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The Pittsburgh Steelers have the ninth-most cap space heading into this offseason, and ESPN projects that they will begin by using it on talent in the secondary.
While the secondary is not the most pressing need for the Steelers, it is a position group where they could definitely improve. They were not complete liabilities like the group was in 2023, but they could improve this offseason.
In an article by Aaron Schatz, he details one free agent he projects each NFL team should sign this offseason. With the franchise tag deadline coming up shortly on March 4, Schatz has listed who he believes each team will sign. For the Steelers, he projects D.J. Reed of the New York Jets will come to Pittsburgh.
"What's the right match for Reed, who is considered by many to be the best veteran corner available?" Schatz wrote. "The Steelers seem to be a great match. They have a glaring need with Donte Jackson likely hitting free agency and rank among the top 10 teams in salary cap space. Pittsburgh was also 12th in using zone and 21st in using man this past season, which would benefit the versatile Reed. He had an off season in 2024, according to my coverage DVOA metric, but he was above average in 2023 and one of the league's best cornerbacks in terms of yards per target in 2022."
Reed would provide a definite upside in the secondary, especially if the Steelers do not retain Jackson. Jackson's production, including five interceptions, was undeniable and the Steelers will likely look to replace that if they do not end up keeping him. Reed's market value according to Spotrac is $14.7 million, but the high price tag might be worth paying if it helps the Steelers in the long run.
More must-reads:
- Reporter offers update on Steelers' pursuit of Aaron Rodgers
- Report: Bengals' Trey Hendrickson considering drastic move amid contract dispute
- The 'Single-season passing leaders for each NFL franchise' quiz
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Reporter offers update on Steelers' pursuit of Aaron Rodgers
If the Pittsburgh Steelers are unable to sign Aaron Rodgers this offseason, it will not be due to a lack of effort. Rodgers visited with the Steelers on Friday, which was his first known meeting with a team since the New York Jets officially released him. The 41-year-old has reportedly had contract offers from both Pittsburgh and the New York Giants since the start of free agency. During an appearance on "SportsCenter" Saturday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler shared some insight on the Steelers' pursuit of Rodgers. He said several members of the team's brass rearranged their schedules to meet with Rodgers on Friday. Fowler added that a source told him the Steelers are "aggressively" trying to sign Rodgers. "They've already got a contract offer standing out to Rodgers in place. They talked about fit. He met with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Mike Tomlin, owner Art Rooney, GM Omar Khan," Fowler said. "In fact, I was told the Steelers wanted to make this meeting happen so much they skipped Michigan's pro day yesterday, which if you know the Steelers, that's a big deal. The whole contingent goes there for the big pro day. They stood in town to meet with him. "I checked with a team source who said they're aggressively pursuing this. He's No. 1 on their radar. Russell Wilson's not totally off the list, but they would like to try to make this happen." There has been speculation that Rodgers is taking so long with his decision because he is not certain if he wants to play next season. However, a new report claimed the former MVP is merely trying to create leverage. Rodgers' top choice was said to be the Minnesota Vikings, but they are committed to JJ McCarthy. The Steelers made the playoffs last year and are much closer to contention than the Giants, but Rodgers wouldn't even have to move if he signed with New York. As long as Russell Wilson remains available, the Steelers have a viable backup plan in place. Should Wilson sign with another team, the urgency to land Rodgers will probably become even greater in Pittsburgh.
