2 potential career-enders

Featuring Aaron Rodgers, George Kittle, and more.

January 14, 2026

Yooo!

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Tonight, we’re covering 5 of the most important insights from the past week.

Giddy up.

QB - Aaron Rodgers (PIT)

  • Rodgers' potential return to the Steelers has become highly uncertain with Mike Tomlin's departure. The head coach was a primary driver of Rodgers' decision to join the team, and his stepping down significantly reduces the probability of Rodgers returning to Pittsburgh.

  • At 42 and approaching 43, Rodgers now faces a critical decision about his future. The loss of Tomlin may be the final nudge that pushes him towards retirement, leaving the Steelers with a massive void at the quarterback position.

  • If Rodgers decides to play, he is likely to seek a situation with an established offensive play-caller rather than breaking in a rookie head coach. Fantasy managers should treat Rodgers as a depreciating asset with a high likelihood of generating zero points in the 2026 season.

  • Our take: This feels like the end for Rodgers, but we can’t rule anything out with him. I’m sure he’ll make us all wait longer than it should take for this decision.

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RB - James Cook (BUF)

  • James Cook is highlighted as a key player in the Bills vs. Broncos matchup, with a notable history of success against Denver. In last year's Wild Card Round, Cook torched the Broncos with 120 yards and a touchdown, demonstrating his potential impact in this year's playoff game.

  • The article suggests Cook is poised for a significant workload, especially with Ty Johnson's injury increasing his receiving opportunities. The prediction focuses on Cook scoring an anytime touchdown, leveraging the Broncos' defensive vulnerabilities against the run.

  • Cook's performance is particularly intriguing given the Broncos' defensive strengths and weaknesses. While they excel against the pass, their defensive EPA per play suggests Cook could exploit gaps in their run defense, making him a potentially crucial player in the Bills' offensive strategy.

  • Our take: He disappointed vs the Jags top run defense, but I’ll be looking for a bounceback from him this week. Let Cook cook!

TE - George Kittle (SF)

  • George Kittle suffered a significant non-contact injury during the Wild Card weekend, confirmed to be a torn Achilles tendon by Kyle Shanahan. This season-ending injury means Kittle will be unavailable for the remainder of the 49ers' playoff run.

  • Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Kittle is likely to be a strong Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) candidate due to the severity of his Achilles injury. His potential return timeline is estimated to be between late October and early November, depending on his rehabilitation progress.

  • The injury occurred during the 49ers' Wild Card game and was immediately recognized as a serious condition, with the non-contact nature of the injury raising immediate concerns about its long-term impact on Kittle's career and the team's tight end position.

  • Our take: When I first heard the news, I assumed his career was over. Doesn’t seem like the way he would ever want to go out, though. Hopefully, he can return late next season for one last run. I wouldn’t plan for anything more than that.

RB - Jordan Mason (MIN)

  • Jordan Mason demonstrated promising potential for the Minnesota Vikings, particularly during periods when Aaron Jones was sidelined, where he ranked as the RB16 in fantasy points per game from Week 3 to Week 7.

  • With Aaron Jones facing significant injury concerns and approaching 32 years old, Mason is positioned as a potential future lead back, having missed 11 games over the last three seasons due to various injuries.

  • Mason's breakout potential is closely tied to the Vikings finding a reliable quarterback, which could transform the offense and create more opportunities for him to become a fantasy difference-maker in the 2026 season.

  • Our take: As a Mason owner in a few leagues, I’m not holding my breath that he’ll be the main guy next year. But it gives me a little hope to see other people have some optimism.

RB - Nick Singleton (Penn State)

  • Nick Singleton is a dynamic running back prospect from Penn State who was a five-star recruit, rushing for over 6,300 career yards in high school and earning Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year honors. His exceptional high school performance set the stage for his collegiate career at Penn State, where he quickly made an impact as a true freshman, winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2022.

  • Singleton's on-field strengths include explosive burst and acceleration, allowing him to quickly reach top speed and decisively exploit running lanes. He is particularly notable for his passing-game ability, demonstrating natural pass-catching skills and the capability to turn short receptions into significant gains. The article highlights his versatility, noting that Penn State frequently lined him up in the slot and out wide, showcasing his multi-dimensional offensive potential.

  • Despite his impressive athletic profile, Singleton has areas for development, including inconsistent vision, limited lateral agility, and a tendency to run with a rigid frame that restricts his ability to make defenders miss in tight spaces. The article projects Singleton as a high-upside NFL running back with a potential ceiling similar to David Johnson and a floor comparable to Jamaal Williams, with a projected draft range of late Day 2 to early Day 3 in the upcoming NFL Draft.

  • Our take: I’ve done very little research at this stage in the fantasy offseason, but reading about his pass-catching abilities makes him seem like a perfect complement to Jordan Mason in Minnesota. Love that David Johnson ceiling comp, too.

That’s all for tonight!

See ya pizza,

Joe

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