It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for a weekly Steelers links roundup at BTSC. But first, let’s take a look around the AFC North:
- Report: Lamar Jackson was actively involved in Ravens’ coaching hires, expected to begin extension talks (Baltimore Beatdown)
- Ian Rapoport discusses the Bengals’ offseason plans and supporting Joe Burrow (Cincy Jungle)
- Browns Free Agency: OL Isaac Seumalo would provide 2 for 1 benefit for Cleveland (Dawgs by Nature)
Now, onto some Steelers news and discussion:
Super Bowl buzz: Latest on NFL free agency, trades, coaches
(From ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano): Fowler: The Bengals have expressed interest in re-signing quarterback Joe Flacco. They believe he’s a valuable backup who can be a viable starting option if Joe Burrow gets injured again. But Flacco will have options, possibly as a bridge quarterback elsewhere. The Vikings considered
signing Flacco last offseason. And the Steelers will have an opening if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t re-sign there. Pittsburgh liked his free agency profile last offseason, too.
The Steelers are already closely familiar with Joe Flacco, who has played for every AFC North team except for Pittsburgh at this point in his career. He’s a veteran passer who has still found success bouncing around teams late in his career, possibly fitting the mold of what the team is looking for in another offseason without many great young options at the position.
Former Steelers WR Wins Super Bowl With Seahawks
(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 currently on Injured Reserve with a groin injury.
White was injured for the Super Bowl, but he played in 10 games in 2025, recording 90 receiving yards, four kick returns, and 282 total snaps across offense and special teams. A contributor to Seattle’s championship run, he’ll almost certainly receive a Super Bowl ring following Sunday’s win.
Calvin Austin Gets Blunt About Possibly Leaving Steelers
(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 talk about how much he loves Pittsburgh and would like to return. However, his role on the team’s offense shrunk in 2025 after a promising 2024, despite playing on a weak wide receiver depth chart. Austin doesn’t seem certain that the new coaching regime will keep him around as he’s scheduled to hit free agency in March.
Terry Bradshaw Says He Knows Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers Decision
(From SI’s Jacob Punturi): In his post-playing days, he’s made some bold claims, but his latest one provides some insight into the Steelers’ plans for 2026. Bradshaw recently appeared on 103.7 The Buzz and said that while folks are debating whether Rodgers is returning, he already knows the answer. He supposedly already heard that the 42-year-old QB is set to return for one more season in Pittsburgh.
“I had heard, right before the McCarthy thing was announced,” he told 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 come back to Pittsburgh doesn’t guarantee the team wants him back, and there could be some questions about Bradshaw’s sourcing. But there continues to be more smoke about Rodgers running it back with the Steelers in 2026.
Steelers Projected to Face ‘Complicated’ Decision With Former All-Pro Jalen Ramsey
(From Heavy.com’s Dave Holcomb): That versatility is actually why Steelers insider Mark Kaboly described the choice the team faces with Ramsey this offseason as complicated. But Kaboly ultimately predicted the Steelers to keep the veteran defensive back.
“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 fantastic plays for the Steelers in 2025, but he remains one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL despite not entirely looking the part. He also doesn’t have a clear role entering the new season. There’s noise about the Steelers moving on, but most team insiders seem to be leaning towards him coming back for 2026.
Should the Steelers move on from Jalen Ramsey this offseason?
I’d lean towards keeping Ramsey around, but if I was Steelers general manager Omar Khan, I’d be listening to trade offers over the offseason. Now 31, Ramsey is entering the danger zone when it comes to a defensive back’s age, but he’s entering just the second season of a four-year, $84.7-million deal with the team.
However, he’s still an effective player who can make plays on the boundary, in the slot, and at safety. That versatility was a massive boon to a Steelers defensive backfield in 2025 that suffered constant personnel mixups, even if moving around that much didn’t necessarily help out Ramsey’s individual stat line.
With a Joey Porter Jr. extension likely looming, overpaying for a player such as Ramsey looks less attractive. But the Steelers aren’t anywhere close to cap trouble and any trade that takes his contract off their hands likely wouldn’t offer a return that makes it worthwhile.
Ramsey’s contract, while big, isn’t exactly an albatross. He has a $17.2 million cap hit ($14.6 dead cap hit if released) in 2o26, $19.1 million cap hit ($11 million dead cap) in 2027, and a $31 million cap hit ($7.3 million dead cap) in 2028 at age 34, per Spotrac. He’s certainly a cut candidate in that final season, but until then his cap is manageable, especially if Ramsey can continue to be a hard-hitting, savvy slot or grow in his transition to safety.
If the Steelers want to get younger and cheaper in their defensive backfield, it makes sense to look to move on from Ramsey. But he’s still an above-average player in a secondary that isn’t exactly overflowing with talent. I wouldn’t rush to send him to another team, either.
What are your thoughts on Jalen Ramsey’s Steelers future? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!
