Steelers email fans after Mason Rudolph attends Trump rally

Wed Jun 4 5:27pm ET
Field Level Media

Some Steelers fans were upset about quarterback Mason Rudolph's recent appearance at a Donald Trump rally, prompting a response from the team.

Rudolph, along with veteran safety Miles Killebrew and 1970s-era running back Rocky Bleier, presented the U.S. president with a Steelers No. 47 jersey during an event Friday near Pittsburgh.

Some fans were unhappy about it and voiced their complaints with the team, which responded with an email on Monday that reminded fans that the opinions of individual players "do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization."

"We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us. As valued fans, your voice is an essential part of what makes our Steelers community and fan base so strong," read the email, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"We understand that a recent rally in Pittsburgh has generated a range of reactions from our fan base. Our alumni and current players make their own individual decisions that reflect their views, and they do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your passion and your continued support of the team."

Rudolph, 29, was asked about the controversy on Wednesday at team workouts.

"There's backlash every day," he said. "You look on social media, there's constant ... that's the nature of social media. That's why America is so great. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Speech is free. Par for the course."

Barring the signing of free agent Aaron Rodgers, Rudolph is in line to be the starting quarterback for the Steelers in 2025 following the departures of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

Rudolph is 9-8-1 as an NFL starter, completing 63.7 percent of his passes for 4,615 yards with 28 touchdowns and 20 interceptions for the Steelers (2019-21, 2023) and Tennessee Titans (2024).

Killebrew, 32, is a special teams standout who was selected for the Pro Bowl the last two seasons and first-team All-Pro in 2023. He has 161 tackles and two interceptions in 146 games (five starts) for the Detroit Lions (2016-20) and Steelers (2021-present).

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Champs Draft Live Stream Event (7-30)

Player Notes
Dontayvion Wicks Aug 1 1:40pm ET
Dontayvion Wicks

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf) took part in the early portion of practice on Friday at training camp, per The Athletic's Matt Schneidman. Fellow wideout Jayden Reed (toe), who was hurt in Thursday's practice, also returned with Wicks on Friday. Wicks, 24, is competing for a role in Green Bay's passing attack in a receiver room that is pretty crowded now, even with Christian Watson (knee) recovering from a torn ACL. The former fifth-rounder in 2023 out of Virginia took a step back in his second season in 2024 with 39 receptions on 76 targets for 415 yards and five touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (five starts). He does have nine touchdowns in his first two seasons, but he disappointed in 2024 when both Watson and Romeo Doubs missed time with injuries. At best, he could be the team's No. 4 wideout behind Reed, Doubs and rookie first-rounder Matthew Golden.

From RotoBaller

Emanuel Wilson Aug 1 1:20pm ET
Emanuel Wilson

Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (leg) went down near the end zone during Friday's training camp practice holding his right leg after a pass sailed over his head. Players were kneeling and Wilson walked off the field with help from trainers. It's unclear exactly how serious Wilson's injury is, but it certainly doesn't sound great. Second-year back MarShawn Lloyd (groin) continues to deal with injuries and hasn't been practicing, so Green Bay's RB room has thinned out behind starter Josh Jacobs. The 26-year-old Wilson saw an expanded role behind Jacobs last year alongside Chris Brooks with Lloyd playing in only one game, but it amounted to 103 carries for 502 yards and four touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (no starts). It remains to be seen if Lloyd or Wilson will be ready for the regular-season opener, but their injuries definitely give Brooks more opportunity for the RB2 role.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Reed Aug 1 1:20pm ET
Jayden Reed

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (toe) is practicing at training camp on Friday and made an amazing catch during 11-on-11 drills, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Reed suffered a minor toe injury in practice on Thursday but has returned the very next day, so he should be just fine moving forward as a key piece in Green Bay's passing attack with Christian Watson (knee) potentially missing half the 2025 season. The 25-year-old former second-rounder in 2023 was looking great in the first half of last year before slowing down in the second half, and he finished with a 55-857-6 line while adding 20 carries for 163 yards and another score in 17 regular-season games (10 starts). If Reed can get more playing time in two-receiver sets in his third year, he will absolutely be worth rostering as a WR3/4 given his efficiency and big-play ability.

