending release of the game.

“No arsenal, but ima be a gooner for sure, a sixth fan added.

One final fan added: “Anybody upset about a video game character needs to seriously reevaluate their life.”

Fans Have Waited A Long Time For Grand Theft Auto To Release New Game

After more than a decade of waiting, Grand Theft Auto VI is supposedly finally set to come out in 2025.

Despite their hopes for a release this year fading, the community remains engaged in hopes that a second trailer will be released in early 2025 and a release date of the actual game will come out.

With each passing day, the desire for more news grows stronger.

Hopefully, 2025 will give the fans what they so desperately want.

 

Former Dallas Cowboy quarterback and three time Super Bowl Champion Troy Aikman is living his best life while celebrating his girlfriends birthday this past week. The 56 year old Hall of Famer and his girlfriend Haley Clark took off to Italy to celebrate her 35th birthday.

Haley took to her Instagram to post some pictures of herself and Troy at the beautiful and picturesque locations of the Amalfi Coast as well as in Capri in Italy.

It looks like the two had a great time celebrating the important occasion.

Here are a few more pictures from Haley’s Instagram account for your viewing enjoyment:

 

Aikman’s work schedule as a commentator on Fox came to an abrupt end this past season when his former team, the Cowboys, were bounced early from the playoffs in the Wild Card round by the Green Bay Packers in embarrassing fashion losing 48-32 at home.

The early exit from the playoffs gave Aikman some extra free time this off season, which he is clearly taking advantage of.

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs three-time Super Bowl Champion teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are exceptional on and off the field.

The two of them are now taking their talents from the stadium to the steakhouse as they are investing as partners in a new Kansas City restaurant, 1587 Prime.

The name should be obvious as it is a nod to the players’ combined jerseys, 15 and 87.

The Super Bowl champs are being backed by Noble 33, the hospitality group behind New York City’s new hotspot Meduza Mediterrania and Las Vegas’s Toca Madera. That explains why Kelce has been spotted in Vegas at least three times this year.

“Travis and I have become frequent visitors of Noble 33 restaurants in other cities, so it only made sense to bring something special to our own community in Kansas City,” explained Mahomes in a release. The new eatery will be called 1587 Prime, named after a combination of both players’ jersey numbers, and is slated to be an “immersive and upscale dining experience” according to the release.

“We are honored to collaborate with two icons of the game to create an unforgettable dining experience for Kansas City and beyond,” Tosh Berman, a cofounder of Noble 33 along with Mikey Tanha, tells AD.

 

Fans took to social media and reacted to the news:

Opening steakhouses but not asking WRs to sign here we gotta lock in 15 and 87 https://t.co/gpR6CNtm4v

— Jaylen #HollywoodToKC (@Comxthzine) March 14, 2024

Sounds like a Yellowstone prequel and why did they put it inside a Lowe’s https://t.co/uunmlctuBy

— Fat White (@reddirtgatekpr) March 14, 2024

The restaurant will span nearly 10,000 square feet.

The plan is for 1587 Prime to open its doors in early 2025.

This is not the first business venture for the teammates. Kelce and Mahomes recently invested in Alpine, a Formula One racing team.

From winning multiple Super Bowls to opening a new restaurant, there is nothing Kelce and Mahomes cannot do.

Everyone Is Falling In Love With Grand Theft Auto VI’s New Female Character Who Looks Stunningly Real

GTA Lucia (Photo via Twitter)
Social media might be down incredibly bad as Lucia from Grand Theft Auto is going insanely viral.

GTA 6’s trailer 2 officially broke a record after the upcoming second look at the game, which has continued to take forever to come out.

GTA 6 broke the record for the longest wait between a first and second trailer for a Rockstar Games title ever.

Rockstar has built a rich world of criminals, lunatics, and thieves spanning from Liberty City to San Andreas and beyond. With GTA 6 on the horizon, fans have become ecstatic after seeing a picture of Lucia.

For those unaware, she is a female criminal in the game. Grand Theft Auto states that she did her time at a prison complex in the State of Leonida in the mid-2020s for an unknown crime.

As anticipation builds for the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, a picture shows Lucia stripped down to a two-piece bikini.

