Steelers Daily News & Links: Your daily stop for all of the news and links from the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL and around the Sports Now Group
? Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers were the closest in landing San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in a trade. Of course, it wasn’t enough.
“The Steelers came closest to acquiring Aiyuk. They refused to give up a current player, but were willing to part with second- and third-round picks,” Breer wrote. “The interesting thing is the money wasn’t as good with the Steelers, who didn’t want to go past what T.J. Watt makes ($28 million APY) and as such offered Aiyuk $27.7 million APY. The Niners made calls to about a dozen teams to see if they could flip the third-rounder somewhere else to land a veteran receiver to replace Aiyuk in the lineup.
“And that underscores a key element—Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch were never going to undermine the 2024 49ers while trying to find a resolution. Aiyuk’s final number represents a healthy bump over where negotiations were in the spring, but not in the same neighborhood as the Jefferson and Lamb deals.”
? Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has a favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons defense on Sunday, according to Pro Football Focus. Freiermuth ranks 10th among TEs in PFF receiving grade, and he’s facing an Atlanta defense that ranked 32nd in yards per route run allowed against TEs last year.
Pat Freiermuth has a favorable matchup against the Falcons defense 👀
Freiermuth ranks 10th among TEs in PFF receiving grade, and he's facing an Atlanta defense that ranked 32nd in yards per route run allowed vs TEs last year pic.twitter.com/CfXN5UDlnO
— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) September 2, 2024
? Ben Roethlisberger talks Footbahlin hiatus, 2024 Steelers preseason and more on his latest podcast.
"Footbahlin' with Ben Roethlisberger" – It's a new season, and a new episode comin' your way this afternoon: #FootbahlinWithBenRoethlisberger#ChannelSevenhttps://t.co/8A0FXwC0uU
— BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7) September 2, 2024
? TodayInSports on X shared a Sports Illustrated cover that former Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart featured on it with Steve McNair and Mark Brunell.
27 years ago today, the cover of Sports Illustrated. pic.twitter.com/yAVuZGkPGD
— TodayInSports (@TodayInSportsCo) September 1, 2024
? NFL historian Kevin Gallagher posted highlights from 1978 NFL MVP season in honor of his 76th birthday.
Happy 76th, Terry Bradshaw!
Highlights from the #Steelers legend's 1978 NFL MVP season. #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/pCQ38U2Urk
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) September 2, 2024
NEWS FROM AROUND THE SPORTS NOW NETWORK
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: How Penguins’ journeymen responded to trades, opportunity.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Clutch homers erase slow start as Pirates down Cubs; new-look bullpen holds on.
Pittsburgh Sports Now: Channel, broadcast crew announced for Pitt vs. Cincinnati.
West Virginia Sports Now: Country Roads Webcast: WVU football-Penn State review.
Nittany Sports Now: Former Penn State HC Bill O’Brien starts BC career with upset of FSU.
Pittsburgh Soccer Now: Resolute 10-man Riverhounds burnt in stoppage time again, settle for 1-1 draw at Indy.