Category: Pittsburgh Steelers

In keeping with recent reports suggesting that the trade market for Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams could be cooling, ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirms that Adams may indeed remain with Las Vegas for the rest of the season. That is primarily because the club continues to push for a second-round pick plus additional compensation in an Adams trade, and it also wants the acquiring team to cover the entirety of Adams’ remaining 2024 base salary.

In addition to the Raiders’ demands – to say nothing of how the Jets’ firing of HC Robert Saleh and the multi-week injury to Saints QB Derek Carr might impact trade talks – a more unexpected factor could play a role in keeping Adams in Nevada. Per Schefter, the Raiders’ recent decision to bench quarterback Gardner Minshew in favor of second-year passer Aidan O’Connell could make Adams reconsider his desire to be traded.

Last year, Adams was frustrated when Las Vegas deployed Jimmy Garoppolo under center, and those frustrations dissipated when O’Connell emerged as the QB1 (a move that Adams endorsed and to which he tied his future with the Raiders). Sources tell Schefter that Adams believes O’Connell is one of the best signal-callers he has played with, and he is intrigued by the prospect of catching passes from the Purdue product once again.

That said, both Schefter and Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) report that the Jets, Saints, Steelers, and Bills continue to discuss a potential deal with the Raiders. Schefter adds that Pittsburgh brass was expected to continue those discussions in person yesterday, as the Steelers are in Las Vegas for their Week 6 game against the Raiders.

Additionally, Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda hears that an Adams trade could happen as early as next week, and that the Jets are the most aggressive suitor at the moment (last week, New Orleans was reportedly making the hardest push to land the soon-to-be 32-year-old). According to Pauline, the Saleh firing and the subsequent demotion of OC Nathaniel Hackett has not made Adams any less open to playing for Gang Green, but Pauline is in agreement with Schefter that O’Connell’s presence could scuttle trade talks.

Mark Davis is fond of Adams, who is said to have the owner’s ear. Pauline says it is certainly possible that, with O’Connell back in the starting lineup, Adams could ask Davis to break off discussions with rival clubs.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, however, believes the reports indicating that the Raiders could keep Adams are being driven by the team itself in order to create leverage that it does not presently have. After all, regardless of whether Minshew or O’Donnell is at the helm, it is difficult to envision Las Vegas making a deep playoff run, and as a non-contender with a talented but aging player who is due a non-guaranteed $35.6MM base salary in 2025, the only logical move for the Raiders is to deal the decorated wideout.

Likewise, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports hears from multiple league sources that Las Vegas is merely bluffing. One source said, “feels a bit like Vegas is trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube to salvage Davante’s market. I think everyone knows their only play is to deal him.”

In Florio’s estimation, the Jets are the only club that truly wants Adams at the moment, and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network hears that this could be a “Jets or bust” situation (video link). Garafolo adds that if New York should win its game against the Bills tomorrow night – which would move Gang Green into first place in the AFC East – the club may be more inclined to make a bold strike for their long-desired target (even though Jones, contrary to Pauline, says the Saleh firing has indeed made Adams a little more wary of going to the Jets).

Adams will be sidelined for today’s matchup with the Steelers due to a hamstring ailment. It will mark his third straight absence.

It sounds like DeMarvin Leal‘s season has come to an end. The Steelers announced that they’ve placed the defensive lineman on injured reserve.

Leal suffered a neck injury last Sunday that limited him to only 12 snaps. Per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the defender is expected to miss the rest of the 2024 campaign.

The former third-round pick has spent most of this season serving as a linebacker while helping to fill in for the injured Alex Highsmith. Leal mostly played defensive end through his first two seasons in the NFL, starting six of his 23 appearances. In total, the third-year player has collected 33 tackles, one sack, and three QB hits.

In corresponding moves, the Steelers signed linebacker Ade Ogundeji to the 53-man roster and promoted linebacker Eku Leota and running back Jonathan Ward from the practice squad. Ogundeji caught on with Pittsburgh’s practice squad at the end of August and is set to make his season debut. The former fifth-round pick started his career in Atlanta, collecting 75 tackles in 27 starts. He missed the entire 2023 campaign with a foot/ankle injury.

There was also some good news on the injury front this morning. The Steelers removed Jaylen Warren from the injury report, meaning the running back should be back on the field for Week 6. Warren missed Week 4 and Week 5 while nursing a knee injury, and he’ll now rejoin a depth chart that’s co-led by Najee Harris.

Russell Wilson logged his first full practice of the regular season today, moving Mike Tomlin toward an ultimate call on where his quarterback situation now stands.

