Tag: Steelers

Dec 12, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) on the field before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

Reports: 49ers bring back FB Kyle Juszczyk on 2-year deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers are welcoming back nine-time Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk with a two-year, $8 million contract, multiple media outlets reported Saturday morning.

Per ESPN, Juszczyk accepted less than what the Pittsburgh Steelers were offering to return to San Francisco.

The 49ers released Juszczyk on Tuesday in a move that saved the club more than $2.9 million toward this year’s salary cap. Juszczyk was set to make a $4.1 million base salary in 2025 with a $6.5 million cap figure in the final season of a five-year contract.

Juszczyk, 33, produced 26 yards and a touchdown on five carries, and he had 200 yards and two TDs on 19 receptions in 2024.

In eight seasons with the 49ers, Juszczyk had 60 carries for 212 yards and five touchdowns plus 184 catches for 1,895 yards and 13 scores.

The Baltimore Ravens selected Juszczyk in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Harvard, and he spent four seasons with the franchise.

Overall, in 189 NFL games (142 starts), he has 67 carries for 237 yards and six touchdowns to go with 281 receptions for 2,664 yards and 18 TDs.

–Field Level Media

Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) throws the ball in the first half against the Buffalo Bills in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reports: QB Mason Rudolph returning to Steelers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph is returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team that drafted him in 2018, on a two-year deal, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

Rudolph spent last season with the Titans. He appeared in eight games, starting five of them, and was 1-4 as a starter for Tennessee, who tied for the NFL’s worst record (3-14). He completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,530 yards with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions.

The rest of Rudolph’s career has been with the Steelers, largely as backup, since being drafted in the third round.

In 18 starts (29 career games), the 29-year-old Rudolph has a 9-8-1 record, completing 437 passes for 4,615 yards with 28 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

In 2023, in a fill-in role, he led the Steelers to a 3-0 record to end the season, propelling them into the playoffs. They lost 31-17 to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round.

The Steelers were quarterbacked last season by Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, both signed to one-year deals as free agents. Fields has since signed with the New York Jets, and Wilson reportedly is visiting the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants this week.

Pittsburgh has only former Miami Dolphins backup Skylar Thompson signed at quarterback as it reportedly waits for four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to accept or decline an offer.

–Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay Jr. (2) against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Reports: Steelers sign CB Darius Slay to 1-year, $10M deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal with six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay, according to multiple reports.

Slay, 34, has 28 career interceptions and 160 passes defensed in 177 games (167 starts) with the Lions (2013-19) and Eagles. He was drafted in the second round by Detroit in 2013, going on to make three Pro Bowls for the Lions.

A string of three more consecutive Pro Bowl nominations was snapped in 2024, when he started all 14 games in which he played for the Super Bowl champions. He recorded 13 passes defensed and 49 tackles.

The Steelers will pair Slay with 2023 second-round pick Joey Porter Jr. He will also be reunited with former Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell, who also signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh.

Releasing Slay with a post-June 1 designation will save the Eagles $4.3 million against their salary cap in 2025. Philadelphia is reportedly also parting ways with former Pro Bowl cornerback James Bradberry, who spent the entire 2024 season on injured reserve as he recovered from a torn Achilles tendon.

–Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws a pass before Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson (44) could take him down, Sunday January 5, 2025, in East Rutherford.

Happy trails: Jets officially release QB Aaron Rodgers

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Aaron Rodgers was officially released by the New York Jets on Wednesday, and a short queue led by the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants reportedly formed for a chance to sign the 41-year-old quarterback.

Jets General manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn met with Rodgers in what the first-time GM labeled a meeting of clarity and determined it would be best to move on, before owner Woody Johnson issued a public thank you to the former Packers quarterback.

The Steelers are without a starting quarterback in part because the Jets are set to sign Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal. Russell Wilson, who started the final 11 games of the 2024 season and a playoff loss to the Ravens for Pittsburgh, is reportedly drawing interest from the Giants and Browns.

The Jets will be charged $14 million for releasing Rodgers on the 2025 salary cap and $35 million in 2026.

Rodgers joined the Jets amid much fanfare ahead of the 2023 season but suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the opener. Last season, he rebounded to start all 17 games but the Jets finished only 5-12. He completed 63.0 percent of his passes for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Rodgers spent 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers before moving on the Jets. The future Pro Football Hall of Fame member and four-time NFL MVP ranks in the top 10 in NFL history in many statistical categories.

He is first in passer rating (102.6), fifth in career touchdown passes (503), and seventh in both pass completions (5,369) and passing yards (62,952).

–Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) catches a kick over his shoulder in the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.

Report: Steelers place 2nd-round tender on RB Jaylen Warren

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Pittsburgh Steelers placed a second-round tender on running back Jaylen Warren, likely removing a potential coveted restricted free agent from the market, his agents told NFL Network on Monday.

