The NFL combine is about much more than scouting draft prospects. The annual event in Indianapolis also allows general managers to speak with one another in person, engage in informal chats with agents and meet with the media to discuss their visions. In many ways, the combine is a foundational phas e of the NFL offseason. And while the fruits of those labors may not be realized until later in the winter or in the spring — when free agency and the draft finally arrive — the next few days are crucial for laying groundwork. Here are some of the news items to already come out of Indy: RODGERS RETURN? Given their quarterback vacancy, the Pittsburgh Steelers are among the more intriguing teams at the combine. With a strong workout Saturday, polarizing Alabama QB Ty Simpson could make himself an option for the Steelers with the No. 21 pick. “We’re all searching for the next franchise player, the guy that’s gonna be our quarterback for the next 10 to 15 years,” general manager Omar Khan said at the combine. But before April’s draft, the Steelers hope to have an answer about Aaron Rodgers’ future. Rodgers, 42, threw for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns and led the Steelers to an AFC North title last season. Earlier this month, NFL Media reported the “odds are increasing” that Rodgers returns to Pittsburgh for a 22nd NFL season. Khan said this week that both sides hope for a quicker resolution than last offseason, when Rodgers waited until June to sign. “The door’s open to have Aaron back. I’ve had conversations with him,” Khan said. “I spoke to him last week. [Head coach] Mike McCarthy has spoke to him. He knows how we feel about him.” ENIGMATIC EAGLES Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni wouldn’t guarantee wide receiver A.J. Brown would be back. “Will A.J. be here next season? I think we’re still in a spot, like, I can’t guarantee how anything is going to play out into next season,” Sirianni told local reporters, according to ESPN. “I’m thinking I’m going to be the coach next season, but you can’t guarantee anything past tomorrow.” That cryptic comment came amid widespread speculation about the future of Brown, who expressed his frustrations with the Eagles’ inconsistent pass offense during the season. Brown, 28, finished with 1,003 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, setting or matching his lowest marks in four years as an Eagle. But Brown, who is signed through 2029, recently called himself “fortunate” to be an Eagles leader, saying on Micah Parsons’ podcast that Philly feels like “home.” “It’s hard to get good players in this league,” Sirianni said at the combine. “A.J.’s a great player and A.J. is a good teammate and A.J. is a good person. Does he want to be here? Yes. Do I want him to be here? Yes.” BIDDING WAR FOR WILLIS The most coveted free agent quarterback might be Malik Willis, as interested teams expect him to earn a contract worth at least $30 million annually, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Willis, 26, has never been a full-time starter, but the dual-threat QB flashed when filling in for the Green Bay Packers last year. The Miami Dolphins — whose new general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, came from Green Bay — are an obvious landing spot. On Tuesday, Sullivan acknowledged “a trade is a possibility” for current Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, who was benched down the stretch last year. But the Jets, Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns are also in need of a new QB and could be in the Willis mix. CLEVELAND CONUNDRUM Speaking of Cleveland, the Browns’ internal quarterback options include Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson. General manager Andrew Berry indicated a QB battle could be in store before the Browns determine a starter. “We don’t have to make that decision anytime soon,” Berry said. “I think any player that we have in that room, we would expect to compete to earn a role. Those two would be no different.” Sanders went 3-4 as a starter during his rookie season, throwing seven touchdown passes against 10 interceptions. Watson, who is owed $46 million in the final year of his contract, missed last season after re-tearing his Achilles. He went 9-10 as a starter over his previous three years in Cleveland. MCCARTHY COMPETITION? The Minnesota Vikings are “exploring all possibilities” at quarterback, EVP of football operations Rob Brzezinski said, after J.J. McCarthy struggled in his first season as a starter. “We need a level of baseline quarterback play for us to be effective,” Brzezinski said, according to the Star Tribune. “A lot of this is, has been J.J. in an unfortunate [situation] with some of the injuries and things that he’s dealt with. But we’re going to explore every opportunity. We can’t manufacture what’s not there. So, number one, where are the options? Is it reciprocal? Is it financially doable?” The Vikings allowed Sam Darnold to leave in free agency last offseason, then watched him win a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks. McCarthy threw 11 touchdowns with 12 interceptions in 10 games while dealing with a series of injuries, yet Minnesota still finished 9-8 and just outside of a playoff berth. EYES ON ALLAR Penn State’s Drew Allar will be among the quarterbacks to throw during Saturday’s workout, according to ESPN. Allar has much to gain, considering there were already questions about his inconsistent play before he suffered a season-ending broken ankle in October. But Allar is healthy now, and his physical talent makes him a compelling prospect in this year’s draft. Allar is in the mix to be the third quarterback taken in April, but a strong showing could move him up draft boards. Simpson is also set to throw, while Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza — widely expected to be the No. 1 pick — plans to wait until his pro day. COUSINS RESOLUTION The Atlanta Falcons plan to release veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, general manager Ian Cunningham said on Atlanta’s 92.9 “The Game.” Cousins, 37, has two years remaining on his four-year, $180 million contract, but he recently restructured his deal in a way that will make parting ways more financially palatable. Michael Penix Jr. had replaced Cousins as the Falcons’ starter, though the 25-year-old is currently recovering from an ACL tear. But Cousins is expected to be available to sign with another team once free agency begins next month. ...read more read less