The Chicago Bears have traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move clears the way for the Bears to draft a new signal-caller in the 2024 NFL Draft, where they hold the first overall pick.

In exchange for Fields, the Bears will get a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick, which will turn into a fourth-rounder if the former Ohio State product plays more than 51% percent of snaps next season.

The Bears drafted Fields with the 11th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. In his three years with the franchise, Fields showed flashes of talent but failed to consistently play at a high level. He is 10−28 as a starter and has 6,674 passing yards, 64 passing touchdowns, and 40 interceptions as a pro while adding 2,220 yards and 14 TDs on the ground.

Moving on from Fields was considered a likely option for the Bears ever since they landed the first overall pick via the Carolina Panthers. The 2024 draft class contains several top-rated quarterback prospects, with USC’s Caleb Williams currently being favored to become the land in Chicago.

The Steelers, on the other hand, have now reshaped their QB room. After releasing backup Mitch Trubisky and letting third-stringer Mason Rudolph leave in free agency, the franchise also traded former first-round pick Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this week. Free-agent signing  Russell Wilson is now penciled in to be the starter in 2024, while Fields will serve as his backup and understudy. 

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The Pittsburgh Steelers announced a series of roster moves on Monday that saw them release three players, including quarterback Mitch Trubisky.

Besides Trubisky, the Steelers have moved on from offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor and punter Pressley Harvin. The moves give Pittsburgh some salary cap flexibility, saving them close to $13 million.

Trubisky, who was the second overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, joined the Steelers in 2022. He was named Week 1 starter but ended up being benched after four games in favor of rookie Kenny Pickett. Despite his demotion, the Steelers viewed Trubisky as a valuable backup and ended up signing him to a two-year extension ahead of the 2023 campaign.

Trubisky ended up playing five games, including two starts, after Pickett suffered a shoulder surgery but performed poorly. He completed 62.6 percent of his passes while throwing for 632 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions.

While moving on from Trubisky gives the Steelers some wiggle room under the cap, it also leaves their quarterback room quite empty. With veteran Mason Rudolph set to hit free agency, the Steelers are left with Pickett as their only quarterback on the roster.

 Okorafor was Pittsburgh’s third-round pick in 2018. He played 77 games with the franchise since, including 59 starts.

Harvin served as the Steelers’ primary punter since entering the league in 2021. He averaged 43.7 yards per punt in 47 games, with 34.6% of his punts being placed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without their star outside linebacker for the AFC Wild Card Round clash against the Buffalo Bills. According to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, Watt is dealing with a knee injury and is unable to take the field on Sunday.

Watt, who is the front-runner for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, got hurt in a Week 18 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers didn’t disclose details about his injury, but the 29-year-old player is reportedly dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain and will be out for at least a couple of weeks.

Tomlin said that Watt’s absence is “significant “but added that he’s confident in his team’s ability to overcome the challenge.

“Obviously playing without T.J. is significant, but to be quite honest with you, we’ve played without a lot of people this year,” Tomlin said. “It’s just another opportunity for us to strike a blow for team and to display what team really means, a collective of individuals that work together in an effort to produce an outcome. “

Watt finished the 2023 regular season leading the league with 19.0 sacks while also adding 68 tackles, 36 QB hits, eight pass deflections, four forced fumbles, and one interception. He also has one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt has entered concussion protocol team spokesperson Burt Lauten confirmed. The player reported on Friday morning that he had been feeling concussion symptoms following the Steelers’ 21-18 loss to the New England Patriots.

Watt was injured during the first play of the loss to the Pats when he was hit in the face by the knee of running back Ezekiel Elliott’s at the end of a run. After leaving the field for several snaps, Watt returned to the game wearing a tinted visor later in the first quarter. He ended up playing in 90% of his team’s defensive snaps on the night.

