Giants and Jets kicked off joint practices with a flurry of early-season takeaways. Brian Burns unleashed pressure off the edge, repeatedly beating Armand Membou and signaling his breakout potential on the Giants’ defense. Dexter Lawrence anchored the front, chasing Justin Fields from the line and showing the defensive line’s ceiling when healthy. Theo Johnson and Abdul Carter drew praise as young impact players; Johnson demonstrated big-play ability while Carter flashed disruptive flashes, especially in team periods. Devin Singletary handled interior runs with decisive, physical bursts, while Jaxson Dart impressed with arm talent and downfield aggressiveness for the Jets. Zach Pascal connected on a back-shoulder moment for the offense, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. saw interesting involvement behind the main backs. The day set clear fantasy signals: Giants’ backfield depth, a blossoming rookie trio on defense, and the Jets’ young QB-receiver chemistry together with a new backfield dynamic.

J.J. McCarthy enters 2025 with playoff expectations attached to Minnesota, but his NFL track record remains zero meaningful snaps. The Athletic’s top-34 projected quarterbacks slot him in Tier 4, 29th overall, a reminder that the rookie path is steep and uncertainty high. Still, the Vikings’ surrounding talent and coaching give him a runway to grow and deliver fantasy value if development accelerates. The piece contrasts McCarthy’s arc with several veterans and young risers—the ladder above him includes Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Michael Penix Jr.—while others like Daniel Jones, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Anthony Richardson, and Spencer Rattler sit in a mix of proven and speculative tiers. Jayden Daniels is highlighted as a standout in Tier 2, underscoring how rare it is for a rookie quarterback to land in that echelon. The narrative emphasizes that team context, supporting cast, and coaching will largely determine McCarthy’s fantasy ceiling in 2025, even as analysts await tangible NFL action. Fans should monitor early usage, rushing equity, and how quickly McCarthy can translate college instincts into NFL decision-making behind a capable Vikings offense.

Justin Fields has shifted from letting outside noise steer his vibe to treating it as background noise entirely. He credits growth from a turbulent Chicago start to a Steelers stint and now a Jets chapter, underscored by a two-year, $40 million pact that labeled him starter. A deeper influence is his relationship with God and daily Bible study, which he says sharpens his focus, wisdom, and resilience. He frames criticism as meaningless and vows to keep improving regardless of the crowd.

At joint practices with the Giants, Fields exuded calm, supported by Jets coaches who praise his maturity. The piece ties his mental reset to tangible on-field development: steadier decision-making, reduced personal offense from outside chatter, and a leadership posture that could lift the Jets’ offense. For fantasy managers, the narrative hints at a safer floor with a real ceiling boost if Fields translates faith-driven discipline into more consistent passing, smarter reads, and continued rushing threat.

Field’s arc—Bears to Steelers to Jets—frames him as a quarterback who can blend mobility with growth in the pocket. The expectation is not simply that he avoids distractions, but that he leverages them into better study habits, situational awareness, and late-game composure. If that translates to more efficient distribution and timely throws, his fantasy upside could rise, especially as surrounding talent stabilizes and the Jets’ coaching ecosystem supports a more confident, decisive Fields.

Aaron Rodgers is headed to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year, $13.6 million pact, a bold gamble for a franchise chasing stability at quarterback. Rodgers’ 2024 line of 3,897 yards, 28 TDs and 11 INTs hints at ceiling even at age 41, but the move comes with questions about fit in a new scheme and a short runway. The NFL’s helmet ban has him in a new Schutt model with a nonmatching face mask, a helmet-related distraction that could test early timing in camp.

The helmet saga aside, the move places Rodgers at the center of a high-stakes Steelers offense as they attempt to regain consistency at QB after Roethlisberger. The narrative also nods to Rodgers’ recent Jets chapter and his long Green Bay tenure, while noting Pittsburgh’s recent QB churn with Pickett’s two-year run ending in free agency. For fantasy, Rodgers is a high-variance piece with upside if timing and supporting cast click, but age and the transition temper the floor.

New York took a 30-10 win over Green Bay in Week 1 of the preseason, and the Jets appeared to have solved some early offensive kinks. Justin Fields moved efficiently in his lone series, completing 3-of-4 attempts and guiding a scoring drive. Adrien Martinez stepped in with a crisp 11-of-16 for 152 yards and a TD, while Brady Cook added 6-of-8 accuracy. The Jets’ RBs leaned on Donovan Edwards for 42 rushing yards on nine carries, with Braelon Allen also showing >4 yards per rush, even as Breece Hall and Isaiah Davis had limited success. On defense, the Jets’ DBs dominated, and the Packers’ aerial attack stalled even with multiple signal-callers. Penalties were costly for New York, a reminder that discipline must improve if the team is to translate preseason success into the regular season.

The Jets’ coaching staff will be left pleased with the QB trio posting a 20-of-28 mark (71.4%), and the offense showing timely scoring in exhibition play. The defense limited Jordan Love and company, while Amar Johnson’s 67-yard rushing night for Green Bay showed some life for the other side. If New York can sustain this level of efficiency and clean up discipline, fantasy managers could view the Jets as a deeper, more efficient offense than anticipated, with multiple players offering upside in larger formats as the preseason progresses.