Hey Steelers Fans. Welcome to Tuesday.
At 4pm Eastern today the NFL’s 32 teams must have their 53-man rosters in place. As we’ve said numerous times before, whatever it looks like today, it will be vastly different by Week One. That said, I have every expectation that Steelers’ General Manager Omar Khan will be putting his ‘Khan Artist’ title to work. What that looks like I don’t know but I expect something to go down today.
Could It Be a Receiver?
Sure it could but any thoughts that it’s going to be Brandon Aiyuk should be out the window. Did you see CeeDee Lamb’s new deal? Four years and $136 million. That’s $34 million per season. The Steelers aren’t coming anywhere near that number for Aiyuk and I don’t think they will for George Pickens either when the time comes. Tim Patrick is a name that has popped up but I question why. He hasn’t played due to injury since 2021 and Denver has already said they’ll cut him if they can’t trade him. Sign him as a free agent? OK, but I wouldn’t trade for him.
Could It Be a Defensive Back?
Absolutely it could. I think you could look at this one of two ways. I’m not sure the Steelers are set at slot corner. Beanie Bishop, Jr seemed to have a line on it but then he played well into the second half Saturday suggesting maybe he doesn’t. Thomas Graham has flashed some potential too but this is an area I can easily see them going after. The other way to view this is that Joey Porter, Jr is dinged up. Cory Trice, Jr has a groin issue but he claims he’s good to go for the opener. Is Darius Rush the next top reserve on the boundary? Don’t be surprised if Khan finds a guy that fits this role first.
Could It Be an Offensive Linemen?
Troy Fautanu is expected to play in Atlanta but he’s coming off an MCL sprain. Broderick Jones has a bad elbow. Dylan Cook is in a walking boot. You get the picture. There are going to be a lot of linemen out on the street today and I’m going to predict right now that this will be the are that Khan attacks first.
Already Gone
The Steelers released kicker Matthew Wright yesterday but don’t be surprised if he signs somewhere else. He’s proven to be a fairly decent kicker. Also released yesterday were…
-Offensive Linemen Anderson Hardy, Devery Henderson and Tyler Beach
-Defensive Lineman Marquiss Spencer
-Linebacker Kyahva Tezino
-Defensive Backs Kyler McMichael and Kiondre Thomas
-Receivers T.J. Luther and Jacob Copeland
Sounding like they will release Kyron Johnson today as well which makes OLB a potential position for pickup.
Random Reads (I changed the name)
Remember Malik Willis? He’s the former Liberty University QB that many Steelers’ fans were in love with prior to them selecting Kenny Pickett. He was traded to Green Bay yesterday for a seventh round pick… Tua Tagovailoa says he hasn’t heard from Brian Flores since he referred to his former coach as a ‘terrible person.’ Geez, I can’t imagine why Tua… College Football returned last week with a handful of games but this weekend we get a full slate. I’m all for it… Earlier this preseason the NFL Network did their annual ‘Top 100’ players and they had Patrick Mahomes fourth. Further proof as to why lists and rankings are bullshit… The 49ers announced they are adding $200 million in upgrades to their 10-year old stadium. At some point, Art Rooney II and his owners are going to have to do something big in Pittsburgh. They’re getting left behind.
Hot Reads is Presented by Frank Walker Law!