From RotoBaller

Bryce Young Aug 1 12:10pm ET
Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and all of the team's starters will play in the first two preseason games, according to head coach Dave Canales. It's unorthodox, but the Panthers are hoping to see Young take the next step in Year 3 after he looked like a different QB following his benching in his sophomore season in 2024. In his final three games last year, Young threw seven touchdowns and no interceptions while also rushing for three TDs. The 24-year-old former first overall pick in 2023 out of Alabama doesn't have the strongest of arms, and his accuracy has also left a lot to be desired. However, the Panthers drafted receiver Tetairoa McMillan eighth overall this year to give Young a high-end aerial target that could take him to the next level. Nobody is rushing to draft Young in 2025, but he makes for a decent QB2 with some upside in superflex formats.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Tavion Sanders Aug 1 11:30am ET
Ja'Tavion Sanders

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders has been performing very well during the team's practice sessions. According to Alex Zietlow of The Observer, Sanders caught a tough pass on a flag route and was able to find the back of the end zone. Zeitlow described that Sanders is "still shining." This is an excellent sign for the second-year tight end as he looks to enjoy a breakout season. As a rookie, the former fourth-round pick (101st overall) caught 33 passes for 342 yards and a score. Sanders began to find his footing during Week 6 and would average a solid 43.5 yards per game over the next five games before suffering a neck injury, which limited him during the final stretch. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his development as he could be worth a late-round flier in deeper leagues.

From RotoBaller

Quinnen Williams Aug 1 11:20am ET
Quinnen Williams

New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (calf) is week-to-week with a calf injury, according to Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. Williams was not present at Friday's practice after hurting his calf on Thursday. Speaking to reporters after practice, Glenn said he will miss a week or two. While the three-time Pro-Bowler Williams carries huge name recognition, his fantasy production in IDP leagues is easily replaceable. His 12-sack 2022 campaign now appears to be an outlier, as he has failed to top six sacks in either of his past two seasons. Outside of leagues that require defensive tackle starters, he will not factor into most draft plans as the Jets look to build chemistry under new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.

From RotoBaller

Cam Skattebo Aug 1 11:10am ET
Cam Skattebo

New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo (undisclosed) has not seen action during team drills over the last few days of practice, according to beat reporter Evan Barnes. When asked about it multiple times, head coach Brian Daboll offered little more than "We're managing him." Skattebo was one of fantasy football's most polarizing prospects heading into the 2025 draft, and he lasted longer than some expected, with the Giants eventually taking him near the top of the fourth round. He entered camp in a positional battle with last year's fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy Jr., and reports have indicated that he has flashed potential while running with both the ones and the twos. Any time missed will certainly hurt his chances of securing the lead role, but until further information emerges, he should be considered day-to-day.

From RotoBaller

Micah Parsons Aug 1 11:10am ET
Micah Parsons

Relations between the Dallas Cowboys and their star pass rusher Micah Parsons have reportedly gotten so bad that Parsons is considering drastic measures, as reported by Dianna Russini of The Athletic. The two sides remain far apart in contract negotiations heading into the second week of camp. There has reportedly been no engagement between the two parties since things fell apart during Parsons' direct dealings with team owner Jerry Jones. According to a league source close to the situation, Parsons is currently considering a trade request or even a declaration that he is severing his relationship with the team. Parsons is one of the most impactful players in IDP leagues, and the ramifications of how this situation plays out could shake up the top of IDP draft boards.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Ridley Aug 1 11:00am ET
Calvin Ridley

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (calf) will sit out Friday's practice. According to head coach Ben Callahan, this is a scheduled maintenance day for Ridley. The 30-year-old exited Wednesday's practice early after experiencing cramps in his right calf and will get Friday off to rest. The buzz around Tennessee is that Ridley has had a strong start to camp and has been building a natural chemistry with No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward since the first practices of Spring. Ridley is the unquestioned alpha in the Titans' receiver room, and he led the league in unrealized air yards last season while catching passes from Will Levis. If he can continue to earn the trust of his young QB and the Titans' passing game finds any semblance of rhythm this year, Ridley represents sneaky good value in the middle rounds in upcoming fantasy drafts.

