Women and gents, welcome to the New Yr’s Eve eve version of the Choose Six e-newsletter! 

Apparently, 2021 is not the one factor that may quickly be coming to an finish and that is as a result of it appears like Ben Roethlisberger’s profession can even quickly be coming to an finish. 

It appears the tip of the 12 months has everybody eager about their future. Not solely did Huge Ben trace at it throughout a press convention, however AARON RODGERS stated he wasn’t going to rule out retirement after the 2021 season. For the report, I would love you guys to know that I do not plan on retiring on the finish of the 12 months. 

As for Rodgers and Huge Ben, we’ll be overlaying their retirement feedback in at present’s e-newsletter together with Ryan Wilson’s mock draft and our newest playoff projections, so let’s get to the rundown. 

As at all times, this is your weekly reminder to inform all your folks to join the Choose Six e-newsletter. To get your folks to enroll, all it’s a must to do is click on right here after which share this hyperlink with them. If you wish to assist everybody you recognize get off to an excellent begin in 2022, then you definately’ll undoubtedly wish to subscribe them to this article. 

1. Right now’s present: Ryan Wilson’s 2022 Mock Draft 

For the previous 16 weeks, our Thursday podcast has been used to preview the Thursday night time sport, however since there is no sport this week, we determined to show the podcast over to Ryan Wilson so he may go over his newest mock draft. Should you’re a fan of a group that may find yourself having a high 10 choose, you are undoubtedly going to wish to pay attention as a result of Wilson spent plenty of time breaking down his projected high 10 together with Josh Edwards and Chris Trapasso.  

Here is a take a look at the highest 10 picks in Wilson’s mock draft: 

1. Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, DE (Michigan)
2. Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE (Oregon)
3. Texans: Derek Stingley Jr., CB (LSU)
4. Jets: Ikem Ekwonu, OT (North Carolina State)
5. Lions: Kyle Hamilton, security (Notre Dame)
6. Panthers: Evan Neal, OL (Alabama)
7. Jets: Nakobe Dean, LB (Georgia)
8. Giants: Charles Cross, OL (Mississippi State)
9. Washington: Matt Corral QB (Ole Miss)
10. Falcons: Kenny Pickett, QB (Pittsburgh)

For the remainder of Wilson’s mock draft, you’ll want to click on right here. 

Should you take heed to at present’s present, you may discover that the three guys do not solely deal with the highest 10 picks within the draft, additionally they undergo your entire first spherical. The three additionally debate which QB is probably to go off the board first (Wilson has Corral over Pickett) and the fellows additionally discuss why this is not an amazing 12 months to have the highest total choose (Since there is no consensus high QB or high participant, it will be virtually unimaginable to commerce out of the highest spot). 

To pay attention to at present’s podcast, you’ll want to click on right here.  

2. Ben Roethlisberger offers first public indication that he could retire

Though this was lengthy anticipated to be Ben Roethlisberger’s closing season in Pittsburgh (and closing season within the NFL), the Steelers quarterback has just about been avoiding each retirement query thrown his method this offseason. Nevertheless, that modified on Thursday when Roethlisberger was requested whether or not this week’s showdown with the Browns can be his closing sport ever at Heinz Area. 

Roethlisberger’s reply? 

“I do not ever communicate in definites or ensures, that is simply not what I’ve ever finished or who I’m, however trying on the greater image, I might say that every one indicators are pointing to this might be it,” Huge Ben stated at his weekly press convention.” Common season that’s, I do know we nonetheless have an opportunity to doubtlessly get a playoff sport there if issues fall our method and we handle enterprise and issues must occur, however within the grand scheme of issues, when it comes to common season, indicators are pointing that method, this might be it.”

Though a playoff sport at Heinz Area would possibly sound unbelievable, it’s potential. If the Steelers win out (vs. Browns, at Ravens), they’d simply want three issues to occur for them to win the division: The Bengals must lose their closing two video games (vs. Chiefs, at Browns) and the Ravens must lose on Sunday towards the Rams. 

Throughout his press convention he additionally talked about that the writing has been on the wall all season in relation to his future with the Steelers. 

“I’ve at all times been one to meet my obligation to the group with contracts and I do not have a contract subsequent season,” Huge Ben stated. “I suppose the writing was on the wall from them, however form of all of us collectively.”