#GTA6 #GTAVI #GTA
GTA 6 Lucia pic.twitter.com/Is6BuMEi9b

— Watchman (@DarkChannel_) December 26, 2024

Here is how fans reacted to Lucia’s apparent new look in Grand Theft Auto:

“Everything is woke if you’ve never seen a woman’s body irl,” one fan said.

Everything is woke if you’ve never seen a woman’s body irl

— Truffle (@Lynndor_Truffle) December 28, 2024

“They better have some awesome clothing to choose from. Gotta look cute while doing missions,” a second fan added.

A third fan knew they were no match for her: “If I was in a beauty contest against her, she’d get first place, and I’d get disqualified.”

“She’s beautiful, my sapphic heart can’t take it 🤧,” another X user added.

“not leaving my house anytime soon,” a fan stated about the impending release of the game.

“No arsenal, but ima be a gooner for sure, a sixth fan added.

One final fan added: “Anybody upset about a video game character needs to seriously reevaluate their life.”

Fans Have Waited A Long Time For Grand Theft Auto To Release New Game

After more than a decade of waiting, Grand Theft Auto VI is supposedly finally set to come out in 2025.

Despite their hopes for a release this year fading, the community remains engaged in hopes that a second trailer will be released in early 2025 and a release date of the actual game will come out.

With each passing day, the desire for more news grows stronger.

Hopefully, 2025 will give the fans what they so desperately want.

 

Stephen A. Smith has addressed the report detailing a bust-up with Pat McAfee on his podcast, having already responded to claims of him banning the former NFL star from ‘First Take’.

According to the New York Post’s Ryan Glasspiegel, Stephen A. and Pat got into a heated argument stemming from creative differences in which the former was called a “mother F- er.”

The report sparked rumors of Stephen A. banning McAfee from ‘First Take’. However, both men have denied that’s the case.

Speaking on the latest episode of ‘The Stephen A. Smith Show’, the ‘First Take’ host reiterated the above, claiming there’s no dispute between the two of them.

“Number one, there is no dispute whatsoever,” he said. “Pat McAfee is my teammate. Pat McAfee and I work together at ESPN. There is no banishment from First Take or any other show. He is more than welcome to come on First Take in the future and I’m gonna be more than welcome to come on his show.”

“I root for my teammates. I root for my colleagues. I don’t root against anybody,” Smith added. “The people out there who do that are idiots. A rising tide raises all boats. If you succeed, I succeed.”

 

McAfee also spoke to the Post via text, claiming things are good with Smith.

“I have nothing but love for Stephen A,” he said, insisting he is still welcome on ‘First Take’ as far as he knows.

Everyone Is Falling In Love With Grand Theft Auto VI’s New Female Character Who Looks Stunningly Real

GTA Lucia (Photo via Twitter)
Social media might be down incredibly bad as Lucia from Grand Theft Auto is going insanely viral.

GTA 6’s trailer 2 officially broke a record after the upcoming second look at the game, which has continued to take forever to come out.

GTA 6 broke the record for the longest wait between a first and second trailer for a Rockstar Games title ever.

Rockstar has built a rich world of criminals, lunatics, and thieves spanning from Liberty City to San Andreas and beyond. With GTA 6 on the horizon, fans have become ecstatic after seeing a picture of Lucia.

For those unaware, she is a female criminal in the game. Grand Theft Auto states that she did her time at a prison complex in the State of Leonida in the mid-2020s for an unknown crime.

As anticipation builds for the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, a picture shows Lucia stripped down to a two-piece bikini.

#GTA6 #GTAVI #GTA
GTA 6 Lucia pic.twitter.com/Is6BuMEi9b

— Watchman (@DarkChannel_) December 26, 2024

Here is how fans reacted to Lucia’s apparent new look in Grand Theft Auto:

“Everything is woke if you’ve never seen a woman’s body irl,” one fan said.

Everything is woke if you’ve never seen a woman’s body irl

— Truffle (@Lynndor_Truffle) December 28, 2024

“They better have some awesome clothing to choose from. Gotta look cute while doing missions,” a second fan added.

A third fan knew they were no match for her: “If I was in a beauty contest against her, she’d get first place, and I’d get disqualified.”

“She’s beautiful, my sapphic heart can’t take it 🤧,” another X user added.

“not leaving my house anytime soon,” a fan stated about the impending release of the game.

“No arsenal, but ima be a gooner for sure, a sixth fan added.

