A notable NFL expert believes there was a very specific reason Aaron Rodgers waited until this week to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it wasn’t about haggling for money.

After a few months of speculation and rumors, the inevitable happened, and NFL legend Aaron Rodgers signed a new one-year deal with the Steelers. Most of the league expected him to return to Pittsburgh for a second season. Especially when the team did not give him many options.

When the Steelers exercised the unrestricted free agent tender on the 42-year-old, it severely limited his options to sign elsewhere because Pittsburgh would receive a compensatory draft selection if he joined another team. So why did it take until May for Rodgers to finally sign a contract?

Aaron Rodgers wanted to see the Steelers’ schedule before re-signing?

Some have speculated that he is still not sure whether he will play another season. Others have suggested that he was not completely set on reuniting with his former Green Bay Packers head coach, Mike McCarthy. However, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio has a different idea: Rodgers wanted to take a look at the Steelers’ 2026 schedule first.

Florio suggests that he waited until after May 14, when the schedule was released, to anger the NFL, because if he had known he would return in 2026, he would have placed more Steelers games in primetime during the first half of the season. And the four-time NFL MVP wouldn’t be interested in helping the league. But maybe he just wanted to see how tough the road to the playoffs could be?

While next season’s schedule isn’t easy for Pittsburgh, it’s not one of the five to six worst. Knowing they don’t have a specific schedule, perhaps Rodgers has received final confirmation that he will return for another season and make a playoff run in 2026. Because in the end, he just wants another year in the league for more wins and glory.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Aaron Rodgers has signed up to play his 22nd season in the NFL, after agreeing to return for another year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The future Hall of Fame quarterback will be 42 years old when the season starts, and on December 2 he will turn 43.

Still, before committing to the Steelers last week, some doubt had grown about whether Rodgers would be suitable for another season. It turns out this was a much more classic discussion of an all-time great fading into the final stages of his career than his Packers predecessor Brett Favre did.

Rodgers returns to the Steelers team he helped lead to the playoffs last season. This time, now in Green Bay, he is looking to take the Steelers even further by teaming up with his old head coach Mike McCarthy and Rodgers.

But don’t expect the same kind of gimmicks next offseason. Rodgers now claims he knows when his football career will end.

Speaking on Wednesday, Rodgers acknowledged that he will retire at the end of the 2026 NFL season.

Aaron Rodgers asked if it was last year: “Yeah. That’s it.” https://t.co/VeIC3W3TUw

– Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) 20 May 2026

A four-time NFL MVP winner and former Super Bowl champion, Rodgers has already built the type of resume that will earn him a bronze medal in Canton. However he clearly has the competitive drive to see if he is able to double his Super Bowl ring total, this time, accomplishing the feat with the same head coach, but on a different team.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings after Aaron Rodgers rejoins the Steelers

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The Aaron Rodgers saga came to an end earlier this weekend with the future Hall of Fame quarterback signing a one-year deal to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers. With that matter resolved, the focus now turns to what Pittsburgh does with its two young signal-callers.

Steelers reporter Mark Kaboli Pat McAfee Show Writes that the team has “no expectation” for Will Howard or Drew Elar to play during the 2026 NFL season.

RELATED: Insiders predict who the Steelers starting QB will be in 2027

Prior to Rodgers’ signing, there were reports that the Steelers quarterback competition would be between Howard and Mason Rudolph if the 42-year-old opted to retire. Now that he’s committed to one final season, the dynamics have changed significantly.

The new situation suggests Rudolph will serve as the Steelers’ backup quarterback behind Rodgers for some time. However, training camp could position Allar or Howard for the No. 2 job.

READ MORE: 2026 NFL Power Rankings, see where the Steelers rank

The competition between the two young passers matters because of how the 53-man roster will be constructed. It’s very unlikely that Pittsburgh will keep all four quarterbacks on the roster, so either Howard or Elar will need to perform well enough to overtake Rudolph.

Considering that Allar was the 76th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, he is all set to make the roster. However, since the Steelers’ coaching staff is drafting him solely as a passer, it is extremely unlikely that he will see the field anytime soon outside of preseason action this season.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Pittsburgh Steelers are still awaiting quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ decision on whether he will play in the 2026 NFL season. As the process moves forward, it appears that a contingency plan is now in place.

NFL insider Jason La Canfora reports that the Steelers are not pursuing any other veteran options via NFL free agency or trade. Instead, the team will have a quarterback battle between Mason Rudolph and Will Howard this summer.

RELATED: The Aaron Rodgers saga takes another turn for the Steelers

While there is real excitement in the organization about third-round pick Drew Allar, who is being coached by Mike McCarthy, the rookie isn’t set to see the field any time soon. Rudolph will likely be the favorite to win the Steelers’ starting quarterback competition, but it will be an open battle.

The Steelers organization is reportedly “very excited” about Howard’s development entering his second season. While the Eller selection added some uncertainty to Howard’s future in Pittsburgh, he remains a signal-caller who is highly rated in the organization.

RELATED: Insiders predict who the Steelers starting QB will be in 2027

In his career as the Steelers’ starting quarterback, Allard has compiled a record of 8–5–1 in 14 starts. He also has a 21-13 TD-INT ratio with an 86.7 passer rating in 26 career appearances with Pittsburgh. Howard, a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, never saw the field in his rookie season.

For now, there remains tentative hope that Rodgers will announce his return and be the Steelers’ starting quarterback in 2026. If he retires, the team that looked to be a playoff contender this upcoming season may instead be headed for a transition year where it will struggle to post a winning record.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been waiting for months for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to decide whether he will play in the 2026 NFL season. Just as a solution was in sight, the story has reportedly taken another turn.

K Mark Kaboli Pat McAfee Show reported that, as far as his knowledge, “no meeting is scheduled or expected” between Rodgers and the Steelers organization.

RELATED: Insiders predict who the Steelers starting QB will be in 2027

93.7 The Fan reported Thursday that Rodgers will visit Pittsburgh in the coming days and is expected to sign a contract. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said that while the visit was taking place, there was no indication of a deal being made.

Additionally, Steelers general manager Omar Khan came forward on Friday and said he was not aware of Rodgers’ whereabouts. This is consistent with Mark Caboli’s reporting that everyone he spoke to in Pittsburgh said they had not seen Rodgers and were not aware of a possible meeting.

READ MORE: 2026 NFL Power Rankings, see where the Steelers rank

Examining the Steelers’ situation with Aaron Rodgers

At the beginning of the offseason, it seemed like the Steelers organization and head coach Mike McCarthy were willing to be patient with Rodgers. The understanding was that the future Hall of Famer would take some time off this offseason and eventually return to the team.

However, there have been signs recently that Pittsburgh is losing patience with the waiting game. The team used a rare “right of first refusal tender” on Rodgers in April. That means Pittsburgh can match any offer he gets, and he can only sign with Pittsburgh when NFL training camps start this summer.

RELATED: Mike Tomlin predicts whether Aaron Rodgers will return to the Steelers

More recently, Gerry Dulac Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The Steelers’ “patience is beginning to wear thin” with Rodgers, the report said. While the club knows he is the best starting quarterback option for 2026, they want answers from the 42-year-old quarterback soon.

If Rodgers decides to retire or the team also moves on from him, it stands to reason that Mason Rudolph will be the Steelers starting quarterback in Week 1, with Drew Allar and Will Howard also taking the field in 2026.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for SportsKnow. His work including weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers were willing to be extremely patient while awaiting Aaron Rodgers’ career decision. This year, we’ve seen a similar story in Pittsburgh, but now that they have a new head coach in Mike McCarthy, even though he’s familiar from his time with Rodgers in Green Bay, is the team’s leadership nervous?

Rodgers is 42 years old. He has already played 21 seasons; There is no guarantee that he is eager to come back on the 22nd. What if Rodgers leaves the Packers wide open this time?

recently, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteSteelers insider Gerry Dulac suggested that the team’s patience “may be starting to wear thin” regarding Rodgers. Thus, if for some reason Rodgers and the Steelers do not re-align after this offseason, which quarterback could Pittsburgh turn to instead? Here are 10 potential QB options for the Steelers in 2026.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating the worst, best teams after the NFL Draft

jimmy garoppolo

There have been suggestions that Jimmy Garoppolo is considering retirement at the age of 34. He has not found a new home in free agency after spending the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. Still, this is a player who has played very well, playing winning football with a 43-21 regular season record and 4-2 in the playoffs. He may not have a strong arm, but the Steelers may view him as a better version of Mason Rudolph. Plus, he’ll cost less than Rodgers.

Will Lewis

Will Lewis has been largely forgotten about since the Tennessee Titans made Cam Ward the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Will Lewis was a guy who once showed a lot of promise. The 33rd overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft is still just 26 years old, and he has as dynamic an arm as any other option. He also has great size, 6-foot-4, 230 pounds. Lewis hasn’t been accurate enough, but after spending last season on injured reserve following a shoulder injury, we would expect him to be extremely eager to get back on the field and compete. Couldn’t possibly get anything more than a fifth-round pick.

Davis Mills

When CJ Stroud missed three games due to injury, he got a chance to showcase his skills, Mills led the Houston Texans to three inspiring wins. As the Texans’ franchise QB struggled, some even wondered if the 27-year-old former third-round pick should replace Stroud. Given how much he helped the Texans last season, Houston might be hesitant to part ways with him. Still, given that Mills is in the final year of his contract, a trade wouldn’t cost anything more than a third-day pick.

JJ McCarthy

The Vikings will never admit it, but they may be ready to move on from JJ McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Otherwise, the Vikings would not have brought in such a proven player as Kyler Murray, who could now be the team’s franchise QB. McCarthy’s NFL career got off to a rough start after missing his entire rookie season due to a knee injury, but the former first-round pick also displayed elite leadership qualities while making some clutch plays. The question is, are the Steelers willing to put their entire season on the shoulders of a 23-year-old with 10 career starts?

RELATED: 4 Minnesota Vikings WR targets after the 2026 NFL Draft

Anthony Richardson

A player who has displayed superstar potential with a rocket arm and electric athleticism, can Anthony Richardson put it all together, become consistently more accurate while staying healthy? He plays with a reckless demeanor that will cause a stir in the locker room, but it can also hurt a player who has been healthy for just 17 games over the last three seasons. Either way, the Steelers will be cognizant of the star potential of the 23-year-old former No. 4 overall pick, but they will also need a trade.

Jacoby Brissett

Did Jacoby Brissett experience a career renaissance last season at age 33? This is an interesting question. While he only led the Arizona Cardinals to a 1–11 record, Brissett completed 64.9% of his passes for a career-high 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 12 starts. Can that drama be replicated elsewhere in the new system? Brissett is at odds with the Cardinals after requesting a pay raise from his $4.8 million salary set in 2026. After Arizona signed Gardner Minshew and selected Carson Beck in the third round, Brissett could potentially be available for a third-day draft pick in 2027.

jameis winston

With Jacen Dart set to reprise his role as the primary backup QB in 2026, there is a possibility that Jameis Winston could be acquired for the right price. The former No. 1 overall pick has shown that he fits in excellently in any locker room, but he’s also quite capable. Now 32 years old, Winston has not only matured, he still has one of the strongest arms in the NFL, who will play well on the outside in Pittsburgh.

mac jones

The former first-round pick wore out his welcome early in New England, but Mac Jones has turned his career around since getting the chance to play for Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers. He was a key component in helping the 49ers return to the playoffs, leading them to a 5–3 record, completing 69.6% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions. If the Steelers feel the 28-year-old can maintain his play soon, they could look to find their long-term starter with a Day 2 pick in 2027.

Russell Wilson

Also considering retirement so he could become the latest athlete to cash in on a lucrative career in NFL broadcasting, we’d imagine Russell Wilson will be the starting quarterback this year instead. However, the Steelers are already here with Wilson. Did they step forward only because they believed Rodgers was an innovative person? Was there a disagreement with coach Mike Tomlin, or did Wilson no longer want to be there? Still an unsigned free agent, the Steelers may not feel like they have any other options, and barring a trade, Wilson is the best player available.

derek carr

Retired, Derek Carr was reportedly interested in returning to the NFL this season if he could join a playoff contender. We’d argue the Steelers meet that criteria. However, if he did not retire, he would still be under contract with the New Orleans Saints. However, since they are moving on with Tyler Shaw, it’s possible the Saints will release Carr and allow him to play football again, or perhaps even trade him for a Day 2 or Day 3 pick.

RELATED: 4 potential Brandon Sorsby landing spots in the NFL supplemental draft

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

On Friday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers provided Aaron Rodgers with an opportunity to fine-tune his legacy in his final season in the NFL.

Rodgers would go on to become one of the greatest players to ever take the field wearing a helmet in an NFL game. In his 21 legendary seasons, he went to the Pro Bowl 10 times, earned All-Pro honors on four occasions, and was the NFL MVP four times. And in 2011, he reached the top of the mountain when he led the Green Bay Packers to their last Super Bowl.

