Time for Dak to deliver: ON POINT

Earlier I wrote that I can't yet consider the Cowboys a prime Super Bowl candidate. Yet in this same space I'll argue that Dak Prescott can't hide from expectations and must thrive at this critical stage of his career.

First, there's the pressure for Prescott to return to his 2023 form after another injury-marred season. He didn't play great last season and has been too interception-prone in two of his past three seasons.

Plus, there's the need for the quarterback to take on an enhanced leadership role on this team. Zack Martin 's retirement and Demarcus Lawrence 's departure removed two big, respected voices from the locker room. Lamb's body language was a subject of conjecture at times the past few seasons, and now Pickens arrives with even more questions in that same vein.

Even with the head-coaching change from Mike McCarthy, going with a former OC in Schottenheimer affords some continuity, and the Lamb-Pickens duo will be one of the more feared WR combos in the NFL.

The Cowboys added resources elsewhere to aid the offense, too. But if Prescott and everyone -- his receivers, his coaches, the offensive line -- are not on the same page, it could be another long season in Dallas.

The Steelers suddenly lack weapons: ON POINT

The cupboard is not bare in Pittsburgh, but the biggest offseason moves on offense involved one-for-one swaps: Metcalf for Pickens. Rookie running back Kaleb Johnson for Najee Harris . Second-year tackle Troy Fautanu for Dan Moore Jr.

You could even argue the Steelers have incurred a net loss at receiver, adding only Metcalf and Robert Woods while replacing Pickens, Van Jefferson and Mike Williams , even if the latter two only made so much impact.

Metcalf is the A1 target, no questions asked. Pat Freiermuth is a solid option at tight end. Calvin Austin III showed some real upside last season, but is he too slight to be more than an occasional big-play option? The only other receiver on the roster who reasonably could add some unexpected punch would be last year's third-rounder, Roman Wilson , who had his rookie year wiped out due to injury.

All these options have drawbacks, but each could add a little something to the Steelers' incomplete offense.

Aaron Rodgers might be scared off: OVERBLOWN

The Steelers behaved like an unconcerned team during the 2025 NFL Draft, bypassing several quarterbacks -- including the freefalling Shedeur Sanders , with whom they met pre-draft -- until selecting Ohio State's Will Howard in Round 6. Even with Howard leading the Buckeyes to a national title in January, the Steelers are not entering this season with plans of Howard starting games.

Almost everything the Steelers said before the draft and during it suggests that they believe Aaron Rodgers will sign with the team this offseason. Even if it hasn't happened yet.

Could Rodgers get colder feet after seeing the Pickens deal go through? I say no.

Sure, losing a potential big-play weapon such as Pickens -- the likes with which Rodgers has thrived throwing to for much of his career -- is tough. But if there's anyone who's tough and demanding on his receivers, it's the finicky Rodgers, who expects perfection from them. Run the wrong route, and you might be in his dog house. Just ask Mike Williams about that last season with the Jets; Rodgers and Garrett Wilson also had their tense moments .

Maybe Rodgers' demanding style could have helped Pickens, but that's all for naught now. Perhaps the Steelers even gave Rodgers a window into their thinking on the receiver's future there. I doubt this move came as a shock to him.