The tender, worth $5.346 million, ostensibly keeps Warren under team control for the 2025 season. If another team submitted an offer sheet to Warren that the Steelers failed to match, it would cost that team a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Steelers RB1 Najee Harris is a pending unrestricted free agent, meaning Warren could become the team’s primary ball-carrier in 2025. Warren would become an unrestricted free agent in 2026, barring a long-term deal with the Steelers.

Warren, 26, rushed for 511 yards and a touchdown and caught 38 passes for 310 yards in 15 games (zero starts) behind Harris in 2024.

The Steelers signed Warren as an undrafted free agent in May 2022. He has rushed for 1,674 yards and six TDs and caught 127 passes for 894 yards in 48 career games (zero starts).

–Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws his 500th career touchdown pass in the second quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.

Reports: Steelers chasing Aaron Rodgers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

There reason for delay by the Pittsburgh Steelers in re-signing their two free agent quarterbacks reportedly has a name — and it’s Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers, 41, is a free agent after the New York Jets informed him they were going another direction after two seasons and a coaching change.

The Steelers reportedly have kept the door open for Russell Wilson or Justin Fields to return after reaching the playoffs last season. Fields was 4-2 when Wilson returned from a calf injury to take the reins for the remainder of the season. Wilson and Metcalf played together with the Seahawks.

After acquiring Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf to end a two-season pursuit of a No. 1 option in the passing game, the Steelers are now considering a new passer, ESPN and NFL Network reported Monday morning.

Rodgers passed for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2024, returning from a season-ending Achilles injury in his first game with the Jets in Sept. 2023.

The 10-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time NFL MVP has also been reported as an option for the New York Giants.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) catches a pass for a touchdown over Minnesota Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore (2) during the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Report: Steelers obtain WR DK Metcalf from Seahawks for 2nd-round pick

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The Pittsburgh Steelers made a big-time move on Sunday night by acquiring receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks for a second-round draft pick, according to multiple reports.

Metcalf reportedly will sign a five-year, $150 million deal with the Steelers.

The teams reportedly are also switching draft picks in the sixth and seventh rounds.

Metcalf requested a trade last week and the Seahawks agreed to see if they could grant his wish.

Metcalf, 27, narrowly missed his fourth career 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024 by catching 66 passes for 992 yards and five scores in 15 games (12 starts). He topped 1,000 in 2020, 2022 and 2023 with his career best of 1,303 coming in 2020.

The two-time Pro Bowl pick has 438 receptions for 6,324 yards and 48 touchdowns in 97 career games (93 starts) in six seasons with the Seahawks, who selected him in the second round of the 2019 draft.

Pittsburgh could enter next season with two top-notch receivers in Metcalf and George Pickens unless the Steelers decide to deal the latter.

Along with Friday’s reported trade of quarterback Geno Smith to Las Vegas for a third-round pick, Seattle is now set to own four of the top 68 and six of the top 82 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws during pre-game warmups against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence nixes trade rumors

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Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said he plans to win a Super Bowl in Jacksonville, not Pittsburgh.

Speaking for the first time since rumors emerged last week that the Steelers wanted to acquire Lawrence to run their offense, the Jaguars quarterback shot down the internet chatter.

“I’m happy here in Jacksonville,” Lawrence, 25, said Monday on the “Up & Adams” show on NFL Network. “I plan on, you know, we want to win a Super Bowl here, and I think we can do that. And I don’t want to leave Jacksonville. So I’m happy here, obviously not going to Pittsburgh.”

Still, Lawrence acknowledged being a bit unsettled as rumors swirled, conveyed to him via text from his agent.

“When he sent it to me, I was like, I wouldn’t say your heart drops, but you’re kind of like, what? And then I’m thinking about how I can’t even get — I have a no-trade clause in my contract, so I would know about it if I was getting traded, or if that was something that was gonna happen, you know, I’d have to be on board with it,” Lawrence said. “Which I’m not.”

Lawrence said his new head coach, Liam Coen, reached out to him.

“Liam texted me, actually, I guess the day after it came out, and Liam said, ‘Shouldn’t even have to say this, but that’s not coming from us.’” Lawrence said. “I was like, yeah, I figured. So we’re all good. He didn’t even have to send that. There was no doubt on my side.”

Lawrence is under contract through the 2030 season after signing a five-year, $275 million contract extension with Jacksonville. He has a full no-trade clause with the Jaguars.

In 2025, Lawrence will be playing for his third head coach in five NFL seasons, following the dismissals of Urban Meyer and Doug Pederson.

Jacksonville holds the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 draft. Counting Lawrence as the No. 1 pick in 2021 followed by defensive end Travon Walker first overall in 2022, this is the third time in five seasons the Jaguars are set to draft in the top five.

Lawrence was 2-8 as the starter in 2024, completing 60.6 percent of his passes for 2,045 yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He missed seven games due to a shoulder injury and a concussion.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Playoff team favored as Aaron Rodgers’ next landing spot

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Aaron Rodgers headlines the list of veteran quarterbacks expected to be on the move this offseason, and several potential landing spots have emerged as the favorite next NFL destination for the four-time MVP.