His reputation as a football player remains untouched. However, it is things off the field that have made him a divisive figure among many fans. Whether it’s his almost annual retirement threats with the Packers. Mike McCarthy was removed as head coach. His views about the world, or his interest in psychedelics.

He also had a disappointing season with the New York Jets and took several months to put pen to paper with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year. Another standout was how he handled the Packers’ preparation for his postseason when they drafted Jordan Love in Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Although he was not outwardly unhappy about it, he did not accept the future despite receiving similar treatment from Brett Favre 15 years earlier. This was one of many instances during his career where he appeared to be emotion- and me-first rather than team-first.

Well, if he returns to the Steelers this season he has a chance to change a lot of opinions about him. On Friday night, Pittsburgh took a step toward the future when they made Penn State quarterback Drew Allar the 76th pick in this year’s draft.

Aaron Rodgers should embrace graybeard mentorship in final NFL season

The Ellers were promoted in the first round of the 2025 college football season. But a poor start for the Nittany Lions and a serious ankle injury ended his year within a few weeks. He has good size and a big arm that can make all the throws in the NFL. But it needs a lot of work and it’s a complete project. So he is not a threat to Rodgers starting in 2026.

That’s why NFL veterans should guide Elar, as NFL.com’s scouting report claims his “improvement in confidence, poise and recognition should be the foundation of any rebound.”

Barring a spectacular run to the Super Bowl, this is certainly the 42-year-old’s swan song. His place in Canton has been decided. However, changing his story a bit by playing a key role in developing his replacement and a potential long-term starter would be just as close to an illustrious career. This will prove once and for all that he is a better player and person than Brett Favre.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

As we enter another week of the 2026 Major League Baseball season, all 30 clubs have now played at least 20 games. A lot of teams are in a hot spot at the moment and one club in particular is very cold. As the weekend action approaches its conclusion, we’ll try and project what will happen on the MLB schedule this week.

Let’s take a look at our bold MLB predictions for the upcoming games this week.

Carson Benz hits first HR since Opening Day

This prediction is definitely not about numbers. After all, the New York Mets entered Sunday on a 10-game losing streak, and rookie outfielder Carson Benz has made 68 plate appearances since last homering on Opening Day. Of particular concern is that he has collected only one extra-base hit (double) in his last 62 plate appearances and has put up an abysmal .140/.210/.158 triple-slash line over that span. However, we’re here to say that Benz’s power drought will end at some point this week with a home run against Simeon Woods Richardson (Wednesday) at Citi Field or a three-game homestand against the Colorado Rockies. The Mets would win that game as well.

Shota Imanaga gets 10+ Ks in consecutive starts

With the Chicago Cubs without three starters – Justin Steele, Matthew Boyd and Cade Horton, there is even more pressure on Shota Imanaga’s shoulders. Last week, he was lights-out against the Philadelphia Phillies with 11 strikeouts and only 3 hits allowed in 6 innings. Facing the same team in consecutive starts isn’t ideal, but the Phillies’ lineup has the fifth-highest strikeout rate in MLB (24.3 percent) since April 5. We think we have another gem coming from Imanaga this week.

Shohei Ohtani homers 5 hitless innings

In his major-league career, Shohei Ohtani has boasted a .930 OPS with 10 home runs against the San Francisco Giants, and he has hit 4 home runs in 58 career at-bats at Oracle Park. Not only are we seeing the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star pitching deep this week in San Francisco, but we also think he’ll make it through 5 hitless innings against the Giants’ lineup.

READ MORE: SF Giants high on top MLB draft prospect

Cleveland Guardians lead 5-1

Starting pitching has carried the Cleveland Guardians this season, demonstrated by the fact that the team entered Sunday with the third-lowest rotation ERA (3.00) in baseball. Fortunately for the Guardians lineup, there is a “Be Right” series this month to start the week against the Houston Astros pitching staff, which has an ERA of 6.80 (worst in MLB). We believe Cleveland beats the Astros at home and then goes to Toronto to take a three-game series, and solidify their position at the top of the AL Central by coming out of the week with a 5-1 record.

Aaron Judge Homers Twice vs. Boston Red Sox

Aaron Judge is going to have some fun at Fenway Park this week. They get a three-game series against a Boston Red Sox pitching staff that has allowed the fifth-most home runs (26) in baseball this season, tied with the Colorado Rockies (25). Although he has not had a high average at Fenway (.217) in his career, he still has 12 homers in this ballpark, 3 of which came last season. It may have been a two-homer game, but we’re inclined to say Judge homers in two of the three games at Fenway.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

随着 2026 年美国职业棒球大联盟赛季又进入一周，所有 30 支球队现在都至少打了 20 场比赛。现在有不少球队正处于热火朝天的状态，尤其是有一支球队的表现却十分冷淡。随着周末比赛接近尾声，我们将尝试预测本周 MLB 赛程表中会发生什么。

让我们深入了解美国职业棒球大联盟 (MLB) 对本周即将举行的比赛的大胆预测。

卡森·本吉 (Carson Benge) 自开业之日起首次担任 HR

这个预测当然与数字无关。毕竟，纽约大都会队以 10 连败进入周日，而新秀外野手卡森·本吉自开幕日上次打出本垒打以来已经打出了 68 场本垒打。特别令人担忧的是，他在过去 62 场本垒打比赛中只打出了 1 次上垒安打（双垒安打），并且在此期间打出了糟糕的 0.140/.210/.158 三斜线。然而，我们在这里直觉地认为，本吉的权力荒本周将结束，他将在花旗球场对阵西蒙·伍兹·理查森（周三）或在对阵科罗拉多洛矶队的三场主场比赛中的某个时刻打出本垒打。大都会队也将赢得那场比赛。

Shota Imanaga 连续首发获得 10+ Ks

由于芝加哥小熊队没有三名先发球员——贾斯汀·斯蒂尔、马修·博伊德和凯德·霍顿——今永翔太肩上的压力更大。上周，他在对阵费城费城人队的比赛中，6 局中 11 个三振，仅被安打 3 个。连续首发面对同一支球队并不理想，但费城人队的阵容确实拥有自 4 月 5 日以来美国职业棒球大联盟第五高的三振率（24.3%）。我们认为本周今永将迎来另一颗宝石。

Shohehi Ohtani Homers，投出 5 局无安打

在他的大联盟职业生涯中，大谷翔平在对阵旧金山巨人队的比赛中打出 0.930 的 OPS，打出 10 个本垒打，并且在职业生涯 58 次击球中在甲骨文公园打出了 4 个本垒打。我们不仅看到洛杉矶道奇队的这位双向球星本周在旧金山深入进攻，我们还认为他将在对阵巨人队阵容的比赛中保持 5 局无安打。

阅读更多： SF Giants 在 MLB 选秀前景中名列前茅

克利夫兰守护者队 5-1

克利夫兰守护者队本赛季的先发投手表现出色，这一点从球队进入周日时自责分率在棒球联盟中倒数第三低（3.00）这一事实可见一斑。对于卫报队的阵容来说，幸运的是，本周将有一场“正确”系列赛，对阵本月自责失分率为 6.80（MLB 最差）的休斯敦太空人队投手。我们认为克利夫兰队将在主场横扫太空人队，然后前往多伦多队，拿下三场系列赛，本周以 5 胜 1 负的战绩结束，这将巩固他们在美联中区榜首的位置。

亚伦·贾奇·霍默斯两次 vs 波士顿红袜队

亚伦·贾奇本周将在芬威球场享受一些乐趣。他在与波士顿红袜队投手的三场系列赛中取得了本赛季棒球界第五多的本垒打（26 个），与科罗拉多洛矶队（25 个）一样多。虽然他职业生涯中在芬威球场的平均击球数（0.217）并不高，但他在这个球场上仍然打出了 12 个本垒打，其中 3 个是上赛季的。也许这是一场两本垒打的比赛，但我们更倾向于说在芬威的三场比赛中的两场都打出了法官本垒打。

马特·约翰逊 (Matt Johnson) 是《Sportsnaut》杂志《NFL》和《大学橄榄球》的高级编辑。他的工作包括每周 NFL 和大学……有关马特·约翰逊的更多信息

丹尼尔·科米尔 (Daniel Cormier) 在迈阿密 UFC 327 上看到亚伦·皮科 (Aaron Pico) 的表现给他留下了深刻的印象。去年八月，皮科在 UFC 首秀中对阵莱罗内·墨菲，从年度淘汰赛有力竞争者中恢复过来后，科米尔表示，周六对阵帕特里西奥·弗雷雷的表现是他一直在等待看到的皮科版本，并因此向羽量级其他选手发出了警告。

皮科在卡塞亚中心举行的羽量级比赛中以一致判定击败了前多届 Bellator 冠军，在与“Pitbull”的 15 分钟比赛中，皮科击中了 100 次打击，并完成了 6 次击倒。这是皮科自 2024 年 2 月以来在 PFL 旗帜下取得的首场胜利，也是他第二次参加 UFC 比赛时的出色表现。 Cormier 在他的 YouTube 频道上谈到了此次胜利，明确表示该显示屏符合他自己为 Pico 设定的标准。

“亚伦·皮科看起来是他一生中最好的，”科米尔说。 “他很快。他很快，我们都知道他是这样。他使用摔跤而且很有耐心——这可能是最令人印象深刻的事情。我会告诉你这一点：如果出现在 UFC 327 的亚伦·皮科一直这样战斗，他对莫夫萨尔·埃夫洛耶夫来说是一个问题，对亚历山大·沃尔卡诺夫斯基、迭戈·洛佩斯和其他所有人来说都是一个问题。

他的技能非常齐全。如果他能正确地战斗，他对每个人来说都是一个真正的问题。向 Aaron Pico 和他的整个团队致敬，他们制定了一个有效且运作良好的游戏计划。我认为今晚是亚伦·皮科发挥自己潜力的真实例子。”

科米尔所强调的耐心对于一位历史上与爆炸性、高风险的交流有关的战士来说尤其值得注意。在对阵弗雷雷的比赛中，皮科展示了更完整、更有纪律的自己，他利用摔跤来控制比赛，并选择自己的脚位，而不是仅仅依靠自己的身体天赋。

Daniel Cormier was impressed by what he saw of Aaron Pico at UFC 327 in Miami. Following Pico’s turnaround from Knockout of the Year contender in his UFC debut against Leron Murphy last August, Cormier said Saturday’s performance against Patricio Freire was the version of Pico he was always waiting to see – and issued a warning to the rest of the featherweight division as a result.

Pico defeated the former multi-time Bellator champion by unanimous decision in their featherweight matchup at the Kasia Center, landing 100 strikes and scoring six takedowns in 15 minutes of action against “Pitbull”. It was Pico’s first win under the PFL banner since February 2024 and a stellar performance in only his second UFC appearance. Cormier addressed the win on his YouTube channel, clarifying that the performance met the standard he had set in his mind for Pico.

“Aaron Pico looked as good as he ever did in his entire life,” Cormier said. “He was fast. He was fast, as we all know he is. He wrestled and he was patient – ​​that was probably the most impressive thing. I’ll tell you this: If Aaron Pico, who appeared at UFC 327, fights like this all the time, he’s a problem for Movser Evloev, he’s a problem for Alexander Volkanovski, Diego Lopes and everybody else.

His skill set is very complete. If he can fight correctly, he is a real problem for everyone. Hats off to Aaron Pico and his entire team for coming up with a game plan that worked, and worked beautifully. I thought tonight was a true example of what Aaron Pico can become whenever he fights to his potential.

The patience that Cormier highlighted is especially notable for a fighter historically associated with explosive, high-risk exchanges. Against Freire, Pico displayed a more complete and disciplined version of himself, using his wrestling to control the fight and choosing his spots on the feet rather than relying solely on his physical gifts.

What’s up with Aaron Rodgers? Does anyone ever really know?

This time, we just want to know if the 42-year-old is planning to return for a 22nd NFL season. If so, will it happen again with the Pittsburgh Steelers? This is the current expectation, but why is it taking so long?

Well, the Steelers don’t even know where the future Hall of Fame quarterback’s head is at. Still, they’ll likely want answers from the four-time NFL MVP soon.

According to team owner Art Rooney II, the Steelers are expected to hear back from Rodgers before the 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 23 as to whether he is returning, retiring or signing elsewhere.

“I’m still hoping for it,” Rooney told Gerry Dulac. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I hope we get an answer before the draft. That’s when I talked to him and Omar.” [Khan] Talked to him, he told us he won’t take as much time off this year as he did last year [to make a decision]. I’m not 100 percent sure what that means, but I expect something before the draft.

The sooner the better for the Steelers. If Rodgers leaves them alone, they will need to make other plans at the QB position. A QB room composed of Mason Rudolph and Will Howard will not get Mike McCarthy’s Steelers into the playoffs.

