NFC North

Former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday at the age of 30.

Jake Marsh of Barstool Sports broke the news after Bortles made the announcement on the Pardon My Take podcast, saying: "I have not touched a football since January. I have officially retired."

Bortles added: "I didn't tell anybody I retired. A couple of months ago, probably, just didn't tell anyone. So, I guess you guys are kind of the first to hear it publicly, maybe?"

Although Bortles noted that he is "set" in his decision, he also admitted that he would return to the NFL if a team is willing to offer him a contract that is too good to pass up.

Bortles appeared in games for the Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams over the course of six seasons from 2014 to 2019, and he was also under contract with the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints in 2021.

Jacksonville selected Bortles with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft out of UCF, and he served as the team's primary starter in each of his first five seasons.

While Bortles largely struggled to the tune of a 24-49 record as a starter, he did enjoy some success, including the 2015 season when he threw for a career-high 4,428 yards and 35 touchdowns, although he also led the league with 18 interceptions.

His numbers weren't as strong two years later, but the Jags had one of their best seasons in franchise history, going 10-6 and making it all the way to the AFC Championship Game with Bortles as the starter.

Bortles and the Jags were agonizingly close to reaching the Super Bowl, as they led the New England Patriots 20-10 in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game, but two touchdown passes from Tom Brady to Danny Amendola sealed it for the Pats.

After Bortles played poorly the following season, the Jaguars cut bait, and he spent 2019 as a backup with the Rams.

Bortles spent most of 2020 on the Denver Broncos' practice squad and was on the Packers' and Saints' rosters over the past couple of offseasons, but got cut before the campaign started each time.

Although Bortles' career numbers and record dictate that he was a bust as the No. 3 overall pick, he had undeniable talent that was often curtailed by poor decision-making and a bad supporting cast around him.

At the very least, Bortles was a key part of a surprising 2017 Jaguars team that nearly went the distance, and that figures to be talked about by football fans for many years to come.

Whether wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. returns this season and what teams he signs with if he does are some of the biggest question marks of the 2022 NFL campaign, and he can count Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers as a fan.

During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers said he and Beckham are friends and remain in contact.

He also notably added, "Obviously with a player like that, you always hope that there's a time when you could figure things out and play together."

While Beckham attended the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl ceremonies for their season opener after helping lead them to the Lombardi Trophy and was in New Orleans for a game between the Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he was back in the news Monday for a different visit.

Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reported he "was in the building" to visit some members of the New York Giants.

However, other reports suggested there is nothing imminent between the wide receiver and the team that drafted him:

Beckham is recovering from a torn ACL, and Rodgers even said he is unsure of the LSU product's status, adding, "I first and foremost want to see him healthy."

He will reportedly be out until at least November, which means he may have the opportunity to choose between contenders that could use depth at wide receiver. It isn't a stretch to suggest the Packers would fit under both of those categories, as they are off to a 3-1 start with rookie Romeo Doubs leading the team in receiving yards with 184.

Beckham will turn 30 years old in November and will be coming off a major injury, but he still has a resume that is impossible to ignore and features an Offensive Rookie of the Year, three Pro Bowl nods, five seasons of more than 1,000 receiving yards and three seasons of double-digit touchdown catches.

As for a possible Packers connection down the line, he responded to a tweet on Sunday suggesting he and Rodgers would thrive together by saying: "Who u tellin. That's a different breed right there."

If nothing else, there seems to be mutual admiration between the two playmakers.

The Green Bay Packers probably would have lost Sunday if they were playing a better team that wasn't down to its third-string quarterback, and Aaron Rodgers knows things will have to change if they are going to live up to championship hopes.

"This way of winning, I don't think, is sustainable because it puts too much pressure on our defense," Rodgers told reporters after Sunday's 27-24 overtime victory over the New England Patriots. "And obviously I've got to play better and will play better."

The offense made a number of mistakes for Green Bay, with the most glaring coming when Rodgers threw a pick-six to Jack Jones right before the end of the first half.

That gave New England a 10-7 lead heading into intermission, and the Packers found themselves trailing by seven in the fourth quarter after Damien Harris' touchdown run. To Rodgers' credit, he found Romeo Doubs for a critical touchdown to even the score, but the rookie wide receiver also made a key mistake.

Doubs dropped what could have been the game-winning touchdown with just more than two minutes remaining, and head coach Matt LaFleur cost his team a timeout by challenging the play.

"I'm not too proud of that moment," LaFleur said. "That was an emotional decision, and I think it's a great learning lesson that you can never make those emotional decisions in the heat of battle. You know better. You've got to survive the ground."

Green Bay's offense also went three-and-out on the first possession of overtime, and New England took over at its own 49-yard line needing just a field goal to win. It ultimately ended up punting, but it's not a stretch to suggest it could have taken advantage of the situation had Mac Jones and Brian Hoyer not been sidelined by injuries.