This is a troubling absence for the Steelers, given that the team’s other pass rusher, Alex Highsmith, is out through a neck injury which he also suffered during the loss to the Patriots. In order to be allowed to return to action, Watt must be cleared by an independent neurologist.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t changed their head coach or coordinator mid-season since 1941. That changed on Tuesday when the franchise announced it had fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

The usually patient Steelers made a change after it became clear their struggling offense might cost them a playoff spot in the crowded AFC North down the stretch. The Steelers are currently 6-4 but that has been mostly thanks to their outstanding defense.

On offense, they are at the bottom of the league including 28th in both points per game (16.6) and yards per game (280.1). They have especially struggled in the passing game, averaging 170.0 passing yards per game, which is second-worst mark among 32 teams.

“I appreciate Matt’s hard work and dedication and I wish him the best moving forward in his career,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin in a statement shared by the team.

Tomlin didn’t share who will replace Canada. However, the expectation around the league is that quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan steps in as the new OC, at least until the end of the season. Sullivan previously served in this role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Giants.

Matt Canada leaves the Steelers after a little less than four years with the organization. He was originally brought in as a quarterbacks coach before being promoted to OC following Randy Fichtner’s departure. Canada spent the majority of his coaching career in college football and time with the Steelers was his first NFL experience.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb was carted off during the first quarter of his side’s 20-16 win over the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night. Coach Mike Tomlin later revealed that the linebacker had suffered a “serious” knee injury.

Matched up with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, Holcomb was tackled by Titans quarterback Will Levis. As Steelers safety Keanu Neal came in to tackle Hopkins, he clattered into Holcomb’s knee on the way down. The linebacker immediately collapsed, with trainers running out to assist him. He was then carted off the field.

Tomlin explained that while there is no further clarity on Holcomb’s injury, his “thoughts and prayers” are with the player. He added that the team would likely have an update on the situation the next time they reconvene.

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The knee injury Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Kenny Pickett suffered in last week’s loss to Houston Texans won’t stop him from getting on the field for a Week 5 clash against division rivals Baltimore Ravens.

During a chat with reporters on Wednesday, Pickett said that he feels good enough to be on the field for the Ravens game.

“I’ll be ready to go by Sunday,” said Pickett when asked about his status.

Pickett got hurt late in the third quarter of the Texans game and was replaced by backup Mitch Trubisky. The second-year signal-caller was later diagnosed with a knee bruise and is currently practicing in a limited capacity.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that Pickett’s status for Week 5 will be determined by how comfortable he is.

“The more functional and more comfortable he is, the more work he’ll get, and then as we push forward toward the game, the quality of his work will be a determining factor on his availability,” Tomlin said on Tuesday.

Pickett was expected to build on a strong end of the last season in 2023, but that is yet to happen. The Pitt product is completing 60.6 percent of his passes and has thrown for 803 yards, four touchdowns, and four picks this season. The Steelers are sitting second in the AFC North with a 2-2 record. 

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The Pittsburgh Steelers came out of Week 1 heavily wounded after their wideout Diontae Johnson and defensive tackle Cam Heyward picked up injuries in a 30-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. But while Johnson is expected to be back in action in a “few weeks,” Heyward will end up missing significant time.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport, Heyward underwent a groin surgery earlier this week and is now expected to miss at least eight weeks.

Losing Heyward for an extended amount of time is a tough blow for the Steelers. The veteran has been a steady presence on Pittsburgh’s defensive line and only missed two games since 2016. He made a Pro Bowl in each of his last three years while finishing the past two seasons with at least 10.0 sacks and 74 tackles.

Speaking about Hayward’s injury, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that it would take a team effort to replace such an important player. Tomlin will likely hope that the likes of Isaiah Loudermilk and DeMarvin Leal can step in and make a difference.

 “Obviously, losing Cam is significant. But that’s what team is about,” said Tomlin. “Replacing Cam is not a one-man job. It is a multiple-man job and a coach’s job because it changes your schematics when you lose significant players. And so are we all acknowledged that, and we all run to that, not away from that. That’s an opportunity for us to show what team is about.”