One final fan added: “Anybody upset about a video game character needs to seriously reevaluate their life.”

Fans Have Waited A Long Time For Grand Theft Auto To Release New Game

After more than a decade of waiting, Grand Theft Auto VI is supposedly finally set to come out in 2025.

Despite their hopes for a release this year fading, the community remains engaged in hopes that a second trailer will be released in early 2025 and a release date of the actual game will come out.

With each passing day, the desire for more news grows stronger.

Hopefully, 2025 will give the fans what they so desperately want.

 

The 2024 NFL rookie class has not disappointed, to say the least. Jayden Daniels has immediately propelled a long-suffering Washington fanbase to playoff contention. Rookies Drake Maye and Caleb Williams have been bright spots on lousy NFL teams.

Need more? Brock Bowers is having the best rookie tight end season ever. Joe Alt, Malik Nabers, and Quinyon Mitchell are among the first-round picks, and they have also been rock stars.

And then there’s the case of rookies who entered this year with minimal to no expectations whatsoever, only to look like NFL veteran stars upon turning pro. With that, let’s dive into 10 NFL rookies who have been far better than expected in 2024.

Which rookies has surprised you the most in the 2024 NFL season?

Bo Nix

DENVER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Empower Field At Mile High on November 17, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
When the Denver Broncos took Oregon quarterback Bo Nix 12th overall in 2024, it felt like a reach. But Sean Payton was adamant that the Broncos got the very guy they wanted in a QB-heavy draft class, and Denver fans ultimately just had to trust the process.

The Broncos were in the midst of a rebuild, having released Russell Wilson while stomaching a whopping $85 million dead cap hit. It’s not like Nix had much to work with, either, as the Broncos traded top wideout Jerry Jeudy in the offseason.

But lo and behold Payton knew exactly what he was doing the entire time.

While Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams have earned most of the attention, Nix has had one of the best rookie seasons in recent memory. He has flourished as a dual-threat QB with pinpoint accuracy and smart decision-making, forming a dangerous rapport with Courtland Sutton.

Nix guided the Broncos to their first winning season since 2016 and has helped restore relevance to a long-struggling franchise. We weren’t deeming Nix as a bust right off the bat, but everyone expected a year or two of growing pains before hitting his ceiling.

But nope. Nix has been a star since he stepped onto the field. Finally, after a near-decade-long search, Denver has its franchise QB.

Brian Thomas Jr.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 08: Brian Thomas Jr. #7 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
We know Thomas Jr. was a first-round pick, but he wasn’t supposed to be THIS good in year one. I mean, just look at the other weapons he had to share targets with: No. 1 receiver Christian Kirk, Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram, two-time 1,000-yard rusher Travis Etienne Jr., and free agent signing Gabe Davis.

And that was before Tank Bigsby unexpectedly emerged as the new RB1 in Duval County. So, how exactly was an NFL rookie supposed to emerge as the new MVP of a star-studded Jaguars offense?

Well, make no mistake. The Jaguars have been among football’s worst teams this year. Trevor Lawrence and the offense were underachieving mightily before he was knocked out for the season with a concussion.

The one bright spot for the Jaguars amid this disastrous season is the sudden emergence of Thomas Jr. as a superstar. The No. 23 overall pick has been the best rookie wide receiver this year, crossing the 70-catch and 1,000-yard marks with a Week 16 outburst against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Even with Lawrence missing time, Thomas Jr. has been a beast, with second-stringer Mac Jones feeding him the football. Pretty impressive, considering how awful the rest of the team has been around the LSU product this year.

We’re not sure how different the Jags will look in 2025, but they can at least build an offense around Thomas Jr., Kirk, and Bigbsy. That’s a solid foundation to work with.

Bucky Irving

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 01: Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Nobody thought much of Irving when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted him in round four at No. 125 overall. After all, RB1 Rachaad White was coming off a career year in which he racked up 990 rushing yards, 1,539 yards of offense, and nine total touchdowns.

Not to mention that the Buccaneers were always going to be a pass-first offense with Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin leading the way. So, who was to think that a little-known fourth-round pick would emerge as a superstar right off the bat?

With Godwin suffering a season-ending knee injury and Evans missing time, Irving has been Mayfield’s most important weapon this year. His signature game was a Week 13 road game against the Carolina Panthers, where Irving put up 185 yards of offense and a touchdown in a thrilling OT victory.