Bailey Zappe did what he could at 10-of-15 passing for 99 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Packers from taking the next possession and moving into field-goal range for the win.

"You can't be 2-2 losing to a third-string quarterback and not playing great in all three phases, so we had to have this one," Rodgers said. "That doesn't take anything away from the joy of winning, but this was one we had to have."

Rodgers and the Packers are 3-1 with a number of winnable contests against the New York Giants, New York Jets and Washington Commanders on the immediate docket, so they can likely still get away with some mistakes as they settle into a new season.

But it's Lombardi Trophy or bust once again for the four-time MVP, and Sunday's effort probably wouldn't be enough to snap a streak of 11 postseasons without a Super Bowl appearance for the future Hall of Famer.

Green Bay Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers joined an exclusive club Sunday.

With his fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs against the New England Patriots, Rodgers now has thrown 500 touchdown passes in the regular season and playoffs combined. He's just the fifth quarterback in NFL history to reach the monumental milestone.

Rodgers, who also threw a touchdown earlier in the game to tight end Robert Tonyan, joins Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre as the only signal-callers to achieve the feat. Manning (579) and Favre (552) are already in the Hall of Fame, while Brees (608) is surely on his way when he becomes eligible in 2026.

Brady is the only player besides Rodgers who is still active, and he is the only player to surpass 700 touchdown passes as he enters Sunday with 713. Rodgers also joins Brady and Brees as the only players to throw 500 touchdowns with a single team.

The reigning NFL MVP for the past two seasons, Rodgers has shown no signs of slowing down with age. The 38-year-old is already in the top 10 for career completions, passing yards and passer rating.

Green Bay's offense has gotten off to a slow start to the 2022 season. Rodgers has been getting used to a new crop of wide receivers thanks to an influx of rookies and the departure of star wideout Davante Adams, who caught the most touchdowns from the 10-time Pro Bowler.

It appears that Rodgers is starting to get a better feel for his new targets as the season progresses, which should result in more touchdown passes to add to his legendary career.

Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams has been fined $13,261 for unsportsmanlike conduct on his touchdown celebration during a Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Williams brought out his version of the famous Hingle McCringleberry three-pump hip thrust celebration from the famed Key and Peele sketch show. He was given a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct following the celebration.

Williams discussed the celebration with reporters after the game:

“It’s not even thrusting. It’s more like a wave. ... I’ve been getting away with it for all these years but now they want to bust me for it. I was pissed. I was sad and disappointed in myself because I gave the team a penalty."

Williams isn't the first NFL player to mimic McCringleberry.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers celebrated a touchdown on Oct. 18, 2020, by hitting the three-pump hip thrust following a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Williams, who is in his second season with the Lions, is off to a hot start. He has rushed for 168 yards and four touchdowns in three games, in addition to catching four passes for 29 yards.

The 27-year-old mainly serves as the backup to D'Andre Swift, but he's expected to see more playing time in Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks as Swift has been ruled out with a shoulder sprain and lingering ankle ailment.

Williams signed a two-year deal with the Lions ahead of the 2021 campaign and is expected to be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

The BYU product began his NFL career with the Packers, which selected him in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. In four seasons with the Green and Gold, he rushed for 1,985 yards and 10 touchdowns in 60 games. He also caught 122 passes for 961 yards and eight scores.

Run, don't walk, to the waiver wire in your fantasy league if Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert is available.

Not only is the 24-year-old a top waiver-wire option after the Bears ruled David Montgomery (ankle/knee) out for Sunday against the New York Giants, but he also should be inserted into starting lineups. After all, he more than proved his worth during Chicago's Week 3 victory over the Houston Texans when Montgomery exited.

All Herbert did was put the team on his back and run for 157 yards in two touchdowns in the 23-20 win.

The effort proved critical because Justin Fields and the passing attack struggled throughout the game, which has been something of the norm for the Bears this season.

Herbert was solid last season as a rookie with 433 rushing yards, 96 receiving yards and two touchdowns even though he was behind Montgomery on the depth chart. He was, unsurprisingly, at his best when the starter was sidelined during games against the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He ran for 97 yards and one touchdown against the Packers and 100 yards against the Buccaneers, underscoring his ability to handle a starter's workload.

That was clear again this season in the win over the Texans.

Fantasy production is largely tied to opportunity for running backs, and it is difficult to script a better opportunity for Herbert if Montgomery is out. Not only is the starter not going to take the majority of the carries, but the Bears are also built to rely on the rushing attack.

Fields is yet to prove himself as a passer at the NFL level, although he can make defenses pay with his legs. That opens up the playbook as far as running backs are concerned with read-options and screen passes a major part of the attack.

