Locked On NFL – Daily Podcast On The National Football League

Aaron Rodgers WAIT GAME for Pittsburgh Steelers & Dexter Lawrence Trade Requests RATTLES Giants

Apr 7, 2026

Aaron Rodgers' indecision and its ripple effects on Steelers chemistry and Mike McCarthy's plans. Dexter Lawrence asking for a trade and the headaches it creates for John Harbaugh. Young quarterbacks like Jaxson Dart poised for breakout opportunities. Coaching shakeups in Buffalo, Cleveland, Baltimore, and Arizona putting several first-year coaches under intense early pressure.

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INSIGHT

Rodgers' Waiting Creates Teamroom Uncertainty

Aaron Rodgers' public uncertainty hurts Steelers' locker room cohesion.
Tyler Rowland and Lauren Cox note Rodgers likely returns but delaying commitment stalls relationships with new coach Mike McCarthy and new teammates like Michael Pittman.

ADVICE

Show Up Early To Build Quarterback Chemistry

Be present early in the offseason to build chemistry even if you limit physical reps.
Lauren Cox argues Rodgers should at least be around to build timing with new receivers like Michael Pittman and coordinators he hasn't worked with.

INSIGHT

Harbaugh Hype Raises Giants' Immediate Stakes

The New York Giants carry outsized expectations because John Harbaugh's hiring signals immediate improvement.
Tyler Rowland warns high expectations plus perceived roster talent means early wins are needed or hype will become criticism.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers open organized team activities today and for a second straight year do not have a straight answer from Aaron Rodgers as to whether he will be playing football this year. It may be understood behind the scenes, but the message it sends to the rest of the team, especially with a new coach in Mike McCarthy, can be worrisome. The Steelers are just one of several teams with a new head coach who get to kick things off early. A swath of teams with young quarterbacks are getting things going and the New York Giants could see Jaxson Dart take a big leap if they hit the ground running. The Giants need to get going early though as the John Harbaugh hype has taken hold and there is a perception the roster is ready to win games right away. Dexter Lawrence is now requesting a trade showing things are off to a rocky start and Harbaugh will have to repair that relationship. Those three things make a fast start imperative, but that is also true for another team in the state. The Buffalo Bills made a big change at coach, installing Joe Brady as the head man after leading last year's offense, but it is change on the offensive side that a lot of people have been focusing on which puts a lot of pressure on the new leading man. In the AFC north, both the Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens also have pressure to win early as they compete for a playoff spot. Finally, it won't go well for every new head coach and guys like Todd Monken with the Cleveland Browns and Mike LaFleur with the Arizona Cardinals could be on the hot seat by the end of year one.

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