Month: January 2025

Suns benched Bradley Beal to get him to waive no-trade clause?

I do think what’s happening now in Phoenix is worth keeping an eye on, because let’s face it: For any Bradley Beal deal, he’s not coming here [Miami], but I know for a fact there’s 3- and 4-way combinations in play with Bradley Beal. He has to waive his no trade clause. Well, what’s a good way to have a player want to waive his no trade clause? Bench him. Play him off the bench behind a player he clearly doesn’t believe is better than him. So I think a lot of these wheels are starting to turn.
Source: Streamable What’s the buzz on Twitter? Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Have sources confirming Phoenix Suns lineup change with Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkic going to bench and rookie Ryan Dunn and Mason Plumlee starting tonight vs. 76ers.
Will have more on

Keep reading this article on HoopsHype - NBA.

Cam Heyward still dealing with an illness, Mason McCormick has broken hand ahead of wild card


Cameron Heyward #97 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on prior to an NFL Football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the Wild Card Round as healthy as one could expect at this point in the season, but there are still plenty of updates from HC Mike Tomlin ahead of Saturday’s playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens.

In his weekly presser, Tomlin acknowledged that DT Cameron Heyward is still dealing with an illness, which started on Friday evening, Heyward reported after the game. “I have the flu,” he said, “Just been dealing with it.” The Heyward Flu Game against the Cincinnati Bengals was a goodie, and you’d have never guessed he was ill based on his performance, tallying a pressure and three batted passes that were integral to keeping Joe Burrow & Co. in check throughout the game.

Another key injury from Week 18 was to right guard Mason McCormick, now dealing with a broken hand. Tomlin says he will be sized for a cast or brace and evaluate the quality of his practice with that limitation to determine his availability. McCormick, a fourth-round rookie out of South Dakota State, stepped into a starting role following a season-ending Achilles injury to then-starter James Daniels, who is in the final year of his contract with the team. McCormick has earned the 10th-highest PFF pass-blocking grade among rookie OL (min. 100 snaps). It wouldn’t be unprecedented to see him play with a club of sorts. OG Max Scharping is listed as the team’s backup at right guard.

Cornerback Donte Jackson will be someone to watch throughout the week, having missed Week 18 with a nagging back injury suffered in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles, having missed Week 16 with the same. Tomlin shared that Jackson is “feeling good” as of Monday morning, but it will be key to monitor his participation in practice throughout the week. Jackson leads the team with five interceptions in his first season with Pittsburgh, acquired in the Diontae Johnson trade.

Fans will also keep an eye on three players looking to make their way back to the active lineup from long-term injuries, as rookies Roman Wilson and Logan Lee had their 21-day practice window from IR activated, and linebacker Cole Holcomb looks to make his return from a season-ending knee injury suffered last season.

Once again, the Steelers are set to play on Saturday this week with kickoff set for Saturday, January 11 at 8 p.m. ET.

New York Jets request to interview Steelers OC Arthur Smith for HC opening


Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Acrisure Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images

With the conclusion of the 2024 NFL regular season, hiring cycles for vacancies in the league are now in full swing. The New York Jets, coming off a 5-12 disaster of a season, have cleared house, now in the market for a new general manager and head coach. Now, one coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers could be in consideration for the latter position, as the Jets have officially requested to interview current offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Monday.

Smith is no stranger to the Jets, having interviewed for the Jets’ HC position before landing his job as head coach for the Atlanta Falcons, Tom Pelissaro shared. Smith went 7-10 in each of his three seasons with the Falcons, finally relieved of his duties in January of 2024 before being hired as the Steelers’ offensive coordinator.

Smith is yet to replicate the same success he found early in his career as offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, where the team ranked top-12 in offensive yards and top-10 in points scored in back-to-back campaigns.

This season, the Steelers ranked 23rd in yards and 16th in points scored, with passing production predictably low given his typical run-heavy approach. The good news for Smith is that there’s no question his offensive system was a significant improvement over what Matt Canada had installed. The Steelers totaled 21 passing touchdowns in the 2024 regular season after combining for 25 passing touchdowns in each of the two years prior. In 2023 and 2023, the Steelers’ offense ranked 26th and 28 in points scored, respectively.