The 13th-year veteran won this job out of the preseason, but Justin Fields had closed the gap after this Steelers offseason pointed to the more experienced player having a decisive advantage. Fields’ age, rushing ability and potential (along with Wilson’s Denver struggles) long made him a threat, regardless of the Pittsburgh party line. Now, the potential Hall of Famer is in danger of seeing a full-on demotion take place. The Steelers are set to start Fields on Sunday, and while Tomlin said he needs to see Wilson sustain health before revisiting his QB decision, he has lost considerable momentum.

Although the Broncos benched Wilson to close last season, the accomplished vet’s contract was at the root of that situation. No such issue exists now, and the Steelers are likely moving toward installing Fields as their starter. With this call approaching, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano notes he has not received indications that Fields is on thin ice entering Week 6. The Steelers being fairly confident in their backup-turned-starter would create an interesting situation soon, as Wilson certainly did not sign with the team to operate in a reserve role.

Wilson beat out Matt Flynn as a rookie and never looked back, starting every Seahawks game until a 2021 finger injury forced him back to the sideline. No debate existed about Geno Smith‘s status at the time; Wilson immediately regained his job upon recovering. Wilson missed time in Denver due to injury, but Brett Rypien obviously never became a threat. Jarrett Stidham ultimately replaced Wilson, but the Broncos’ initial starter finished last season with 26 touchdown passes and eight interceptions.

Granted, Sean Payton did not exactly turn his starter loose as the Broncos mounted a five-game win streak last season; Wilson only eclipsed 200 passing yards in one of the team’s wins during that streak. Denver’s HC also dressed down Wilson publicly prior to the benching. QBR also slotted Wilson 21st last season. Being demoted for Fields would mark new territory for Wilson, who may well consider his options if this scenario unfolds.

The Steelers gave Wilson a no-trade clause, familiar for Wilson but not for most NFLers, and the veteran could look to be moved if he loses his job due to the calf injury that has slowed him on two occasions since training camp. Holding that clause, however, could lead to a Wilson release rather than a trade. That would give him freedom to choose a destination. Of course, it would also require the Steelers to bail on a player who would turn into important depth, as Wilson would be a far better backup option compared to Kyle Allen.

Fields sits 22nd in QBR and was at the helm for three Pittsburgh wins to start the season. He then dropped a 312-55 game in a loss to the Colts. The former Bears first-rounder has thrown five touchdown passes and one interception, though he struggled at points in a loss to the Cowboys. Fields has not submitted an open-and-shut case he should be the Steelers’ starter, especially after Wilson beat him out this summer, but he has long had supporters in the building. Expecting Fields to keep the job, Graziano adds many coaches and players have raved about the fourth-year player thus far.

It would surprise if the Steelers, considering the QB trouble they dealt with during Kenny Pickett‘s two seasons at the helm, would break up this pair so soon. Though, Tomlin’s “volunteers, not hostages” refrain could conceivably apply to his current QB situation soon. This is about to shift to a front-burner matter, as Wilson moves toward being active for the first time this season.

The pack is thinning in the Davante Adams pursuit. Although the teams most closely linked to the Raiders wide receiver remain in the hunt, some of the second-tier pursuers are no longer part of this mix.

Never a realistic destination due to their AFC West proximity, the Chiefs are indeed out on Adams. The same goes for the Commanders and Ravens, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur. Both Mid-Atlantic teams were believed to be in on Adams, along with the usual suspects since the WR’s trade request, but Baltimore had been drifting out of the picture.

[RELATED: Raiders Aiming To Unload WR Soon]

The Commanders were listed as an Adams dark-horse destination over the weekend, but this is the second time GM Adam Peters has stood down on a big-ticket pass catcher. Brandon Aiyuk, who played a season with Jayden Daniels at Arizona State, would have been amenable to a Washington trade. But the Commanders did not show much interest in the 49ers WR this offseason. Now, the Commanders are passing on Adams, who comes with a salary teams are not keen on paying.

Adams ignited Baltimore speculation by tweeting a picture of Edgar Allan Poe last week, but the Ravens have not discussed the wideout with the Raiders in several days. The Cowboys balked due to the Raiders’ insistence they pay all of Adams’ prorated salary, per The Athletic. Dallas was mentioned as a team who checked in with the Raiders but deemed not interested soon after. Other clubs are joining Jerry Jones‘ team.

The Saints and Jets are still in this, and veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson adds Derek Carr‘s injury — an oblique issue expected to cost the QB multiple games — does not change New Orleans’ interest in this big swing. The Steelers have reached out as well, per The Athletic, while the Bills are monitoring this situation. Buffalo joined Baltimore in deeming the Raiders’ asking price as too high, but the Bills being somewhat concerned about their receiver situation may change the equation. The Steelers have been looking at WRs since establishing Brandon Aiyuk trade framework.

While ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler points to the Saints as being a slight favorite here now, ESPN colleague Adam Schefter indicates (video link) Raiders talks with the Saints and Jets may be slowing down due to the Robert Saleh firing and Carr injury respectively affecting those respective teams. This somewhat contradicts Anderson’s account re: the Saints, but while Adams is still interested in being dealt to New York or New Orleans, this process does appear to have hit a lull.

The main reason for the slowdown: the Raiders’ hope they can unload Adams for strong draft compensation and convince the acquiring team to pay the entirety of his prorated base salary. At least one team negotiating with the Raiders was told the AFC West club does not intend to pay any of the wideout’s remaining 2024 base, Fowler adds. This hardline stance obviously will give teams pause about giving up a plus asset — the Raiders want a second-round pick and more — for a soon-to-be 31-year-old receiver who is due $11.92MM for the season’s remainder.

On the New Orleans front, Anderson adds the prospect of giving up a higher-end draft choice here has not gained much traction. While the Saints are known for their salary cap wizardry, they only hold $2.6MM in space as of Wednesday. Mickey Loomis‘ club would need to make significant adjustments to accommodate all of Adams’ money — to the point it might be a nonstarter for the Saints if the Raiders refuse paying any of Adams’ salary.

As for the Jets, The Athletic notes they are still talking to the Raiders despite having fired Saleh. That decision conceivably moves Joe Douglas closer to the chopping block, but the sixth-year GM is still running point on negotiations that will help the 2024 Jets. Considering the jobs on the line and Aaron Rodgers‘ urging for this reunion, it would surprise if New York was not in this until the end.

Adams had pledged continued support for the Raiders’ cause, denying trade rumors for a while, but Fowler adds the quarterback situation — which has featured a months-long, on-and-off competition between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell — has factored into the receiver’s decision to ask out. Adams displayed clear frustration during the Raiders’ short-lived Jimmy Garoppolo QB1 period, making it unsurprising a player who built a Hall of Fame case with Rodgers and produced first-team All-Pro numbers with Carr would want much more of the Raiders’ current situation.

That said, the onus for an Adams trade to take place as soon as possible falls on the Raiders, who are paying the disgruntled wideout nearly $1MM per week until he is dealt. The Raiders carry more than $26MM in cap space and need a long-term quarterback, making it a bit odd they are holding the line financially when paying some of Adams’ money would bring better trade compensation. Also complicating Adams’ situation: his hamstring injury will sideline him for Week 6, Fowler adds. A previous report pointed to Adams being ready for Week 6; a three-week injury absence stands to give teams more pause.

Adams requesting a meeting with Antonio Pierce to express his demand to be traded to a better team surprised his coach, according to The Athletic. Adams had stumped for Pierce to be elevated to the full-time HC post, but the parties’ relationship has deteriorated since. The Raiders said they would accommodate him due to not wanting uncommitted players. Adams was then informed of the Pierce Instagram like regarding a trade the next morning during his appearance on Up & Adams.

It should now be noted that Pierce is not slamming the door shut on Adams playing for the team again. Pierce said he and Adams have talked since the trade request surfaced, and it sounds like the Raiders — potentially in a posturing move — are open to keeping Adams.

“He is in good spirits, we talked … so everything’s good. … He is still a Raider. He has never not been a Raider,” Pierce said, via Tafur. “When he’s healthy and can play, we’ll play him. He’s working everyday to get that hamstring right and he’s in the right headspace mentally. Like I said, we talked recently, had a good conversation and he’s ready to play football.”

Unless Pierce’s Wednesday words do prompt a reconciliation, the Raiders are preparing to say goodbye to the first receiver they have seen snare first-team All-Pro honors since Hall of Famer Cliff Branch in 1976. Teams will save more than $940K each week by waiting, as the NFL’s offseason deadline change resulted in a Nov. 5 trade endpoint for this year.

Mike Tomlin has taken full advantage of the extended runway Russell Wilson‘s injury has provided Justin Fields. After not naming a starter until days after the preseason, the veteran Steelers HC is taking his time on a second starter call.

The loser of the Steelers’ summer QB battle, Fields has started the first five games while Wilson has recovered from his nagging calf injury. Pittsburgh will still start Fields in Week 6, but Wilson is moving close to being active — as a non-emergency quarterback — for the first time this season.

Wilson is set to practice fully for the first time this season, Tomlin said Tuesday. The 13th-year QB will do so when the Steelers begin practicing Wednesday, but while Wilson won the job out of preseason, he will work with the team’s second-string offense this week. Tomlin said (via SI.com’s Albert Breer) Wilson will take the second-team reps in order to not disrupt Fields’ preparation. Wilson has a chance to be active for the first time, with Tomlin adding (via ESPN.com’s Brooke Pryor) the “door is ajar” to Wilson suiting up against the Raiders.

