It’s Wednesday, which implies it’s time for a weekly Steelers hyperlinks roundup at BTSC. But first, let’s have a look round the AFC North:
Now, onto some Steelers information and dialogue:
(From ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano): Fowler: The Bengals have expressed curiosity in re-signing quarterback Joe Flacco. They imagine he’s a helpful backup who could be a viable beginning choice if Joe Burrow will get injured once more. But Flacco can have choices, probably as a bridge quarterback elsewhere. The Vikings thought-about signing Flacco final offseason. And the Steelers can have a gap if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t re-sign there. Pittsburgh appreciated his free company profile final offseason, too.
The Steelers are already intently aware of Joe Flacco, who has performed for each AFC North workforce aside from Pittsburgh at this level in his profession. He’s a veteran passer who has nonetheless discovered success bouncing round groups late in his profession, probably becoming the mildew of what the workforce is searching for in one other offseason with out many nice younger choices at the place.
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(From SI’s Ari Meyer): Cody White spent a stint in the black and gold from the 2020 season to the 2022 season. Now, he’s a Super Bowl champion with the Seahawks. White is presently on Injured Reserve with a groin harm.
White was injured for the Super Bowl, however he performed in 10 video games in 2025, recording 90 receiving yards, 4 kick returns, and 282 complete snaps throughout offense and particular groups. A contributor to Seattle’s championship run, he’ll nearly definitely obtain a Super Bowl ring following Sunday’s win.
(From SI’s Ari Meyer): “Pittsburgh, just being real, they may not want me, or they may have a different vision,” Austin said. “And that’s why I say at the end of the day, it’s just a straight business decision.”
“Obviously Coach T. did step down. Whether I stay or leave, it’s gonna be a new situation regardless,” he added. “Even if I stay, we have a whole new staff so it’s definitely something I’m excited about and been praying over.”
Austin would go on to speak about how a lot he loves Pittsburgh and wish to return. However, his function on the workforce’s offense shrunk in 2025 after a promising 2024, regardless of enjoying on a weak large receiver depth chart. Austin doesn’t appear sure that the new teaching regime will hold him round as he’s scheduled to hit free company in March.
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(From SI’s Jacob Punturi): In his post-playing days, he’s made some daring claims, however his newest one offers some perception into the Steelers’ plans for 2026. Bradshaw just lately appeared on 103.7 The Buzz and stated that whereas of us are debating whether or not Rodgers is returning, he already is aware of the reply. He supposedly already heard that the 42-year-old QB is about to return for another season in Pittsburgh.
“I had heard, right before the McCarthy thing was announced,” he informed them. “I had already heard that Aaron Rodgers had told Mike, ‘If you want me to come back for a year, I’ll come back and join you.”
Rodgers wanting to return again to Pittsburgh doesn’t assure the workforce needs him again, and there might be some questions on Bradshaw’s sourcing. But there continues to be extra smoke about Rodgers operating it again with the Steelers in 2026.
(From Heavy.com’s Dave Holcomb): That versatility is definitely why Steelers insider Mark Kaboly described the selection the workforce faces with Ramsey this offseason as difficult. But Kaboly in the end predicted the Steelers to maintain the veteran defensive again.
“Ramsey was very good until they asked him to play safety, and then the production dipped,”Kaboly wrote on Friday. “That complicated things.
“If the idea is to move Ramsey back to the slot and still be a mentor to Joey Porter Jr., like last year, you keep him.”
Jalen Ramsey had some implausible performs for the Steelers in 2025, however he stays one among the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL regardless of not completely wanting the half. He additionally doesn’t have a transparent function coming into the new season. There’s noise about the Steelers shifting on, however most workforce insiders appear to be leaning in direction of him coming again for 2026.
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Should the Steelers move on from Jalen Ramsey this offseason?
I’d lean in direction of conserving Ramsey round, but when I used to be Steelers basic supervisor Omar Khan, I’d be listening to commerce presents over the offseason. Now 31, Ramsey is coming into the hazard zone in terms of a defensive again’s age, however he’s coming into simply the second season of a four-year, $84.7-million cope with the workforce.
However, he’s nonetheless an efficient participant who could make performs on the boundary, in the slot, and at security. That versatility was a large boon to a Steelers defensive backfield in 2025 that suffered fixed personnel mixups, even when shifting round that a lot didn’t essentially assist out Ramsey’s particular person stat line.
With a Joey Porter Jr. extension possible looming, overpaying for a participant corresponding to Ramsey seems much less enticing. But the Steelers aren’t wherever near cap hassle and any commerce that takes his contract off their palms possible wouldn’t provide a return that makes it worthwhile.
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Ramsey’s contract, whereas large, isn’t precisely an albatross. He has a $17.2 million cap hit ($14.6 lifeless cap hit if launched) in 2o26, $19.1 million cap hit ($11 million lifeless cap) in 2027, and a $31 million cap hit ($7.3 million lifeless cap) in 2028 at age 34, per Spotrac. He’s definitely a lower candidate in that closing season, however till then his cap is manageable, particularly if Ramsey can proceed to be a hard-hitting, savvy slot or develop in his transition to security.
If the Steelers need to get youthful and cheaper of their defensive backfield, it is sensible to look to move on from Ramsey. But he’s nonetheless an above-average participant in a secondary that isn’t precisely overflowing with expertise. I wouldn’t rush to ship him to a different workforce, both.
What are your ideas on Jalen Ramsey’s Steelers future? Join the BTSC group and tell us in the feedback!