The Bucs could shop White in the offseason, but we like the idea of using him and Irving the way the Detroit Lions utilize David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. The only thing better than one game-changing running back in today’s NFL is two, after all.

Without Irving’s production on the ground, the Bucs would have been out of the NFC South race well before Christmas. What can we say? GM Jason Licht hit the jackpot again in the later rounds of the draft.

Cooper DeJean

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 20: Cooper DeJean #33 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on October 20, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

After using their first-round pick on Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, the Philadelphia Eagles decided to double down and take Iowa corner Cooper DeJean with the No. 40 selection.

The Eagles received widespread praise for getting two of the class’s top corners, but it was hard to envision DeJean having the type of year he’s put together. Mitchell was always gonna be a day-one starter, not to mention the secondary also boasted All-Pro Darius Slay, veteran James Bradbery and the returning CJ Gardner-Johnson.

But DeJean has been off-the-charts impressive as an NFL rookie. Especially considering how very few corners succeed as NFL rookies. Not everyone can be Sauce Gardner, after all.

DeJean has been graded as a top-five cornerback at Pro Football Focus during his incredible rookie year. He’s been excellent in coverage but also boasts a grade of over 90 in the run defense department.

While Saquon Barkley is getting most of the love in Philly, let’s not overlook Vic Fangio’s defense. That starts with a lockdown secondary led by Slay, Mitchell, and the rookie sensation out of Iowa.

Zach Frazier

The shaky Pittsburgh Steelers’ o-line underwent a facelift in the offseason. Veteran center Mason Cole was released in a cap-saving move, and GM Omar Khan decided to replace him by using his second-round pick — No. 51 overall — on West Virginia product Zach Frazier.

Most rookie offensive linemen struggle mightily before morphing into stars. The Steelers basically had to hold their breath here and just hope that Frazier wouldn’t implode under the pressure.

But Frazier has actually been one of the best all-around offensive linemen this year, according to PFF. He grades out as a top-10 center, with his main strength coming in the run-blocking department.

Frazier has helped Russell Wilson enjoy a bounce-back season under center, with star running back Najee Harris also producing nicely in the ground game. And with Frazier’s performance, the Steelers are on their way back to the postseason.

Not a bad find in round 2, huh?

Evan Williams

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 24: Evan Williams #33 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after beating the San Francisco 49ers 38-10 at Lambeau Field on November 24, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
With one of the NFL’s deepest secondaries already intact, it wasn’t necessarily frontpage news when the Green Bay Packers drafted the Oregon safety in round four at No. 111 overall.

The Packers had signed ex-New York Giants star Xavier McKinney in free agency and used a second-round pick, Javon Bullard, in free agency. But man, has Williams been a weapon in a rotational role under defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley?

His stat sheet isn’t exactly eye-popping, but it’s largely because opposing quarterbacks are wisely avoiding his direction. Williams has been among the best safeties in coverage, ranking inside the top 20 there at Pro Football Focus.

It’s scary enough to have McKinney and superstar cornerback Jaire Alexander leading your secondary. Add Williams to the mix, and it’s no wonder this Green Bay D has looked as good as ever under Matt LaFleur.

With an expanded role in 2025, Williams should be even better and just might hit Pro Bowl status.

Tarheeb Still

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Tarheeb Still #29 celebrates an interception with Otito Ogbonnia #93 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Everyone knew that Jim Harbaugh wanted to build a good defense and a heavy rush-first offense upon leaving Michigan for the Los Angeles Chargers’ head coaching gig. What can we say other than “Mission Accomplished”?

We knew the Chargers had a nice core here on defense led by Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Derwin James, and Asante Samuel Jr. But really, where would Harbaugh’s group be without the elite production of rookie corner Tarheeb Still?

The Bolts drafted Still in the fifth round at No. 137 overall, obviously expecting him to be a backup at best. Instead, the Chargers have found their next stud shutdown corner — meaning they’ll be just fine if Samuel Jr. leaves in free agency.

The Chargers’ defense has shot up to the top of the league rankings, thanks largely to Still’s efforts. He and Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock have been vying for the NFL rookie lead in interceptions throughout the year, but he still has been better in coverage.