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The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Wednesday that they have signed talented linebacker Alex Highsmith to a new five-year contract. Highsmith previously had one year left on his rookie deal that came with a $2.7 million salary in 2023.

Highsmith had a career year in 2022, playing in all 17 games and recording 14.5 sacks, 63 tackles, and 20 QB hits. His five forced fumbles were the most in the league.

“This means everything,” said Highsmith via Steelers’ official website. “I know I am a Pittsburgh Steeler through and through, and just to be a part of this amazing organization for four more years means the world to me, to my wife, to my whole family. This is where I want to be. This is where I want to play ball.”

The Steelers didn’t disclose the financial terms of the agreement, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Highsmith’s deal is actually a four-year, $68 million contract extension with $27.7 million guaranteed money. The 25-year-old player is set to make $38 million in the first two years of the new deal.

Alex Highsmith was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Since then, he has played all 49 games, making 185 tackles and notching up 22.5 sacks.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are bringing back quarterback Mason Rudolph for the 2023 NFL season. According to reports, Rudolph re-signed with the franchise on a one-year deal and will get a chance to compete for the backup role behind starter Kenny Pickett.

Rudolph was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Since then, he played 17 games (10 starts) with the franchise while throwing for 2,366 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.

Rudolph spent 2022 as the third quarterback on the Steelers’ depth chart and didn’t take a single snap in the regular season. This didn’t sit well with the 27-year-old, and he decided it was time to move on when his contract with the franchise expired.

However, the market didn’t develop the way Rudolph expected, and he found himself unsigned deep into the offseason. While he reportedly had other offers, returning to Pittsburgh emerged as the best of them, and the Steelers were happy to have him back.

The Steelers like to have three quarterbacks on their roster, so having Rudolph back makes a lot of sense. They are also reportedly willing to give Oklahoma State product a fair chance in training camp to take the backup spot from Mitch Trubisky.

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The Chicago Bears have traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move clears the way for the Bears to draft a new signal-caller in the 2024 NFL Draft, where they hold the first overall pick.

In exchange for Fields, the Bears will get a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick, which will turn into a fourth-rounder if the former Ohio State product plays more than 51% percent of snaps next season.

The Bears drafted Fields with the 11th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. In his three years with the franchise, Fields showed flashes of talent but failed to consistently play at a high level. He is 10−28 as a starter and has 6,674 passing yards, 64 passing touchdowns, and 40 interceptions as a pro while adding 2,220 yards and 14 TDs on the ground.

Moving on from Fields was considered a likely option for the Bears ever since they landed the first overall pick via the Carolina Panthers. The 2024 draft class contains several top-rated quarterback prospects, with USC’s Caleb Williams currently being favored to become the land in Chicago.

The Steelers, on the other hand, have now reshaped their QB room. After releasing backup Mitch Trubisky and letting third-stringer Mason Rudolph leave in free agency, the franchise also traded former first-round pick Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this week. Free-agent signing  Russell Wilson is now penciled in to be the starter in 2024, while Fields will serve as his backup and understudy. 

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The Pittsburgh Steelers announced a series of roster moves on Monday that saw them release three players, including quarterback Mitch Trubisky.

Besides Trubisky, the Steelers have moved on from offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor and punter Pressley Harvin. The moves give Pittsburgh some salary cap flexibility, saving them close to $13 million.

Trubisky, who was the second overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, joined the Steelers in 2022. He was named Week 1 starter but ended up being benched after four games in favor of rookie Kenny Pickett. Despite his demotion, the Steelers viewed Trubisky as a valuable backup and ended up signing him to a two-year extension ahead of the 2023 campaign.

Trubisky ended up playing five games, including two starts, after Pickett suffered a shoulder surgery but performed poorly. He completed 62.6 percent of his passes while throwing for 632 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions.

