Should Steelers cut their losses with problematic WR?
Should Steelers cut their losses with problematic WR?

WR George Pickens, Pittsburgh’s 2022 second-round pick, has shown flashes of why he could develop into a top five receiver in the NFL. But his sideline antics and lack of effort on the field are beginning to speak louder than his production.
Pickens is clearly not having the 2023 season he imagined, posting 814 yards and three touchdowns on the year. His struggles have seemingly affected his effort, and in last week’s loss he gave up on a play that would have resulted in a touchdown.
When asked why he didn’t block for RB Jaylen Warren, who came up just shy of the goal line, his answer didn’t provide anyone with hope for his future with the team.
“I was just trying to prevent the Tank Dell situation, the same thing that happened to (him),” Pickens said, via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “I ain’t want to get an injury. When you stay on the block too low, you can get ran up on very easily.”
It’s certainly not what the Steelers or their fans want to here after they have prided themselves on being a physical team for many years, and now some are thinking that trading the Georgia product could be what’s best.
General manager Omar Khan pulled off a great trade last season, dealing WR Chase Claypool to the Bears for the No. 32 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. It’s unlikely he would be able to pull off another one-sided trade like that, but Pickens has shown enough to warrant a day two pick.
Of course, none of this may be coming up if Pittsburgh were winning. At the very least, the Steelers are seeing which players respond to adversity the best. It seems they can rule out Pickens in that group and now have yet another difficult decision to make in the offseason.
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The Chicago Bears have one of the most interesting decisions to make this offseason. They will likely own the number one overall pick with two great options to take, Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. However, Justin Fields has shown improvement and many of his teammates, including star receiver DJ Moore have backed him. Star cornerback Jaylon Johnson joined the backing of Fields in a recent interview and seemed to indicate that if the team were to move on from Fields there might be some issues in the locker room. Chicago Bears Jaylon Johnson On Justin Fields In the almost two-minute clip, Johnson speaks very highly of Fields. He is well-respected in that locker room and it shows. Johnson sees him as a leader of the team. “He’s our guy,” Johnson said. The star cornerback recognized that they were hearing the outside noise but were not letting it seep into the locker room. The team is behind Fields all the way and see the progress that he has made over the last three seasons. If we read between the lines, it seems like if the team decides to move on, there might be a split in the locker room. What Should The Bears Do? I’ve gone over the argument for both sides over and over. Each side has its merits. There’s a substantial risk with keeping Fields. His interception rate isn’t great, he fumbles the ball a lot, and he is 8-27 as a starter. However, rookie quarterbacks, even ones like Williams and Maye, are not slam dunks and could be complete busts. There’s money to consider as Fields is due for a contract extension soon. Johnson is pointing out that the team dynamic may be something Ryan Poles has to consider. This is going to be one of the most fascinating decisions of the offseason especially if Fields plays well the last three weeks.
Japanese superstar ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s free agency is heating up. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the three-time Sawamura Award winner, Nippon Professional Baseball’s equivalent of the Cy Young, is expected to begin listening to offers this week. Here are the seven teams that Yamamoto is expected to be seriously considering and how likely they all are to actually sign him. 7. Philadelphia Phillies The Phillies have already made the biggest starting pitcher move (not counting Shohei Ohtani) this offseason by re-signing Aaron Nola to a seven-year, $172 million contract. Even though Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is notorious for his high spending, it would still be difficult to see him invest what would likely end up being more than $500 million in just two starting pitchers while the Phils still have significant holes in the bullpen and outfield. There have also only been two Japanese players to ever play for the Phillies. It may not mean anything, but Yamamoto would probably want to play somewhere that has a more robust history and track record with players coming from NPB. 6. Toronto Blue Jays The Blue Jays have a lot of things they need to improve, but their rotation is not one of them. Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios and Yusei Kikuchi form one of the best starting groups in the league. Their 2023 starting third baseman Matt Chapman, starting center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, super-utilityman Whit Merrifield and setup man Jordan Hicks are all free agents who have yet to be re-signed. They need to figure out third base, the outfield and the bullpen before adding to their biggest strength. 5. Los Angeles Dodgers While the Dodgers do have lots of money to spend thanks to Ohtani’s infamous contract deferrals, a weak rotation and, most importantly, the best player in the world, Ohtani, may end up actually being detriments to L.A.’s pursuit of Yamamoto. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported that Yamamoto “wants the big stage.” No matter how good he is in Major League Baseball, he’d still be playing second fiddle to Ohtani, both in the United States and back in Japan, if he signed with the Dodgers. The Dodgers would love to have Yamamoto and cap off what would be one of the best offseasons of all time. However, all of the other teams on this list give him a bigger opportunity to be one of the faces of their franchises. 4. New York Mets Referencing Morosi’s report again, he says that because Yamamoto’s team in Japan, the Orix Buffaloes, were the smaller team in their region compared to the Hanshin Tigers, he’s “done with being on the secondary team.” Despite the Mets’ recent influx of cash thanks to owner Steve Cohen, they may be the most notable intracity “secondary team” in all of sports. Any of the teams mentioned here is prepared to give Yamamoto potentially the biggest pitcher contract in baseball history. Once the money gets this high, Cohen loses some of his appeal and can’t just blow his opponents out of the water. Despite this, New York is still New York. If the Mets do end up offering the most money, it would be difficult to turn that deal down. 3. Boston Red Sox “Full throttle.” That’s how Red Sox ownership described its approach this offseason to improve the team after a disappointing last-place finish in 2023. So far, Boston’s only moves of note have been sending outfielder Alex Verdugo to the Yankees for an assortment of arms and trading for outfielder Tyler O’Neill from the Cardinals. Japanese players, especially pitchers, have historically found success with the Red Sox. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Hideki Okajima, Koji Uehara and Junichi Tazawa all excelled in Boston and were key contributors on World Series teams, with Uehara even recording the final out in 2013. The Red Sox have a clear starting pitching need, are one of Major League Baseball’s signature teams and can pay. Expect Yamamoto to seriously consider Boston’s offer. 2. San Francisco Giants Desperation. The Giants need Yamamoto more than any other team on this list needs him. They’ve continuously struck out on signing the biggest names in baseball. First Aaron Judge, then Carlos Correa and now Ohtani, it seems like San Francisco is always one of the finalists but is never able to seal the deal. An open checkbook and the chance to get the the best player available in one of baseball’s biggest markets are enough to make the Giants one of the favorites to sign Yamamoto. 1. New York Yankees At this point it almost seems like fate that Yamamoto will end up in the Bronx. Whether it’s general manager Brian Cashman seeing Yamamoto throw a no-hitter in-person on a scouting trip to Japan, the Yankees purposefully saving Yamamoto’s favorite uniform number (18, which in Japan is usually worn by a team’s ace) or Yamamoto personally requesting a second meeting with the Yankees on his most recent East Coast trip, it’s clear that there is mutual interest. The Yankees are considered by many to be the favorites for Yamamoto, and for good reason. Don’t be surprised if he is donning pinstripes going forward.
