Steelers legendary RB Jerome Bettis has one major concern about Aaron Rodgers
Jerome Bettis's excitement for Aaron Rodgers is matched only by one big concern — can the Steelers protect their their QB?
In a recent one-on-one interview with CBS Sports, Bettis shared his thoughts — and his worries — about Rodgers in Pittsburgh:
"I think the one big question that you have to ask yourself is, can you protect him?" Bettis said, via CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo. "I think that's going to be the number one priority for the Steelers … If you can protect him, then you can get all the value out of him and that position. If you can't protect him, then it doesn't matter who you put out there. You can play two young guys, it doesn't matter. You're going to get the same productivity. So I think the goal is to protect him. If you can protect him, then I think you get all the benefits of having a quality football player at the helm, at the quarterback position."
OT Dan Moore Jr. — who left Pittsburgh for the Tennessee Titans this offseason — and Steelers OT Broderick Jones allowed the most combined sacks of any offensive tackle duo in the league last season. Jones was forced to play out of his natural position due to right tackle Troy Fautanu's season-ending injury but is set to return to left tackle in 2025.
If the Steelers' offensive line can stay healthy, Bettis may have his Rodgers-related pass protection wish granted — as the four-time MVP prepares for his Steel City swan song.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rumor: Steelers offered Watt new deal — but not Myles Garrett money
T.J. Watt's contract dilemma just took another unexpected turn, as longtime sportswriter Mark Kaboly reported that the belief is the Steelers have presented a contract offer to Watt — just not one that he'd sign. Kaboly recently explained on his podcast with co-host Chris Mack what he believes the holdup might be: Advertisement "I'm under the belief that there is a contract offer on the table right now — which is pretty significant. However, it's probably not what [Watt] thinks it is." Mack clarified that the deal isn't "Garrett money," to which Kaboly responded: "Yes. I'm not one hundred percent sure on that, but it's not like they're offering him, you know, $15 million and 'Hey, you're playing for the Steelers, so take it right now.' There is an offer on the table." It was previously rumored that Watt was seeking to surpass Garrett's $123.5 million in guaranteed money. This is no easy feat to accomplish, as the Browns edge rusher more than reset the market — he practically destroyed it. Advertisement For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers offered T.J. Watt a new deal — but issues remain, per Kaboly
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Steelers, T.J. Watt receive contract update — and it could be bad news for Myles Garrett
T.J. Watt may soon become the NFL's highest-paid defender — at least that's what insider James Palmer is hearing. On Wednesday, Palmer provided an update on Watt's contract negotiations with the Steelers — and it could spell bad news for Myles Garrett's historic four-year, $160 million deal (courtesy of Bleacher Report): Advertisement "I'm hearing there's a chance Watt gets past [$40 million]," Palmer said. "Which is something we're really keeping an eye on, right? If he gets that $40 million a year, at the age he is at, he has every right to ask for it. I've talked on here a lot about the comparison between him and Myles Garrett. The numbers are almost identical in every aspect. … [Watt] has the right to try and get that." It's been speculated that Watt is seeking to surpass Garrett's guaranteed money of $123.5 million, but if the Steelers defender can usurp the throne for highest-paid defender as well, it's just another feather in his cap over the Browns defensive end. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' T.J. Watt could surpass Myles Garrett's $40 mil, per insider
American Press
an hour ago
- American Press
American Press Male Athlete of the Year: Vital determined to be Hamilton's best, three-sport star sets high goals
Javon Vital was named the game MVP on Friday as Hamilton Christian beat Southern Lab 61-58 in the Select Division IV state championship game. He had 20 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and three steals. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) S ince he could pick up a ball, Javon Vital had the drive to be the best that he could be, no matter what. And one sport was never enough. His first sport was baseball at about 5 years old, but through the years, he tried others and succeeded at all of them. This past season, the sophomore led Hamilton Christian to its first state basketball championship, earned all-state first team and American Press All-Southwest Louisiana honors in two sports. For that, he is the American Press Male Athlete of the Year. 'If you want to be the best, you have to put yourself into those moments and be ready for those moments.' One of his biggest moments was in the Select Division IV state championship game at Burton Coliseum on March 14. Trailing state champion Southern Lab, Vital hit a floater in the lane and scored on an offensive rebound for a 59-58 lead with 30 seconds left. He was named the title game MVP with 20 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and three steals to beat the Kittens 61-58. He had a triple-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in the semifinals. 'It felt great,' Vital said. 'We had an amazing team and amazing players. We played together. It was exciting. I knew it was going to happen, but I didn't know when it was going to happen. We just kept our heads down, let God work and it happened this year.' He ended the season with 15.5 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals a game. He was the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 1A MVP. He started his sophomore season with a stellar football campaign, leading the Warriors to a 9-2 record and the second round of the playoffs. He was one of two players in Southwest Louisiana to rush and pass for 1,000 yards. He ran for 1,503 yards and 25 touchdowns on 171 carries. He completed 81 of 136 passes for 1,239 yards, 18 TDs and five interceptions. His four return TDs earned him LSWA Class 1A all-state honors. He was the American Press All-Southwest Louisiana Small Schools offensive MVP. In a Week 7 win over Elton, Vital accounted for six touchdowns with 246 yards on the ground. He made big plays on defense, too. He helped seal a 46-40 win over St. John in Week 4 with a late interception and finished the season with two interceptions and seven pass breakups. 'When times got hard, my team trusted me to make big decisions and make the right decision,' he said. In track, Vital won the District 4-1A 100-meter dash title in 10.79 seconds and was the Class 1A, Region II long jump champion at 21 feet, 11 inches and second in the triple jump (42-11 3/4). Vital said playing multiple sports strengthens him year-round. He said he's received multiple offers from Division I schools for football, including LSU, and hopes to compete in track at the college level. 'Each sport helps you with something for the next sport,' Vital said. 'It is good if you do every sport. Track helps you with football, basketball helps you with baseball.' He said he feels driven by everyone around him, especially his younger brothers Ja'vonte and Ja'monte. 'It is my little brothers, my community and the people in Lake Charles,' Vital said. 'My little brothers look up to me. I feel like I failed them (if I don't succeed).' Vital said he has a strong feeling that his future holds much more. 'I feel great,' he said. 'I have more to accomplish. This isn't nothing. 'I haven't reached the end goal yet. I have to keep working and stay humble. I want to be the best athlete to ever come out of Hamilton Christian, and just put my city on the map.'
