The Pittsburgh Steelers’ season is over, but if you think the news surrounding the black-and-gold is over — think again. For the drama-filled Steelers, things are just heating up, and this is where the daily links article comes in. You might have missed some key news, and we fill you in and give you the latest, and sometimes greatest, news surrounding the Steelers.
Today in the Black-and-gold links article we take a look at how the team is preparing to move forward with oft-injured right tackle Marcus Gilbert. It was thought Gilbert could be a cap casualty, considering his hefty contract and the fact he has watched more games the past two years than played. Nonetheless, it looks like the Steelers are preparing to move forward with Gilbert in the final year of his deal.
Let’s get to the news:
- The Pittsburgh Steelers could easily cut Marcus Gilbert for a variety of reasons. First, he is a player who has been injured the past two seasons, and also served a suspension in 2017. On top of that, he is due a lot of money in 2019, and the team could use all the cap space they can get. Despite many thinking Gilbert could be going by the wayside for players like Matt Feilder, Chukwuma Okorafor or Jerald Hawkins, it looks like Gilbert is still in the team’s plan.
With Gilbert still in plan, O-line might be set
By: Dale Lolley, DKPittsburghSports
Some have speculated the Steelers might part ways with Gilbert, who has missed 20 games the past two seasons because of injuries and a four-game PED suspension, and he’s due to earn $4.865 million in base salary and count $6.6 million against the team’s salary cap in 2019 in the final year of his contract. The Steelers would save $4.9 million against their 2019 cap if they released Gilbert.
But General Manager Kevin Colbert sounds like he still counts Gilbert in the team’s plans for 2019.
“We have the two starters – Al Villanueva and Marcus Gilbert,” Colbert said when asked about his offensive tackle position. “Matt Feiler did a great job stepping in when Marcus got hurt. Chuks Okorafor did a nice job when Matt got hurt and Marcus was out. So really, that’s four guys who have played in legitimate NFL games. Jerald Hawkins, the year before, was working in some packages as an extra tight end and was showing some promise before he got hurt last spring.
“The depth there is good right now, although a couple of them have to work their way through some injuries.”
To read the full article, click HERE
- Could there be another ‘T.J.’ from Wisconsin the Steelers are showing interest in? They met with T.J. Edwards at the combine recently.
Initial visit with Steelers is enjoyable for the other Wisconsin player named T.J.
By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
T.J. Edwards, who is competing at the NFL Combine, had an informal chat with Steelers representatives this week. He said the conversation naturally turned to the “other” guy with the familiar initials — T.J. Watt.
“It’s funny,” Edwards said. “There’s jokes and especially with him going to Wisconsin and things like that, but it’s cool.”
After the encounter, Edwards had to reach out to his former Badgers teammate.
“I texted T.J and said, ‘I was talking to your coach, and I think he thinks you’re pretty good,’ ” Edwards said.
To read the full article, click HERE
- Could/should the Steelers kick the tires on an oft-injured former first round cornerback?
Texans releasing former first-rounder Kevin Johnson
By: Kevin Patra, NFL.com
A talented corner, Johnson has struggled to stay healthy the past three seasons. He played just six games in 2016, 12 in 2017 and participated in just one tilt in 2018 before going on injured reserve after multiple concussions. Johnson has started only eight games since his rookie campaign.
Rapoport previously reported that the Texans were attempting to trade Johnson. They apparently found no takers for an injury-riddled corner with a high salary in the final year of his contract.
To read the full article, click HERE
- In case you don’t watch Antonio Brown’s Instagram Live videos, don’t worry...I don’t either, he is now offering his services to wish people a Happy Birthday — for a fee. When hearing this, the creators at Benstonium got to work and put together this hilarious video:
Antonio Brown sends Mr. Burns a happy birthday video message and ruins the party.
— DK Pittsburgh Sports (@DKPghSports) March 5, 2019
Created by @Benstonium pic.twitter.com/Bnp5Fu22f2