The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to make a deeper playoff run during the 2024-25 NFL season after adding pieces in the offseason. Nevertheless, the Steelers lost players, including former linebacker Patrick Queen, who joined the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore cornerback Arthur Maulet seemingly took a jab at Queen for his comments about the city of Pittsburgh, and Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward defended Queen.
Maulet and Queen played together on the Ravens, but the irony is that Maulet used to play for the Steelers and is an ex-teammate of Heyward’s. Queen claimed that the city of Pittsburgh was superior to Baltimore. This promoted Maulet to tell the media that the grass is not always greener on the other side and implied that Queen was just making his claim up.
Here is what Cameron Heyward at to say in response to Maulet’s comments:
“I think Art [Arthur Maulet] is just mad that Pat [Patrick Queen] left for the greener pasture,” said Heyward. “Pat had a heck of a comment to Marlon Humphrey talking about the green pasture. I think there are a lot more Baltimore Ravens that would like to be in this situation, rather than that situation,” Heyward said on the Not Just Football with Cameron Hayward podcast.
It is respectable to see Heyward defending his new teammate. It will be interesting to see how Queen gels in Pittsburgh after a stout season with the Ravens.
The 24-year-old comes off a 2023 season where amassed a career-high 133 total tackles along with 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception.
How will Steelers look on offense amid big changes?
Patrick Queen will provide a notable boost to Pittsburgh’s defense, but their offense is facing questions after they brought in new quarterback leadership.
The Steelers signed former Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson and traded for ex-Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields. Fans and analysts have debated which QB will start during the 2024-25 season, and ESPN’s Louis Riddick made a bold prediction on the matter.
“I have a feeling, based on my conversations, that if Justin can continue to ascend like he’s looking in practice, he’s going to start Week 1. He’s going to be the opening-day starter. I thought he’d be the starter at some point anyway,” Riddick told Dan Patrick on the Dan Patrick Show.
No matter who QB1 is during the Fall, the Steelers retain their goal of improving upon their first-round exit from 2024 and making a deeper run.
This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.
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NFL
Deshaun Watson Bombshell Revealed Ahead of Cleveland Browns’ 2024 NFL Season
Deshaun Watson enters a 2024 NFL season where the Cleveland Browns‘ quarterback could be facing more pressure than ever before, and not just from opposing pass rushers.
Watson is looking to return from a season-ending injury to his throwing shoulder that ended his 2023 campaign after just six weeks and raised questions about the viability of fully-guaranteed contracts such as the one the Browns signed him to back in 2022. All told, thanks in large part to a suspension stemming from sexual misconduct allegations, as well as last year’s injury, Watson has appeared in just 28 games over the past three seasons. The Browns have pushed their chips into the middle of the table around Watson, hoping to spark a lengthy playoff run in 2024 by acquiring Jerry Jeudy to pair opposite Amari Cooper in the 28-year-old’s supporting cast. But, it might prove to be now-or-never for Watson in Cleveland. Is Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson’s Job on The Line? Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler put together a list of quarterbacks who could lose their jobs in 2024, including Watson. “Since Cleveland sold the farm for Watson years ago,” Fowler writes for B/R. “Things have only continued to spiral downward at the position. Watson has looked lost at times in the pocket, leaving many to speculate whether or not head coach Kevin Stefanski should be so quick to hand Watson the keys to the offense this fall. “Cleveland has a talented roster on both sides of the ball, but a lack of improvement under center could keep the Browns out of playoff contention. Offseason additions Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley will loom large, as will 2023 Day 3 pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson.”
It sure sounds like Watson is on the hot-seat, which would be an astonishing development given the Browns traded the Houston Texans six draft picks and proceeded to sign him to a fully-guaranteed $230 million contract that has developed into a cautionary tale among 31 other teams. But, Watson hasn’t been able to stop the Browns’ decades-long quarterback carousel from spinning, which was kind of the point of the trade, nor elevate Cleveland into the realm of legitimate Super Bowl contenders in the AFC. Given that Thompson-Robinson is waiting in the wings, if Watson struggles, things could get interesting for Watson and the Browns if things go sideways early on this upcoming season.
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NBA
Knicks Should Consider Trading For Four-Time NBA Champion
The New York Knicks have had a resurgence in recent years. A potential trade for four-time champion Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors could be a game-changer. Draymond, with his unique skills and leadership, could fill a void the Knicks have struggled with.
Here’s why the Knicks should seriously consider making this move. Knicks Should Consider Trading For Four-Time NBA Champion Randle At Center Acquiring Draymond Green would necessitate significant adjustments to the Knicks’ lineup. One major change would involve moving Julius Randle to the center position. While Randle is versatile and can handle different roles, this shift might create defensive challenges. Randle, although strong and agile, might struggle defensively against bigger, more traditional centers. However, this lineup could also provide a speed and agility advantage. The combination of Randle and Green would offer flexibility in switching on defense and initiating fast breaks.
The trade-off between potential defensive mismatches and the offensive versatility should be carefully weighed by Leon Rose. Cultural Impact The Knicks have a storied history of having multiple players who elevate the locker room. Legends like Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, and John Starks not only excelled on the court but also set a high standard for team culture. Draymond Green could be the modern version of this type of player for the Knicks. Known for his vocal leadership and intense competitiveness, Green could serve as a catalyst for building a stronger team identity.
The current Knicks roster could greatly benefit from Green’s experience and championship pedigree. His presence might help instill a winning mentality and a sense of accountability among the players. In tight games, his leadership could be crucial, providing the team with the necessary mental toughness to secure playoff victories. Leadership Role Draymond Green’s leadership could greatly benefit head coach Tom Thibodeau and the team’s floor general, Jalen Brunson.