Udonis Haslem believes that Draymond Green has lost sight of his role within the Golden State Warriors rotation. The Miami Heat legend respects the fact Green is an enforcer for his team. However, he thinks the Warriors veteran has been going about things in the wrong way by looking for trouble rather than trying to prevent it. Haslem’s comments came via a recent episode of “The OGs Show” podcast. “Draymond, man, you’re out of pocket,” Haslem said. (h/t HeatNation for the transcription) “You’re out of pocket. I f— with Draymond, man. There’s only so many warriors in this league, guys that are going to take that tech, going to take that foul, and protect their teammates. But we don’t start that s—. We don’t start it. We ain’t bullies. We don’t look for it. We don’t initiate it. We are guys that prevent it. We are guys that protect our teammates. So, man, I got a lot of respect for Draymond man. But right now, Draymond tripping.” Green was recently handed an indefinite suspension by the NBA. His recent antics have been piling up, and clearly, the league decided they needed to take action. Haslem spent 20 years in the league. He saw the game evolve and played against some of the more physical teams over the past two decades. As such, he understands the importance Green has for the Warriors and how his presence empowers those around him. However, Haslem also knows what it takes to be a locker room leader and a true veteran to the younger players on a team. Green would be wise to take note of Haslem’s comments on his situation. He can learn from someone who was viewed as an important member of his franchise despite rarely playing in his final few years. Green will likely be consuming what is being said about him in the media and by his peers. And he will likely understand his need to learn from his current situation. However, being called out by a player who epitomized professionalism and commitment to his team will undoubtedly sting Green, but that might be a good thing.
Joe Flacco is the Cleveland Browns‘ fourth starting quarterback this season, and he has experienced some success over his first three starts. However, his status for the Browns’ Week 16 matchup with the Houston Texans may be in question. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Flacco has a calf injury and would have been limited in Wednesday’s practice if Cleveland practiced. Flacco signed with the Browns’ practice squad in late November and then inked a deal to remain with the club through the remainder of the season last week. The 38-year-old has made three starts with Cleveland, throwing for 939 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 57.9 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 81.6. Most importantly, he has gone 2-1. During the Browns’ win over the Chicago Bears this past weekend, Flacco went 28-for-44 with 372 yards, a couple of touchdowns and three picks. While his stat line wasn’t particularly impressive, Flacco did lead Cleveland on a game-winning drive to conclude the game. Flacco, who played his collegiate football at the University of Delaware, was originally selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 18th overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft. He spent the first 11 years of his career with the Ravens, famously leading the team to a Super Bowl title during the 2012-13 campaign. While he never made a Pro Bowl, he remained a steady presence under center for Baltimore throughout the vast majority of his tenure with the club. Joe Flacco then spent one year with the Denver Broncos and three seasons with the New York Jets, primarily in a backup role. The Browns are 9-5 this season and currently hold the first Wild Card spot in the AFC playoff picture. After playing the Texans, they will face the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals to wrap up the regular season.
The St. Louis Cardinals’ main focus this winter has been to retool the pitching staff after a tumultuous 2023 season. After adding former Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn, right-handed pitcher Kyle Gibson, and reigning American League Cy Young runner-up Sonny Gray — the Cardinals have succeeded in replenishing their depleted rotation from last season. Despite the latest acquisitions, there is still a good chance that St. Louis could reunite with a highly coveted starting pitcher. The Cardinals are listed among the favorites to sign left-hander Jordan Montgomery according to the oddsmakers at BetOnline. St. Louis enters with +300 odds (25%) to reunite with the reigning World Series champion, who is set for a sizeable payday. Montgomery posted a 3.20 ERA with a 166-to-48 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .247 batting average against and 1.19 WHIP in 188 2/3 innings between his time with St. Louis and the Texas Rangers in 2023. The 30-year-old went 4-2 with a 2.90 ERA in 31 innings last postseason amid his impressive run to help the Rangers win their first World Series. It’s been reported that Montgomery would prefer to sign with one of his former teams — leaving St. Louis in competition with the New York Yankees and Rangers to sign the veteran hurler. The southpaw was projected to receive a contract in the range of five years, $105 million this offseason according to The Athletic’s Tim Britton but recent reports have speculated that he could receive something closer to Carlos Rodon’s six-year, $162 million deal with the Yankees. Adding Montgomery back to the rotation would certainly bolster the Cardinals’ odds of bouncing back in 2024. Will the Cardinals spend the money to reunite with Montgomery?