Back-to-back-to-back Stanley Cup champion announces NHL retirement
One of the NHL's unlikeliest successful players will retire at the end of the 2024-25 season. Chicago Blackhawks left winger Pat Maroon announced Saturday he will be retiring after a 14-year career. He broke the news while speaking to Chicago Sports Network's Darren Pang ahead of the Blackhawks tilt with the St. Louis Blues. "Sometimes you've got to give up everything you know and everything you dreamed of your whole life," an emotional Maroon said. "I just know it's time for me, time for my family to start a new chapter in our lives." Saturday's contest in St. Louis was a special homecoming for Maroon, especially after his decision was revealed. In 2019, he won his and the franchise's first Stanley Cup. "I'm just going to finish this year like every game is my last game, you know, I'm going to play as hard as I can," he continued. Maroon, 36, was drafted 161st overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2007 but wasn't promoted from the minor leagues until 2011-12 as a member of the Anaheim Ducks. He played for the Ducks for part of five seasons before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers in 2016. He spent nearly three seasons with the Oilers until being dealt to the New Jersey Devils in 2018. That offseason, he signed with St. Louis. That's when Maroon's career took off. After that magical 2019 championship, he lifted the Stanley Cup twice with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021. He was the first player in league history to win three consecutive Stanley Cups since several New York Islanders teammates did so from 1980-83. Maroon is also among just 12 players to win back-to-back Stanley Cups with two teams. Maroon has recorded 125 goals, 195 assists and 320 total points with eight teams in his career. He split the 2023-24 season with the Minnesota Wild and Boston Bruins before landing in Chicago this year. He told Pang that despite being excited about his family's future, it would be difficult for him to walk away from the sport that has been his entire life. "This is all I know... it's tough. It's hard to go through these things, you can't really process it," Maroon said.
Giants Receive Surprising QB News After Signing Jameis Winston
The New York Giants have aggressively been looking to improve their quarterback situation this offseason. After being connected to many different names, the Giants made their first move at the position on Friday evening. Jameis Winston ended up agreeing to a two-year, $8 million contract with New York. His deal could end up being worth up to $16 million with incentives. Following the signing, the Giants looked to be out on Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. However, that may not actually be the case. A new report has suggested that New York is still a legitimate potential suitor for Wilson. According to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Giants remain interested in signing Wilson. He revealed a very bold potential quarterback strategy for New York as well. "Where does this leave Russell Wilson? He's still got a few," Fowler said. "Not totally off Pittsburgh's list. Still in the mix with the Giants. He's looked at the Giants as a viable option for awhile now, and despite that Winston signing, my sense is the Giants have looked at signing two free agent quarterbacks, and then they can still draft one. They are really just starting from scratch on their quarterback room." Not only could the Giants still sign Wilson, they could also add a third quarterback in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft. Fowler also mentioned the Cleveland Browns as a potential suitor for Wilson. He has met with the Browns already as in person as well. Wilson is coming off of a 2024 NFL season where he threw for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 11 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also picked up 155 rushing yards and two more touchdowns.
Report: Lakers could waive two former lottery picks
As they continue to get healthier, the Los Angeles Lakers may no longer have a need for two former high picks. Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported on the latest episode of his self-titled podcast that the Lakers could potentially decide to convert multiple two-way players on their roster into standard contracts before the April 13 deadline to do so. That would leave the team in a situation where forward Cam Reddish and center Alex Len would both then likely be waived. “There’s a chance [of all three two-way guys being converted], but realistically, it’s probably not gonna happen,” said Buha, per BasketNews. “Just because I think that the only two obvious players to cut on the roster are Cam Reddish and Alex Len.” Reddish, 25, is a former No. 10 overall pick known for his defense on the wing, and Len, 31, is a former No. 5 overall pick who provides size at 7-foot. But neither player has been seeing consistent minutes this season unless the Lakers opt to go with a load-management game for their regular starters. Additionally, both Reddish and Len are on inexpensive contracts that expire after this season. LeBron James (groin) is nearing a return for the Lakers, and Rui Hachimura (who hasn’t played since February due to a knee injury) is getting very close as well. Thus, the Lakers no longer need the excess bodies in their frontcourt. As it stands right now, the Lakers have three players on two-way contracts — guard Jordan Goodwin (26) plus big men Trey Jemison III (25) and Christian Koloko (24). Converting one or two of those younger guys into a standard spot may be a much better use of the Lakers’ roster space that to continue to carry largely dead weight in the form of Reddish and Len.
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