These past several weeks marked Wilson’s second rehab effort on his balky calf. The injury initially sidelined him early during training camp, and after the free agency addition returned for preseason play, it recurred just before Week 1.

Wilson’s second injury hiatus has lasted longer than the first, with a slew of limited practices doubling as a gradual ramp-up period. Will that ramp-up be for a return to a starting role or the backup? Tomlin has dodged this decision for a bit and has said (via Breer) Wilson must prove he can stay healthy, but with the veteran passer en route to full strength, the seasoned leader will need to make a true decision (again) soon.

Long viewed as the QB who would start for the Steelers this season, Wilson held his pole-position status until he won the race. But the competition narrowed, as Fields impressed many in the building. In his five starts, Fields has submitted up-and-down work. QBR slots the dual-threat passer 22nd. Fields had delivered low-wattage, game-managerial showings to help the Steelers to 3-0. He threw for 312 yards while rushing for 55 in a loss to the Colts, but the pass rusher-deficient Cowboys stymied him in Week 5. Fields posted just 131 passing yards (4.9 per attempt) and 27 on the ground, an effort that may have reopened the door for Wilson.

Pittsburgh’s 3-0 start created an expectation that Fields would keep the job. He is 10 years younger than Wilson, at 25, and looks to have a better chance of being an option — based on Wilson’s Broncos years and recent injury trouble — to be the Steelers’ 2025 starter. But the Steelers named Wilson their initial starter for a reason. After Kenny Pickett‘s struggles, it would surprise if Tomlin gave Fields an especially long leash.

It will be interesting to see if Wilson or his camp voices frustration with Tomlin’s plan, should the de facto backup reach the point where he feels he is healthy and not being given a shot to reclaim his job. For now, though, Fields will keep the controls and hope to rebound after last week’s effort.

Davante Adams will not play on Sunday as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. That process has doubled as the intensification of his trade market, with several suitors being linked to an agreement with the Raiders.

Vegas is insisting on a trade price of a second-round pick and more to move on from the All-Pro wideout. Retaining some of his salary could take place to make that possible, but Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson writes multiple league executives view that price as “exorbitant.” Even with a lesser financial acquisition cost, teams could be hard-pressed to part with signficant draft capital for player whose non-guaranteed salaries in 2025 and ’26 would essentially make him a rental, something a number of suitors view him as.

A long-term commitment in Adams would, on the other hand, especially make sense if it were to come from the Jets or Saints. Those teams have long been at the top of the list of teams mentioned as landing spots for the 31-year-old, whose preference would be to reunite with Aaron Rodgers. A deal sending him to New Orleans and thus reconnecting him with Derek Carr and receivers coach Keith Williams is also on the radar, though, and Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports Adams has “concerns” about Rodgers’ willingness to remain with New York beyond 2024 (subscription required).

While several reports still tap the Jets as the frontrunner in this case, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds the Saints have been the most aggressive suitor to date. New Orleans does not have the necessary cap space to swing an Adams acquisition, and the team is (as per usual) on track to require several cuts and restructures to attain compliance next offseason. Taking on Adams’ contract now and in the future would be a challenge, though bringing him into the fold could prove to be highly impactful in the NFC South race.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports, to little surprise, the Raiders’ preference would be to avoid retaining any portion of Adams’ outstanding base salary (roughly $13.5MM at this point). That could limit the number of suitors unless the asking price in terms of draft compensation were to come down, but many are still in contention as things stand. The Commanders may be among them, but even if not the Steelers, Ravens and Bills have made inquiries as well. Russini adds Pittsburgh – connected to non-Adams trade targets as well – is making an “aggressive” offer, although no deal with any team is considered imminent.

As for Baltimore and Buffalo, Robinson notes a second-rounder is too high of an asking price for a deal to receive serious consideration. The Ravens, per Schefter, have not been in contact with the Raiders for several days. The Cowboys will be without Brandin Cooks for at least four games, but the team has made it clear fitting Adams into its financial planning would be a tall order. 49ers general manager John Lynch‘s latest comments on a potential pursuit of the six-time Pro Bowler, meanwhile, suggested San Francisco is an unlikely destination. The same may well be true of the Chiefs, but they are positioned to test the Raiders’ stance on taking the best offer given their need for a receiver.

Rapoport’s piece notes Adams is likely to be healed in time for Week 6. Trade talks should heat up in the coming days, he and Schefter add, so further developments on this ever-evolving front can be expected. November 5 looms as the trade deadline, and as such the Raiders can still afford to be patient while attempting to cultivate the best market possible over the near future.