The Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off their preseason with a 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans. It wasn’t the best performance, as the team struggled to find a rhythm on the field. However, there were some positives to take away despite the challenges. Early in the game, a couple of botched snaps between center Nate Herbig and quarterback Justin Fields raised concerns. These mishaps brought back unpleasant memories of Mason Cole’s struggles as the Steelers’ center during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Cole’s time in Pittsburgh was far from smooth. After signing a three-year, $15.75 million contract with the Steelers in March of 2022, he faced significant difficulties on the field. His performance issues were so pronounced that Pittsburgh decided to move on from him after just two seasons. Cole started in every game at center during his two years in Pittsburgh.
In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected center Zach Frazier in the second round, with the hope that he could become the next great anchor for their offensive line. Frazier comes in with high expectations, aiming to fill the void left by Cole and solidify the center position for years to come. The Steelers have a history of some great centers and Frazier has the potential to enter in those conversations.
Meanwhile, the Steelers’ AFC North rivals, the Cleveland Browns, also faced their own preseason woes. The Browns fell 23-10 to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, but the loss was compounded by a significant injury to their backup center, Luke Wypler. Wypler suffered a severe right ankle injury during the game, which will require surgery. While it’s unclear if this injury will sideline him for the entire season, he is expected to miss a substantial amount of time.
As the preseason progresses, both teams will need to address their weaknesses and find ways to adapt. For the Steelers, one area of focus will be on ensuring their new center, Frazier, lives up to his potential. Herbig is challenging Frazier for the starting job and his botched snaps won’t help his case.
The Browns, on the other hand, will have to navigate some of their season without a key backup player in their offensive line. This could open a door for Cole to join the Browns.
Ex-Steelers Failed Free Agent Mason Cole Could Join The Browns In 2024
The Browns recently unveiled their unofficial depth chart, naming Ethan Pocic as the starting center, with Wypler as his backup. However, Wypler’s 2024 season now faces uncertainty, prompting speculation about potential replacements. One name that would make a lot of sense for the Browns is Cole, a failed free agent signing by the Steelers, who could offer the Browns a viable solution.
This isn’t the first setback for the Browns at the center position. Earlier in camp, Brian Allen, another center, suffered a calf injury on the third day, landing him on Injured Reserve. With only one healthy center on the roster, the Browns are likely to explore the remaining free-agent market to bolster their depth. Cole, who remains unsigned after his release from Pittsburgh, stands out as a possible candidate.
A veteran in Cole would act as the perfect second-stringer. Experienced players often sign in August after injuries hit for teams. The Browns’ center situation is no different.
Signing Cole could be a strategic move for the Browns. Although he struggled during the 2023 season, Cole has starting experience, and his addition would provide competition for the starting role without the team having to rely on him exclusively. This would allow the Browns to maintain flexibility while securing much-needed depth at a critical position. Steelers fans would have no issues if the Browns wanted to sign Cole.
This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.
Key Chiefs wide receiver injured on first play of preseason
NFL
49ers DE out for season
Drake Jackson will be sidelined for the 2024 campaign as he continues to recover from a knee injury. The third-year defensive end has been placed on the reserve/PUP list, per a team announcement. Players moved to the active/PUP list at the start of training camp are permitted to be activated and return to practice at any time. The reserve/PUP designation, however, guarantees players are out for the entire campaign, just like injured reserve at this point in the offseason.
Jackson’s absence will be felt along the edge for San Francisco. The former second-rounder was limited to eight games last season due to the injury, and an update from earlier this week noted he would be absent for at least the remainder of training camp. Thursday’s news is a notable step beyond that, meaning Jackson’s attention must turn to the 2025 campaign. That year doubles as the end of his rookie contract. San Francisco has depended on Nick Bosa as an anchor on the edge, but Jackson was drafted to turn into a full-time starter to complement him.
The latter posted three sacks as a rookie, matching that total in the first half of the 2023 campaign. He will face questions about his health and ability to produce consistently once he returns to full health. The 49ers signed Leonard Floyd in free agency, and the veteran is positioned to operate as a first-teamer in 2024. San Francisco also added Yetur Gross-Matos on a two-year deal this offseason as part of a general strategy to provide relative stability along the edge. Jackson would have been counted on to at least hold down a rotational role this season, so it will be interesting to see if a late-summer addition is made after his injury.