While moving on from Trubisky gives the Steelers some wiggle room under the cap, it also leaves their quarterback room quite empty. With veteran Mason Rudolph set to hit free agency, the Steelers are left with Pickett as their only quarterback on the roster.

 Okorafor was Pittsburgh’s third-round pick in 2018. He played 77 games with the franchise since, including 59 starts.

Harvin served as the Steelers’ primary punter since entering the league in 2021. He averaged 43.7 yards per punt in 47 games, with 34.6% of his punts being placed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without their star outside linebacker for the AFC Wild Card Round clash against the Buffalo Bills. According to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, Watt is dealing with a knee injury and is unable to take the field on Sunday.

Watt, who is the front-runner for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, got hurt in a Week 18 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers didn’t disclose details about his injury, but the 29-year-old player is reportedly dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain and will be out for at least a couple of weeks.

Tomlin said that Watt’s absence is “significant “but added that he’s confident in his team’s ability to overcome the challenge.

“Obviously playing without T.J. is significant, but to be quite honest with you, we’ve played without a lot of people this year,” Tomlin said. “It’s just another opportunity for us to strike a blow for team and to display what team really means, a collective of individuals that work together in an effort to produce an outcome. “

Watt finished the 2023 regular season leading the league with 19.0 sacks while also adding 68 tackles, 36 QB hits, eight pass deflections, four forced fumbles, and one interception. He also has one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt has entered concussion protocol team spokesperson Burt Lauten confirmed. The player reported on Friday morning that he had been feeling concussion symptoms following the Steelers’ 21-18 loss to the New England Patriots.

Watt was injured during the first play of the loss to the Pats when he was hit in the face by the knee of running back Ezekiel Elliott’s at the end of a run. After leaving the field for several snaps, Watt returned to the game wearing a tinted visor later in the first quarter. He ended up playing in 90% of his team’s defensive snaps on the night.

This is a troubling absence for the Steelers, given that the team’s other pass rusher, Alex Highsmith, is out through a neck injury which he also suffered during the loss to the Patriots. In order to be allowed to return to action, Watt must be cleared by an independent neurologist.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t changed their head coach or coordinator mid-season since 1941. That changed on Tuesday when the franchise announced it had fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

The usually patient Steelers made a change after it became clear their struggling offense might cost them a playoff spot in the crowded AFC North down the stretch. The Steelers are currently 6-4 but that has been mostly thanks to their outstanding defense.

On offense, they are at the bottom of the league including 28th in both points per game (16.6) and yards per game (280.1). They have especially struggled in the passing game, averaging 170.0 passing yards per game, which is second-worst mark among 32 teams.

“I appreciate Matt’s hard work and dedication and I wish him the best moving forward in his career,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin in a statement shared by the team.

Tomlin didn’t share who will replace Canada. However, the expectation around the league is that quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan steps in as the new OC, at least until the end of the season. Sullivan previously served in this role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Giants.

Matt Canada leaves the Steelers after a little less than four years with the organization. He was originally brought in as a quarterbacks coach before being promoted to OC following Randy Fichtner’s departure. Canada spent the majority of his coaching career in college football and time with the Steelers was his first NFL experience.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb was carted off during the first quarter of his side’s 20-16 win over the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night. Coach Mike Tomlin later revealed that the linebacker had suffered a “serious” knee injury.

Matched up with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, Holcomb was tackled by Titans quarterback Will Levis. As Steelers safety Keanu Neal came in to tackle Hopkins, he clattered into Holcomb’s knee on the way down. The linebacker immediately collapsed, with trainers running out to assist him. He was then carted off the field.

Tomlin explained that while there is no further clarity on Holcomb’s injury, his “thoughts and prayers” are with the player. He added that the team would likely have an update on the situation the next time they reconvene.

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The knee injury Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Kenny Pickett suffered in last week’s loss to Houston Texans won’t stop him from getting on the field for a Week 5 clash against division rivals Baltimore Ravens.

During a chat with reporters on Wednesday, Pickett said that he feels good enough to be on the field for the Ravens game.

