The NHL season is more than a month old, and there have been four trades, plus extensions signed by Jake Oettinger, Alexis Lafreniere, Linus Ullmark and others.

Other top players also remain eligible for extensions, including Igor Shesterkin, Mikko Rantanen, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, Brock Boeser.

There will be more trades as teams build toward a Stanley Cup run or make moves for their long-term future. Here are key dates to watch: the holiday roster freeze in December, the league’s break for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February and the trade deadline in early March.

Follow along here this season for signings, trades, transactions and other news from the NHL:

Nov. 25: Hurricanes goalie Pyotr Kochetkov in concussion protocol

Carolina Hurricanes goalie Pytor Kochetkov is in concussion protocol after being injured on a fluke play in Saturday’s game, coach Rod Brind’Amour told reporters. Kochetkov, who’s out indefinitely, was reaching out to make a poke check in overtime when he was accidentally knocked over by teammate Sean Walker, who was defending against the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski. Kochetkov replaced by Spencer Martin, who lost in a shootout.

Kochetkov’s injury means the Hurricanes are missing their top two goaltenders. Frederik Andersen had knee surgery and will be out eight to 12 weeks. Martin and Yaniv Perets are the goalie tandem for now as the team faces a tough stretch against the Dallas Stars, New York Rangers and back-to-back games against the Florida Panthers. But the Hurricanes will get back forward Seth Jarvis, who missed seven games with an upper-body injury.

Nov. 25: Penguins acquire Philip Tomasino from Predators

Philip Tomasino (one point in 11 games) is the final year of his contract so the struggling Nashville Predators get something in return, a 2027 fourth-round pick. The equally struggling Pittsburgh Penguins get another person for their bottom six. The former first-round pick’s best season was 32 points as a rookie in 2021-22.

Nov. 24: Blues fire coach Drew Bannister, hire Jim Montgomery

In a surprising move, the St. Louis Blues on Sunday fired Drew Bannister after less than a year as coach, replacing him with former Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery.

The announcement from Blues president and general manager Doug Armstrong comes with the team losing 13 of its first 22 games this year. Bannister had taken over for Stanley Cup-winning coach Craig Berube last season and had his interim tag removed at the end of the season.

Montgomery, a former assistant to Berube, has an overall regular-season record of 180-84-33 as a head coach with Boston and Dallas. He was just let go by the Bruins last week after they lost 12 of their first 20 games. – Steve Gardner

Nov. 23: Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov misses game with lower-body injury

Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov, who’s tied for the league lead in points, sat out Saturday’s game against the Calgary Flames because of a lower-body injury. Kaprizov went to the ice after a knee-on-knee hit from the Edmonton Oilers’ Drake Caggiula in Thursday’s game but the Wild star finished the game. The Athletic reported he had an MRI on Sunday, which found no serious injury, and he was at practice on Monday. Kaprizov entered Saturday’s games tied with Nathan MacKinnon with 34 points and has played in one less game than the Colorado Avalanche star.

Nov. 22: Golden Knights sign Brett Howden to five-year extension

Forward Brett Howden will average $2.5 million in the five-year contract extension. He plays in the Vegas Golden Knights’ bottom six and has eight goals this season.

After the Golden Knights lost free agents Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson and others from their 2023 Stanley Cup title team this summer, they’ve been working to get extensions done early. Defensemen Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb signed recently. Goalie Adin Hill and Keegan Kolesar also are pending unrestricted free agents from that championship team.

Also: Forward Alex Nylander is joining All-Star older brother William on the Toronto Maple Leafs after signing a one-year, $775,000 NHL contract and getting recalled. He had been on an American Hockey League contract. The Maple Leafs placed forward Matthew Knies on the injured list after he absorbed a big hit from Vegas’ Zach Whitecloud this week. … Seattle Kraken captain Jordan Eberle had surgery on his pelvis and will be out at last three months.

Nov. 21: Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen to have knee surgery

This marks the fourth season in a row that Andersen has missed extended time. He was limited to 16 games last season with a blood-clotting issue and missed more than two months of 2022-23 with a lower-body injury. An injury kept him out of the 2022 playoffs.

