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
? Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s Footbahlin podcast makes its Season 3 debut on Monday, Sept. 2. at 6:30 p.m.
Big Ben’s podcast is back Monday !! #steelers pic.twitter.com/v1xtc0Ptw7
— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) August 29, 2024
? Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter put on a show in the Buffaloes season-opening win over North Dakota State on Thursday night. Hunter finished the game with seven receptions for 132 yards (18.9 average) and three touchdowns. He capped his banner night with an incredible fourth-quarter touchdown grab.
Built different!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) August 30, 2024
In the 33rd Team’s way-too-early 2025 mock draft, the Steelers landed Hunter at 14th overall. Fourteenth overall probably is too high for Hunter. He most likely will be a top-5 pick.
Coach Prime expressed his belief that a “smart team” would maximize Hunter’s talents as both a wide receiver and cornerback at the next level: “If someone’s smart, they would start him on one side of the ball and have a package on the other side, whatever the team needs.”
Given their lack of wide receiver depth, the Steelers could certainly use Hunter’s receiving talents.
? Mike Golic Jr. believes the first real test for the Steelers offensive line will be in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys. Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence certainly will be a handful for the Steelers O-line.
? Russell Wilson looks forward to leading the Steelers this season as the team’s starting quarterback.
Blessed & Full of Gratitude. Honored to Lead this special group of men. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33 pic.twitter.com/rKr27fSbuC— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) August 29, 2024
? The Steelers not having a wide receiver to trade for Brandon Aiyuk was the biggest obstacle in landing the star wide receiver.
“At the end, it was either going to be Steelers or 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk,” Rapoport said on NFL Network’s The Insiders. “The Steelers didn’t have a wide receiver. They were never going to trade (George) Pickens. Didn’t have a receiver to trade the 49ers. They couldn’t do a deal.”
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported the 49ers only were willing to trade Aiyuk if they could get a top-flight wide receiver to replace him. They offered a third-round pick to Denver for Courtland Sutton, and then would’ve dealt Aiyuk to the Steelers, but the Broncos declined the offer. All’s well that ends well—Keeping Aiyuk was always SF’s preference.”
? The Steelers worked out guard Nourdein Nouili, edge rusher Kenneth Odumegwu, edge rusher Adetokunbo Ogundeji and safety Ayo Oyelola on Thursday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.
? Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is now noncommittal on Ja’Marr Chase’s status for Week 1. Chase is officially “day-to-day” per Taylor, who admits he probably “spoke too quickly” on Tuesday.
“Look forward to getting him back hopefully at some point soon,” Taylor said.
Chase has not practiced the last two days after practicing on Tuesday. The star wide receiver is seeking a contract extension.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE SPORTS NOW NETWORK
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: New additions & drama: Penguins will be many things, but NOT boring.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Bet Paul Skenes for NL Rookie of the Year.
Pittsburgh Sports Now: Duquesne football drops season opener on road.
West Virginia Sports Now: Penn State HC James Franklin agrees West Virginia is ‘underrated, undervalued.’
Nittany Sports Now: Multiple Penn State players change teams before 2024 regular season.
Pittsburgh Soccer Now: Riverhounds Notebook: Bob Lilley’s 400 wins is tops among coaches with American professional clubs and it’s not even close.