Of course, the Steelers could always use the 23rd overall pick on a QB like Ty Simpson, but with only one season of starting experience, he also may not be ready to start right away. The Steelers have a total of 12 selections, and they will likely use at least one selection on a QB. Nevertheless, they still need answers from Rodgers sooner rather than later.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: End of March edition

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The Denver Nuggets visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. Jamal Murray is on the injury report along with Aaron Gordon, with both players listed as probable. Murray is nursing a left ankle injury, while Gordon is nursing a right hamstring injury. The Nuggets defeated the San Antonio Spurs 136–131 after erasing a 20-point deficit. Here’s everything we know about Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon’s injuries and their status for the Lakers game.

Jamal Murray’s injury status vs. Lakers

Given that Jamal Murray is on the injury report as probable, he will likely be in uniform for Saturday’s game against the Lakers. Murray has been on the injury report these days, but continues to play at a high level as the All-Star guard’s 39 points led six Nuggets in double figures, including Nikola Jokic (31 points). He recorded another triple-double (20 rebounds, 12 assists) with three steals and two blocks.

Murray’s production has increased across the board, averaging 28.6 points on 49.6% shooting, including 46.7% through seven games. This is arguably his best offensive performance of the regular season. Meanwhile, Aaron Gordon has only played three games this month as the Nuggets are getting off to an easy start getting back into the crease.

Gordon’s knee forced him to play only 26 games this season as he continues to heal from a season-ending right hamstring injury, leading the Nuggets to what they hope will be a deep playoff run. Gordon missed Game 7 of the Nuggets’ Western Conference Semifinal matchup against the Thunder. After missing Thursday’s game against Spurs, he should be cleared to play in Saturday’s match.

With Thursday’s comeback win against the Spurs, the Nuggets improved to 41-26, the fifth-best record in the Western Conference standings, just a half-game behind the Lakers.

A win against the Lakers would move the Nuggets to fourth place. As far as the question of whether Jamal Murray is playing against the Lakers tonight, the answer is probably yes.

nuggets injury report

Aaron Gordon – probable – right hamstring; injury management

Jamal Murray – Probable – Left Ankle; Sprain

Peyton Watson – Out – Right hamstring; strain

Lakers injury report

Jackson Hayes – Probable – Back; agony

Maxi Kleber – outside – back part of the lumbar region; strain

The Denver Nuggets have suffered from injuries throughout the season, and this has happened to most of their starters. The latest player to return from injury was Aaron Gordon, who had missed 17 consecutive games with a hamstring strain. It’s an injury that has bothered Gordon for most of the season, but he was able to get back on the court facing the New York Knicks.

Gordon didn’t have his best game as he tries to shake off the grief of missing so many games, but he learned a few things through the process. One of those things is what to do to avoid another injury.

“I’m going to the gym first,” Gordon said, via Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. “Much, much earlier. Warming up more diligently.”

There’s always a possibility that Gordon’s injury could flare up again, but that’s something he’s not worried about.

Gordon said, “I have to stay on top of it. But I play without any worries.” “When you’re worried about an injury, that’s usually the case. So I feel great. My body feels good. It’s just time and game momentum that I need to get back to now, but I’m feeling good.”

Gordon has been vital for the Nuggets over the past few years and has created a great rapport with Nikola Jokic on the court. With him back in the lineup, working under the post or on the perimeter the offense should be able to get easy buckets.

First, Gordon needs to find his personal rhythm back after missing so much time, and things will work themselves out from there. With the Western Conference standings being tight, this is the right time for the Nuggets to try to get healthy in order to get the best seeding.

The Denver Nuggets have faced injury problems throughout the 2025-26 season. But all teams will know that what matters most is having a clean bill of health at the end of the season. And on Friday night, they’re one step closer to being fully healthy as a unit.

With a clash against the New York Knicks on the horizon, the Nuggets will welcome back Aaron Gordon from a 17-game absence while he dealt with a hamstring injury, ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel reports.

Gordon has been dealing with hamstring issues since the 2025 NBA Playoffs, when he suffered a Grade 2 strain, which put his status in doubt for Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs. The Nuggets forwards played through it, but Denver lost emphatically.

Those problems have carried over to this season. In addition to his recent 17-game absence, he also missed the first 19 straight games of the season from mid-November to early January. Overall, Gordon has only played in 23 of the Nuggets’ 63 games this season.

Denver will be very cautious with its prized forward, as it’s hard to imagine reaching the playoffs without his services. How important he is to this team.

Nuggets will assess Aaron Gordon’s status in Knicks clash

Gordon’s workload will certainly be monitored on Friday night, and the Nuggets are unlikely to push him into the deep end, especially with over a month left in the regular season.

The Nuggets will be without Peyton Watson and Cam Johnson for their showdown against the Knicks, and those two players will be expected to contribute big times in their final playoff appearance. Denver has to be careful with these things, especially when soft-tissue injuries tend to recur.

The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, hoping to continue their three-game winning streak. The Nuggets come into this game coming off an easy win over the struggling Utah Jazz, but still have some injury concerns, including Aaron Gordon.

He is on the injury report along with Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones, with all three players listed out on the official injury report. Gordon is dealing with a right hamstring strain, the Nuggets are also missing Curtis Jones, who is on G League assignment.

Cameron Johnson is listed as questionable, though Gordon himself is close to returning and is expected to play a role in the Nuggets’ game against the New York Knicks, according to Brett Segel of ClutchPoints.

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Aaron Gordon injury status vs. Lakers

Gordon is certain to be out of this match. He has been out of action since January 23 due to a right hamstring strain and will miss the important match.
The Nuggets (38-24) currently hold a slim half-game lead over the Lakers (37-24) in the Western Conference standings. The Lakers come to Ball Arena on a three-game winning streak and will look to take advantage of a Denver defense that has slipped to 21st in the league without players like Gordon and Watson.

Offensively, this game is headed to be a shootout, which is reflected by the massive over/under of 240.5. Denver boasts the NBA’s highest scoring offense, averaging 120.5 points per game. Their anchors are Nikola Jokic, who leads the league in both rebounds (12.6) and assists (10.3), putting up 28.7 points per night, and Jamal Murray, who is fresh off a 45-point masterclass against Utah.

However, the Lakers pose a bigger challenge. They are 3-1 against Denver in the Doncic era, including a 115-107 win on Jan. 20.

LeBron James and Co. are also relatively healthy and the official injury report does not list any players out due to injury. The Lakers’ skid prior to their current win has left them struggling near the top half of the Western Conference table, and a win against Denver will prove crucial as they look to recover.

nuggets injury report

Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain): Out

Peyton Watson (right hamstring strain): Out

Spencer Jones (right shoulder strain): out

Curtis Jones (G League – Two-Way): Out

Cameron Johnson (right ankle inflammation): doubtful

Lakers injury report

Maxi Kleber (back pain): doubtful

The Denver Nuggets have had to deal with a lot of adversity in terms of injuries this season and Aaron Gordon has been no exception. Gordon has played only 23 games due to several injuries, and he has not played since January 23 due to a right hamstring injury that has troubled him throughout the season.

However, it ultimately looks like Gordon’s absence will end after just six weeks, as according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, he aims to return on Friday night when the Nuggets take on the New York Knicks.

Although this is Gordon’s target date, he will still need to be cleared by the Nuggets’ medical team, as they have taken a cautious approach with him and fourth-year forward Peyton Watson, who has been sidelined for several weeks with a hamstring strain. Given their championship hopes this season, the Nuggets are in no rush to add any players back into the mix.

This is especially true for Gordon, who returned in January from a hamstring injury suffered in November, only to play 10 games before restarting the process. His staying healthy is essential for the Nuggets in the postseason.

On Sunday, league sources told ClutchPoints that both Gordon and Watson are recovering from their respective injuries and will be re-evaluated by Denver sometime this week, with the expectation that they can return to the field along with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in 7-10 days.

If Gordon is cleared to play and return against the Knicks on Friday night, he would immediately provide a boost that the Nuggets are missing.

Over their last 16 games, the Nuggets have gone just 7-9, winning back-to-back games just once during that span. Without Gordon and Watson, as well as Cam Johnson at times, Denver has been left extremely weak at the forward position. More importantly, Gordon’s absence has left a void on defense that the Nuggets have shown no answer to addressing without him.

While Gordon may not be an All-Star level talent, the little things he does on both ends of the court have made his impact synonymous with the league’s stars.

In addition to being able to guard multiple positions and take a huge amount of pressure off everyone else in Denver, Gordon always plays an aggressive game in terms of making the extra pass or creating second chance scoring opportunities.

This season, he is averaging a career-high 17.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 50.9 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from 3-point range. The Nuggets ranked near the top in the league when it came to offensive efficiency before Gordon’s injury, and that’s no coincidence.

As good as Jokic and Murray have been, their presence is vital to Denver’s overall success, which is why the team has been patient on Gordon’s road to recovery. Whether Gordon will make his return on Friday, his target date, is still unknown.

The Nuggets are currently 38-24 this season and are a full game behind both the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, who are tied for the 3-seed in the Western Conference standings.

A new report suggests that Kirk Cousins ​​is going to be the Aaron Rodgers of the 2026 offseason.

After being selected in the fourth round in the 2012 NFL Draft, Cousins’ NFL career has exceeded expectations. As he enters his 15th season, he has four Pro Bowl appearances on his resume and has made a ton of money. Specifically, $321 million from the three franchises he has played for.

This offseason, he’s looking to squeeze a little more out of a QB-needy team in what could be the last or next-to-last season of his career. However, unlike when he hit the open market two years ago, Cousins’ value is as low as it’s ever been. After tearing his Achilles tendon during the 2023 NFL season with the Minnesota Vikings, he was a shell of himself during his two years with the Atlanta Falcons.

Kirk Cousins’ career earnings: $321 million

While teams across the league will be interested in his services, many will want him as a backup. But the 37-year-old wants another chance to become a starter. This is the same situation Aaron Rodgers was in after being cut by the New York Jets in 2024, minus a torn Achilles a year earlier.

The NFL veteran showed immense patience when deciding on the team he played with last year, as he pursued the best opportunity for him at that point in his career. Well, it looks like Cousins ​​will be following that blueprint in the coming months.

Kirk Cousins ​​may wait until the summer to sign with a team

“It could drag on for a few weeks, maybe into the draft, maybe to the point where he goes, ‘I’ll just sit back, wait and see if there’s an injury at some point and the team needs a quarterback,'” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported. “Don’t expect a quick resolution on that.”

It is advisable for cousins ​​to be patient. He’ll turn 38 in August and if he can’t show he still has it this season he could be thrust into the league as a starter. So waiting until he finds a situation that can help him do so is a smart approach. It worked out for Rodgers, and he had a great year with a Pittsburgh Steelers team that reached the playoffs last season, and he wants to bring them back in 2026.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

While he’s one of the best baseball players on the planet, New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge didn’t hit a home run with his first World Baseball Classic pep talk as captain of Team USA.

In the NY Yankees’ more than a century-long history, they have only had 16 players named as their captain. It is a rare fraternity that has some of the greatest players to ever play in MLB, including Derek Jeter, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Three-time AL MVP Judge is the latest Pinstripes great to receive this honor.

That’s why it wasn’t much of a surprise when Team USA manager Mark DeRosa decided to give Judge the same role for the 2026 WBC. The outfielder’s winning track record is undeniable, and outside of Shohei Ohtani, many view him as MLB’s best player.

With the tournament starting this week, the U.S. roster is in Houston looking to get on the same page before their game against Brazil on Friday. Unexpectedly, the captain spoke to the team and informed them about the mission ahead and motivated them to bring home the WBC title in a few weeks. Well, it looks like his pep talk wasn’t received well by baseball fans on the X.

Aaron Judge’s WBC speech mocked by baseball fans at X

The 33-year-old’s speech itself wasn’t bad. Judge made good points about the sacrifices required to win the tournament, but it lacked the kind of fire that some baseball fans wanted to see from the Team USA captain. And that led to some hilarious and harsh reactions from some people on X.

The Barstool Sports The company’s founder supported this when he wrote in a post, “Worst speech ever.”

Below, you can take a look at some of the more disgruntled comments from baseball fans about Aaron Judge’s WBC speech.

This speech will blow your mind

– NFL Legends (@PrimeEraNFL) 3 March 2026

Jesus Christ, id get it out of Team Canada

– Raslin Rob (@rob_bohanan) 3 March 2026

Why would they let anyone film this disaster? This should have been a closed room.

– Baseball Cards (@baseball_cards) 3 March 2026

He could have talked about his October successes to pump up the team… oh wait

– JP 🇩🇴🇺🇸 (@histino) 3 March 2026

This speech felt like complete insolence

– Phil Lip (@lip_philll) 3 March 2026

The greatest hitter of our generation and hardly anyone outside baseball knows who he is.

Sadly, having a void aura has its consequences.

