Let’s take a quick spin around the AFC North:
- New Steelers tight end Eric Ebron said he still isn’t fully recovered from the ankle injury that forced him to injured reserve as a member of the Colts in 2019, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, Ebron hasn’t been able to meet with the Steelers’ medical staff, but an independent doctor did examine his ankle, and Pittsburgh has officially announced its two-year, $12MM deal with the 26-year-old. Ebron, who says he decided to sign with the Steelers largely due to the presence of Ben Roethlisberger, had a public spat with the Colts when he decided to shut things down last November. Now, he’s expected to serve as one of Roethlisberger’s top offensive weapons while splitting time with fellow tight end Vance McDonald.
- After releasing veteran Mark Barron last month, the Steelers now need to find another inside linebacker to play opposite 2019 first-rounder Devin Bush, as Mark Kaboly of The Athletic writes. Vince Williams remains on Pittsburgh’s roster, and general manager Kevin Colbert says he’s “comfortable” with Williams as a starter (as he was in 2017-18 before losing snaps to Barron last season). Sources tell Kaboly the Steelers aren’t interested in Deone Bucannon, who remains on the free agent market, but the club could spend a draft pick on another ‘backer.
- Free agent addition Jack Conklin is the Browns‘ best offensive tackle by a wide margin, but that doesn’t mean they’ll try to play him on Baker Mayfield‘s blindside in 2020, head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters, including Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, via conference call on Thursday. Conklin, who inked a three-year $42MM deal with Cleveland after spending four seasons in Tennessee, has played right tackle for nearly all of his career (he’s lined up at left tackle just 68 times since entering the NFL). The Browns are reportedly open to considering Trent Williams (via trade) or free agent Jason Peters at left tackle, but the club could also target the position in the draft, where it holds the 10th overall pick.
Steelers have a really strong team player wise and hopefully because Ben was out most of last year he’s feeling fresh and ready to go.
One thing I do think the Steelers should do is draft a young QB called Jalen Hurts as back up and eventual successor to Ben.
Hurts who is probably a mid to late second or third pick was a good back up for Tua in college before this year having a solid season. He was second in Heisman voting, finished the year with 32 TDs, over 3500 yards, he also ran almost 1300 yards and 20 TDs. He’s got a strong arm, can extend plays, has pocket awareness, is a running threat and has the footwork. But also has his limitations and needs to work on things.
Working under a top coach in Tomlin and a top QB in Big Ben who also has a similar big arm and is the master of extending plays would be great for a young Hurts.
No to Hurts.
Hes no better than Rudolph.
You clearly never watched Hurts.
The dude is a going to be great, he’s that modern day dual threat QB who can get out the pocket and extend play or run the ball aswell as throw some great balls.
Hurts has a stronger arm, is a better ball carrier and is just on a completely different level to Rudolph.
Basing his signing on an 38 year old out of shape QB who missed an entire year has to be the dumbest thing said in a long time. He needs to just say “ it was the $$. LMAO
Certainly it is $. But also opportunity in a potentially high powered offense. If Big Ben is the qb. He will be 28 at end of contract. If he performs consistently well then he has another opportunity to score a big contract. So sure Ben plays a factor. He has better shot having big years with Ben than if he signed a similar contract with say the Redskins and Haskins. But it is ALWAYS about the money with these guys.
Yeah think it came down to which team, I’d sacrifice 1 mil off my deal to play with the Steelers over the Redskins.
Balls from Bug Ben at 38 are better than balls from Haskins
Big Ben still gets no respect.
Dude made ABs career. Collected 2 rings on 3 visits.
First and only NFL QB to throw for 500 yards twice.
Not taking anything away from Roethlisberger but Brady and Brees have both done it twice as well.
Ebron left the Lions in 2017. Y’all couldn’t find an updated photo?
Conklin would be protecting the QBs blindside if the Browns acquired a lefty like Tagovailoa. Just a thought.
Why would they get Tua?
I get that Baker is booty, but is only in his 3rd year financially still paying that fat bonus for taking the 3rd best QB 1st overall
Sounds like it could be another Ladarious Green lingering injury?