Steelers Rumors: Devin Bush is available for trade
Don't worry, Steelers fans, Devin Bush won't be returning to Pittsburgh anytime soon.
Bush left the Steelers for the Seattle Seahawks in what should have been a chance at redemption. Pittsburgh traded up in the first round of the NFL Draft to select Bush out of Michigan way back when. It didn't work. Bush struggled to make consistent tackles and suffered a traumatic injury. He hasn't been the same since.
Despite a fresh start with the Seahawks, his tenure in Seattle has done awry, as well. Per The News Tribune beat writer Gregg Bell, Bush could be traded as early as Tuesday:
"If Bush's contract he signed as a free agent this spring didn't guarantee he gets $2.99 million from the Seahawks this season, he could be cut," Bell wrote. "They may be trying to trade him now that Brooks is back from his torn ACL to start with Wagner. Bush playing the first three quarters and getting a concussion covering a punt in the final preseason game, when all other veteran regulars were in sweatpants on the sidelines, makes one wonder."
Bush doesn't really fit well on this Seattle roster, as he was primarily used as a depth linebacker and special teams player this preseason. Perhaps he'll sign on for another team which can unlock his potential, but the former Michigan standout hasn't played up to his billing as a first-round pick.
Steelers Rumors: Why Kevin Dotson was traded, explained
The Steelers traded away offensive guard Kevin Dotson to the Los Angeles Rams for draft capital. The move initially confused fans, as Dotson can be relatively reliable as a depth guard, especially on a Steelers offensive line that can use all the help it can get.
However, per Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan tired of Dotson's constant injury issues -- which was no fault of his own:
"There is only so much Tomlin and the Steelers deal with injuries before cutting ties. Dotson was at that point. He got hurt in each of his first three years and was nursing a shoulder and ankle injury this preseason. To his credit, he played every snap last year as he battled through nagging injuries."
Dotson also committed 12 penalties a year ago including four false starts and four holding calls. While a solid addition for a Rams team that has some injury issues on its own offensive line, Pittsburgh believes they have the depth up front to manage the loss of Dotson, who at his best proved to be a bulldozer at right guard. At his worst, Dotson couldn't keep up with opposing defensive lineman due to injuries, putting his teammates at risk.
The Steelers signed Isaac Seumalo this offseason, as well as Nate Herbig. Dotson is in the final year of his rookie contract, so Omar Khan wanted to get what he could for the guard now.
Steelers Rumors: Pittsburgh's running back battle is over for now
The Pittsburgh Steelers running back battle has come to an end for now, as Najee Harris will maintain his starting role, but perhaps give way to Jaylen Warren in some capacity. Harris's job was never really in question. However, Warren impressed last season and in training camp, leaving some to wonder if the NC State product will receive more carries this coming year.
Harris is the better bruiser. He can make plays as the everydown back, and does offer some production in the passing game. Najee averages under four yards per carry on his career, which is the only major knock against him. Some of that can be blamed on poor offensive line play, but one can also point to Harris's hesitation and vision as a reason why he's struggled at times. Warren, meanwhile, averages over four yards per touch and is an explosive runner out of the backfield.
Thankfully for Pittsburgh, they don't have to choose one or the other. Harris and Warren are both still on their rookie contracts. As SB Nation's Behind the Steel Curtain noted, the Steelers don't necessarily have to choose one player or the other:
"The emergence of Jaylen Warren has led many to question if he may be better than Najee Harris. Warren's per carry averages are certainly higher, and on film, it definitely looks like he's better at certain things anyway. However, there are also things Harris is better at, and the situational context of Harris' runs is different than Warren's. That's not to say that Warrenisn'tbetter than Harris (or that he is). It's to point out that it's a tough question to definitively answer, and is probably actually missing the main issue in this situation."
Having too many running backs is a good problem, especially for a team with a young QB like Kenny Pickett. Expect Pittsburgh to rely heavily on both players early this season.
