Getty The Pittsburgh Steelers made a play for Odell Beckham Jr.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were involved in the Odell Beckham Jr. sweepstakes — well, sort of.
According to a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on Sunday, November 14, the Steelers made a play for Beckham. However, by the time they called, it was too late as the three-time Pro Bowl receiver had already narrowed his choices down to the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers.
“He received an offer at the veteran’s minimum from the Packers, while most of the rest of the offers were around a $1 million base salary with a chance to make a few more million with incentives,” says Rapoport. “The Chiefs, Patriots, Seahawks, Saints and Packers all made offers, as did the Rams.”
“Interestingly, when Beckham was narrowing it down, the Steelers called to make a play, too. But by then, he was on to finalists,” said Rapoport.
Steelers Receivers Decimated by Injuries
Although the Steelers were never rumored as a team interested in the veteran receiver’s services, the report doesn’t come as an sort of surprise. Beckham didn’t sign with the Rams until Thursday. Prior to Thursday, it was reported that Steelers starting receiver Chase Claypool was dealing with a turf toe injury and that he was considered “week-to-week.”
That’s not even mentioning how the Steelers’ other starting receiver, Juju Smith-Schuster, was previously ruled out for the season due to a dislocated shoulder.
The move would have definitely made headlines in Pittsburgh considering Beckham’s stomping grounds over the past three seasons was with the Cleveland Browns — one of the Steelers’ top rivals.
Beckham’s signing with the Rams involves $3.25 million in incentives to go along with his $750,000 base salary and $500,000 signing bonus. While it’s unclear what Pittsburgh would have offered on a possible contract, considering the Steelers have over $11 million in available cap space (according to Spotrac), it’s not far-fetched to think they could have offered a similar deal.
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Steelers Rule Out Ben Roethlisberger for Week 10
Ben Roethlisberger will not play on Sunday after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The Steelers quarterback was ruled out on Saturday. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Roethlisberger tested positive for COVID-19. NFL rules state that any player who tests positive or comes into close contact with someone who has tested positive will be placed on the list.
During an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show” last week, Roethlisberger stated that he was vaccinated.
“I think you’re supposed to have your mask on if you’re not vaccinated. I don’t know who on our team is and isn’t. I know I am, so I don’t have to have my mask on, but you still have to live your life,” Roethlisberger said.
Mason Rudolph is expected to start against the Detroit Lions in Roethlisberger’s place. The 26-year-old is 5-4 as a starter, winning all five of those starts during the 2019 season.
Rudolph holds career statistics of 15 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and 2,089 passing yards and an 82.7 quarterback rating in 15 appearances.