The Minnesota Vikings’ 2025 outlook hinges on J.J. McCarthy’s first crack at the starting job and how a depleted pass-catching corps can support him. Jefferson’s hamstring, Addison’s three-game absence, and Nailor’s hand injury thrust Minnesota into trade talks for veteran help, with five names circulating the rumor mill. Alec Pierce could give the Vikings a true vertical threat, Jauan Jennings would add versatility and blocking, Adam Thielen brings veteran reliability, Donovan Peoples-Jones offers a solid floor, and Skyy Moore provides gadget upside. Minnesota’s front office is weighing immediate help against long-term fit, knowing the question isn’t just about a rookie quarterback but who lines up around him.

Fantasy managers should monitor how these options align with McCarthy’s early learning curve. Pierce’s speed, Jennings’ multi-use profile, Thielen’s route craft in a likely No. 3 role, Peoples-Jones’ 2022-like volume upside, and Moore’s return potential all carry distinct floor-ceiling blends. If Minnesota can flip one of these veterans in time to stabilize McCarthy’s first weeks, the Vikings’ pass game could still support a competitive early-season floor, especially in deeper leagues where depth at wideout matters more than ever.

Fantasy drafts hinge on late‑round launches from players who can flip a season. This piece maps one sleeper from every NFL team for 2025, focusing on no‑name backs and No.3 receivers who could become league‑winners in a crunch. From Trey Benson in Arizona to Jacory Croskey‑Merritt in Washington, each pick is rooted in depth‑chart opportunity, scheme usage, and staying power down the stretch. The aim is straightforward: identify players who can punch above their ADP and swing playoff races in Weeks 14+.

Key clusters emerge: Arizona’s Benson offers breakaway speed behind Conner; Baltimore’s Bateman has route discipline and red‑zone savvy; Los Angeles Rams’ Atwell could seize a bigger third option role if injuries strike. Across the league, sleepers come from every pocket of depth: slot burners, speed threats, and backs who can vulture goal‑line touches. The strategy here is clear—target these value bets in later rounds, monitor camp buzz, and chase players with clear paths to meaningful snaps as the season unfolds.

In practice, the list nudges fantasy managers toward ballots of upside: backs who can handle 3–4 week workloads, receivers who can unlock big plays with even modest targets, and offenses that can sustain multiple contributors. If you’re sitting in rounds 10–14, these sleepers become your runway to top‑tier value. It’s not about drafting a star, but about harvesting leverage from the depth chart and turning it into points when it matters most.

The Pittsburgh Steelers staged a practice that doubled as a surprise crossover moment, welcoming Linkin Park to the sideline and turning a routine workout into a backstage-tinged event. With Aaron Rodgers playing a role in bringing the band's visit to Pittsburgh, the scene blended NFL grind with a pop-culture backdrop as the group prepared for a From Zero World Tour stop and a Pittsburgh arena show later that night. The spectacle lands ahead of a preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers, a game that now comes with a buzz beyond Xs and Os. The band’s Pittsburgh stop also foreshadows their Nashville date at Bridgestone Arena, reminding fans that teams occasionally share the city spotlight with major tours.

The Steelers must refocus quickly after the buzz, shaking off starstruck nerves as they chase a win that could sharpen roster decisions for the upcoming season. Rodgers’ involvement adds an extra layer to the scene, signaling how celebrity moments can intersect with football culture in ways that sharpen attention on the week’s biggest bout. The Panthers game is charged not only with football metrics but with the energy of a city abuzz over music, sports, and big names crossing paths in a single day.

For fantasy enthusiasts, the moment underscores the broader entertainment ecosystem around NFL teams—roster decisions, player availability dynamics, and the potential for unconventional motivation or mood shifts in a high-leverage week. While the focus remains on football fundamentals, the day’s happenings highlight how outside stimuli can influence practice intensity, player morale, and readiness as teams tune up for the grind of the regular season.

Pittsburgh closes its 2025 preseason slate with a Week 3 matchup against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium, with NFL+ streaming and regional TV on KDKA-TV. After last weekend’s setback to Tampa Bay, the Steelers are focused on evaluating depth behind their stars as they give veterans a rest in this finale. Four healthy scratches headline the action: Rodgers, Metcalf, Watt, and Heyward, a clear signal that the club will lean on a bevy of youth and depth players to fill in. This game doubles as a late-season hardware test, with backups and role players trying to seize opportunities that could carry into Week 1, and fantasy managers will want to track who pops in the minutes while the big names sit. Steelers Wire will also provide updates, recaps, and injury notes around the game and beyond as depth charts take shape for the regular season.

From a fantasy lens, the Thursday night showdown is less about stars and more about the next-man-up narratives. Watch for emerging receivers, running backs, and edge players who could earn roles or push for increased snaps as Week 1 approaches. The Panthers bring a road-tested backing of depth to counter, so the game should yield meaningful data on who could contribute if injuries strike or the starting units rotate. Coverage, recaps, and the latest injury chatter are available through Steelers Wire’s channels and recap posts.

The Pittsburgh Steelers shuffled the roster, waiving tackle Gareth Warren with an injury designation to make room for outside linebacker Kenny Willekes, signed earlier. Warren exited Week 2 of the preseason with a concussion evaluation after the loss to Tampa Bay. Warren went undrafted in 2024 out of Lindenwood and signed with the Steelers after rookie minicamp. The club then prepared for a preseason finale against Carolina.

Meanwhile, the Steelers got healthier in key spots: Alex Highsmith returned to practice after a groin issue, Cam Heyward came back to practice after a hold, and Jalen Ramsey was set to make his Steelers debut against the Panthers. The looming matchup with Carolina framed a busy week of evaluation and depth-building for Pittsburgh under coach Mike Tomlin.