Not only is he flourishing as a ball-hawker, but he’s been dynamic as a pass-rusher as well. Still ranks inside the top 20 in coverage grades for corners at PFF, which is amazing considering the onslaught of elite receivers he’s had to face this year.

Dominick Puni

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 18: Dominick Puni #77 of the San Francisco 49ers pass blocks against Bryan Bres #90 the New Orleans Saints during the first half of a preseason game at Levi’s Stadium on August 18, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers’ organization and fanbase won’t look back on 2024 fondly whatsoever. Injuries and uncharacteristic mistakes all season long have led to a wasted season that was one play away from beating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58 last season.

While it’s easy for 49ers fans to focus entirely on the cons, there is one positive to focus on: The emergence of NFL rookie guard Dominick Puni.

The 49ers bolstered their offensive line depth by using the No. 86 pick in round three on the Kansas product. And boy, has Puni ever exceeded expectations in year one.

Puni grades as a top-10 overall guard at Pro Football Focus, as well as a top-10 at the position in run-blocking. No wonder the 49ers’ ground game remained dangerous without Christian McCaffrey for most of the year.

So, 49er fans, just remind yourselves that if the injury bug stays away, you’ll have this rising star AND future Hall of Famer Trent Williams anchoring your o-line in 2025.

Tyrone Tracy Jr.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 13: Tyrone Tracy Jr. #29 of the New York Giants in action against the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium on October 13, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
As if 2024 wasn’t nightmarish enough for the New York Giants? How about watching Saquon Barkley leave for the archrival Philadelphia Eagles in free agency…only to put together the best season of his career?

Well, lost in the rapidly growing list of negatives is one positive: GM Joe Schoen crushed his 2024 NFL draft, namely with wide receiver Malik Nabers, running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., and defensive backs Andru Phillips and Tyler Nubin as rookies.

Tracy has quickly developed into a stud RB for the hapless Giants. If he was the starter from day one, Tracy would have easily hit the 1,000-yard rushing mark before Christmas.

So, if you take away the “Saquon’s an Eagle” thing, the Giants made the wise financial decision to swap out the veteran RB for a young stud on an NFL rookie contract. Keep that in mind, Big Blue.

It remains to be seen what the Giants will do behind center in 2025. But there’s a promising offensive nucleus to work around here in Nabers, Tracy, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Andrew Thomas. So it’s not all helpless heading into next year.

Chop Robinson

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 27: Chop Robinson #44 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after a defensive play in the second quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Hard Rock Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Robinson was viewed as a “boom or bust” prospect heading into the draft. Even if his career ends up being a boom — his NFL rookie season sure has — everyone thought he was a long-term project who’d require valuable time to hone his craft as a pro.

But amid a lost year for the Miami Dolphins, the Penn State product has more than produced for Mike McDaniel’s group. The No. 21 pick of 2024 has been one of the few bright spots in a Dolphins season derailed by injuries to key players like Tua Tagovailoa and star edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb.

Phillips was limited to four games before suffering a season-ending ACL tear, and Chubb has missed the year recovering from injury. With little support in the trenches, Robinson and veteran Zach Sieler have emerged as a top pass-rushing duo.

Robinson’s run defense has lots of work to do, but he’s played like a veteran all-pro in the pass-rushing game. He’s in the running with Braden Friske, Jonah Elliss, and Jared Verse for the rookie sacks’ crown.

We know the Dolphins are a playoff contender with a healthy Tagovailoa, but the focus for 2025 can’t be entirely on the offense. This Dolphins defense could be a top-five unit if Chubb and Phillips are healthy. Throw in Robinson, and you’d have the makings of a terrifying three-headed pass-rushing monster.

Antonio Brown has said and done a lot over the past few years. But it might be over for him now as he’s dared to go after Taylor Swift and the Swifties.

The former NFL wide receiver has been wilding on social media for a while now, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise when he tweets something out of the way. However, he’s still managed to catch some people off guard with one of his latest posts as he’s shared an animated photo of himself tongue-wrestling the pop sensation.

“Move over Jizelle, what these Swifties talkin bout? #CTESPN,” the caption reads.

Check it out below:

Move over Jizelle, what these Swifties talkin bout? #CTESPN pic.twitter.com/b7SjQVeLen

— AB (@AB84) March 8, 2024