With the 2024 NFL season just around the corner, the Pitt News Sports desk thinks now is the perfect time to share some of our hottest take on the season.
Jordan Love is my secret favorite for 2024-2025 NFL MVP // Aidan Kasner, Sports Editor
The talent pool in the NFL is vast, especially in the quarterback department, a position that has won MVP trophies. 79% since 1987This year’s MVP race is going to be interesting, and to me, the front-runner is pretty clear.
Though he’s not currently a candidate for MVP, Green Bay Packers guard Jordan Love is set to have a breakout year. After showing flashes of stardom in his third season with a team that advanced to the division, Love is poised for a big season. With Lambeau and a new star in Josh Jacobs, Love is Former All-Pro and Pro Bowler He will provide major yardage and reliability next to Love.
Green Bay is the league’s Youngest member They have a great coach. With a weak NFC North team, the Green and Yellow should be on a solid path to a championship. With Love at the helm, the young star is sure to be named MVP. Former four-time MVP Aaron RodgersThe Utah State University graduate has the knowledge and resources to add some big trophies to his trophy case.
The New York Jets win the AFC East // Tommy O’Connor, Reporter
While that projection is unrealistic, the Jets have the talent to win the AFC East. They have two of the league’s most talented young players on offense in running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, plus four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers taking the snaps under center.
Defensively, the Jets have one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL in Saul Gardner and DJ Reed. New York Second in passing yards allowed in the 2023 season. He shows no signs of slowing down in 2024. The Jets’ defensive line, led by Quinnen Williams, is also strong.
The Jets’ chances are bigger than ever with the Buffalo Bills in decline. Josh Allen is always a threat, but the losses of wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis have made him less of a threat. The Dolphins have a fearsome offense, but Tua Tagovailoa has struggled in big games.
The Jets have been organizationally dysfunctional since Joe Namath left in 1977, but the 40-year-old Rodgers would bring stability to the franchise. The team is solid on both defense and offense, and strong quarterback play would help the franchise get out of trouble and win the AFC East.
Jordan Love’s new contract isn’t an overpayment // Alex Yurkuta, Visual Editor
As the offseason progresses in Green Bay, one question has arisen among Packers fans: How much will the team pay quarterback Jordan Love?
After persevering from the start of training camp and receiving thousands of messages from fans just four days into camp, The Packers announced a four-year, $220 million contract. Love’s contract was worth $55 million per year, tying him for the highest salary in the league.
While the Packers’ decision to sign Love to a big contract was celebrated by some, experts and fans alike were surprised by the amount, with some saying it was simply too expensive.
How much is Jordan Love worth? Deshaun Watson makes $46 million a year and Jared Goff makes $53 million.What is the value of a good quarterback?
For a quarterback who showed flashes of elite play in the second half of the season and led a seventh-seeded team to a win over a second-seeded team in the playoffs, could you expect anything less than a record-tying contract?
There’s still hope for the Pittsburgh Steelers // Reporter Camille de Jesus
With just days until Week 1 of NFL football, fans across the country have had plenty to say about how the preseason went, but very few good words have been heard about the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers team.
The Steelers’ season began with the exciting news of two new quarterback prospects: former Super Bowl-winning Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and former Bears top-10 draft pick Justin Fields. However, many Pittsburgh fans’ expectations for the season have faded after the Steelers lost three straight games to the Lions, Bills and Texans.
Despite many not being optimistic, there are still plenty of reasons to see hope in the Steelers. Pittsburgh will need to make significant improvements on offense to be successful, but with veteran Wilson at center and rising star wide receiver George Pickens, they have a lot of potential on the offensive end.
NFL.com Russell and Pickens were ranked in the top 5 of the best new QB-WR duos for the 2024 season. Although the preseason looked tough, there is still plenty of time for the Steelers to solve their offensive struggles. With a little optimism and some work on the offensive side, the Steelers may be able to bring the Lombardi Trophy home to Pittsburgh soon.