From RotoBaller

Dan Campbell Aug 1 10:30am ET
Dan Campbell

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell was not happy with his team's mistake-filled performance in Thursday's 34-7 Hall of Game loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. In a game they lost by 27 points, the Lions turned the ball over five times. Although none of Detroit's presumed starters were in uniform, Campbell did not use that as an excuse. "You're wearing Lions gear, you've got to take care of the ball, or it's going to be hard to keep you around," he told reporters after the first NFL game ever played in July. The Lions will next take the field against the Atlanta Falcons for their second of four preseason games. After finishing last season with a record of (15-2), they enter 2025 as favorites to win the NFC North for the third straight year and have lofty aspirations to make a deep playoff run.

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Aug 1 10:30am ET
Drake Maye

Through eight training camp practices, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has yet to throw an interception. The 22-year-old signal-caller has stated publicly that cutting down on turnovers is a top priority heading into his second season. After throwing 10 interceptions in what was essentially a 10-game rookie season, he's taken remarkable care of the ball through the early stages of camp without necessarily playing it safe. "I'm not scared to throw it. I'm still not gun-shy," Maye told reporters following Thursday's walkthrough practice. By most accounts, he has continued to target tight windows and make off-schedule throws while keeping the ball out of harm's way. If Maye can play mistake-free football throughout the regular season, a top-10 fantasy season is not out of the question with his rushing floor and the improved talent around him in both the wide receiver room and offensive line.

From RotoBaller

Sean McVay Aug 1 10:30am ET
Sean McVay

Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl (ankle) is week-to-week with an ankle injury after being stepped on during Tuesday's practice. As a precaution, he was carted off the field, but head coach Sean McVay says the team is "really fortunate" that the injury is not as serious as originally feared. With the Rams slated to play their first preseason game next Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys, it remains to be seen how much action McVay plans to give his starters before the regular season. However, it's safe to assume Curl will be held out of the game. When healthy, Curl should be viewed as nothing more than a deep flier in IDP leagues, as he saw his tackle numbers drop precipitously after moving from the Commanders to the Rams last season, and he once more projects to play away from the box.

From RotoBaller

Terry McLaurin Aug 1 10:20am ET
Terry McLaurin

The Washington Commanders are not interested in trading star wide receiver Terry McLaurin, despite his public request to be dealt. McLaurin and the team have been locked in a tenuous contract dispute for months, following the most productive season of his career. With McLaurin slated to make $15.5 million in base salary on the final year of his deal, the indication from his camp is that he's seeking a deal in line with that of DK Metcalf and the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the range of $33 million AAV. While the Commanders have not spoken publicly beyond saying they intend to keep McLaurin around long-term, the thought is that they're seeking a deal closer to the $23 million AAV recently agreed to by fellow 29-year-old Courtland Sutton and the Denver Broncos. Should the Commanders take the field without McLaurin in 2025, free agent addition Deebo Samuel Sr. would profile as the team's WR1, and quarterback Jayden Daniels would presumably see his sky-high second-year expectations take a notable dip.

From RotoBaller

Cole Kmet Aug 1 9:50am ET
Cole Kmet

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet spent Thursday's practice running with the ones, with the team in 11-on-11s. The Bears spent the 10th overall pick in the draft on Michigan tight end Colston Loveland (shoulder), who has drawn praise from coaches throughout the start of training camp. However, Kmet is still expected to have a role in Ben Johnson's new look offense, as evidenced by his current spot atop the depth chart. Loveland has been ramping his action up slowly after recovering from offseason surgery to his AC joint, so it's possible he could still claim the starting job by the start of the regular season. Either way, the Bears' offense is ripe with pass-catching options, and it may be difficult to predict where the action will go in any given week, making many of their pieces more appealing in best-ball drafts than lineup leagues..