Thibodeau is known for his demanding coaching style, which emphasizes defense and discipline. Green’s presence on the court would complement Thibodeau’s philosophy, providing a player who can enforce the coach’s vision on the floor. Moreover, Green and Brunson could form a dynamic leadership duo. With Green’s defensive acumen and Brunson’s offensive prowess, they could orchestrate the team effectively. This synergy could allow Thibodeau to delegate more on-court control to his players, potentially leading to better in-game adjustments and decision-making. Draymond’s Loyalty To The Warriors A potential hurdle in this scenario is Draymond Green’s loyalty to the Warriors.
His podcast comments praising Stephen Curry over Jalen Brunson might raise questions about his willingness to leave Golden State. Green has a deep connection with the Warriors, having spent his entire career with the team and winning multiple championships. The Knicks would need to ensure that Green is fully committed to joining and leading their team before proceeding with any trade discussions.
The Last Word Trading for Draymond Green presents both opportunities and challenges for the Knicks. While it could lead to lineup adjustments and potential defensive mismatches, the cultural and leadership benefits might outweigh these concerns. If managed well, this trade could be the spark the Knicks need to elevate their performance and build a winning culture.
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Olympics
Projecting Team USA men’s basketball roster for 2028 Games
The 2024 Team USA men’s basketball team was built to let the best NBA players of the past decade — LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry — try to avenge the Americans’ fourth-place finish in last summer’s FIBA World Cup. These legends are still top-10 players, but the Paris Games will almost certainly be their Olympic swan song. In fact, with seven of Team USA’s 12 players over 30, one can expect a youth movement in the U.S. program as it prepares its invite list for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. One can also expect a stylistic change: a reversion to “small ball” to take advantage of the strengths of the country’s best young talent. So, without further ado, here’s your projected 2028 Team USA roster:
(The number inside the parentheses is that player’s age in the summer of 2028.) Returners from 2024 team: Anthony Edwards (26), Jayson Tatum (30), Tyrese Haliburton (28), Devin Booker (31), Bam Adebayo (31) These are the five players under 30 on this year’s team, and we expect all five will want to play again in 2028. This could even be the starting five with high-level positional passers in Haliburton and Adebayo surrounded by three elite offensive players. Edwards will be the team’s alpha dog and leader and Tatum will be its most important two-way player.
Superstar additions: Ja Morant (28), Zion Williamson (28), Paolo Banchero (25), Chet Holmgren (26) How cool would it be if Morant and Williamson, former AAU teammates, got their acts together over the next four years and teamed for a shot at Olympic gold? They would give Team USA one-of-a-kind athletes at point guard and point forward. Morant’s inclusion would mean other qualified guard candidates — Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey — get bumped. Williamson’s selection would take other do-it-all players — Scottie Barnes and Cade Cunningham — out of the equation, too. Jaylen Brown, another quality candidate, may have severed ties with Team USA after his comments following his Boston Celtics teammate Derrick White’s inclusion this summer. Banchero, who already has Team USA experience in last summer’s World Cup, should be a Team USA centerpiece for the next few Olympics. And Holmgren — America’s foil to Frenchman Victor Wembanyama — gets the edge over Evan Mobley, Dereck Lively II and other promising, young big men.
Star role players: Jalen Williams (27), Desmond Bane (30) Remember, we are building a basketball team here, not projecting the 12 best American players come 2028, so the team will need players willing to do the little things on defense and be connectors on offense. Williams could be flirting with All-NBA teams by 2028, but he has played the star role player position with the Oklahoma City Thunder in his first two NBA seasons, making him a perfect fit on this team.
This team is a little short of perimeter defense and shooting so many candidates were considered here including Jalen Suggs, Trey Murphy, Brandon Miller, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson Jaden McDaniels and Stephon Castle. But let’s go with a no-nonsense veteran and underrated stud in the Memphis Grizzlies’ Bane. He’s an elite three-point shooter and a bulldog defender who knows how to play alongside Morant. Wild card: Cooper Flagg (21) There is some serious American talent in the pipeline — Flagg and AJ Dybantsa have some Zion Williamson-level hype while Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper and Cameron Boozer are on their heels.
At least one of them will likely be on the 2028 Team USA roster. Flagg, who lit it up as a 17-year-old in the Select Team scrimmages, is the safest bet. Final roster: Guards: Ja Morant, Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, Tyrese Haliburton Wings: Jayson Tatum, Jalen Williams, Desmond Bane Bigs: Zion Williamson, Paolo Banchero, Bam Adebayo, Chet Holmgren, Cooper Flagg
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NFL
Reporter shares the holdup in potential Brandon Aiyuk-Steelers trade
The Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly been trying to find a way to acquire star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, but they may have to improve their offer if they want to get a deal done. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the San Francisco 49ers have not yet been satisfied with what the Steelers have offered for Aiyuk.
San Francisco is said to be seeking draft capital in addition to a wide receiver or other position player. Aiyuk is in the final year of his contract, so any team that acquires him would want an extension in place before completing the deal. That should not be an issue with the Steelers, as there has been talk of Aiyuk potentially accepting less money from Pittsburgh than he would another team.
The Cleveland Browns are another team that has been linked to Aiyuk, and they could potentially offer Amari Cooper as part of a trade. That might be appealing to the 49ers, as Cooper played at a high level last season with 72 catches for 1,250 yards and five touchdowns. The Steelers are not going to part with young wide receiver George Pickens, so they may have not have enough to match an offer from Cleveland or another team. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin fueled the speculation about an Aiyuk trade with his cryptic response to a question this week, but the 49ers do not appear to be in any rush to make a deal.
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