Sports

Four years ago, then-Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hovered over the first day of the draft, given the possibility that he'd be traded during round one.

This year, he broke his silence one week ago, explaining that he has yet to sign with a team due to a personal issue that has required his time and attention.

With the draft about to begin, Rodgers continues to loom. Especially as it relates to the Steelers' pick at No. 21. There's an increasing sense that the Steelers won't take quarterback Shedeur Sanders, which will keep Mason Rudolph atop the Pittsburgh depth chart.

Some think Rodgers will indeed sign with the Steelers, and that his announcement could come as soon as next week. Regardless of the eventual timing, if the Steelers emerge from the early rounds without a new quarterback, the sense that Rodgers will choose the Steelers will only get stronger and stronger.

At this point, the only alternative to signing with the Steelers in the short term is to wait and see what happens elsewhere, whether it's J.J. McCarthy struggling in Minnesota or a starter elsewhere getting injured.

Former NFL linebacker Steve Kiner died Thursday, the National Football Foundation announced. Kiner was 77.

Kiner played at the University of Tennessee from 1967-69, earning consensus All-America honors in 1968 and unanimous All-America honors in 1969. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Kiner appeared in the 1970 Senior Bowl, and the Cowboys selected him in the third round of the 1970 draft. He played nine NFL seasons with Dallas, New England and Houston.

He appeared in 114 games but only 14 of those came with the Cowboys despite his special teams play as a rookie. Kiner, who didn't start any games as a rookie, was angered when Chuck Howley came out of retirement in 1971, relegating Kiner to a backup role for another season.

The Cowboys traded him to the Patriots for a fourth-round pick.

The Patriots traded him to the Dolphins in 1972, and the Dolphins cut him before training camp ended. Washington claimed him for their taxi squad, but he did not see any game action.

The Patriots claimed him off waivers in 1973 but traded him to the Oilers in 1974 for a ninth-round draft choice.

His last season was 1978.

In 1994, Kiner earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. He later established a mental health therapy practice in Carrollton, Georgia.

Born on June 12, 1947, in Sandstone, Minnesota, Kiner was reared in Tampa, Florida, and attended Hillsborough High School.

The Cowboys have the 12th overall pick, and the odds favor the team taking a wide receiver. But chatter is building that the Cowboys could draft North Dakota State's Grey Zabel to replace Zack Martin at right guard.

The Cowboys have selected three offensive linemen in the first three rounds in the past three drafts. But Jane Slater of NFL Media reports they could go that direction again because of "concerns about who is going to lead the O-line room."

Right tackle Terence Steele and left guard Tyler Smith said earlier this week they were ready to step up and take the reins of leadership.

“We just continue the culture," Smith said, via Lawrence Dow of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I mean, we were fortunate enough to have two dudes who did it at a high level for a really long time, or super consistent in everything they did, and I learned a lot from them. I learned how Zack took notes. I learned how Zack practiced, how he took care of his body. So I think it’s my job to pass that on to the young dudes. Definitely show them every day the right way to do things, and I know [Steele] and me, and the rest of the guys in there, even will continue to uphold that standard.”

Smith is the best offensive lineman the Cowboys have, with two Pro Bowls after being a first-round pick in 2022. Steele, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent, is the longest tenured with 74 starts since his rookie season of 2020.

As it stands today, Brock Hoffman and Robert Jones will compete for the starting job to replace Martin next to Steele.

Martin, one of the top guards in NFL history, was the unquestioned leader of the offensive line. His retirement leaves some big shoes to fill in the starting lineup and in the offensive line room.

“Really tough," Steele said. "Zack was my guy. Took me under his wing right when I got in. Showed me the ropes. Showed me what it takes to be great, the mindset, hard work, and all that. So it’s going to be tough. It’s already been an adjustment right now."

Smith said Martin will be missed, but vows that there won't be a drop off in leadership.

"I've got to continue the culture," Smith said. "You know, the standard is still the standard, and we've got big dreams this offseason. We need that Lombardi Trophy.”