Pyotr Kochetkov is the Hurricanes’ No. 1 goalie in Andersen’s absence. Andersen, 35, is in the final year of his contract.

Nov. 19: Canucks’ J.T. Miller out indefinitely for personal reasons

‘Right now, our sole focus is making sure that J.T. knows the entire organization is here to support him,’ general manager Patrik Allvin said. ‘Out of respect to J.T., we will have no further comment at this time.’

Miller ranks second on the Canucks and is their top-scoring forward with 16 points in 17 games. He scored 103 points last season.

Nov. 19: Boston Bruins fire coach Jim Montgomery

The Boston Bruins made Jim Montgomery the first coaching casualty of the 2024-25 NHL season, firing him less than two seasons after he was named coach of the year.

Associate coach Joe Sacco, a former Colorado Avalanche head coach, will take over behind the bench as the interim head coach.

The move came after a blowout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. Montgomery, who was in the final year of his contract, was let go with the team sitting at 8-9-3 and sporting poor underlying numbers.

BRUINS: More details on coaching change

Nov. 19: Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin out with leg injury

Alex Ovechkin’s chase of Wayne Gretzky’s goal record is temporarily on hold after the Washington Capitals star left Monday night’s game with an injury.

The team announced Tuesday that Ovechkin is week-to-week with an injury to his lower leg after he absorbed a leg-on-leg hit from Utah Hockey Club forward Jack McBain during the third period.

Ovechkin had been on a torrid scoring pace this season. Before Monday’s injury, he had scored twice in the 6-2 win over Utah, giving him five goals in the last two games and a league-leading 15 goals in 18 games.

Also: The Edmonton Oilers claimed forward Kasperi Kapanen off waivers from the St. Louis Blues. He provides speed and depth to a team that hasn’t received much scoring from the wings this season.

Nov. 18: Islanders’ Mike Reilly to have procedure on heart

General manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters that the pre-existing heart condition was discovered during routine testing for a concussion that had sidelined the defenseman since Nov. 1.

‘It’s probably a blessing in disguise of what transpired,’ Lamoriello said. ‘They detected this, something that you’re sometimes born with, but never knew.’

He said Reilly has been cleared from the concussion.

Nov. 18: Sabres send down goalie; Sharks call one up

The Buffalo Sabres sent 22-year-old goalie Devon Levi to the American Hockey League to get him some playing time amid his recent struggles. The team will use Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and recently reacquired James Reimer as their tandem. Levi has given up 17 goals in his last four starts.

Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks called up highly touted goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov, 22, after he went 6-3 with a 1.92 goals-against average in the AHL. He was acquired from the Nashville Predators in an offseason trade. Sharks goalie Vitek Vanecek had left Saturday’s game with an injury.

Also: The NHL announced that last month’s Carolina Hurricanes-Tampa Bay Lightning game, whichas was postponed by Hurricane Milton, has been rescheduled for Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. ET. … Philadelphia Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson (lower body) was placed on injured reserve.

Nov. 15: Avalanche’s Valeri Nichushkin returns from suspension

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin returned Friday night from his six-month suspension. He was suspended during the playoffs last May under Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He also was in the program for about two months earlier in the 2023-24 season and missed part of the 2023 playoffs for personal reasons. Nichushkin is a key offensive contributor with 28 goals in 54 games last season. Injured forwards Jonathan Drouin and Miles Wood also returned Friday.

Also: The Vegas Golden Knights signed defenseman Brayden McNabb, the franchise leader in games played, to a three-year contract extension that averages $3.65 million a year.

OILERS: Connor McDavid is fourth fastest to reach 1,000 points

Nov. 13: Sabres claim goalie James Reimer off waivers

The Buffalo Sabres claimed goaltender James Reimer off waivers, bringing him back to where he signed a free agent contract in the summer. Reimer was claimed by the Anaheim Ducks off waivers earlier this season when the Sabres tried to send him to the American Hockey League. The Ducks put him on waivers after the return of injured goalie John Gibson. Reimer, on a one-year, $1 million contract, played two games in Anaheim with a 4.50 goals-against average. No. 1 Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was hurt in Monday’s loss but hasn’t been ruled out for Thursday’s game.