– Lee (@latheredlippsy) 3 March 2026

The kind of speech that makes you sit back and relax

– Quintin (@Wonder_Shrimpy) 3 March 2026

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

虽然纽约洋基队巨星亚伦·贾奇是世界上最好的棒球运动员之一，但他作为美国队队长的第一次世界棒球经典赛鼓舞人心的讲话并没有打出本垒打。

在纽约洋基队一百多年的传奇历史中，他们只有 16 名球员被任命为队长。这是一个罕见的兄弟会，拥有美国职业棒球大联盟有史以来最伟大的球员，包括德里克·杰特、贝比·鲁斯和卢·格里克。三届美联 MVP 评委是最新一位获此殊荣的细条纹球员。

这就是为什么当美国队主教练马克·德罗萨决定在 2026 年 WBC 比赛中让法官担任同样的角色时，人们并不感到意外。这位外野手的获胜记录是不可否认的，除了大谷翔平之外，许多人都认为他是美国职业棒球大联盟最好的球员。

比赛将于本周开始，美国队球员将在休斯敦，在周五对阵巴西队的比赛之前达成共识。不出所料，队长与队员们进行了交谈，告知他们未来的任务，并激励他们在几周内夺得 WBC 冠军。嗯，看来他的鼓舞人心的讲话并没有受到 X 上棒球迷的欢迎。

亚伦·贾奇的 WBC 演讲在 X 上遭到棒球迷嘲笑

这位33岁的演讲本身还不错。贾吉对赢得锦标赛所需的牺牲提出了很好的观点，但缺乏一些棒球迷希望从美国队队长身上看到的那种热情。这在 X 上引起了一些搞笑和严厉的反应。

“亚伦·贾奇的 WBC 演讲将让你做好快走的准备，”Barstool Sports X 帐户说道。该公司的创始人在一篇帖子中赞同这一观点，他写道：“这是有史以来最糟糕的演讲。”

下面，您可以看到一些棒球迷对亚伦·贾奇的 WBC 演讲不满意的评论。

这篇演讲会让你入睡

— NFL 传奇 (@PrimeEraNFL) 2026 年 3 月 3 日

天哪，我从加拿大队那里得知了这一点

— 拉斯林·罗布 (@rob_bohanan) 2026 年 3 月 3 日

他们为什么会让任何人拍摄这场灾难？这应该是一个封闭的房间。

— 棒球卡 (@baseball_cards) 2026 年 3 月 3 日

他本可以谈论他十月份的成功来激励团队……哦等等

— JP 🇩🇴🇺🇸（@histino） 2026 年 3 月 3 日

这篇演讲感觉像是在犹豫

— 菲尔·利普 (@lip_philll) 2026 年 3 月 3 日

我们这一代最伟大的击球手，除了棒球之外几乎没有人知道他是谁。

可悲的是，零光环会带来后果。

— 李 (@latheredlippsy) 2026 年 3 月 3 日

那种让你想坐下来的演讲

— 昆汀（@Wonder_Shrimpy） 2026 年 3 月 3 日

Jason Burgos 于 2017 年获得新闻学学位后，担任多个网站的撰稿人，其中包括 MMA Sucka … 关于 Jason Burgos 的更多信息

The Denver Nuggets are on a two-game losing streak following losses to the Thunder and Timberwolves, but Jamal Murray is not discouraged. The team has been troubled by injuries to several key players, including Nikola Jokic, who was sidelined for 16 games with a left knee strain before returning. Nevertheless, the Nuggets found a way to remain among the top six teams in the Western Conference. But in February he had to face a lot of difficulties.

The Nuggets finished the month at 4–8, and despite picking up a big win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday evening, their losses to both Western Conference finalists did not lift the spirits. But Murray believes the team will fully realize its true promise when Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson return.

“Obviously it’s disappointing. It’s unnatural, but that’s OK. Once we get healthy and figure it out … we’ll be good. I’m excited for what’s in store for us,” Murray said, per comments obtained by ClutchPoints Nuggets reporter Rachel Strand.

The absence of a key starter in Watson and a reliable role player in Gordon has diminished the championship-level depth the Nuggets often enjoy. Gordon has been ruled out of the last 16 games after a promising start to the season. Meanwhile, Watson is out of the last nine matches. Following the team’s matchup with the Jazz on Monday evening, they took a short break before beginning a tough stretch facing playoff teams in both the East and West.

The schedule in early March will be the biggest test for the Nuggets, and getting back healthy will certainly help them weather the upcoming storm of competition.

There are 31 franchise owners in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers are owned by a publicly held non-profit organization. Meanwhile, other teams like the New York Jets are owned by a man like Woody Johnson.

Of course, not all NFL team owners are the same. Johnson is known for interfering in his team’s football decisions, and has been highly criticized for this over the years.

Now, according to ESPN’s Jets insider Rich Cimini, Johnson is back at it again. The Jets were close to hiring Don “Wink” Martindale as Glenn’s new defensive coordinator, but plans apparently changed after the job description also changed.

The Jets came close to hiring a highly respected and experienced defensive coordinator who had never called plays before. It’s a fairly significant change, but we can see why candidates like Martindale, who has been an NFL defensive coordinator for seven seasons, were no longer interested in the job, leaving the Jets to go to Brian Duker.

The Jets interviewed eight candidates for the position, but Duker got the job just one day after meeting with the team. Either way, it doesn’t matter, as Glenn plans to call the team’s defensive plays in 2026 anyway, but now he won’t have an experienced right hander to handle the duties if things go awry again in New York.

RELATED: Potential NFL rule change makes blockbuster trades more likely

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

至少有一些球員認為，紐約噴氣機隊主教練亞倫·格倫繼承了太多問題，無法在 2025 年取得成功。格倫正在採取行動，以便在下個賽季變得更好。索斯·加德納（Sauce Gardner）也挺身而出，他在二年級之前就對格倫表現出了信心。

根據 WFAN 的 Danielle McCartan 在 X 上發布的帖子，加德納在 2025 賽季中期被交易到小馬隊，但他表示格倫仍然可以做好事。

“（格倫）的心態非常強硬，”加德納說。 “就像，事情就是這樣。99.9%的情況下，這是正確的方式。他會紀律他的球員。如果你們不同意，那麼他就不會在那裡。

“所以，我很高興看到他們所準備的東西。他有一整個賽季的觀察力。好吧，這就是我們需要的。這就是我們需要的一群人。我真的相信他和（總經理達倫）穆吉，他們兩個一起做飯，他們會做他們的事情。”

噴氣機隊主教練亞倫·格倫需要更好的成績

說出來是一回事，但取得勝利又是另一回事。噴氣機隊戰績為3勝14負，輸掉了前七場比賽和最後五場比賽。也許他們可以專注於中間3-2的衝刺。

但據 ESPN 報導，格倫遇到了一些不利於他的事情。

“我認為AG繼承了一個非常惡性、好鬥的團隊——整個團隊，從上到下，”防守截鋒哈里森·菲利普斯在超級碗廣播節目中告訴圓桌體育。 “這不是個人的錯。我在那裡待了一個賽季。那是一個非常艱難的賽季。我幾乎想動搖我的一些想法、我的信念和我的樂觀態度。

“所以，我無法想像年復一年地在那裡卻看不到你想要的結果。這污染了人們。”

雖然明尼蘇達維京人隊接球手賈斯汀·杰斐遜承認薩姆·達諾德會讓球隊在 2025 年變得更好，但他表示他支持 JJ·麥卡錫前進。然而，根據 MySportsUpdate 在 X 上的一篇帖子，亞倫·瓊斯 (Aaron Jones) 分享了球隊讓達諾德下場的發人深省的看法。

“#Vikings RB Aaron Jones 表示，該組織去年應該努力留住 Sam Darnold：“當你有一群人在四分衛後面，而他想留下來時，我認為你應該努力讓它發揮作用。 ”

看起來損害控制並不是維京人組織的最佳屬性之一。這支球隊似乎表現出色，因為達諾德是海鷹隊闖入第 60 屆超級碗的關鍵人物。

與此同時，維京人隊在賽季末取得了9勝8負的成績。但他們錯過了季后賽的樂趣。

維京人隊 RB 亞倫·瓊斯 (Aaron Jones) 賽季表現不佳

瓊斯在 12 場比賽中僅衝球 548 碼。這是他自2017年新秀賽季以來的最低賽季總得分。他也只取得了兩次達陣，追平了職業生涯新低。

但根據 VikingzFanPage 在 X 上的帖子，瓊斯表示維京人隊今年有足夠的實力走得更遠。

“#Vikings RB Aaron Jones 談到如果薩姆·達諾德在明尼蘇達州，這個賽季會有多麼不同：“去年，我們只輸給了兩支球隊，公羊隊和雄獅隊。 [Coming back in 2025]。我覺得我們擁有我們需要的一切（去年），但我們不是總經理。那是在我們之外的。 ”

瓊斯可能不會在 2026 年支持麥卡錫。據 Steelersdepot.com 的 Nightcap 播客報​​導，他提到了他希望在明尼蘇達州看到另一位經驗豐富的四分衛。

“我認為（亞倫·羅傑斯）還剩下很多球，”瓊斯說。 “你在場上看到他。他看起來很開心。他是一個競爭者。我認為他回來了。我認為他還有很多。你看，在一場比賽結束時，他扔了一個萬福瑪麗，只是輕輕一抖手腕。七十碼。你不能出來指導。“

當被問及他是否希望羅傑斯 2026 年在匹茲堡或明尼蘇達打球時，瓊斯說：“我喜歡他在明尼蘇達。”

週三，紐約噴氣機隊正式聘請弗蘭克·賴克（Frank Reich）擔任他們的新進攻協調員。他作為四分衛在 NFL 效力了 14 個賽季，其中包括 1996 年在噴氣機隊。

據 NFL Network 的湯姆·佩利塞羅報導，他還將與他的前隊友、現任主教練亞倫·格倫重聚。 1996 年，兩人都曾為噴氣機隊效力，格倫擔任角衛。 1994 年至 2001 年間，格倫曾在紐約打球。

噴氣機隊剛剛結束了一個賽季，戰績為 3 勝 14 負，在亞足聯東部排名墊底。格倫將迎來他作為主教練的第一個完整賽季。 2025年1月，紐約聘請了他，此前他曾擔任底特律雄獅隊的防守協調員。

賴希擁有豐富的教練背景。他曾在大學和專業水平上工作過。他最後一次擔任主教練是在 2023 年，在卡羅萊納黑豹隊。去年，他擔任斯坦福大學的臨時主教練。

他在印第安納波利斯小馬隊效力時間最長的是 2006 年至 2011 年。賴克從實習生到助理、四分衛教練、WR 教練，然後從 2018 年到 2022 年擔任主教練。

此外，賴克還曾在亞利桑那紅雀隊、聖地亞哥閃電隊和費城老鷹隊工作過。

作為一名球員，Reich 最出名的身份是 1993 年 AFC 外卡賽中擔任布法羅比爾隊的四分衛。賴克代替受傷的吉姆·凱利。最終，他幫助比爾隊在35-3落後於休斯敦油人隊的情況下以41-38取得了驚人的逆轉勝利。

1996年，噴氣機隊以1勝15負的戰績在亞冠東區墊底。

週三晚上在甘布里奇球館，後衛前鋒亞倫·內史密斯在比賽還剩 13.9 秒時完成反超上籃，隨後在比賽還剩 2.9 秒時封蓋科比·懷特的近籃出手，帶領印第安納步行者隊以 113-110 逆轉戰勝芝加哥公牛隊。

進入第四節時，印第安納隊落後 9 分，落後多達 14 分，但印第安納隊在最後 7 分鐘打出 18-4 的高潮，克服了落後的局面。安德魯·內姆哈德 (Andrew Nembhard) 後撤步跳投率先發起反擊，比賽還剩 40 秒時步行者隊以 109-107 領先，但尼古拉·武切維奇 (Nikola Vucevic) 命中三分球幫助芝加哥隊領先。 26歲球員的反向上籃恢復了印第安納隊的優勢，前鋒約翰尼·福菲在內史密斯防守停球後搶下籃板，兩罰全中，以113-110獲勝。內布哈德還完成了一次關鍵的搶斷，幫助步行者隊穩住陣腳。

內史密斯在 34 分鐘內拿下 14 分、4 個籃板、4 次助攻、1 次搶斷和 1 次蓋帽，結束了當晚的比賽。帕斯卡爾·西亞卡姆在關鍵時刻7投4中，罰球6中5，拿下印第安納隊最高的20分，其中第四節得到13分。內布哈德貢獻18分、9次助攻和6個籃板。賈拉斯·沃克8投6中拿下16分，本尼迪克特·馬圖林三分球5投3中、罰球線4投4中得到15分和8個籃板。傑伊·赫夫得到 10 分和 7 個籃板。步行者隊的年輕核心貢獻了全隊113分中的31分。

芝加哥隊的武切維奇拿下25分，領先所有得分手，而馬塔斯·布澤利斯得到20分。賈倫·史密斯拿下13分和11個籃板的兩雙。喬什·吉迪 (Josh Giddey) 在 23 歲時就送出 7 次助攻，職業生涯助攻數突破 2,000 次，成為 NBA 歷史上第 15 位在該年齡或之前達到這一里程碑的球員。

