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While the Steelers made their necessary roster moves and a trade over the weekend, their opponents they face early in the season were busy as well. Here is a rundown of some of the moves made by the Steelers first four opponents in 2019.
New England
The Patriots got in on the fury of NFL trades early on Saturday when they traded their 2018 second-round pick Duke Dawson to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a late-round swap of picks. Dawson spent half of the 2018 season on Injured Reserved and did not register a game played on the season.
Terms: It’s the #Broncos 2020 6th rounder for Duke Dawson and the #Patriots 2020 7th rounder. https://t.co/PqlNqT78GX
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2019
The Patriots then turned one of their sixth-round picks in 2020 into acquiring center Russell Bodine from the Buffalo Bills. Starting every game from 2014-2017 for the Cincinnati Bengals, Bodine started 10 games for the Bills in 2018 before going on Injured Reserve.
The #Patriots are trading a 6th round pick to the #Bills for C Russell Bodine, source said. Buffalo’s center Mitch Morse getting healthy, combined with David Andrews likely heading to IR with a blood clot necessitated this.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2019
On a less-important note, The Patriots released their former back-up quarterback Brian Hoyer.
Looks like the Patriots are releasing Brian Hoyer. Wouldn't be surprised to see him wind up in Indianapolis. #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 31, 2019
The Patriots also traded a former 2018 seventh-round cornerback to the Texans.
Source: The #Patriots are trading CB Keion Crossen to the #Texans.. So, Gunner Olszewski sticks on the roster after all.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2019
One roster cut of note, the Patriots released former Pro Bowl receiver Demaryius Thomas on Saturday. It’s unclear if Thomas is gone permanently as he is rumored to be resigning back with the team at a later date.
Source: The #Patriots are releasing WR Demaryius Thomas, who flashed in the fourth preseason game. He’s still working his way back to health.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2019
In all, the most important move the Patriots made for the 2019 season was improving their offensive line by adding a center. Most of their other transactions involved acquiring more draft picks. On a side note, there were several players released by the Patriots who were claimed off of waivers before the deadline at noon on Sunday.
Seattle
The Steelers home opener in Week 2 got a lot more interesting as the Seattle Seahawks made the biggest NFL trade of the weekend. In exchange for a 2020 third-round pick as well as two players, the Seahawks acquired former number one overall draft pick in 2014 Jadeveon Clowney. In order to agree to the trade, the Seahawks agreed to not use the franchise tag on Clowney in 2020.
Scoopage: SEA & HOU have agreed to trade parameters re: Jadeveon Clowney contingent upon Clowney & other players involved passing physicals. Still lot of moving parts but believed Clowney, who rejected going to Miami at first, is headed for his physical with Hawks. @NFLONFOX
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) August 31, 2019
The Seahawks had to make a corresponding move in order to be in compliance with the NFL salary cap.
The Seahawks had to release starting receiver Jaron Brown to get under the cap after the Clowney trade. Good thing they don't throw the ball. #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 31, 2019
The Seahawks weren’t finished in regards to trades as they also acquired a cornerbck from the New York Jets.
Another trade for Seattle: Jets traded CB Parry Nickerson to the Seahawks for a conditional 7th in 2021, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2019
It’s unclear how Clowney will fit in with Seattle to begin the season. With the opportunity to play one game before traveling to Pittsburgh in Week 2, the Seahawks will have a chance to work out some growing pains before facing the Steelers. The Seahawks open the 2019 season at home against the Cincinnati Bengals.
San Francisco
The 49ers didn’t get involved with many high-profile moves over the weekend. Their largest move of note was the loss of their newly-signed running back Jerick McKinnon, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings. McKinnon signed a deal in the offseson for $30 million over four years.
49ers placed RB Jerick McKinnon on season-ending IR with his latest knee issues, per source. McKinnon cannot be brought back this season and is now out for the year.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2019
Cincinnati
The Bengals also did not make much of a splash with moves over the weekend. One move of note was the release of LB Malik Jefferson. The significance of this move was the fact Jefferson was one of their third-round draft picks in 2018. If Steelers’ fans can recall, Pittsburgh traded up in front of Cincinnati in order to draft Mason Rudolph. The Bengals then drafted Jefferson who was a player some believed the Steelers would have select if they had stayed put and not traded up for Rudolph.
Source: The #Bengals are waiving LB Malik Jefferson, a third-round draft pick last year. Big changes under new coach Zac Taylor and DC Lou Anarumo.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 31, 2019
The Bengals did make two waiver claims on Sunday, adding a receiver and running back to their 53-man roster.
Bengals claimed two players on waivers: former Cardinals' WR Pharoh Cooper and former Redskins' RB Samaje Perine.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2019
In all, the teams the Steelers play early in the season are pretty much the squads they planned on facing with the exception of Seattle. With the trade for Clowney being the obvious choice, was their any other moves that were overly intriguing? Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below.