Also: Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm will be out ‘weeks’ with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot, coach Jim Montgomery said.

Nov. 12: Capitals reacquire Lars Eller in trade with Penguins

Center Lars Eller, 35, is a familiar face for the Washington Capitals after playing in Washington from 2016-23 and winning a Stanley Cup there in 2018. He kills penalties and is strong in the faceoff circle. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ side of the trade might be more interesting. They get a 2027 third-round pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder, and this also could be an indication that the Penguins are shaking up the roster after a disappointing start. Eller’s trade will allow the team to give more ice time to younger players. He’s a pending unrestricted free agent.

Also: The Winnipeg Jets claimed goalie Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Colorado Avalanche and loaned him to their American Hockey League affiliate. They had lost him on waivers to the Avalanche last month.

Nov. 11: Flames’ Anthony Mantha to have season-ending surgery

Also: The Colorado Avalanche placed goalie Kaapo Kahkonen on waivers. They had claimed him off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets last month.

Nov. 9: Penguins recall veteran goalie Tristan Jarry from minors

The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled two-time All-Star goalie Tristan Jarry from his conditioning stint in the American Hockey League. Jarry was loaned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Oct. 26 after recording a 5.37 goals-against average and .836 save percentage. His AHL numbers were 2.16, .926.

Also: The Philadelphia Flyers made rookie Matvei Michkov a healthy scratch for a second consecutive game.

Nov. 8: Kraken acquire Daniel Sprong from Canucks

The Seattle Kraken landed Daniel Sprong, one of their former players, in exchange for future considerations. The Kraken have struggled to score this season and Sprong had 21 goals for them two seasons ago. The forward has scored double-digit goals five times. He had one goal with Vancouver this season.

Nov. 7: Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov to be healthy scratch

Coach John Tortorella called the move ‘part of the process.’

‘With young guys, they can watch games, too, as far as development,’ he told reporters. ‘It’s trying to help them.’

Michkov, 19, has 10 points in 13 games and a minus-8 rating and was NHL rookie of the month in October. He had just one point in his last five games and his ice time dropped in the last four.

Nov. 4: Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini ready to return from injury

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, is ready to return to action after aggravating an injury in the season opener, according to NHL.com.

He took part in practice Monday on the top line with Tyler Toffoli and Mikael Granlund and is looking to play his second game season Tuesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Celebrini said he reinjured his hip on his first shift of the opener but played the full game and had a goal and assist. He has missed 12 games. The Sharks opened the season 0-7-2 but are 3-1 in their last four games.

Also: St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg will be out four to six weeks with a lower-body injury. He needed help getting off the ice Saturday after he was checked by the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner. … The Boston Bruins signed forward Tyler Johnson to a one-year, $775,000 contract. He won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning and spent the last three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Nov. 2: Islanders’ Mathew Barzal, Adam Pelech go on injured list

New York Islanders No. 1 center Mathew Barzal was placed on long-term injured reserve with an unspecified upper-body injury. He’ll be out four to six weeks. He had 80 points in 80 games last season but had been limited to five points in 10 games this season as the Islanders have struggled to score.

Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech also will be out four to six weeks after being hit in the face by a puck. He went on the injured list.

Oct. 30: Sharks acquire Timothy Liljegren from Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs get defenseman Matt Benning, a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder. Liljegren, 25, had been limited to one game in Toronto this season, and the Maple Leafs recently committed to blue-liner Jake McCabe with a five-year extension. But Liljegren should fit in well in San Jose, which is building around younger players. Benning, 30, and Liljegren are signed through 2025-26.

This is the second day with an NHL trade after none previously since the season opened in North America.

Oct. 29: Utah acquires defenseman Olli Maatta from Red Wings

The Utah Hockey Club gives up a third-round pick as it addresses a desperate need for a veteran defenseman. Sean Durzi and John Marino are out long-term after surgery. Utah has been leaking goals during a four-game losing streak, including blowing a 4-1 lead late in the third period against the previously winless San Jose Sharks. Maatta is solid defensively and has nearly 700 games of NHL experience.