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Aug 1 9:40am ET
Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. has entered 2025 with a renewed mindset and a focus on details. Part of that approach has included cutting sweets from his diet, particularly Skittles. While cutting back on sugary treats alone isn't going to make or break his season, it's part of an offseason overhaul that he hopes can pay dividends. "I need to be more of a pro when it comes to my eating," he told reporters this week. A noticeably trimmed-down Richardson shared that he's lost 10 pounds on his new diet, and by all accounts, he has strung together some of the strongest practices of his young career. The former No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft entered training camp in a quarterback competition with veteran addition Daniel Jones. Still, if he can continue to show signs of improvement and finally capitalize on his raw talents, it will be difficult for anyone to take the job from him.

From RotoBaller

Baker Mayfield Aug 1 9:23am ET
Baker Mayfield

Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield (hand) is out of practice Friday, Aug. 1, due to a contusion on his right hand. Scans were negative, and he's day to day.

Fantasy Spin: Mayfield surprised everyone and finished as the QB3 in fantasy last year. Needless to say, he's one of the more glaring regression candidates for 2025. He's being taken as the seventh QB in a lot of leagues, and if he slips much further than that, he could start to have some upside.

From TheHuddle

Baker Mayfield Aug 1 8:50am ET
Baker Mayfield

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (hand) will not practice on Friday due to a hand injury. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported that the quarterback suffered a contusion on his throwing hand during Thursday's session. Mayfield has already undergone scans, but has appeared to have avoided significant injury. For now, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. As a result, the Buccaneers will likely manage his workload for the next few days to ensure he is fully healthy for the regular season. Last season, Mayfield enjoyed a career year as he threw for 4,500 yards and 16 passing scores. Even though his offensive coordinator, Liam Coen, is now in Jacksonville. Mayfield remains a solid QB1 in all leagues as the Buccaneers brought in former Ohio State standout Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the draft to further strengthen an elite WR room.

From RotoBaller

KeAndre Lambert-Smith Aug 1 6:40am ET
KeAndre Lambert-Smith

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith was the team's top pass-catcher in Thursday's 34-7 Hall of Fame Game victory against the Detroit Lions. The fifth-round pick out of Auburn led the team with 43 receiving yards on two catches and two targets, hauling in a beautiful 28-yard pass from quarterback Trey Lance and turning a crisp 15-yard slant into a touchdown just before halftime. Despite his impressive outing, Lambert-Smith is currently behind Harris in the wide receiver pecking order and is not considered fantasy relevant at this time. He will look to build on this performance in the Chargers' next preseason matchup against the Saints.

From RotoBaller

Tre Harris Aug 1 6:30am ET
Tre Harris

Los Angeles Chargers' rookie wide receiver Tre Harris had a quiet start to the preseason, with zero catches on just one target in Thursday's 34-7 win over the Detroit Lions. The big-bodied pass-catcher, who has been running with the starters throughout training camp, couldn't develop chemistry with third-string quarterback Trey Lance in his limited snaps. The 2025 second-round pick showed promise at Ole Miss last season, recording 1,030 yards and seven touchdowns in just eight games, and is poised to take on a larger role as a rookie, especially given the inconsistent play of former first-round pick Quentin Johnston. He's a late-round fantasy stash with potential upside as he gets more reps within the Chargers' system.

From RotoBaller

Trey Lance Aug 1 6:00am ET
Trey Lance

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance made a strong statement in the Hall of Fame Game, completing 13-of-20 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for eight yards on three carries in Thursday's 34-7 victory over the Lions. Lance, who only started one game with Dallas last season, showed poise and good technique throughout the night, capitalizing on multiple Detroit turnovers. His first touchdown came on the Chargers' first drive, a perfect five-yard pass to Will Dissly. The 25-year-old added his second score just before halftime with a 15-yard slant to Keandre Lambert-Smith. While the performance was encouraging, Lance faced a Lions' backup defense and is still listed third on the depth chart behind Justin Herbert and Taylor Heinicke. Fantasy managers should be cautious not to overreact to the performance until further preseason games are played, but a strong start nonetheless from the former first-round pick of the 2021 draft.

From RotoBaller