印第安納隊的進攻在比賽初期就顯得不同步，第一節兩分球命中率僅為 14.2%（14 投 2 中），儘管他們以 13 投 6 中的三分球彌補了這一點。步行者隊還聘請了多名中鋒來匹配公牛隊的體型，赫夫打了23分27秒，米卡·波特打了16分55秒，以賽亞·傑克遜打了2分33秒，西亞卡姆打了5分51秒。

這場胜利將印第安納隊的戰績提高到了 12 勝 36 負，使他們擺脫了 NBA 墊底的位置，而芝加哥隊則跌至 23 勝 24 負，在東部聯盟中保持在略低於 0.500 的水平。步行者隊本賽季已經三次擊敗公牛隊，接下來將在周六晚上主場迎戰亞特蘭大老鷹隊。

在第一年主教練亞倫·格倫的帶領下，紐約噴氣機隊在 2025 年遭遇了 NFL 最差的防守，事實證明，缺乏人才是俱樂部最大的問題之一。對於格倫來說幸運的是，他將有機會在這個休賽期成為 NFL 自由球員來改變這一現狀。

NFL 內部人士托尼·保林 (Tony Pauline) 在 Shrine Bowl 報導稱，聯盟中有很多傳言稱底特律雄獅隊線衛亞歷克斯·安扎龍 (Alex Anzalone) 可能會以自由球員身份離開球隊，並與格倫在噴氣機隊的防守上重聚。

相關：內部人士透露紐約噴氣機隊 2026 年 QB 計劃

安扎洛尼被認為是一名領袖，他將為紐約隊的中路防守提供穩定。此前也有報導稱，他與格倫的關係非常密切，因此下賽季噴氣機隊的更衣室可能會有更多的連續性，而那些更有經驗的球員會在他的體系中發揮作用並致力於他們在場上的角色。

如果安扎龍有望與噴氣機隊簽約，那麼看看 2026 年是否有其他雄獅隊自由球員跟隨他為格倫效力將會很有趣。防守鋒線球員 DJ Reader、Levi Onwuzurike 和 Al-Quadin Muhammad 以及角衛 Amik Robertson 都是底特律頂級防守自由球員。

閱讀更多：2026 年 NFL 選秀順序、紐約噴氣機隊 2026 年選秀順位

擁有兩個首輪選秀權的紐約也將把防守作為 2026 年 NFL 選秀的首要任務。擁有第二順位選秀權的熱門選擇之一是全美線衛阿維爾·里斯 (Arvell Reese)。雖然他可以打無球，但聯盟中的許多人都認為他是一個具有很高上限的長期衝鋒者。

馬特·約翰遜 (Matt Johnson) 是《Sportsnaut》雜誌《NFL》和《大學橄欖球》的高級編輯。他的工作包括每週 NFL 和大學……有關馬特·約翰遜的更多信息

亞倫·陶 (Aaron Tau) 引人注目的面部紋身將使他在本週末的 UFC 325 比賽中更容易吸引註意力。

Tau 參加了 UFC 325 的第一場比賽，並負責與對手 Namsrai Batbayar 一起進行表演，以保持粉絲對澳大利亞悉尼剩餘比賽的興趣。

7

UFC 主席達納·懷特（Dana White）有條不紊地為每張牌選擇比賽順序，因此 Tau 在以亞歷山大·沃爾卡諾夫斯基 vs 迭戈·洛佩斯 2 為主角的揭幕戰中的位置是有道理的。

但這不僅僅是一場激動人心的蠅量級衝突的誘惑，或者這位32歲的選手古怪的戰鬥風格可能會讓粉絲們想要更多。

Aaron Tau希望通過面部紋身來弘揚原住民文化

“他們認為他們歡迎我加入 UFC，”Tau 在 2024 年首次宣傳露面之前告訴 The Alternative Commentary Collective。

“我來這裡是為了歡迎他們回到圖馬陶恩加（毛利神話中的戰神）王國。

“我們在這裡已經有幾千年了。就好像，你正在走向我，而不是相反。”

Tau 在 City Kickboxing 與 Israel Adesanya 的主教練尤金·巴雷曼 (Eugene Bareman) 一起訓練，他擁有令人驚嘆的面部紋身，那是他在 2023 年才紋的。

第二年，這位新西蘭人獲得了參加競爭者係列賽的機會，在那裡，選手們將爭奪 UFC 合同。

他與伊利亞·史密斯對戰，利用這個機會“提醒世界地球上最偉大的戰士來自哪裡”。

炙手可熱的休斯頓德州人隊預計將在周一晚上的外卡比賽中統治匹茲堡鋼人隊。但在早期，鋼人隊的防守通過製造失誤來保持比分接近。

然而，德州人聯盟領先的防守最終留下了印記。隨著鋼人隊在第四節落後四分，休斯頓隊的防守接管了比賽。在球隊逼得第3和第12名後，亞倫·羅傑斯回撤傳球。他立即遭到德州人的傳球衝擊。威爾·安德森輕鬆地繞過了邊緣，解雇了這位經驗豐富的四分衛並迫使他掉球。

謝爾登·蘭金斯(Sheldon Rankins)碾壓了他的攔網球員，他機敏地撿起鬆散的球，沖向達陣區。這位大個子轟出 33 碼達陣，幫助休斯頓隊以 17-6 領先。潰敗已經開始。

可怕的德州人防守壓制了亞倫·羅傑斯和鋼人隊

週一晚上，兩隊在前三節合計得到 13 分。 CJ·斯特勞德表現很掙扎，五次掉球，兩次失手，同時還被攔截。休斯頓隊的三個失誤讓匹茲堡隊保持了進攻距離。一陣子。

但亞倫·羅傑斯和進攻組無法利用鋼人隊防守造成的失誤。匹茲堡隊的總推進碼數只有 175 碼，射門得分只有 2 個。德州人隊在第四節連得 23 分。

邁克·湯姆林在周一晚上的比賽中主場以 12-0 的完美戰績上場。更令人難以置信的是，鋼人隊週一晚上在匹茲堡取得了 23 場連勝——這一記錄可以追溯到 1992 年。

但德州人隊連贏九場比賽結束了常規賽。休斯頓隊在外卡賽中取得勝利，將連勝紀錄擴大到十連勝。蘭金斯防守達陣後，伍迪·馬克斯 (Woody Marks) 在 112 碼衝球表現基礎上，又出拳打出 13 碼得分。

然後卡倫·布洛克（Calen Bullock）以六分球結束了這場井噴，這可能是羅傑斯最後一次 NFL 傳球。這位二年級安全衛攔截了這位未來的名人堂成員，並在 50 碼處回球得分，幫助德州人隊以 30-6 領先。

亞倫·羅傑斯 (Aaron Rodgers) 在他的 NFL 職業生涯中傳球超過 8,700 次。他甚至超過了本·羅斯里斯伯格 (Ben Roethlisberger) 保持的分數。但休斯敦德州人隊的卡倫·布洛克在周一橄欖球之夜抓住了他可能的最後一擊——將其變成了對陣匹茲堡鋼人隊的第六順位。

羅傑斯擊倒了他原本打算接球的外接手。布洛克在抓起外賣時短暫跪倒。這位經驗豐富的安全衛隨後轟隆隆地沖向達陣區，羅傑斯成為最後一個擋在他面前的鋼人球員。

羅傑斯那次糟糕的傳球幾乎讓休斯頓隊以 30-6 慘敗。但也可能結束了羅傑斯的職業生涯。

羅傑斯慢慢地離開了 Acrisure 體育場。他與德州人隊成員以及他的一些鋼人隊隊友一起進行了嘗試。但隨後他沮喪地走開了，這可能是他賽后最後一次進入更衣室。

鋼人隊對陣德州人隊後亞倫·羅傑斯的未來存疑

賽前的討論變成了羅傑斯的未來，以及這是否是他最後一次參加 NFL。

NFL 季后賽快結束時，人們談論的是這是否真的是羅傑斯的終結。

隨著德州人隊轉戰新英格蘭愛國者隊，他最終在網上引發了許多理論和討論。

“保留那個球，卡倫。這可能是亞倫·羅傑斯拿走的最後一個球，”NFL Network 的邁克·加拉弗洛 (Mike Garafolo) 在 X（以前稱為 Twitter）上發帖說。

羅伯特·格里芬三世開始懷疑這是否是羅傑斯的最後一次傳球。

阿隆·羅傑斯 (Aaron Rodgers) 職業生涯的最後一次傳球是 6 號球。

它幾乎永遠不會按照你想要的方式結束。

— 羅伯特·格里芬三世 (@RGIII) 2026 年 1 月 13 日

ESPN 色彩評論員、NFL 名人堂成員特洛伊·艾克曼 (Troy Aikman) 對羅傑斯的評價更加直率。

“我想我們正在觀看亞倫·羅傑斯的最後一場比賽……如果一支球隊需要四分衛，他可能願意在某個時候加入。我懷疑這會發生。我不認為他會說他想回來再次與鋼人隊或其他球隊簽約，”艾克曼在廣播中說道。

羅傑斯33次傳球完成17次，推進僅146碼。他在比賽中沒有傳出達陣，並被擒殺四次。

現在，NFL 和整個體育界都在觀望羅傑斯何時正式製定他的 2026 年計劃。一切跡像都表明羅傑斯將為21年輝煌的職業生涯畫上句號。

匹茲堡鋼人隊賽季的最後時刻也可能是 NFL 季后賽中最令人難忘的“假設”場景之一，名人堂四分衛佩頓·曼寧的現場反應完美地捕捉到了這一點。

在匹茲堡外卡隊以 30-6 輸給休斯頓德州人隊的最後時刻，亞倫·羅傑斯在比賽還剩不到 3 分鐘時落後 18 分。接下來是一次攔截，直接傳給了德州人安全衛卡倫·布洛克，他將球回傳 50 碼，進行了六號位防守，這可能是羅傑斯傳奇職業生涯的最後一次傳球。

觀看 ESPN Manning Cast 的現場直播，佩頓·曼寧忍不住說出了許多人的想法。 “這是亞倫·羅傑斯職業生涯的最後一次傳球嗎，伊萊？”佩頓·曼寧通過體育中心說道。

沉默持續了一會兒，伊萊·曼寧問他的兄弟：“你覺得怎麼樣，他還會再回來一年嗎？”佩頓的回應很直率，強調了同樣的擔憂。 “我不知道。”

“這是亞倫·羅傑斯職業生涯的最後一次傳球嗎？”

——佩頓·曼寧 (Peyton Manning) 在卡倫·布洛克 (Calen Bullock) 的第六順位後 👀 @奧馬哈產品 pic.twitter.com/m1SLJG7Ofn

— 體育中心（@SportsCenter） 2026 年 1 月 13 日

現年 42 歲的羅傑斯當晚 33 投 17 分，推進 146 碼，其中一次被攔截，但鋼人隊未能達陣。這場失利是決定性的，但攔截返回得分讓這一刻感覺是決定性的。

如果這確實是羅傑斯的最後一次 NFL 投球，那麼對於第一輪投票的名人堂成員來說，退出將是一種痛苦的方式。羅傑斯以 527 次達陣記錄，在傳球達陣歷史上排名第四，在傳球碼數上排名第五（66,274 碼），而他的 4 次 MVP 獎項僅落後於佩頓·曼寧的 5 次。他的遺產是毋庸置疑的——即使結局令人不舒服。

這個賽季，羅傑斯有理由相信未來可能會有更多的比賽。他傳球 3,322 碼和 24 次達陣，帶領匹茲堡隊取得 10 場胜利，並在五年內首次奪得亞足聯北部冠軍。據報導，這一成功讓羅傑斯在季后賽崩潰之前重新考慮退役。

布洛克的攔截立即被載入史冊，如果這種揮之不去的“如果”成為現實的話，這場比賽現在很可能會被銘記為亞倫·羅傑斯職業生涯的最後一次達陣傳球。

不久之後，梅森·魯道夫上場結束了比賽，這一動作不僅結束了羅傑斯的夜晚，而且可能也標誌著他在匹茲堡的任期的結束。 NFL社交媒體甚至在X（以前的推特）上發布了羅傑斯的視頻，他走出球場進入球員通道，安靜的視覺感覺比言語更沉重。而後台的特洛伊·艾克曼則為觀眾總結道：“這是一個艱難的夜晚。”

傳奇 @aaronrodgers12 pic.twitter.com/CQtywiRcF5

— NFL (@NFL) 2026 年 1 月 13 日

無論羅傑斯是否會在下一個賽季回歸，結局現在都懸而未決。正如佩頓·曼寧的反應所表明的那樣，即使是比賽中最偉大的四分衛也知道什麼時候感覺不同。

匹茲堡鋼人隊最近一次季后賽出局再次拉開了人們熟悉的斷層線，亞倫·羅傑斯幾乎立刻就發現自己處於其中之一的中心。匹茲堡隊在外卡賽中以 30-6 輸給休斯敦德州人隊後，人們對這位經驗豐富的四分衛和長期擔任主教練的邁克·湯姆林的未來產生了疑問。