With the New York Jets reportedly telling the 41-year-old that he won’t be returning next year, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been installed as the +200 favorite by DraftKings to sign Rodgers. The Steelers are reportedly ready to move on from Russell Wilson, with Justin Fields considered more likely to return to Pittsburgh.

The second-shortest odds belong to Las Vegas at +300. The Raiders used journeyman Gardner Minshew and second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell last year. New coach Pete Carroll is expected to seek a veteran signal-caller, and the Raiders have been the most popular choice with the public, backing Las Vegas with 25 percent of the money wagered on Rodgers’ next team.

While Rodgers is expected to play at least one more season, the Raiders wouldn’t appear to provide an opportunity to compete for the postseason immediately in the deep AFC West.

The second-most popular choice with the public has been San Francisco, with the 49ers backed by 15 percent of the money to sign Rodgers. 49ers owner Jed York and general manager John Lynch have both stated their intention to sign Brock Purdy to a long-term contract this offseason. But Rodgers also has strong ties to Northern California, where he starred for Cal after growing up in Chico.

The Steelers are third with 12 percent of the money backing them to sign Rodgers, followed by Indianapolis with 9 percent at +650 and the New York Giants with 8 percent at +1200. The Colts have 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson, who was benched for a period last season, while the Giants released former first-round pick Daniel Jones midseason.

AARON RODGERS NEXT TEAM ODDS*
Pittsburgh Steelers (+200)
Las Vegas Raiders (+300)
San Francisco 49ers (+350)
Minnesota Vikings (+400)
Tennessee Titans (+750)
Indianapolis Colts (+850)
Los Angeles Rams (+1000)
New York Giants (+1200)
Cleveland Browns (+1400)
New York Jets (+1800)
Seattle Seahawks (+2000)
New Orleans Saints (+4000)
Miami Dolphins (+7500)
Jacksonville Jaguars (+7500)
Houston Texans (+7500)
Green Bay Packers (+7500)
Detroit Lions (+7500)
Dallas Cowboys (+7500)
Carolina Panthers (+7500)
Atlanta Falcons (+7500)
New England Patriots (+7500)
Los Angeles Chargers (+10000)
Kansas City Chiefs (+10000)
Denver Broncos (+10000)
Cincinnati Bengals (+10000)
Chicago Bears (+10000)
Buffalo Bills (+10000)
Baltimore Ravens (+10000)
Arizona Cardinals (+10000)
Washington Commanders (+10000)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+10000)
Philadelphia Eagles (+10000)
*via DraftKings

Rodgers, 41, recently flew to New York to meet with the Jets’ front office only to be told that the team doesn’t intend to bring him back next season, according to Fox Sports.

It would be a pricey breakup for the Jets following two disappointing seasons since signing him.

He suffered a torn Achilles just four snaps into the 2023 campaign. Last season, he rebounded to start all 17 games but the Jets finished only 5-12. He completed 63.0 percent of his passes for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Coach Robert Saleh was fired during the season, with former Jets cornerback Aaron Glenn hired to take over last month.

If the Jets were to designate Rodgers as a post-June 1 cut, they would take a $49 million hit in dead salary cap money — $14 million in 2025 and $35 million in 2026. However, it would also allow Rodgers to sign with another team once the new league year begins March 12.

The Jets could also explore trade options, although Rodgers does have a full no-trade clause. And the return on any deal would likely be marginal given Rodgers’ age and declining production.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2024; Munich, Germany; The NFL shield logo at midfield during the 2024 NFL Munich Game at Allianz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Steelers to play in NFL’s first regular season game in Dublin

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The NFL will play its first regular season game in Dublin in 2025, with the Pittsburgh Steelers signed on as the designated team.

The league announced the game on Friday but did not name an opponent for the Steelers or a game date. Details will come when the NFL schedule is announced in the spring.

The Steelers and Chicago Bears played a preseason game in 1997 at Dublin’s Croke Park, where the game will be staged this fall. It is the largest sports venue in Ireland.

The Rooney family, owners of the Steelers, have ties to Ireland. The team’s late chairman, Daniel M. Rooney, was U.S. ambassador to Ireland and a co-founder of the Ireland Funds Charity.

“We are very excited to be the designated team in the first regular season game to be played in Ireland this upcoming season,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said. “The opportunity for the Pittsburgh Steelers to play in Ireland is truly special, not only because of the Rooney family history there, but also to play in front of the growing number of Steelers fans in Ireland. We are thrilled to be part of this historic event to represent Pittsburgh in a game that brings the NFL to the great sports fans in Ireland.”

The NFL International Games series continues to expand in 2025.

Three games will be played in London, with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets already scheduled as the designated team for one game each. The Indianapolis Colts are the designated team in Berlin, with the Miami Dolphins holding that title for the International Games event in Madrid.

The game in Berlin will be the first regular season NFL game in the city, while the Madrid game will be the debut regular season game in Spain.

The league also recently announced that the Los Angeles Rams would be the designated team for a game in Melbourne, Australia, in 2026.

–Field Level Media