The team has over $52M in cap space, flexibility that could allow for a move in the near future. Anyone brought in at this point will face a short ramp-up period, though, given how close Week 1 is. Jackson, 23, will need to make considerable progress in the coming months as he aims to return to the field next year. His designation created the roster spot needed for the 49ers’ signing of safety Tracy Walker to become official.
Three former NBA players who impressed at the Olympics
NFL
5 things that stood out in the Vikings’ preseason win over Raiders
The first preseason game is in the books and it provided a glimpse of the big-time potential both of Minnesota’s 2024 first-round picks — quarterback J.J. McCarthy and edge rusher Dallas Turner — possess. Let’s dive into five things that stood out in the Vikings’ 24-23 win over the Raiders. 1. J.J. McCarthy answers after throwing INT McCarthy’s first possession ended on a 3rd-and-10 pass that was intercepted, but he clearly gained comfort in his 16 minutes of play in the first half and then exploded in the third quarter, firing touchdown passes of 45 and 33 yards to Trishton Jackson and Trent Sherfield, respectively, on consecutive drives to gives the Vikings a 21-20 lead after trailing 20-7. McCarthy finished 11-of-17 for 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. 2. Dallas Turner looks awesome The rookie edge rusher from Alabama made his presence felt on the first defensive series of his career.
After the Raiders moved the ball deep into Minnesota territory, Turner hit quarterback Aidan O’Connell on a speed rush that saw him fly by the left tackle, and then a few plays later he sacked O’Connell to force the Raiders into a field goal attempt. 3. Kene Nwangwu’s long touchdown run Nwangwu was the backup running back to starter Ty Chandler, who started because Aaron Jones didn’t play, and he looked good when the second team offensive line opened a huge hole that he sped through and ran untouched 48 yards for Minnesota’s first touchdown of the preseason. 4.
The starters and backups on the offensive line Sam Darnold started at quarterback and was protected by a line featuring Christian Darrisaw, Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram and Brian O’Neill. Darrisaw, Bradbury and O’Neill are locks to remain in the starting lineup, and it’s a good bet at this point that Brandel and Ingram will be the starting guards. Who were the first linemen in the game as backups? David Quessenberry appears to be the backup left tackle and rookie Walter Rouse got the backup right tackle snaps.
Fellow rookie Michael Jurgens was the backup center and the backup left and right guards were Dan Feeney and Tyrese Robinson. The key name not playing with the 1s or 2s? Dalton Risner. 5. Bo Richter making a name for himself The undrafted rookie out of Air Force was disruptive as an edge rusher. He’s a bit of a freak athlete, running a 4.5-second 40-yard dash with a 38-inch vertical, and he flashed his skills with a pair of sacks in the third quarter. Richter had three sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss for Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl last year. He might be a long shot to make the 53-man roster, but Saturday’s performance will only help his cause.
How three Packers players to watch performed vs the Browns in the preseason opener
NFL
Multiple reports indicate 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk situation heading in another direction
Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors have come in steadily during the week, as the wide receiver’s hold-in continues. But the 49ers still employ the veteran; and they are not giving up on their original 2024 goal here. San Francisco has resumed efforts in recent days to hammer out a long-term deal with Aiyuk, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo report. This renewed pursuit of an extension — one the 49ers have been trying to complete for months — has not nixed the possibility of a trade entirely, as the NFL.com duo indicates the Steelers join other teams in still being in the mix.
A July report pegged at least five teams as interested in a trade; a few have since revealed themselves. But Aiyuk-49ers buzz gaining steam represents rare progress in a situation that has produced a trade request and a hold-in that has lasted for two-plus weeks. The 49ers are pushing for a deal, Pelissero adds, with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones indicating some optimism has emerged Aiyuk and the 49ers will reach an agreement.
While it is clear movement is taking place, Jones couches this by noting this is still a fluid situation. This latest chapter stems from a recent sitdown between Aiyuk, Kyle Shanahan and others in the organization, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. This marks the second notable meeting during this extended negotiating chapter for the 49ers, as Aiyuk requested a meeting to clear the air in June.
