Steelers News 7/4: Why the next few weeks are crucial for the Steelers

It is July, which means football is right around the corner. July 27th the Pittsburgh Steelers report to Latrobe, PA for another training camp. Although we still have a few weeks of the “dog days” of the NFL offseason, it doesn’t mean there isn’t news to still be discussed.

We take you around the world wide web to give you your daily dose of black and gold, along with making BTSC your one-stop-shop for all things Steelers.

While most of the NFL rests, it’s a crucial couple weeks for the Redskins and Steelers — Mark Maske — Washington Post

Things are not quite that complicated with Bell, who will make $12.12 million this season under his franchise-player deal with the Steelers. That is far more than the going rate for running backs in the free agent market this offseason, which was closer to $5 million per season.

Bell is very versatile and very good. But what is his long-term worth in a league that does not, for the most part, value running backs at the bargaining table? That won’t be easy to determine.

The Steelers reached the AFC championship game last season before losing in lopsided fashion at New England with Bell limited by a groin injury. They seem convinced that their window of opportunity for overtaking the Patriots and winning another Super Bowl remains open. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger returns for another season after a brief, public flirtation this offseason with retirement, and wide receiver Antonio Brown re-signed through the 2021 season. The other piece to that puzzle is a long-term solution with Bell.

Every NFL Team's Riskiest Move This Offseason — Brad Gagnon — Bleacher Report

Pittsburgh Steelers: Didn't draft a quarterback early

The Steelers have three offensive superstars in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le'Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown. But only two of them—Bell and Brown—are young. Big Ben "seriously" considered retiring this offseason at the age of 35, according to former teammate Willie Colon on PFT Live.

The signal-caller didn't confirm that he'd be returning for his 14th NFL season until April, which might indicate he won't be sticking around a lot longer. With that in mind, the Steelers might want to start looking for options to take the reins from Roethlisberger the moment he steps aside. Otherwise, they risk having to suffer quarterback growing pains while Bell and Brown are in their primes.

Yes, Pittsburgh drafted Tennessee product Josh Dobbs in Round 4. But it picked four other players before that, and six quarterbacks went off the board before Dobbs. Had the Steelers drafted somebody like DeShone Kizer or Davis Webb a little earlier, they'd likely be increasing their odds of finding a franchise quarterback of the future.

Are Martavis Bryant and Antonio Brown the best WR duo in the NFL? — Jeff Hartman — BTSC

The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t, and never do, make a splash in free agency. They aren’t in the market for veteran players who have a gigantic price tag attached to themselves. However, they still received a huge addition to their roster in the form of recently reinstated wide receiver Martavis Bryant.

Bryant, who missed all of 2016 after failing, or missing, several drug tests, has done enough in the eyes of the NFL league office to return to the gridiron. But Bryant doesn’t just re-join the Steelers, he re-joins Antonio Brown as arguably the best wide receiver tandem in the NFL; yet a lot has changed since Bryant was catching touchdowns in 2015.

Let’s take a look at some other duos which could rival the dynamic Brown and Bryant of the black and gold:

Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson of the Buccaneers, Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall to Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree to Brandin Cooks and Julian Edelman to Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith to Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills / DeVante Parker) to Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb / Davante Adams).

Tom Brady addresses Gisele's concussion comments — NFL.com

Nearly six weeks after Gisele Bundchen said her husband, Tom Brady, suffered a concussion last season, the New England Patriots quarterback finally addressed the issue.

In an interview with ESPN's Kevin Negandhi for an E:60 piece which aired Sunday, Brady was asked about his wife's comments, via CBSSports.com:

Negandhi: "[Gisele] sees the hits, she was vocal about that, most recently on CBS about the concussions, how much do you talk to her about those hits that you take?"

Brady: "She's there every day. I mean, we go to bed in the same bed every night, so I think she knows when I'm sore, she knows when I'm tired, she knows when I get hit. We drive home together [from games]. But, she also knows how well I take care of myself. She's a very concerned wife and very loving."

The response isn't a categorical dismissal of Bundchen's comments in May that Brady "had a concussion last year."

Brady also wasn't asked directly if he suffered a concussion last year or in any other season.

After Bundchen's comments, Brady's agent, Don Yee, said in a statement that "Tom was not diagnosed with a concussion last year." The NFL also released a statement at the time noting "there are no records that indicate that Mr. Brady suffered a head injury or concussion, or exhibited or complained of concussion symptoms."

Brady did not address the media during offseason workouts, making his interview with Negandhi the first time he's addressed his wife's concussion comments.

Once the season starts and Brady is required to meet with the local Boston media, he's sure to get a more pointed "did you suffer a concussion?" question.