Kendall Valenzuela runs through the latest NFL news that has an impact on fantasy football going into the 2025 season.

We know it's late June and NFL players are in a “quiet” period before training camp begins next month, though Kendall Valenzuela has uncovered some tidbits of news that could make an impact on fantasy football, including Aaron Rodgers' last stand (maybe?), Kyler Murray and Trey McBride forming the next killer QB-TE combo, and some insight into who could be taking snaps for the Browns to start the 2025 season. 

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A Season Finale From Mr. Rodgers

The farewell tour looks to be on, as Aaron Rodgers told the Pat McAfee Show that he's "pretty sure" the 2025 season will be his final NFL season. Here's the full quote from Rodgers:

“Yeah, I'm pretty sure this is it … That's why we just did a one-year deal. Steelers didn't need to put any extra years on that or anything, so this was really about finishing with a lot of love and fun and peace for the career that I've had.”

While the talk around Rodgers the last few seasons has strayed further and further away from football, we cannot discount how damn good he has been if this really is his final season. The future Hall of Famer is heading into his 21st season in the NFL and has 62,952 career passing yards (7th all-time) and 503 passing touchdowns—4th all time, and 5 TDs behind his old teammate Brett Favre.

If we look at his career with the Packers, he's the franchise leader in touchdown passes (475), passer rating (103.6), and completion percentage (65.3). He ranks second (behind Favre) in passing yards (59,055) and completions (5,001).

The last few seasons for Rodgers have left much to be desired in the fantasy football space. Before finally signing a one-year deal worth $13.65 million with the Steelers, Rodgers was with the Jets for two seasons. He tore his Achilles four plays into the 2023 season, and even though he got his BFF Davante Adams to join him in 2024, the Jets still just went 5-12.

Rodgers also said to The Pat McAfee Show that while he isn't playing with a chip on his shoulder, he is going to give the Steelers everything he has left.

“But while I'm in it, and for this year, I'm going to give the Steelers everything that I got and empty the tank, and be super comfortable and satisfied with whatever happens. Obviously, we dream about playing at the highest level in the biggest games.”

We aren't drafting Rodgers in fantasy, but that doesn't mean that the whole team is off limits. With a change of scenery for DK Metcalf, he's Fantasy Life's consensus WR23 and will still get more than catchable balls thrown his way from Rodgers. We also shouldn't be sleeping on Kaleb Johnson or Jaylen Warren—Warren is the running back I find myself drafting more of with a little cheaper price tag (RB32 vs. RB25 for Johnson). 

We know Mike Tomlin can produce winning seasons out of nothing, and with Rodgers on his supposed farewell tour maybe he can provide us some fantasy goodness for his supporting cast. 

The Next Mahomes-Kelce? Maybe …

We're always looking for that next great QB-TE connection. We've had Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, but could Kyler Murray and Trey McBride be next … McBride sure thinks so!

He was recently at the Tight End University summit and told ESPN that the same connection can happen:

“Travis, he would always give us his nuggets on being friendly to the quarterback … Make sure you and your quarterback are on the same page. He plays with a little freedom. Him and Mahomes have a nice connection and I kind of took that and was like, ‘Why can’t Kyler and I have that same connection?’ I feel like that’s what I’ve tried to do. I’ve tried to have that same relationship and that growth with Kyler and just continue to make plays for him and be that security blanket where if he needs somewhere to go with the ball, he always can throw it to me and that’s what I’m trying to do for him.”

McBride managers were happy with the production last season (minus the lack of touchdowns). He caught 111 of 147 targets for 1,146 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2024, which helped lead him to a four-year, $76 million contract extension this offseason. 

According to PFF, McBride led the NFL in receptions per game (6.9) and receptions per route (0.21) in 2024. You don't need me to tell you it's safe to draft McBride this season, it's almost a no-brainer because he has the ability to finish as a top-3 tight end for the upcoming season. Fade at your own risk.

Do We Have The Browns' QB1 All Wrong?

The Cleveland Browns might have four quarterbacks on their roster right now, but are we picking the wrong QB1? Before we dive in, here's a little refresher on the quarterback options: Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders.

Now I've been doing my rankings based around the idea that Flacco will start the season, but may not finish as the QB1 for Cleveland. But new wide receiver Diontae Johnson weighed in on who he believes will win the quarterback competition on the Sports and Suits podcast.

“I've been seeing Kenny going like right now with the ones. Then Joe (Flacco) will come in … I think they are probably going to roll with him just to see like he's coming off a season with Philly and having a Super Bowl. So, I think they are going to stick with him through the preseason. Then, you know, they can live with Joe and what he brings to the table.”

Listen, I'm not going out of my way to take any of these quarterbacks, but if I am forced to I have still been going with Flacco (who might be the best option for our other fantasy targets on this team). Like Ian Hartitz pointed out, he did lead the Browns to 19, 31, 20, 36, and 37 points while throwing 13 touchdowns in his five regular-season starts back in December 2023—no let's not talk about 2024, OK.