Enter Herbert, who has the speed to make defenders miss in the open field and showed enough power at the goal line against the Texans to be a factor in short-yardage situations.

It is all an ideal formula from a fantasy perspective, making Herbert a must-add from the waiver wire if he is still available and someone who should garner serious starting consideration.

Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery has been ruled out for a Week 4 matchup against the New York Giants due to ankle and knee injuries, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Montgomery suffered those injuries during a Week 3 win against the Houston Texans. He exited in the first quarter and did not return. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters earlier this week that the running back was considered day-to-day.

Through three games this season, Montgomery has rushed for 159 yards on 35 carries and has caught five passes for 38 yards.

The 25-year-old has been mostly healthy during his four-year NFL career. However, he appeared in just 13 games during the 2021 season after suffering a knee sprain, though he still rushed for 849 yards and seven scores in that span.

Montgomery is in the final year of his rookie deal and is due for an extension. If he doesn't sign by March 2023, he will become an unrestricted free agent and be able to sign anywhere.

The Bears selected the Iowa State product in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft. He had an impressive rookie season, rushing for 889 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games. He followed that up with 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground in 15 games in 2020.

When Montgomery misses time, the Bears can turn to Khalil Herbert in the backfield. Second-year quarterback Justin Fields also continues to be a big factor in the rushing attack.

Jamaal Williams is set to be more than a touchdown vulture in the Detroit Lions' backfield.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Friday that D'Andre Swift is "probably out" for the team's matchup against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4, which pushes the 27-year-old Williams up the depth chart.

This is the second time Detroit has had to turn to the 2017 fourth-round pick as the primary ball-carrier. Swift was sidelined with a shoulder sprain last season as well, costing him four games.

Williams, however, is unlikely to be available for most fantasy managers. He's rostered in 85 percent of Yahoo Sports leagues.

Through three games, the 6'0", 224-pound running back has gone for 168 yards and four touchdowns on the ground along with four receptions for 29 yards.

Williams' red-zone usage was already leeching away some of Swift's fantasy value. He had two touchdown runs of one yard in a Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and his two TDs against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3 totaled 15 yards.

Now, he's poised to get a much higher volume of touches, leaving the calculus from here pretty straightforward.

Under normal circumstances, Williams is a good streaming option because of his propensity to find the end zone. If an opposing defense regularly lets offenses march down the field and struggles in short-yardage situations, that's his time to shine.

Now that he's the No. 1 back for the Lions, Williams becomes a much safer flex option, albeit one with a legitimate RB1 ceiling given his touchdown potential.

While it isn't yet official, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell does not expect running back D'Andre Swift to play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

According to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic, Campbell said Friday that Swift is "probably out" due to a shoulder injury.

Swift sprained his shoulder last week against the Minnesota Vikings, and Campbell suggested at the time that the Lions would consider resting him for two weeks, so he could come out of the bye week healthy.

When on the field, the Georgia product has the ability to be a game-changing presence in the backfield for the Lions. He tallied 617 yards and five touchdowns on the ground and 452 yards and two scores through the air last season.

Swift is off to a hot start this season, rushing for 231 yards and one touchdown, while also catching eight passes for 77 yards and one score in three games.

Fortunately for the Lions, they have one of the more established backup running backs in the league in Jamaal Williams. He spent the first four seasons of his career on the Green Bay Packers and ran for 601 yards in 2021 whilst in his first season in Detroit.

The 27-year-old has 168 yards and a league-high four touchdowns on the ground in three games this year and will likely be asked to shoulder even more of the offensive responsibilities if Swift does indeed miss this week's game.

Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown won't play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Head coach Dan Campbell announced on Friday the second-year wide receiver has been ruled out because of an ankle injury.

St. Brown was able to play 73 percent of Detroit's offensive snaps in Week 3 vs. the Minnesota Vikings despite suffering a sprained ankle in the second quarter.

The 2021 fourth-round pick had a blistering finish to his rookie season, hauling in 51 passes for 560 yards and five touchdowns Detroit's last six games.

That raised expectations for St. Brown coming into the 2022 campaign, and he has more than delivered so far. Through three games, he has 23 receptions for 253 yards and three scores.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported earlier in the week that test results on St. Brown's ankle were encouraging and he shouldn't be out for an extended period of time.

The franchise is still treading water for the most part as the front office attempts to build a winner under head coach Dan Campbell. St. Brown's contributions aren't going to have a significant impact in his team's record.

However, the 22-year-old emerging as a bona fide elite wideout would be a big development for the Lions. With the way the receiver market is trending, his impending free agency in 2025 can't be totally ignored, either.

Detroit will hope St. Brown isn't on the shelf for too long as it would disrupt his development.