The previous summit did not lead to this long-formed value gap closing, producing the July trade request. It is certainly possible the increased trade rumors, which have involved Aiyuk’s camp talking to teams, have moved the 49ers’ price point. The Patriots were believed to be willing to go higher than the 49ers in terms of AAV, proposing an extension that would have come in beyond $28.5M.
Reports out of San Francisco have produced a $26M-$27M 49ers value on their 2023 receiving leader. Aiyuk has targeted a figure beyond Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s $30.01M-per-year deal and a guarantee in A.J. Brown territory. With D.J. Moore‘s Bears deal nearly matching the Eagles’ Brown guarantee ($84M-$82.6M), Aiyuk stands to have more ammo in this battle. As discussed in our most recent Trade Rumors Front Office piece, the 49ers playing hardball with Aiyuk could undercut them at a crucial point.
The team not only has Brock Purdy in what is likely the final year of a seventh-round contract, but four defensive starters — Dre Greenlaw, Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Talanoa Hufanga — are in walk years. Trent Williams, who is holding out, is also going into his age-36 season. Pieces are in place for another 49ers Super Bowl run, but Aiyuk’s drama could throw a wrench into this operation.
Trade framework with the Patriots and Browns emerged, but Aiyuk was not believed to be interested in being dealt to New England. Not much has come out of the Cleveland component in these layered negotiations, but Pittsburgh is believed to be waiting on San Francisco. That said, the 49ers and Aiyuk have expressed some degree of disappointment in the Steelers’ extension and trade offers, respectively. The 49ers are believed to want a veteran wide receiver — something the Steelers, absent a George Pickens sweetener, do not appear to possess — or vets at other spots as part of a trade package. Draft capital would obviously not help this San Francisco team, potentially leading to the holdup.
Although, the 49ers drove a hard bargain during Aiyuk talks on draft weekend by asking for a mid-first-round pick. While these proceedings could again careen off the rails, this flood of reports about progress certainly pries the door back open to a long-term Aiyuk Bay Area future. This would stand to affect Deebo Samuel‘s post-2024 future, but as the 49ers attempt to capture an elusive Shanahan-era championship, a window remains open to their skill-position armada staying together for another year.
Las Vegas Raiders’ developing defender made one of the biggest and best plays vs. the…
MLB
Cubs agree to deal with free-agent righty
The Cubs have agreed to a deal with free-agent righty Josh Staumont, reports Darren Wolfson of KSTP and SKOR North Radio. The Twins released Staumont recently after designating him for assignment.
He’s headed to the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate in Iowa. Staumont, 30, pitched to a solid 3.70 ERA in 24 1/3 frames with Minnesota before being cut loose. His velocity was down considerably from peak levels and he managed that run-prevention mark despite a rough strikeout and walk rates. The now-former Twins and Royals right-hander fanned just 17.6% of his opponents — well below league average and well below the 26.2% mark he carried into the season. The dip in strikeouts didn’t come with improved command, either.
Staumont, who walked 13% of his opponents with the Royals between 2019-23, issued a free pass to 13.7% of his opponents with the Twins. His 5.06 SIERA casts a far less encouraging picture than his baseline ERA. Even with sub-par command, Staumont looked to be breaking out as a solid member of the Kansas City bullpen in 2020-21. The 2015 second-rounder pitched 91 1/3 innings out of the Royals’ bullpen between those two seasons and turned in a sharp 2.76 ERA with an impressive 29% strikeout rate and 11.4% walk rate. Staumont averaged better than 98 mph in 2020 and just shy of 97 mph in 2021. Injuries have since taken their toll, however. He’s missed time with biceps, knee, calf and neck injuries since 2021, and his 2023 season ended when he underwent thoracic outlet surgery last summer.
The Twins inked Staumont to a one-year, $950K contract in free agency over the winter. They’re on the hook for the remainder, minus the prorated league minimum for any time spent on the Cubs’ big league roster (which Chicago would pay). If Staumont makes it up to the majors with the Cubs and impresses them, he’ll be eligible for arbitration again this winter and could thus be retained through the 2025 season.
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