Four reasons the Steelers can shake up the NFL playoffs

After a strong 10-3 start to the 2024 NFL season, Pittsburgh’s playoff buzz was back. The Steelers’ defense was dominant, the offense found its rhythm, and Chris Boswell continued his kicking excellence.

But a recent four-game losing skid has dampened some of that excitement, reminding fans of previous seasons: such as the 2020 season when the Steelers started 11-0 and fizzled out with a one-and-done playoff appearance.

Fans are now concerned of the same fate for a team that has appeared in, but hasn’t won a postseason game since the 2016 season. Despite this slump, the 2024 Steelers have reasons to inspire optimism and, according to many pundits, there are four reasons that make this a team to watch in the playoffs.

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The Steelers are (mostly) healthy

One of the biggest reasons for Pittsburgh’s late-season collapses in recent years is injuries. Going back to 2016, that was the first postseason where RB Le’Veon Bell was healthy and played. The result? Bell broke two single-game franchise records on their way to the AFC Championship – a game Bell would get injured in and the Steelers would lose.

In 2017 the team’s defense suffered a major blow when Ryan Shazier was injured. Similarly, the 2020 season saw Devin Bush and Bud Dupree lost for the year. And who could forget last season’s late struggles when Kenny Pickett went down, Mitchell Trubisky was benched and Mason Rudolph led a three-game charge to get the team into the tournament.

Last year’s team had even more issues, as T.J. Watt was hurt in the final game against Baltimore with a defense already playing street free agents such as MyCal Walker and Eric Rowe, plus Myles Jack (who came out of retirement midseason.)

While the injury bug started to bite the Steelers during this recent slump, it would appear they are entering next weekend largely healthy. CB Joey Porter Jr.’s recent knee issue only cost him a game, while T.J. Watt continued to play hurt and others such as DeShon Elliott, Larry Ogunjobi and George Pickens all returned to the lineup in Week 18 against the Bengals.

The Steelers also hope to get CB Donte Jackson back for the playoffs.

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Dominant running back duo of Harris and Warren

Pittsburgh’s one-two punch in the backfield is perhaps its greatest weapon heading into the postseason. The combination of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren has been formidable throughout the season. Even in the recent loss to Kansas City, the duo combined for 145 rushing yards against one of the NFL’s top defenses.

The offense will need to run the ball effectively to keep possession for extended stretches. That will be a key factor for playoff success, as the Steelers got away from establishing the run against the Bengals.

Harris has consistently proven his reliability, becoming the first running back since Chris Johnson to rush for over 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons, and the only back to do so over the same time period. Meanwhile, Warren adds a mix of power and versatility, giving Pittsburgh a dynamic duo capable of taking over games.

With Harris’s ability to grind out tough yards and Warren’s quick burst, the Steelers’ ground game has been a blueprint for success in all of this year’s victories.

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A star-studded defense led by T.J. Watt

The Steelers have one of the league’s most talented defenses, anchored by former Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt. During their 10-3 run, the unit allowed 18 points per game and led the league in turnover margin with +17. While injuries and communication breakdowns hurt them in recent weeks, there’s no denying this defense’s potential when healthy.

Despite being on the field for 38 minutes, the Steelers defense held the Bengals to a single touchdown and 19 points. It goes to show what the group is capable of when healthy.

Alongside Watt, the Steelers boast veteran stalwarts like Cameron Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick. (Heyward is arguably playing his best football at 35-years-old.) Edge rushers Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig join Watt to form one of the league’s most fearsome pass-rushing groups.

With Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Cory Trice, Beanie Bishop (who has a knack for creating turnovers) and DeShon Elliott pairing with Fitzpatrick, this could be the best secondary the Steelers have had deep into January. Add inside linebackers Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson to the mix, the the group has the talent to hold any offense in check.

The way this group performs will be pivotal, of course. If the Steelers’ defense maintains its dominant early-season form, they’re a nightmare matchup for any AFC team come playoff time. Steelers fans, on the other hand, are licking their lips at the thoughts of seeing this defense in action in SuperBowl LIX.