One factor that needs to be famous about Roethlisberger’s feedback is that he was very cautious to not use the phrase retirement. Mainly, it looks like Roethlisberger has accepted the truth that he will not be returning to Pittsburgh subsequent season, but when he seems like he nonetheless has one thing left within the tank, it looks like there’s a minimum of a small risk he may attempt to play elsewhere subsequent season. 

3. MVP watch: Aaron Rodgers appears to be the clear-cut favourite

This has been one of many tightest MVP races in current NFL historical past, however as we head into Week 17, it is beginning to really feel like we lastly have a clear-cut favourite and that favourite is Aaron Rodgers. 

For the reason that begin of November, we have been doing a weekly MVP vote right here at CBSSports.com and if this vote is indicative of how the precise MVP voters are going to do issues on the finish of the season, then it seems like Rodgers is fairly near locking up his second straight MVP award, barring a complete collapse over the ultimate two weeks. 

We had 11 CBSSports.com writers vote on the MVP award this week and Rodgers obtained 9 out of the 11 first-place votes (The opposite two went to Tom Brady and Cooper Kupp). 

Here is a take a look at our high 5 together with their level complete within the vote. (Every author was allowed to place 5 gamers on their poll and a participant obtained 5 factors for a first-place vote, 4 factors for a second-place vote and so forth.)

1. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (55)
2. Buccaneers QB Tom Brady (44)
3. Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (24)
4. Rams WR Cooper Kupp (19)
5. Payments QB Josh Allen (15)

General, a complete of 10 gamers obtained a minimum of one vote. If you wish to see how the remainder of the vote broke down, then you’ll want to click on right here. 

4. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams may depart Inexperienced Bay after this season

If Aaron Rodgers does win the MVP, he’d change into the third participant over the previous 30 years to win it in back-to-back seasons and if that occurs, it might be much more stunning to see him depart the Packers. Nevertheless, primarily based on what Rodgers needed to say throughout his weekly press convention on Wednesday, leaving Inexperienced Bay this offseason is unquestionably nonetheless in play. 

For the Packers this might be a double whammy and that is as a result of Davante Adams may also find yourself leaving if Rodgers does not return. 

Here is what the 2 gamers needed to say this week about what is going on to occur as soon as the season is over: 

• Rodgers not ruling out retirement. The Packers QB contemplated retirement final season and apparently it is one thing that may really occur this offseason.  “I would not rule that out. I feel that I am simply having fun with this season for this season. I feel that taking part in subsequent 12 months will certainly be within the thought course of. One of many issues, desirous to not be a bum on the best way out and nonetheless be capable to play, I feel, is vital to me.”
• Rodgers not going to take advantage of issues out this 12 months. Though the drama between Rodgers and the Packers went all the best way to the beginning of coaching camp in 2021 earlier than he returned to the group, do not search for that to occur once more. The QB made it clear that he will make a fast determination about his future in 2022, “It will not be one thing that I will drag out for months and months. I will have conversations with my family members after the season, and with Brian [Gutekunst] and Mark [Murphy] and Russ [Ball] and the teaching employees after which decide in some unspecified time in the future.”
• What’s going to Rodgers do? Rodgers actually solely has three choices right here: Keep in Inexperienced Bay, depart Inexperienced Bay or retire. The truth that he did not decide to the Packers can be barely regarding to me if I have been a Packers fan. It will have been fairly simple for him to say, “This group is superior, I am undoubtedly coming again subsequent 12 months,” however he undoubtedly did not say that and even trace at it. The one upside for the Packers is that Rodger is underneath contract for subsequent 12 months, so if they don’t seem to be keen to deal him, he’ll solely have two choices for 2022: Keep in Inexperienced Bay or retire. 
• Davante Adams’ future in Inexperienced Bay additionally up within the air. The Packers star receiver has a contract that is expiring on the finish of the 2021 season and if Rodgers decides to depart Inexperienced Bay, that might additionally result in Adams’ exit. “There’s loads that goes into it,” Adams stated of the choice about his future.” So [Rodgers’ decision] will not be the end-all, be-all, nevertheless it’ll undoubtedly be one thing I am monitoring and listening to, to see the place his head is at.”

The one benefit the Packers have with Adams is that they’ll hit him with the franchise tag, which might assure that he’ll be sticking round for a minimum of yet another 12 months. 

As for Rodgers, if the Packers provide to make him the highest-paid QB in soccer for 2022, that may be sufficient to convey him again. Though the group made him a proposal like that in 2021, there was nonetheless a extreme mistrust between Rodgers and the entrance workplace, which is probably going one cause why he did not take it. Nevertheless, Rodgers appears to belief the entrance workplace extra and a two-year deal this time round would mainly erase Jordan Love from the Packers’ future plans, which is one thing Rodgers in all probability would not thoughts seeing for the reason that entrance workplace’s determination to draft Love is without doubt one of the massive issues that upset him within the first place. 