其中一個問題顯然觸動了神經。當再次被問及湯姆林的情況時，羅傑斯給出了直率的、不符合社會福利標準的回應。

“我已經回答過這個問題很多次了。我已經廣泛地談論了我對邁克的感受。我只是在那個該死的回答中做到了，”羅傑斯說。

挫敗感是顯而易見的，但只有在羅傑斯已經為他的主教練提供了冗長而尖銳的辯護之後，他才爆發了。在同一場新聞發布會的早些時候，羅傑斯談到了圍繞湯姆林的工作保障以及現代 NFL 話語如何演變的更廣泛的對話。

“我的意思是，在我的 21 年裡，這個聯盟發生了很大的變化。當你聽到關於世界上的邁克·湯姆林斯、世界上的馬特·拉弗勒斯的談話時——這只是我效力過的兩個人——當我第一次進入聯盟時，甚至不會有人談論這些人是否處於困境，”羅傑斯說。

這些評論是在嚴峻的背景下發表的。匹茲堡隊輸給休斯頓隊標誌著球隊連續第六次進入季后賽未嘗勝績。德州人隊的防守壓倒了鋼人隊，通過掉球回攻和六號球在防守上得分兩次，而匹茲堡隊的進攻卻從未找到動力。然而，羅傑斯繼續批評現代分析的速度和語氣，並強調結束了他的辯護。

“但是現在對聯盟的報導方式，倉促的決定，以及推特專家和電視上所有所謂的專家的有效性，這些專家看起來好像他們知道自己在說什麼——對我來說，這絕對是一個笑話，”這位經驗豐富的四分衛補充道。 “邁克·T[omlin] 在過去的 19 或 20 年裡，他比聯盟中任何人都取得了更多的成功。 ”

球迷們的挫敗感再次沸騰，“Fire Tomlin”的口號在比賽后期迴響。儘管湯姆林從未經歷過一個失敗的賽季，但自2017年以來，湯姆林就沒有贏得過一場季后賽比賽，目前已經追平了NFL主教練季后賽最長連敗紀錄。

對於羅傑斯來說，這一時刻凸顯了猜測可以多麼迅速地掩蓋背景。對於鋼人隊來說，這突顯了球隊正處於十字路口，耐心、傳統和結果正在正面碰撞。

亞倫·羅傑斯為他的名人堂簡歷增添了又一​​​​個決定性的篇章。它有黑色和金色兩種顏色。在匹茲堡隊與休斯敦德州人隊的外卡對決中，這位鋼人隊四分衛超越了球隊偶像本·羅特利斯伯格，成為 NFL 歷史上季后賽傳球碼數第三多的球員。這是在第二節還剩不到四分鐘時達到的一個里程碑。

NFL 官方渠道實時確認了這一時刻，凸顯了這一成就的重要性。羅傑斯上場比賽時距離羅特利斯伯格保持的季后賽傳球碼數 5,972 碼的長期紀錄僅差 79 碼。大本鐘在歷史榜單上僅落後於佩頓·曼寧和湯姆·布雷迪。半場結束時，大本鐘的名字正式滑落至第四位，羅傑斯在季后賽中繼續穩步攀升。隨著羅傑斯攀登另一個歷史性的階梯，一個熟悉的名字落下。

亞倫·羅傑斯 (Aaron Rodgers) 超越本·羅斯利斯伯格 (Ben Roethlisberger)，成為 NFL 歷史上第三多季后賽傳球碼數 🔥

ESPN/ABC 上的 HOUvsPIT
直播 #NFLPlus 和 ESPN 應用程序pic.twitter.com/fkWYqsyuRJ

— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) 2026 年 1 月 13 日

這一成就在匹茲堡具有額外的象徵意義。羅特里斯伯格的陰影籠罩著整個球隊。羅傑斯在一月份帶領鋼人隊的同時，在季后賽中超越了他，這進一步證明了這位經驗豐富的四分衛將自己寫進了球隊的歷史。更重要的是，這一里程碑是有節奏的，而不是絕望，因為羅傑斯冷靜地引導著為季后賽精確度而建立的進攻。

匹茲堡隊以 10 勝 7 負結束 2025 年常規賽。他們奪得了自 2020 年以來的首個亞足聯北區冠軍。在經歷了一個火爆的開局和賽季中期的失利之後，鋼人隊的表現突飛猛進。他們在第 18 週戰勝了巴爾的摩，獲得了主場外卡賽資格。隨著羅傑斯穩定進攻，Acrisure 體育場的信心又回來了。

在匹茲堡的第一年，羅傑斯表現出了效率和控制力。他傳球 3,322 碼，24 次達陣，僅 7 次被攔截。雖然不再追求華麗的數量，但他在最重要的時候表現出果斷的態度。現在，他為已經充滿了這些的職業生涯增添了另一個歷史性的季后賽基準。

The 2022 Major League Baseball season is in the books. We saw many of the top MLB free agents making impacts with their new teams throughout the season. After witnessing the 2022 MLB lockout shake-up free agency, that won’t be an issue in the 2022-’23 winter frenzy.

Baseball fans can look forward to some of the most exciting talent hitting the open market this offseason. Thanks to the likes of Aaron Judge, Trea Turner, and Rafael Devers not reaching extensions with their clubs, we’ll see huge contracts signed with plenty of big names on the move. And some have already reached deals for 2023.

Bookmark this page for updates throughout the season. Our rankings of the best MLB free agents in 2023 will be updated throughout the shopping spree.

Related: Highest paid MLB players in 2022

When does MLB free agency start?

MLB free agents could already sign with a new team five days after the World Series wrapped up. The five-day period gives teams an exclusive window to negotiate with their impending free-agent talent.

RELATED: Listen to Sportsnaut’s MLB podcast ‘Replacement-Level Podcast

There is one new potential rule that could significantly impact many of the MLB free agents next winter. If the MLB and players’ union agree on a MLB World Draft – including international players – the league would eliminate draft-pick compensation tied to any players who reject a qualifying offer. It should be a boost for players, with interested teams no longer factoring in the negative of losing a draft pick for signing a free agent.

Will there be a qualifying offer in MLB in 2023?

After Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association failed to agree on a 2023 international draft, MLB free agency this winter will once again be impacted by the qualifying offer system.

Here are the MLB free agents ineligible for a qualifying offer in 2023. Importantly, any player dealt before the MLB trade deadline is automatically no longer eligible for the qualifying offer.

• José Abreu, Chicago White Sox
• Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins
• Noah Syndergaard, Philadelphia Phillies

The following 2023 MLB free agents declined their qualifying offers

• Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs
• Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox
• Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
• Jacob deGrom, New York Mets
• Carlos Rodón, San Francisco Giants
• Anthony Rizzo, New York Yankees
• Nathan Eovaldi, Boston Red Sox
• Trea Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Chris Bassitt, New York Mets
• Brandon Nimmo, New York Mets
• Dansby Swanson, Atlanta Braves

The following players have accepted their qualifying offers.

• Joc Pederson, San Francisco Giants
• Martin Perez, Texas Rangers

MLB qualifying offer 2022

Major League Baseball announced the cost of the MLB qualifying offer will be $19.65 million this offseason. It’s a $1.25 million increase, a direct result of revenue climbing across the league and the salaries for the highest-paid MLB players. The price of the qualifying offer dropped to $17.8 million in 2019, climbed in 2020 and then dipped in 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted MLB revenue.

• MLB qualifying offer 2022: $19.65 million
• MLB qualifying offer 2021: $18.4 million
• MLB qualifying offer 2020: $18.9 million
• MLB qualifying offer 2019: $17.8 MLB

What is a qualifying offer in MLB?

A qualifying offer is a one-year offer MLB teams make to impending free agents. If a player has previously been offered the qualifying offer in their career or they were traded mid-season before becoming an MLB free agent, they aren’t eligible for the qualifying offer. If the QO is rejected, the club can receive a compensatory draft pick for the loss of that player in MLB free agency.

The qualifying offer in MLB is based on the mean salary of the 125 highest paid players in MLB.

Who are the best MLB free agents in 2023?

We saw some of the best players in baseball hit the open market in the 2021-’22 free-agent class. Incredibly, the pool of MLB free agents in 2023 will be even better.

Let’s dive into our top free agents in MLB this offseason.

Stats courtesy Baseball Reference and FanGraphs

1. Aaron Judge, outfielder, New York Yankees

• Aaron Judge stats (2022): 62 home runs, 131 RBI, 1.111 OPS, .311/.425/686, 211 OPS+, 133 runs scored

Aaron Judge is easily the best player available in MLB free agency this winter. He is coming off a contract year for the ages, setting the single-season American League home run record, nearly winning the Triple Crown all while carrying one of the best teams in MLB. Age is no longer much of a concern for franchises, Judge is a superstar on the field and one of the most marketable players away from it. It easily makes him No. 1 in the MLB free agency rankings and there are going to be marquee suitors lining up for him.

• Potential Landing Spots: San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, New York Mets

2. Jacob deGrom, pitcher, New York Mets – 5-year, $185M w/ TEX

• Jacob deGrom stats (2022): 3.08 ERA, 102 strikeouts, 0.75 WHIP, 5.6 H/9 in 64.1 innings pitched

The Texas Rangers land one of the top MLB free agents for the second consecutive year, pulling Jacob deGrom away from the New York Mets. The two-time Cy Young Award winner was targeting a multi-year deal worth at least $40 million. However, the Rangers’ willingness to provide him with a five-year deal averaging $37 million per season that includes a sixth-year option to maximize at $222 million, won out.

Texas desperately needed an ace and it just landed the best pitcher in baseball. While it’s undeniable that deGrom carries durability concerns, he is undeniably one of the best players of his generation when healthy. As long as he is on the mound, Texas will be in a great position to win.

• Potential Landing Spots: Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, Texas Rangers

3. Trea Turner, shortstop, Los Angeles Dodgers – 11-year, $300M w/PHI

• Trea Turner stats (2022): .298/.343/.466, 21 home runs, 27 steals, 6.3 fWAR, .809 OPS

Even in a down season by his own standards, Trea Turner was one of the best players in MLB. He moved back to shortstop and played outstanding defense, all while delivering his second consecutive 20-20 season with a combined 48 home runs + stolen bases.

Turning 30 in June, Turner is one of the best shortstops in baseball and had a variety of suitors to choose from. He ended up agreeing to an 11-year, $300 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he’ll presumably be their leadoff hitter, providing speed on the basepaths. It’s a massive coup for the Phillies.

• Potential Landing Spots: Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs

4. Carlos Rodón, pitcher, San Francisco Giants

• Carlos Rodón stats (2022): 2.88 ERA, 33.4% strikeout rate, .200 batting average allowed, 1.03 WHIP, 14.1% Swinging Strike rate

The San Francisco Giants and Carlos Rodón both took a gamble in free agency. Fast forward to the end of the 2022 MLB season and Rodón is coming out on top. He proved he could stay healthy over a full season, eclipsing 170 innings for the first time in his career. Rodón must now be considered one of the best starting pitchers in baseball and he’s even more valuable as a southpaw. Turning 30 in December, Rodon easily qualifies as one of the best MLB free agents in 2023 and he would slide in perfectly as the ace for a variety of teams.

• Potential Landing Spots: San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees

5. Justin Verlander, pitcher, Houston Astros – two-year, $86M w/NYM

• Justin Verlander stats (2022): 1.75 ERA, 9.51 K/9, 0.62 HR/9, .184 batting average allowed, 0.83 WHIP in 175 innings

A few teams were willing to roll the dice on Justin Verlander in MLB free agency last winter, even as he returned from Tommy John surgery. He stayed with the Houston Astros and delivered another Cy Young-caliber season, doing it as a 39-year-old in his first season back from TJS. Verlander, 40 in February, has proven that his age won’t impact his play on the mound and is sure to receive a contract worth $30-$40 million annually.

It turns out the Mets losing deGrom, only motivated them to land one of baseball’s most accomplished pitchers in recent times. Verlander moving to the Big Apple helps stabilize a rotation that’s already one of baseball’s best and will serve as a direct replacement for their former ace.

• Potential Landing Spots: Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants

6. Carlos Correa, shortstop, Minnesota Twins

• Carlos Correa stats (2022): .291/.336/.467, 22 home runs, .834 OPS, 140 wRC+, 4.4 fWAR

The Minnesota Twins won’t have any regrets over the Carlos Correa contract, even after missing the playoffs. The All-Star shortstop played extremely well, participating in 139-plus games for the second consecutive season. The 28-year-old shortstop will exercise his opt-out clause, becoming one of the top MLB free agents once again. There might be a smaller number of suitors compared to Trea Turner and Aaron Judge, but Correa’s production the past two seasons and his history of success in October will attract contenders.