Oct. 28: Maple Leafs sign Jake McCabe to five-year extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenseman Jake McCabe to a five-year extension with an annual average value of $4.51 million. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports there is some deferred money in the deal. McCabe, 31, had been acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in a February 2023 trade and ranks fourth on the team in average ice time this season. He has three assists in nine games and a team-best plus-6 rating.

Also: The New York Rangers recalled rugged forward Matt Rempe from the American Hockey League after he played two games there. The Rangers play the Washington Capitals on Tuesday in what has become a feisty rivalry.

Oct. 26: Penguins send goalie Tristan Jarry to minors

The Pittsburgh Penguins sent two-time All-Star goaltender Tristan Jarry to their American Hockey League affiliate on a conditioning loan after his early season struggles. He had been sent home from the Penguins’ road trip to work on his game after recording a 5.47 goals-against average and .836 save percentage in three games. He was pulled from his last start on Oct. 16 and gave up six goals in the opener.

Jarry is in the second season of a five-year contract that carries a $5.375 million cap hit. Rookie Joel Blomqvist has had the most starts in the Penguins net this season and Alex Nedeljkovic recently returned from an injury.

Also: The New York Islanders signed rugged forward Matt Martin for the rest of the season. He had been to camp on a tryout agreement after spending 13 of his 15 seasons with the Islanders.

Oct. 25: Rangers’ Alexis Lafreniere gets seven-year extension

The New York Rangers and Alexis Lafreniere have agreed to a seven-year extension as he builds on last season’s breakthrough. The 2020 No. 1 overall pick will average $7.45 million in the deal, according to lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. That’s up from this year’s $2.325 million cap hit. Lafreniere, 23, broke through with 28 goals and 57 points last season and added eight goals and 14 points in the playoffs. He is averaging a point a game this season through seven games and scored his fourth goal of the season on Thursday. He is signed through 2031-32.

Oct. 24: Golden Knights’ Shea Theodore signs for seven years

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore will average $7.425 million in the extension, which kicks in next season and runs through 2031-32. Getting him signed now is important after the Golden Knights lost Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson and others from their 2023 Stanley Cup team to free agency during the summer.

Theodore, 29, is the franchise’s top-scoring defenseman with 296 points and has opened this season with seven points in six games. Vegas’ top three defensemen (also Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin) are signed through at least 2026-27.

Oct. 23: Utah’s Sean Durzi, John Marino out long-term after surgery

The Utah Hockey Club, who beefed up their defense in the offseason, will be without two key blueliners long-term after they had surgery.

Sean Durzi, who was injured in an Oct. 15 game, will miss four to six months after shoulder surgery. John Marino, who has yet to play this season, is out three to four months after back surgery.

Utah added defensemen Mikhail Sergachev, Marino and Ian Cole in the offseason. Durzi, acquired last season when the team was in Arizona, signed a four-year, $24 million contract during the summer.

In other injury news, St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas has a fractured ankle and will be evaluated in six weeks.

Oct. 22: Panthers give coach Paul Maurice contract extension

Maurice, who joined the Panthers in 2022-23, went to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season and won it last year. His 29 playoff wins are a franchise record.

He has 98 regular-season wins with Florida and his 873 career wins rank fourth all time in NHL history.

Also: The Blues signed forward Jake Neighbours to a two-year, $7.5 million contract extension.

Oct. 17: Stars’ Jake Oettinger signs eight-year contract extension

The Dallas Stars signed goalie Jake Oettinger to an eight-year, $66 million contract extension that kicks in next season. The $8.25 million cap hit matches the deals recently signed by the Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman and Senators’ Linus Ullmark.

Oettinger has led the Stars to the Western Conference final the past two seasons.

Oct. 12: Aleksander Barkov, Macklin Celebrini are injured

The NHL season is young, but two prominent players are already out with injuries.

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov will miss two to three weeks after crashing leg first into the boards while trying to prevent an empty net goal on Thursday. His stick had broken but he couldn’t stop Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle from scoring. The time frame should allow Barkov to participate in the two Global Series games against the Dallas Stars in Tampere, Finland, on Nov. 1-2. Barkov is the first Finnish NHL captain to win the Stanley Cup. He won the Selke Trophy last season for the second time as top defensive forward.

Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks placed No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Coach Ryan Warsofsky said Celebrini is week-to-week. He had been dealing with an injury in training camp but played in this week’s season opener, scoring a goal and an assist.

Oct. 11: Avalanche claim goalie Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers

In a busy day for goalie transactions, the Colorado Avalanche claimed Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets. Colorado lost 8-4 in the opener, with Alexandar Georgiev giving up five goals and backup Justus Annunen giving up two goals on four shots. The Avalanche are Kahkonen’s fourth team in a year. He split time last season between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils.

In other moves, the Minnesota Wild called up Jesper Wallstedt, their goalie of future, who will join Game 1 winner Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury. The Nashville Predators sent down Matt Murray, who backed up Scott Wedgewood on Thursday with injured No. 1 goalie Juuse Saros unable to play.

Oct. 10: Hurricanes-Lightning game postponed because of Milton

Saturday’s game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning has been postponed as the Tampa Bay area recovers from Hurricane Milton. The league said a makeup date would be announced as soon as it can be confirmed.

The Lightning are playing their season opener in Carolina on Friday. Saturday’s game was to be the start of a three-game homestand (also Tuesday and Thursday).

Amalie Arena got through the storm fine, though Tropicana Field, home of MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida, suffered major damage to its roof.

Oct. 10: Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner has surgery

Jenner had shoulder surgery to repair an injury he suffered during training camp and could miss up to six months.

‘Our hope is he can return before the end of the season,’ said Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Waddell. ‘His loss will be felt by our club, but we have a strong leadership group in place and players will be given an opportunity to take on greater roles on and off the ice.’

Boone, who finished second on the Blue Jackets last season with 22 goals and is the franchise leader in games played, has been the team’s captain since 2021-22.

Oct. 9: Linus Ullmark, Joey Daccord get contract extensions

Ullmark, who won the Vezina Trophy with the Bruins in 2022-03, was traded to the Ottawa Senators this offseason so Boston had the room to re-sign Swayman. Ullmark will get four years, $33 million from the Senators and have the same $8.25 million cap as Swayman.

Meanwhile, Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord received a five-year, $25 million extension. He filled in for Philipp Grubauer after that goalie’s injury last season and got the NHL’s first shutout in the Winter Classic. Both contracts will take effect next season.

A new contender for NFL MVP has joined the fray, and – spoiler alert – he is not a quarterback.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley heard MVP chants during his ‘Sunday Night Football’ performance in Week 12. Those well-traveling Eagles fans (the win over the Rams was in Los Angeles) may have had a point.

After a night that included career highs in rushing yards (255) and yards from scrimmage (302), Barkley now leads the league in rush attempts, rushing yards, yards per carry, touches and yards from scrimmage. The only major rushing category in which he doesn’t hold the lead is rushing touchdowns, where he is tied for fourth with 10 so far.

Barkley’s career night significantly boosted his odds to win the NFL MVP award. Where does he fall now among all top contenders in latest MVP odds?

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NFL MVP power rankings

Here’s how the NFL MVP odds look after the full Sunday slate in Week 12, according to BetMGM:

5. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs: +1000

Mahomes and the Chiefs yet again narrowly avoided defeat on Sunday as the Carolina Panthers made things interesting late. All it took was another game-winning drive from the two-time MVP which, naturally, included a 33-yard scramble to put his team in field goal range.

The star quarterback finished the day 27-of-37 for 269 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions.

4. Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions: +700

One of the NFL’s most accurate passers this season is next up on the power rankings. Goff and the Lions took care of business on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, winning 24-6 on the road to match the Chiefs’ 10-1 record.

The starting quarterback leads the league with his nine yards per pass attempt and is tied with Mahomes for the league lead in fourth-quarter comebacks, with three. Following a 26-of-36 (72.2% completion rate) day on Sunday, Goff’s completion rate on the season actually went down. He’s now behind only Tua Tagovailoa (seven games) for the league lead in that category.

3. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles: +650

Barkley has become a near-lock for Offensive Player of the Year with his recent performances, but an MVP award is also in sight after what he did to the Rams on Sunday night.

The star running back rushed for 255 yards and had two touchdowns longer than 70 yards. He caught four passes for 47 yards, giving him a total of 302 scrimmage yards on the night.

Barkley is now up to 1,392 yards (leads league) on 223 carries (leads league), averaging 6.2 yards per carry (leads league). His play over the first 11 games of the season has breathed life into an Eagles team that needed it after last year’s late-season spiral, and now his impact has been reflected in the latest MVP odds.

2. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens: +220

The Ravens haven’t yet played their Week 12 game at the time of writing, with a ‘Monday Night Football’ clash with the Los Angeles Chargers looming. But what Jackson has already accomplished this season has been impressive.

The reigning MVP already has four games with at least three passing touchdowns, including a five-touchdown day in late October against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jackson also has two games with more than 300 passing yards and five games with 50 or more rushing yards. Against the Chiefs in Week 1, he threw for 273 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 122 yards.

Jackson’s last performance against the Steelers was bad on paper, but the poor numbers were mostly exacerbated by bad drops and penalty woes. His upcoming game against the Chargers will be a chance to prove that last week was an anomaly.

1. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills: +150

Allen has led his team to a 9-2 record, including the only win any team has against the Chiefs this year. While the Bills quarterback doesn’t lead the league in any one statistic, his influence in Buffalo’s nine wins is tangible.

Most recently, Allen’s 26-yard touchdown scramble on fourth-and-2 – which included several broken tackles – was what gave the Bills a two-possession lead late in the game against Kansas City.

Allen has finished in the top-5 of MVP voting three times, but his 2024 season so far is giving him a great shot at finally taking home the award.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the New York Jets have a quarterback problem.

According to multiple reports, Aaron Rodgers may be on his way out of New York before the 2025 season. Those reports indicate that team owner Woody Johnson and the veteran quarterback are considering moving on after this season ends.

Rodgers first came over to New York in a 2023 trade but missed all but four plays last year after rupturing his Achilles in Week 1. Finally playing in his first full season for the Jets, the former Packer and four-time MVP has led his new team to a 3-8 record, just above the New England Patriots for last place in the AFC East.

If Rodgers and the Jets do part ways, the team will have to pivot to its 11th starting quarterback since drafting Sam Darnold in 2018.

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New York has a few choices for next year in that scenario.

One option is drafting a quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft. Given that the Jets hold the No. 7 overall pick, they’d likely have to settle for a second-tier quarterback prospect (i.e., not Miami’s Cam Ward nor Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders).

Another option is signing a veteran bridge quarterback in free agency. With this move, New York likely wouldn’t be in a competitive, playoff-contending position, but a veteran could bring experience and leadership to the locker room. Signing the right veteran also brings in a valuable mentor for a rookie taken in the 2026 draft (Arch Manning? Nico Iamaleava?)

Finally, the Jets could stick with their in-house options, of which a couple are signed on for 2025 but aren’t Rodgers.

Here are some of the Jets’ quarterback options for 2025:

Jets QB options: 2025 NFL draft

Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Milroe is one of the top options in the 2025 NFL draft, not named Ward or Sanders. He’s a dual-threat quarterback with the arm talent to make plays all over the length and width of the field and the running talent to extend plays and thrive on designed quarterback runs.

While his ceiling is among the highest of any prospect in this year’s draft class, Milroe still needs some development as a passer. He has trouble navigating the pocket because of poor footwork, and his play and decision-making can suffer from an over-reliance on his legs and athleticism.

The Jets currently have neither a general manager nor a head coach, but hiring the right staff would be crucial in bringing out the best in Milroe’s skill set. The Eagles’ success with Jalen Hurts would be a good example for the Jets to follow with the current Alabama starter.

Carson Beck, Georgia

Entering the 2024 college football season, Beck was the leader in the metaphorical clubhouse regarding quarterback prospects. Since then, defenses around college football have identified and exploited his weaknesses, leaving Beck’s draft stock in shambles.

