torontosun.com

Carroll, Rodgers head list of familiar faces in new places this NFL season

Breadcrumb Trail Links

Football

NFL

Author of the article:

Associated Press

Associated Press

Rob Maaddi

Published Aug 11, 2025 • 4 minute read

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws a pass.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws a pass during practice at NFL football training camp in Latrobe, Pa., Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Photo by Gene J. Puskar /AP Photo

Article content

Aaron Rodgers joined Pittsburgh. Davante Adams went to Hollywood. Cooper Kupp is in Seattle. Russell Wilson’s latest stop is the Big Apple.

Advertisement 2

Toronto Sun

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.

Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.

Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Article content

But the most veteran face in a new place this NFL season is 73-year-old Pete Carroll on the sideline in Las Vegas. Carroll is leading the Raiders after a one-year hiatus from coaching following 14 years with the Seahawks.

Article content

Article content

Rodgers and Wilson are the most notable quarterbacks who changed teams. Geno Smith, Sam Darnold, Justin Fields and Jameis Winston also found new homes.

Several star wide receivers joined Adams and Kupp on the move, including DK Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, Stefon Diggs and George Pickens.

On the defensive side, Super Bowl standouts Josh Sweat and Milton Williams cashed in after helping the Philadelphia Eagles dominate Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Teammate Darius Slay also moved on. Jalen Ramsey and Minkah Fitzpatrick swapped teams. Jonathan Allen, Grady Jarrett, Joey Bosa, Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw are wearing new uniforms.

opening envelope

Your Midday Sun

Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Thanks for signing up!

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Article content

Advertisement 3

Article content

Read More

[Lions safety Morice Norris is tended to by medical staff during the fourth quarter of an NFL preseason game against the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025.

Lions' Norris taken off field in ambulance, NFL preseason game ends early](https://torontosun.com/sports/football/nfl/lions-norris-taken-off-field-in-ambulance-nfl-preseason-game-stopped?itm_source=nfl&utm_source=read-more)

2. [FILE - Billy Howton of the Green Bay Packers in Philadelphia, on Jan. 27, 1958, after a conference on the feasibility of a player pension plan.

Packers star Billy Howton, believed to have been the oldest living NFL player, dies at 95](https://torontosun.com/sports/football/nfl/packers-star-billy-howton-dies-at-95?itm_source=nfl&utm_source=read-more)

Here are 25 of the top players on new teams:

Aaron Rodgers

The four-time NFL MVP chose to extend his career with the Steelers after two disappointing seasons with the New York Jets. The 41-year-old Rodgers had the worst record of his career last season, going 5-12. But he still threw for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 90.5 passer rating. The Steelers and coach Mike Tomlin are hoping Rodgers has one more run in him to help them overcome their recent playoff failures.

Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston

The 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback is on his fourth team in five seasons. Wilson started 6-1 in Pittsburgh last year but the team lost five straight games to end the season. Wilson had 2,482 yards passing, 16 TDs, five picks and a 95.6 passer rating in 11 games in the regular season. He signed with the New York Giants, who also added Winston and then drafted QB Jaxson Dart in the first round.

Advertisement 4

Article content

Geno Smith

Carroll reunited with Smith in Las Vegas following a trade with the Seahawks. Smith, a two-time Pro Bowl pick who rejuvenated his career in Seattle after replacing Wilson, gives the Raiders stability at QB.

Sam Darnold

After a breakout year in Minnesota, Darnold cashed in with the Seahawks in free agency. He threw for 4,319 yards, 35 TDs, 12 picks and a 102.5 passer rating while going 14-4 with the Vikings.

Justin Fields

The No. 11 overall pick in 2021 by Chicago showed promise in Pittsburgh, going 4-2 in six starts. He’ll get an opportunity to prove himself with the New York Jets.

Davante Adams

The three-time All-Pro went from Las Vegas to New York during last season and back to the West Coast with the Los Angeles Rams. Adams had 85 catches for 1,083 yards and eight TDs last season.

Advertisement 5

Article content

Cooper Kupp

The Seahawks traded Metcalf and signed Kupp, the 2021 AP Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP. Kupp hasn’t played a full season since ’21 but had 67 receptions for 710 yards and six TDs in 12 games in 2024.

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

Loading...

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

DK Metcalf

Before Rodgers officially signed with the Steelers, they gave him a No. 1 receiver. The two-time Pro Bowl pick had 66 catches for 992 yards and five TDs in 15 games last season for Seattle.

Deebo Samuel

The Washington Commanders gave Jayden Daniels another playmaker, acquiring Samuel from San Francisco.

Stefon Diggs

Coming off a torn ACL, the four-time Pro Bowl wideout headed to New England to give Drake Maye a top option.

George Pickens

The Dallas Cowboys acquired the mercurial Pickens from Pittsburgh to team with CeeDee Lamb and bolster Dak Prescott’s options.

Advertisement 6

Article content

Laremy Tunsil

The Commanders got the five-time Pro Bowl left tackle from Houston to protect Daniels’ blind side.

Joe Thuney

A two-time All-Pro guard, Thuney was dealt from Kansas City to Chicago, which revamped its offensive line to better protect Caleb Williams.

Josh Sweat

Sweat turned 2 1/2 sacks in the Super Bowl into a $76.4-million deal from the Cardinals.

Milton Williams

After getting two sacks in the Super Bowl, Williams received a $104-million deal from the Patriots.

Darius Slay

The six-time Pro Bowl cornerback stayed in Pennsylvania, going from the Eagles to the Steelers.

Jalen Ramsey, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jonnu Smith

Pittsburgh also boosted its coverage unit by trading for Ramsey, the three-time All-Pro cornerback. The Steelers sent Fitzpatrick, a three-time All-Pro safety, to Miami in the trade that also brought tight end Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh.

Jonathan Allen

After two Pro Bowl seasons in eight years in Washington, Allen signed with the Vikings to boost the interior of their defensive line.

Grady Jarrett

The two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle joined Chicago after 10 seasons in Atlanta.

Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw

An All-Pro safety in 2022, Hufanga left San Francisco for Denver. So did Greenlaw, the veteran linebacker.

Joey Bosa

The five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher signed with the Buffalo Bills after nine seasons with the Chargers.

Article content

Share this article in your social network

Comments

Read full news in source page