• Teams to Watch: Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers

7. Xander Bogaerts, shortstop, Boston Red Sox

• Xander Bogaerts stats (2022): .307/.377/.456, 15 home runs, 73 RBI, 134 wRC+, 6.1 fWAR

The Boston Red Sox never seemed to prioritize a Xander Bogaerts contract extension in 2022 and it will prove costly. The 30-year-old shortstop delivered a career-best season, combining high-end defense at a valuable position with remarkable consistency and run production at the plate. Even with the qualifying offer attached to him, Bogaerts is one of the best all-around players available in MLB free agency and plenty of clubs will be willing to do what Boston wouldn’t.

• Potential landing spots: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals

8. Dansby Swanson, shortstop, Atlanta Braves

• Dansby Swanson stats (2022): .277/.329/.447, .776 OPS, 115 OPS+, 25 home runs, 2.0 dWAR, 5.7 bWAR

Many thought the Atlanta Braves would look to replace Dansby Swanson with a shortstop upgrade in the 2023 offseason. Now, the organization might wonder if it can afford Swanson. Turning 28 in February, the Georgia native earned his first All-Star selection in 2022 and became a vital part of the infield and lineup. Contract negotiations are underway and it wouldn’t be a surprise if a deal gets done, but we’ll keep Swanson in our MLB free agency rankings until a deal is official.

9. Chris Bassitt, starting pitcher, New York Mets

• Chris Bassitt stats (2022): 3.42 ERA, 0.94 HR/9, 22.4% strikeout rate, .233 BAA, 1.14 WHIP in 181.2 innings pitched

After enjoying a breakout All-Star season with the Oakland Athletics in 2021, Chris Bassitt’s following it up with a strong effort with the New York Mets as well. After proving his durability in the past two seasons while having an above-average strikeout rate and WHIP. He is best suited to land in a more pitcher-friendly environment with quality defense around him, but the team that lands Bassitt this winter will get one of the most underrated MLB free agents in 2023.

10. Brandon Nimmo, outfielder, New York Mets (Previously: 13)

• Brandon Nimmo stats (2022): .273/.367/.433, 16 home runs, 5.4 fWAR, 91st percentile Outs Above Average

New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo proved for the second consecutive year that he is an above-average regular. Coming off a 3.3 fWAR season in 2021, Nimmo has now delivered his first double-digit homer season since 2018 and he is even better defensively in the outfield. Entering his age-30 season next year, Nimmo’s defensive ability and consistent production at the plate definitively make him one of the 15 best MLB free agents in 2023.

11. Edwin Díaz, closer, New York Mets – Re-signs on 5-year, $102 million contract

• Edwin Díaz stats (2022): 1.31 ERA, 17.13 K/9, 32 saves, .158 batting average allowed, 0.84 WHIP

Edwin Díaz delivered one of the best seasons ever from a closer entering MLB free agency. Striking out 50.2% of the batters he faced, only allowing 18 walks across 235 batters in 62 innings and dominating in almost every instance he took the mound. It was a season for the ages, easily making Díaz the best closer in MLB.

While it might seem surprising that Diaz re-signed before officially becoming a free agent, this is a record-setting contract. Once the deal is official, Edwin Diaz becomes the highest-paid closer in MLB history both in AAV ($20.4 million) and total value ($102 million), blowing past the previous marks set by Raisel Iglesias ($14.5M AAV, $58 million total).

12. Clayton Kershaw, pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers — Re-signs one-year contract

• Clayton Kershaw stats (2022): 2.28 ERA, 0.71 HR9, .205 batting average allowed, 0.94 WHIP across 126.1 innings

It all comes down to health with Clayton Kershaw. When he is on the mound and throwing without issue, the 34-year-old can still compete for the Cy Young Award. He’s a surefire Hall of Famer with the presence a team wants in the clubhouse and an ability to mentor young pitchers. We, just like MLB teams next offseason, worry about his ability to stay healthy over a full season and in October. That’s what pushes him further down the list among the top MLB free agents.

We’ve already seen it in 2022. After looking like a Cy Young candidate for a few weeks, a lower back/SI joint injury sidelined Kershaw and he went back on the IL once again with a back injury. These are the things that force him to move down in the MLB free agent rankings, but the strong return post-injury helped push him back up.

13. Willson Contreras, catcher, Chicago Cubs

• Willson Contreras stats (2022): 22 home runs, 55 RBI, .243/.349/.466, .815 OPS, 3.3 fWAR

There’s a reason the Philadelphia Phillies wouldn’t allow J.T. Realmuto, one of the top MLB free agents in 2020, to leave. Look at the catching market this past offseason, the options were extremely underwhelming. Heck, James McCann landed a four-year, $40 million contract two years ago.

Enter Willson Contreras. A two-time All-Star selection, the 29-year-old ranks third among catchers in FanGraphs’ Wins Above Replacement (6.4) and has the second-highest OPS (.863) since 2019. He’s made strides behind the plate, too. At a time when so many teams are struggling at catcher, Contreras will be hitting free agency at the perfect time.

There is one reason for concern with Contreras. Because he’ll likely receive the qualifying offer, the team signing him must take a hit. We also saw at the MLB trade deadline that there isn’t as much interest in Contreras as expected. By the time offseason rankings of the top MLB free agents roll around, he could drop further.

14. José Abreu, first base, Chicago White Sox – signed w/ HOU

• Jose Abreu stats (2022): .304/.378/.446, 15 home runs ,361 wOBA, 137 wRC+, 3.9 fWAR

José Abreu is headed to the Houston Astros, joining with the reigning World Series champion in the first huge splash of MLB free agency. Houston not only lands another outstanding veteran who will gel perfectly in its clubhouse, it also injects a massive boost into the lineup.

In the 2022 regular season, the Astros’ first basemen ranked 23rd in batting average) while finishing 29th in OBP (.276) and wRC+. While Houston still had one of the best lineups in MLB, its situation at first base was as bad as teams like the Los Angeles Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Now, Abreu joins the best team in the American League. While he only hit 15 home runs this past season, his advanced metrics show there is still plenty of power to tap into. He’ll likely spend more time at designated hitter in 2023, but this is a huge addition for Houston.

15. Trey Mancini, first base, Houston Astros

• Try Mancini stats (2022): .239/.319/.391, 101 OPS+, 18 home runs 63 RBI

Being traded to the Houston Astros might have added millions of dollars in value to Trey Mancini heading into MLB free agency. The changes to Oriole Park at Camden Yards ruined his power totals, but landing in a more hitter-friendly ballpark is demonstrating that this can still a slugger capable of hitting 25-plus home runs with a .330 OBP. A beloved presence in the clubhouse with the versatility to play three positions (1B, LF, RF), Mancini could be one of the most underrated MLB free agents in 2022-’23.

16. Adam Wainwright, starting pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals

• Adam Wainwright stats (2022): 3.71 ERA, 11-12 record, .259 BAA, 1.28 WHIP in 191.2 innings

Heading into MLB free agency 2023, Adam Wainwright is one of our favorite MLB free agents. He explained that an awful September (7.22 ERA) is all due to a mechanical problem that he didn’t see until at the end of the season. Considering he had a 3.09 ERA in 163 innings prior to September, we’ll bet on him making that correction. The St. Louis Cardinals will be overwhelming favorites to re-sign him, especially since it will be his last season.

• Prediction: Adam Wainwright re-signs with St. Louis Cardinals

17. Anthony Rizzo, first base, New York Yankees — Re-signs on two-year, $34 million contract

• Anthony Rizzo stats (2022): .224/.338/.480, 32 home runs, 10.6% walk rate, .352 wOBA, 132 wRC+, 2.4 fWAR

Returning to the New York Yankees worked out quite nicely for Anthony Rizzo. While he does hold a $16 million player option, declining it and becoming one of the best MLB free agents available at first base seems inevitable. The 33-year-old is still drawing walks at a double-digit rate with 30-plus home runs. Some nagging injuries raise concerns and the .217/.308/.462 slash line in August and September push him further down the MLB free agency rankings. However, he showed enough this year to earn a larger contract.

18. Andrew Benintendi, outfielder, New York Yankees

• Andrew Benintendi stats (20220: .304/.373/.399, 122 wRC+, 54 runs scored, 2.8 fWAR

While Andrew Benintendi hasn’t quite lived up to expectations since joining the Yankees’ lineup, this is still an above-average player. He’s demonstrated the ability to consistently reach base and he’s not a defensive liability in left field. The broken hamate bone that ended Benintendi’s season shouldn’t be an issue for him in MLB free agency, with teams confident that he will be fully recovered and hitting without issue in spring training. He should be one of the more undervalued free agents this winter.

19. Jameson Taillon, starting pitcher, New York Yankees — Signed with the Cubs

• Jameson Taillon stats (2022): 3.91 ERA, 3.94 FIP, 7.66 K/9, .243 BAA, 1.13 WHIP

Similar to his teammate Luis Severino teams interested in Jameson Taillon will have some questions regarding his durability. The 31-year-old has already undergone Tommy John surgery twice in his career, a red flag as he plays into his 30s. However, he has covered more than 300 innings since 2021 and he’s performed like a dependable mid-rotation starter.

20. Kodai Senga, starting pitcher, Japan

• Kodai Senga stats (2022): 1.94 ERA< 156-49 K-BB across 144 IP

While Kodai Senga might not be the best pitcher in Japan, he is the top international free agent in 2022-’23. The 30-year-old posted the second-best ERA in the Pacific League and he brings some serious heat with the fastball. The combination of track record and stuff should attract interest from a number of teams seeking a No. 3 starter, just with risk that he eventually moves to the bullpen.

21. Tyler Anderson, starting pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers — Signed with Angels on 3-year, $39M contract

• Tyler Anderson stats (2022): 2.57 ERA, 3.31 FIP, .218 BAA, 1.00 WHIP

Landing with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022 made Tyler Anderson millions of dollars. A journeyman starter prior to that point, he became an All-Star selection in his age-32 season. Now hitting MLB free agency at 33, Anderson (.256 BABIP vs .287 career BABIP) is doubtful to ever reach these highs again. However, he can be an above-average No. 4 starter.

The Angels will gladly add Anderson to a pitching staff in need of some reinforcements. While he may not be the best option on the market, Anderson is a great addition for a team that’s underwhelmed despite having two of the best players in baseball.

22. Mitch Haniger, outfielder, Seattle Mariners — Signed with the Giants

• Mitch Haniger stats (2022): .246/.333/.429, 11 home runs, 113 wRC+ in 57 games

Mitch Haniger is a dependable hitter when he’s in the lineup, availability is just the issue. Turning 34 in December, the right-handed slugger hit 39 home runs in 2021 with a 121 wRC+ and he’s been an above-average hitter when not on the injured list this year. He’s the perfect player for a playoff team to offer a sizable one-year contract to, playing him in the corner outfield and as the designated hitter.

• Prediction: Mitch Haniger signs with San Francisco Giants

23. Nathan Eovaldi, pitcher, Boston Red Sox

• Nathan Eovaldi stats (2022): 3.87 ERA, 8.48 K/9, .262 BAA, 18% K-BB rate in 109.1 innings

Notice a theme among our top MLB free agents for the 2022-’23 offseason? Many of the best players expected to be available have some medical red flags. When available to pitch, Nathan Eovaldi’s stuff is electric and the righty isn’t losing his fastball. He threw 182.1 innings last season, but it was the first time he cracked 120-plus innings since 2016. The time spent on the IL and diminished velocity further highlight the concerns with Eovaldi.

24. Noah Syndergaard, starting pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies

• Noah Syndergaard stats (2022): 3.94 ERA, 2.07 BB/9, 11.3% K-BB rate, .260 BAA

One of the top starting pitchers in MLB free agency a year ago, the Los Angeles Angels gamble on Noah Syndergaard didn’t work out. The electric velocity from the 30-year-old righty isn’t coming back, he’s not the Cy Young candidate we saw in his glory years. Now, Syndergaard wins with command and allowing weak contact. He performed like a mid-rotation starter in the regular season with the Phillies (4.12 ERA, 13.7% K rate) and that’s how he should be valued among the 2023 MLB free agents.

25. Jurickson Profar, utility, San Diego Padres

After making his MLB debut in 2012 as a 19-year-old, Jurickson Profar finally gets to hit the open market a decade later. He delivered his best season in 2023, posting a career-high 2.5 fWAR with a 110 wRC+, 14 home runs and 82 runs scored. Capable of playing first base, second base and the corner outfield, Profar’s versatility and switch-hitting should be the driving force behind teams’ interest in him this winter.

26. Michael Conforto, outfielder, free agent

Fully recovered from shoulder surgery in April, outfielder Michael Confort will have an opportunity to turn things around this winter. While he loses a valuable season of playing time, turning 30 in March, the left-handed hitter will still generate plenty of interest. Conforto slashed .232/.344/.384 with a 106 wRC+ and 14 home runs in 125 games during the 2021 season. Prior to that, he delivered 25-plus home runs in each year from 2017-’19. Considering the Houston Astros pursued him late in August, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they were among the teams after him in MLB free agency.