5. NFL playoff projections heading into Week 17

In relation to the postseason, the one factor anybody needs to know is whether or not their favourite group goes to make the playoffs, which is why we determined to do some projections!

To determine who’s going to make the playoffs this 12 months, we had Stephen Oh of SportsLine crunch some numbers. We then used these numbers to mission the 14 groups we anticipate to make the playoffs. 

Here is how our projection breaks down for each conferences and keep in mind, these are projections. If you wish to see the present playoff standings, then you’ll want to click on right here (The groups with an asterisk beneath have already clinched a playoff spot). 

AFC
1. Chiefs*
2. Titans
3. Payments
4. Bengals
5. Colts
6. Patriots
7. Chargers

Though just one AFC group has clinched a spot, 5 extra can formally be part of the celebration this week and you’ll learn about their particular person clinching situations by clicking right here. 

NFC
1. Packers*
2. Buccaneers*
3. Rams*
4. Cowboys*
5. Cardinals*
6. 49ers
7. Eagles

Essentially the most attention-grabbing factor right here is what the potential wild card matchups can be if these projections find yourself panning out. Getting a 3rd spherical of Payments-Patriots can be must-see TV. Additionally, if the 49ers and Rams play one another, that may imply they’d be taking part in one another two weeks in a row since additionally they can be going through off throughout the closing week of the common season.  

In line with Oh’s projections, the Chiefs are at the moment the group favored to win all of it. In order for you extra particulars on the projections, together with what the playoff likelihood is for all 32 groups, you’ll want to click on right here.

6. Fast-fire roundup

It has been a busy 24 hours within the NFL, and because it’s practically unimaginable to maintain observe of every thing that occurred, I went forward and put collectively a roundup for you. 

• NFL groups will maintain a second of silence for John Madden. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has requested every to group to carry a second of silence for the NFL legend, who died Tuesday night time on the age of 85. 
• Jimmy Garoppolo assured he can play towards Texans. Regardless of a thumb damage, the 49ers QB stated he is “assured” in his skills to play on Sunday. Nevertheless, he did not apply on Wednesday, which is a minor pink flag. I nonetheless assume we’ll see Trey Lance, however Garoppolo appears decided to play.  
• Ravens will not have to start out a third-string QB this week. Baltimore obtained a double-dose of fine information within the QB division. Not solely did Lamar Jackson return to apply, however Tyler Huntley has been activated off the COVID listing. Jackson was hobbled by his injured ankle on Wednesday throughout apply, so there’s undoubtedly an opportunity Huntley might be the group’s starter towards the Rams. 
• Chiefs get Travis Kelce again from COVID listing. The Chiefs obtained some excellent news this week with Kelce getting back from the COVID listing, which suggests he’ll be capable to play on Sunday towards the Bengals. The Chiefs are additionally getting again kicker Harrison Butker.  
• Colts get Darius Leonard again from COVID listing. The Colts star defensive participant can be eligible to play towards the Raiders on Sunday after being faraway from the COVID listing. The Colts can even be getting again huge receiver Zach Pascal and security Khari Willis. Nevertheless, Carson Wentz nonetheless stays on the listing.  
• Darren Waller positioned on COVID listing. Waller hasn’t performed in over a month resulting from a knee damage and though the Raiders may undoubtedly use him on Sunday in Indianapolis, he possible will not be on the sphere after being positioned on the COVID listing. 
• Sam Darnold will begin for Panthers. Matt Rhule has been taking part in QB musical chairs in Carolina and that may proceed this week as Darnold has been given the beginning nod over Cam Newton. 
• Broncos anticipated to start out Drew Lock. After lacking Week 16 with a concussion, it seems that Teddy Bridgewater goes to overlook a minimum of yet another week, which suggests Lock is probably going going to be the starter for Denver’s sport towards the Chargers on Sunday.  
• Vikings get Dalvin Cook dinner again however lose Adam Thielen. The Vikings obtained some excellent news and dangerous information on Wednesday. The great new is that Cook dinner has been activated off the COVID listing, which suggests he’ll be capable to play towards the Packers this week. The dangerous information is that Thielen (ankle) has been placed on injured reserve, which suggests he is finished for the common season.