“I’ll be ready to go by Sunday,” said Pickett when asked about his status.

Pickett got hurt late in the third quarter of the Texans game and was replaced by backup Mitch Trubisky. The second-year signal-caller was later diagnosed with a knee bruise and is currently practicing in a limited capacity.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that Pickett’s status for Week 5 will be determined by how comfortable he is.

“The more functional and more comfortable he is, the more work he’ll get, and then as we push forward toward the game, the quality of his work will be a determining factor on his availability,” Tomlin said on Tuesday.

Pickett was expected to build on a strong end of the last season in 2023, but that is yet to happen. The Pitt product is completing 60.6 percent of his passes and has thrown for 803 yards, four touchdowns, and four picks this season. The Steelers are sitting second in the AFC North with a 2-2 record. 

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The Pittsburgh Steelers came out of Week 1 heavily wounded after their wideout Diontae Johnson and defensive tackle Cam Heyward picked up injuries in a 30-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. But while Johnson is expected to be back in action in a “few weeks,” Heyward will end up missing significant time.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport, Heyward underwent a groin surgery earlier this week and is now expected to miss at least eight weeks.

Losing Heyward for an extended amount of time is a tough blow for the Steelers. The veteran has been a steady presence on Pittsburgh’s defensive line and only missed two games since 2016. He made a Pro Bowl in each of his last three years while finishing the past two seasons with at least 10.0 sacks and 74 tackles.

Speaking about Hayward’s injury, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that it would take a team effort to replace such an important player. Tomlin will likely hope that the likes of Isaiah Loudermilk and DeMarvin Leal can step in and make a difference.

 “Obviously, losing Cam is significant. But that’s what team is about,” said Tomlin. “Replacing Cam is not a one-man job. It is a multiple-man job and a coach’s job because it changes your schematics when you lose significant players. And so are we all acknowledged that, and we all run to that, not away from that. That’s an opportunity for us to show what team is about.”

The post Steelers DT Cam Heyward To Miss 8 Weeks After Groin Surgery appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Wednesday that they have signed talented linebacker Alex Highsmith to a new five-year contract. Highsmith previously had one year left on his rookie deal that came with a $2.7 million salary in 2023.

Highsmith had a career year in 2022, playing in all 17 games and recording 14.5 sacks, 63 tackles, and 20 QB hits. His five forced fumbles were the most in the league.

“This means everything,” said Highsmith via Steelers’ official website. “I know I am a Pittsburgh Steeler through and through, and just to be a part of this amazing organization for four more years means the world to me, to my wife, to my whole family. This is where I want to be. This is where I want to play ball.”

The Steelers didn’t disclose the financial terms of the agreement, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Highsmith’s deal is actually a four-year, $68 million contract extension with $27.7 million guaranteed money. The 25-year-old player is set to make $38 million in the first two years of the new deal.

Alex Highsmith was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Since then, he has played all 49 games, making 185 tackles and notching up 22.5 sacks.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are bringing back quarterback Mason Rudolph for the 2023 NFL season. According to reports, Rudolph re-signed with the franchise on a one-year deal and will get a chance to compete for the backup role behind starter Kenny Pickett.

Rudolph was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Since then, he played 17 games (10 starts) with the franchise while throwing for 2,366 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.

Rudolph spent 2022 as the third quarterback on the Steelers’ depth chart and didn’t take a single snap in the regular season. This didn’t sit well with the 27-year-old, and he decided it was time to move on when his contract with the franchise expired.

However, the market didn’t develop the way Rudolph expected, and he found himself unsigned deep into the offseason. While he reportedly had other offers, returning to Pittsburgh emerged as the best of them, and the Steelers were happy to have him back.

The Steelers like to have three quarterbacks on their roster, so having Rudolph back makes a lot of sense. They are also reportedly willing to give Oklahoma State product a fair chance in training camp to take the backup spot from Mitch Trubisky.

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