27. Andrew Heaney, starting pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers — signed with Rangers on 2-year deal worth $25M

• Andrew Heaney stats (2022): 3.10 ERA< 3.75 FIP, 13.62 K/9, .212 BAA, 1.09 WHIP in 72.2 innings

Longevity and availability are what drive down Andrew Heaney in the MLB free agent rankings. He thrived on the mound in 2022, striking out 35.5% of batters with a phenomenal 29.4% K-BB rate. When you generate an All-Star caliber 16.8% Swinging Strike rate and locate pitches well (2.35 BB/9), it’s a good sign that Heaney possesses the stuff to be a high-end starter. However, he threw just 129.2 innings in 2021 and 72.2 innings this past season. A one-year deal seems likely, maybe even following in the footsteps of Carlos Rodón last year.

28. Michael Brantley, outfielder, Houston Astros

Michae Brantley missed a majority of the 2022 MLB season due to a shoulder injury, later undoing surgery to repair a torn labrum. It’s pushed him down MLB free agent rankings, but the 35-year-old will be healthy for spring training. A great presence in the clubhouse with a .303/.365/.430 slash line over the last two seasons, Brantley represents an above-average No. 3 outfielder for a young team who needs experience to help a youth-filled roster.

29. Kenley Jansen, closer, Atlanta Braves

• Kenley Jansen stats (2022): 3.34 ERA, 3.21 FIP, 11.95 K/9, .191 BAA, 1.05 WHIP, 41 saves

Heading into 2023, All-Star closer Kenley Jansen is just nine shaves shy of the 400-mark. As long as he stays healthy – heart issues have forced multiple IL stints in recent years – he could realistically surpass Francisco Rodriguez (437) to grab fourth place on the all-time saves list. He is still an excellent closer whose stats were brought down by an awful August (4.82 ERA).

30. Zach Eflin, starting pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies — Signed with the Tampa Bay Rays

• Zach Eflin stats (2022): 4.04 ERA, 3.56 FUP, 1.78 BB/9, .239 BAA, 1.12

Zach Eflin could be one of those MLB free agents who flies under the radar when he is signed and then looks like a steal in 2023. The 28-year-old righty only threw 75.2 innings this past season, giving him just over 180 in the last two seasons, posting a respectable 4.04 ERA. What stands out about Eflin is that he held opponents to a .239 batting average, only walked 4.8% of batters and he did an excellent job keeping the ball in the yard. The Phillies will prioritize re-signing him, but there will be lots of competition.

31. J.D. Martinez, designated hitter, Boston Red Sox

• J.D. Martinez stats (2022): .274/.341/.448, 119 wRC+, 16 home runs, 62 RBI in 139 games

Teams essentially know what they are getting from J.D. Martinez at this point. The 30-plus homer seasons are likely gone for the right-handed slugger and his profile is strictly limited to designated hitter, unless a club is willing to accept a major liability in the corner outfield. Turning 36 in August, Martinez should be looking at a two-year contract to close out his career.

32. Martin Pérez, starting pitcher, Texas Rangers — Accepted qualifying offer from Rangers

• Martin Pérez stats (2022): 2.89 ERA, 3.27 FIP, .239 BAA, 1.26 WHIP across 196.1 IP

Coming off two below-average seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Martin Pérez delivered his best season ever for the Texas Rangers. After never posting a sub-3.5 ERA in his MLB career, Perez registered a 2.89 ERA across 32 starts this season. Perez has decided to accept the team’s qualifying offer, keeping the veteran hurler around for another season.

33. Josh Bell, first base, San Diego Padres — Signed w/ CLE

• Josh Bell stats (2022): .266/.362/.422, 17 home runs, 71 RBI, 123 wRC+

Call it the tale of two seasons for Josh Bell. He crushed the ball in the first half with the Washington Nationals, slashing .301/.384/.493 with a 143 wRC+ and 14 home runs in 437 plate appearances. Things spiraled with the San Diego Padres, highlighted by a .192/.316/.271 slash line. It definitely delivered a blow to his place in our MLB free agent rankings, but Bell’s history of production warrants a multi-year contract.

34. Taijuan Walker, starting pitcher, New York Mets — Signed with the Phillies

It all comes down to health for Taijuan Walker. The 30-year-old compiled a 3.49 ERA in 157.1 innings this past season, delivering 29 starts for the second consecutive year. He is still averaging 93.5 mph on his fastball, generating plenty of soft contact (17.4%). A two-year contract seems reasonable, especially with the Mets.

35. Justin Turner, third base, Los Angeles Dodgers

• Justin Turner stats (2022): .278/.350/.438, 123 wRC+, 13 home runs, 9.4% BB rate

While Justin Turner saw his home run output cut in half in comparison to the 2021 season (27 home runs), he still remained an excellent threat near the heart of. batting order. Heading into his age-38 season, Turner still possesses an excellent eye at the plate. He’s only a designated hitter, but this is an attractive options for several teams seeking a cheaper bat with lots of experience.

36. Sean Manaea, starting pitcher, San Diego Padres

Sean Manaea looked like he could be one of the best starting pitchers available in MLB free agency before the summer. Across his first 14 starts with the San Diego Padres, Manaea compiled a 3.92 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP and .210 batting average allowed. After July 1, he posted a 6.16 ERA and opponents hit .293 off him. Considering his past accomplishments (3.91 ERA in 2021), someone will take a chance on the 31-year-old southpaw as a No. 4 starter with upside.

37. Jean Segura, infielder, Philadelphia Phillies

38. Aroldis Chapman, reliever, New York Yankees

39. Michael Wacha, starting pitcher, Boston Red Sox

40. Ross Stripling, pitcher, Toronto Blue Jays

41. Joc Pederson, outfielder, San Francisco Giants — Accepted qualifying offer

42. Kevin Kiermaier, outfielder, Tampa Bay Rays

43. Robert Suarez, reliever, San Diego Padres — Re-signed with the Padres

44. José Quintana, starting pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals

45. Craig Kimbrel, closer, Los Angeles Dodgers

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2023 MLB free agents by position

Here’s a quick look at the top MLB free agents in 2023 by position.

Starting Pitchers

• Jacob deGrom, New York Mets – Signed with Texas Rangers
• Carlos Rodón, San Francisco Giants –
• Nathan Eovaldi, Boston Red Sox –
• Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers — Re-signed with Dodgers
• Chris Bassitt, New York Mets –
• Noah Syndergaard, Philadelphia Phillies
• Luis Severino, New York Yankees – $15 million club option exercised
• Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals –
• Sonny Gray, Minnesota Twins – $12 million club option exercised
• Andrew Heaney, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Mike Clevinger, San Diego Padres – Signed with White Sox
• Michael Wacha, Boston Red Sox

Catchers

• Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs
• Omar Narvaez, Milwaukee Brewers
• Gary Sánchez, Minnesota Twins
• Mike Zunino, Tampa Bay Rays
• Tucker Barnhart, Detroit Tigers
• Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals – Retiring
• Christian Vazquez, Houston Astros
• Jason Castro, Houston Astros
• Curt Casali, San Francisco Giants
• Martin Maldonado, Houston Astros – Vesting option
• Austin Hedges, Cleveland Guardians
• Roberto Pérez, Pittsburgh Pirates
• Kevin Plawecki, Boston Red Sox
• Stephen Vogt, Oakland Athletics
• Kurt Suzuki, Los Angeles Angels
• Andrew Knapp, Sam Francisco Giants
• Sandy León, Cleveland Guardians

First Base

• Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox – Signs with Houston Astros
• Trey Mancini, Houston Astros
• Anthony Rizzo, New York Yankees – Re-signed with Yankees for two years, $40 million
• Yuli Gurriel, Houston Astros
• Miguel Sano, Minnesota Twins – $14 million club option, $2.75 million buyout
• Josh Bell, San Diego Padres
• Brandon Belt, San Francisco Giants – Weighing retirement
• Jesus Aguilar, Baltimore Orioles
• Carlos Santana, Seattle Mariners
• Eric Hosmer, San Diego Padres – $13 million player option (3 years, $39 million remaining)

Second Base

• Kolten Wong, Milwaukee Brewers – $10 million club option, $2 million buyout
• Enrique Hernandez, Boston Red Sox
• Adam Frazier, Seattle Mariners
• Josh Harrison, Chicago White Sox – Club option
• Rougned Odor, Baltimore Orioles
• Aledmys Diaz, Houston Astros
• Jean Segura, Philadelphia Phillies – $17 million club option, $1 million buyout
• Cesar Hernandez, Washington Nationals
• Donovan Solano, Cincinnati Reds

Shortstop

• Trea Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers – Signed 11-year, 300 million contract with PHI
• Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox – $20 million player option (4 years, $80 million remaining)
• Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins – $35.1 million player option (2 years, $70.2 million remaining)
• Tim Anderson, Chicago White Sox – $12.5 million club option, $1 million buyout
• Dansby Swanson, Atlanta Braves
• Didi Gregorius, Philadelphia Phillies
• Jonathan Villar, Seattle Mariners
• Andrelton Simmons, Chicago Cubs
• Elvis Andrus, Chicago White Sox
• Marwin Gonzalez, New York Yankees

Third Base

• Justin Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers – $16 million club option, $2 million buyout
• Evan Longoria, San Francisco Giants – $13 million club option, $5 million buyout
• Nolan Arenado, St. Louis Cardinals – $35 million player option
• Jonathan Villar, Seattle Mariners
• Jake Lamb, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Aledmys Diaz, Houston Astros

Outfield

• Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
• Joey Gallo, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Mitch Haniger, Seattle Mariners
• Michael Brantley, Houston Astros
• Brandon Nimmo, New York Mets
• Enrique Hernandez, Boston Red Sox
• Cody Bellinger, Los Anglees Dodgers — signed with the Chicago Cubs
• A.J. Pollock, Chicago White Sox – $10 million player option, $5 million buyout
• Wil Myers, San Diego Padres – $20 million club option, $1 million buyout
• Kevin Kiermaier, Tampa Bay Rays – $13 million club option, $2.5 million buyout
• Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies – $10 million player option
• Jackie Bradley Jr, Boston Red Sox
• Andrew McCutchen, Milwaukee Brewers
• Tommy Pham, Boston Red Sox – $6 million mutual option, $1.5 million buyout
• Joc Pederson, San Francisco Giants — accepted tender from the Giants
• Kole Calhoun, Texas Rangers – $5.5 million club option

Designated Hitter

• José Abreu, Chicago White Sox
• Nelson Cruz, Washington Nationals – $16 million mutual option
• J.D. Martinez, Boston Red Sox
• Matt Carpenter, New York Yankees
• Daniel Vogelbach, New York Mets – $1.5 million club option

Relief Pitchers

• Aroldis Chapman, New York Yankees
• Edwin Díaz, New York Mets – Re-signed w/ NYM, five years, $102 million
• Kenley Jansen, Atlanta Braves
• Craig Kimbrel, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Taylor Rogers, San Diego Padres
• Blake Treinen, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Nick Martinez, San Diego Padres — Re-signed with Padres
• Will Smith, Atlanta Braves – $13 million club option, $1 million buyout
• Zack Britton, New York Yankees
• Chad Green, New York Yankees
• Pedro Baez, Houston Astros– $7.5 million club option, $2 million buyout
• Corey Knebel, Philadelphia Phillies
• Jake McGee, San Francisco Giants – $4.5 million club option, $500,000 buyout
• Jose Leclerc, Texas Rangers – $5 million club option, $750,000 buyout
• Trevor May, New York Mets
• Andrew Chafin, Detroit Tigers
• Ken Giles, free agent
• Anthony Bass, Toronto Blue Jays – $3 million club option

早在 3 月份，绿湾包装工队就向亚伦罗杰斯做出了巨大的财务承诺，与他签下了价值 1.508 亿美元的三年合约。 但由于种种原因，这位四分卫或球队在 2022 年的表现并没有按计划进行，目前战绩为 5-8，目前无缘季后赛。

罗杰斯本人已经谈到了他的未来，表示他是否回归将是一个“共同”的决定。 GM Brian Gutekunst 还讨论了信号呼叫者在 2023 年重新运行它的可能性。通过 PFT：

“好吧，当然这是一个休赛期的决定，但可以肯定的是，我们希望我们所有的球员回来，”Gutekunst 告诉记者。 “这个休赛期我们对他做出了很大的承诺，所以这显然对我们来说非常重要。 但就像我们过去谈过的那样，这是我们将在赛季结束后与他坐下来讨论的事情，这将是我们一起做的事情，并以此方式向前迈进。”

包装工队处境艰难。 也许 Aaron Rodgers 会接受拇指手术并在明年打得更好。 或者也许他只是煮熟了。 问题是，他们不能裁掉他，因为他欠了那么多钱。 交易罗杰斯是一种选择，但感觉也不太可能。

本赛季他完成了 64.9% 的传球，有 22 次达阵和 9 次拦截。 缺少 Davante Adams 无疑对罗杰斯造成了伤害，但他开始在众多边路外线中找到一些化学反应。 现实是他所知道的只有绿湾。 当你被欠这么多钱时，坦率地说，没有理由想要退出。 但是，我们会看到明年春天会发生什么。