There is still plenty to like about the Georgia quarterback and his struggles in 2024 give the Jets a better shot at drafting the young signal-caller. Beck is largely a pocket passer but can make plays with his legs when asked to, and he has the arm talent necessary to succeed.

Beck’s decision-making and hesitance to make certain throws have caused issues this year. When Beck is pressured, those problems can escalate quickly. That’s why Beck, like Milroe, could benefit from some extra time to develop after arriving in the pros, especially if the Jets can use that extra time to build up a shaky offensive line.

Jets QB options: Free agency/in-house

Tyrod Taylor/Jordan Travis

Taylor is the journeyman veteran backup option the Jets have under contract for one more season. Travis is the fifth-round flier the Jets drafted this year. He has yet to practice with the team as he recovers from the leg injury he suffered to end his college career.

Between the two, Taylor is the more likely option to start in 2025, even if he’s just a bridge option for a rookie quarterback. He’s played in one game for the Jets this year, a brief appearance in Week 1 in relief of Rodgers. He completed six of his eight pass attempts for 36 yards and a touchdown.

Travis has an outside shot at being a contributor for the 2025 Jets, but he’ll need an impressive offseason and training camp to earn it. This year is essentially a medical red-shirt year for the rookie, and as a leftover asset from an old regime, the Florida State product will have to prove he’s worthy of sticking around.

Russell Wilson

Besides Sam Darnold, Wilson may be the top free-agent quarterback on the market this offseason.

There’s a chance the veteran quarterback doesn’t even hit the market, given his run of success with the Pittsburgh Steelers so far this season. Wilson is 4-1 in five starts with a 63.1% completion rate, 1,212 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions.

His days as a true dual-threat quarterback are mostly behind him as he prepares for his 36th birthday on Friday, but his ability to make plays with a quality receiving corps is still there. However, New York must build up its offensive line to help Wilson succeed, as the veteran has struggled when under pressure with his third team.

Andy Dalton

Teams planning to draft a young quarterback in the near future have loved having Dalton around. The 2021 Bears signed the ‘Red Rifle’ before drafting Justin Fields, and the 2023 Panthers brought in the three-time Pro Bowler before drafting Bryce Young with the first overall pick.

Dalton will be a free agent this offseason after playing out his two-year deal in Carolina. Another two-year deal with the Jets would give the veteran a near-certain opportunity to start in 2025. After that, he’d have another chance to play mentor once more to a rookie gunslinger either next year or in 2026.

The 14th-year quarterback started five games this season after the Panthers benched Young. He went 1-4 in those games with a 66.3% completion rate, 989 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions.

Week 12 in the NFL is very nearly wrapped up, and the balance of power atop the NFC is fairly resolved.

The Detroit Lions continue to roll over opponents, but the Philadelphia Eagles, winners of seven consecutive games, are playing balanced, complete football. And, after taking down the Los Angeles Rams, they look like a team that has found its winning identity. Behind the bruising power and speed of Saquon Barkley in the rushing game and a defense that can generate pressure at will, the Eagles are peaking.

In the AFC, the Houston Texans are facing considerable headwinds, as quarterback C.J. Stroud continues to struggle with turnovers, and Houston has lost three of its last four.

Here are the winners and losers from Sunday of Week 12 in the NFL.

WINNERS

Can the Eagles steal the top seed in the NFC?

If there’s any team that looks poised to pry it away from the Lions, it’s the Eagles (9-2), whose offense is versatile and whose defense is oppressive. Philadelphia is just one game back of the No. 1 seed, but its remaining schedule is far more forgiving than Detroit’s.

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The Lions have games remaining against the Green Bay Packers (8-3), Buffalo Bills (9-2) and Minnesota Vikings (9-2). The toughest remaining Eagles opponents, meanwhile, are the Baltimore Ravens (7-4), Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) and Washington Commanders (7-4) — all of whom have shown some significant flaws in recent weeks. Barkley is demoralizing opposing defenses. Jalen Hurts is playing cleanly and protecting the ball. And the defense is harassing opposing passers. In short, Philadelphia – very much like Detroit – is built to win down the stretch.