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Chris Boswell’s clutch kicking

Special teams might not grab the headlines, but it does when you’re discussing the Pittsburgh Steelers. Danny Smith’s group has been spectacular all season long and could be the formula to winning playoff games.

Having a reliable kicker can make all the difference too. Enter Chris Boswell, who has been nothing short of spectacular this season. Boswell made history earlier this year as the first kicker in NFL history to have multiple games of six field goals in one season. He fell short of David Akers’ single season record of 44 field goals. (Boz made 41 of 44 this season.)

Boswell’s field goal conversion rate of a hair under 93% is a critical asset as the Steelers prepare for high-pressure playoff moments. His clutch performance this season also gave him his first Pro Bowl nod since 2017.

Also, Boswell is no stranger to postseason success. He holds a perfect 17-of-17 record on playoff field goal attempts, including clutch performances in 2015 and 2016 that carried the Steelers to victories. With Boswell’s precision, Pittsburgh can feel confident in close, low-scoring games where every point matters.

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Can the Steelers go all the way?

The Steelers may have hit a rough patch late in the season, but their balance of talent and resilience proves they’re far from done. Their physical health, threatening running game, elite defense, and reliable kicking give them a solid foundation for a strong playoff run. While the Super Bowl might seem far off now, the Steelers have the tools to make a legitimate push.

For fans, the dream of lifting the Lombardi Trophy once again is alive. Buckle up—this postseason could hold something special for Pittsburgh and Steeler Nation.

Four reasons the Steelers can shake up the NFL playoffs appeared first on Steel City Underground.

Watch: Connor Heyward makes splash special teams recovery

Steel City Underground will pick an exceptional play of the game as a highlight each week of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 NFL regular season. Stay tuned as we hand-select the very best from the Black and Gold!

In Week 18, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t earn a win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but they got a big splash play on special teams by a player that doesn’t get much recognition from week to week: Connor Heyward.

Sure, we know he’s veteran, team captain, 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year Cameron Heyward‘s younger brother. Steelers fans know he’s listed as a tight end and fullback on this year’s roster. Otherwise, Connor quietly plays with little fanfare, which is often a good thing because he’s doing his job and not earning penalties.

On Saturday night, in the fourth quarter of the season finale, Corliss Waitman was called-upon to punt the ball back to Cincinnati, Pittsburgh down 14-19. On the punt, the ball hit the ground and touched D.J. Ivey, as the following image shows in detail.

Play review: punt return recovered by the Pittsburgh Steelers via steelcityunderground.com

After the ball bounced away, Heyward, closed in and secured the fumble, sliding before going out of bounds. His play gave the ball back to the offense that set up a successful Chris Boswell field goal to put Pittsburgh within two points of a comeback, 17-19.

The Steelers didn’t get the job done, but Heyward’s special teams fumble recovery gave them their best opportunity at a victory so late in the game.

Watch: Connor Heyward makes splash special teams recovery appeared first on Steel City Underground.

Steelers opponents finalized for 2025


The Pittsburgh Steelers offense huddles during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 1, 2024, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Though the actual schedule won’t be released until May, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ opponents are set in stone for the year to come with the regular season in the rearview mirror. Of course, they’ll have a set of home and away games against their AFC North opponents (Ravens, Bengals, Browns), but also in the mix for 2025 will be the AFC East and NFC North, as well as the No. 2 seeds in the AFC South, NFC West and AFC West.

Eight of the Steelers’ 14 opponents in 2025 held a winning record this season.

Here’s a look at the Steelers’ home and away game opponents for the 2025-26 NFL season, along with the team’s record in the 2024 season.

Steelers home games 2025

Steelers away games 2025

Though there’s not yet a date set for the NFL’s official schedule release, we can assume it will take place sometime around the date of last year’s, which took place on May 15.

While the organization may know their opponents, there are a number of uncertainties — the biggest of which is what quarterback will be behind center for the black and gold, as both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are set to hit free agency in the spring, barring an extension with Pittsburgh. It seemed likely that the Steelers would re-sign Wilson following his hot 4-0 start, but now, an 0-4 skid with struggles on offense could be just the thing that has the team looking elsewhere.