In wide open NFC West, Seahawks soar to top – for now

In what was a battle for first place, the Seattle Seahawks absolutely shut down a dynamic Arizona Cardinals offense and momentarily grabbed control of first place with a 16-6 win. Seattle contained Kyler Murray (two rushes for 9 yards) in the pocket and bottled up James Conner (seven carries for 8 yards), allowing just 49 rushing yards to a team that came in averaging 100 more per game.

Seattle’s offense, at times, can stagnate, although quarterback Geno Smith and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba have developed a nice rapport. Still, with one game separating the Seahawks and the last place San Francisco 49ers (5-6), the race for this division should come down to the last week of the season.

Sam Darnold keeps rolling, Vikings keep pace in NFC North

The Lions (10-1) may be the best team in football, but the Vikings (9-2) are keeping pace. Minnesota held on against Chicago after giving up 11 points inside the final minute of regulation, allowing the Bears to take the game to overtime.

The Vikings rolled up 452 yards of total offense. Quarterback Sam Darnold, who’s making his case to stay in Minnesota beyond this season, threw for 330 passing yards and a pair of scores against a Chicago defense that came into Sunday ranked ninth in passing yards allowed. Running back Aaron Jones had a monster day (106 rushing yards). With the Vikings sitting just one game back of the Lions for first place in the division and the conference overall, this could be setting for a massive season finale Week 18, when the Vikings travel to Detroit.

Sean Payton, Bo Nix and Vance Joseph have changed the Broncos culture

Over the last nine games, rookie quarterback Bo Nix has scored 19 touchdowns against only two interceptions. Credit coach Sean Payton for installing an offense that is simple enough for the rookie to grasp and learn, but Payton has also given Nix the freedom to call and make adjustments at the line, making the offense truly his own.

More importantly, the Broncos have gone 7-3 over their last 10, with the defeats in that span coming against some of the league’s best teams in the Los Angeles Chargers, Ravens and Chiefs. Behind a barrage of pressure, coordinator Vance Joseph’s defense forced the Raiders into five sacks and two turnovers.

LOSERS

Texans come crashing down

Initially, Sunday’s shocking loss against the Tennessee Titans doesn’t appear to be so costly for Houston; the Texans (7-5) remain two games up on the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South and stayed as the No. 4 seed in the AFC.

But this was a game when Houston could’ve gained ground in seeding – after the No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers lost Thursday to the Cleveland Browns – and some of the team’s typical issues flared up against a Titans team that entered the day with two wins. Stroud, one season after throwing just five interceptions, has nine in only 11 games. Houston’s red zone offense, which entered the day ranked 20th, converted just two of four trips. The Texans generated eight sacks on defense and still lost. They gained just 40 rushing yards and have now lost three of their last four and four of their last six.

The Commanders, too

The difference between the Texans and Commanders is that Washington’s recent losses are indeed proving to be costly. The Commanders (7-5) have lost three consecutive games and are losing ground in the NFC East and in the conference overall.

Washington stumbled against a Cowboys team starting Cooper Rush, one that converted only two of 11 third downs (18%) and had lost five in a row. Washington had a horrendous special teams day, allowing a kickoff returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter in addition to Austin Seibert missing a field goal and a pair of extra points, including the one that would’ve tied the game after a wild, 86-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin. Three weeks ago, the Commanders were 7-2 and second in the NFC. Now, they’re seventh and in danger of falling out of the wild-card picture altogether.

‘Soft’ Giants seemingly headed for yet another offseason of turnover

Aside from a garbage time touchdown after Tampa Bay had already built a 30-point lead on the Giants, there were very few signs of optimism. Tommy DeVito – much like last season – very clearly isn’t the answer.

After the game, several of New York’s players individually called the team’s performance “soft” and questioned effort. That’s a damning indictment of a coaching staff that has struggled to elevate a roster riddled with holes. In October, Giants co-owner John Mara gave general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll a vote of confidence, and he reportedly is standing by that. But the pair would be entering their fourth season in New York and there has been no marker of tangible progress, the quarterback question remains wholly unresolved, and it’s hard to see this team competing, even with a serious infusion of talent over the offseason.