Chicago Bears Trade Quarterback Justin Fields To Steelers

March 17, 2024 7:27 am

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers a 2025 sixth-round draft pick that could potentially become a fourth-rounder this year in return. The move is a strong signal the Bears will draft a QB — perhaps USC’s Caleb Williams — with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Fields figures to back up Russell Wilson, who signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh on Friday.

NY Rangers Zoom Past Penguins

March 17, 2024 7:30 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Artemi Panarin had two goals and three assists, and the New York Rangers zoomed past the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 7-4 win. Adam Fox and K’Andre Miller added a goal and an assist each for the Rangers. New York has won four of five to create a sliver of space in its race with Carolina for first in the Metropolitan Division. Bryan Rust scored his 20th of the season for Pittsburgh. It wasn’t enough for the reeling Penguins, who have lost eight of 10 to fall off the pace in the race for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Steelers Quarterback Kenny Pickett Heading To Philadelphia

March 16, 2024 2:26 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The brief and tumultuous Kenny Pickett era in Pittsburgh is over. The Steelers are trading the quarterback to the Philadelphia Eagles, multiple sources told The Associated Press. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not official. Pittsburgh will receive a third-round pick in this year’s NFL draft and two seventh-round choices in the 2025 draft in exchange for Pickett and Pittsburgh’s fourth-round pick this year. The move comes just hours after the Steelers signed nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson to a one-year deal.

Wilson Eager To Reboot Career With Steelers

March 16, 2024 4:35 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Russell Wilson is eager to help the Pittsburgh Steelers return to their winning ways. The nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback is joining Pittsburgh on a one-year deal after being cut by Denver. The Steelers made a heavy push to sign Wilson, believing he can help them close the gap on the powers that be in the AFC. Wilson says he is eager to join a team with a winning tradition after two bumpy seasons in Pittsburgh. Wilson is currently the only quarterback on the roster after the team agreed to trade two-year starter Kenny Pickett to Philadelphia shortly after Wilson’s arrival.

Aaron Donald Announces Retirement

March 16, 2024 4:26 am

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Defensive lineman Aaron Donald has announced his retirement after a standout 10-year career with the Los Angeles Rams. The three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year made his surprising announcement on social media. Donald spent his entire career with the Rams, who drafted him in the first round in 2014. He was selected for 10 Pro Bowls and eight All-Pro first teams, and he won the award as the league’s top defensive player in 2017, 2018 and 2020. He was the cornerstone of every Rams defense during his career, drawing habitual double-teams away from his teammates and still racking up 111 total sacks.

#4 North Carolina Beats Pitt To Advance To ACC Final

March 16, 2024 4:32 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — RJ Davis scored a game-high 25 points as No. 4 North Carolina advanced to the final of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament by beating Pittsburgh 72-65. The Tar Heels’ eighth consecutive victory coupled with fifth-ranked Tennessee’s blowout loss put them in position to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They’ll next face 10th-seeded North Carolina State in the conference tournament final Saturday night. Carlton Carrington led Pitt with 24 points. The Panthers should also be March Madness-bound after beating Wake Forest in the quarterfinals.

AP Report; Pirates Signing Domingo German To Minor League Deal

March 16, 2024 4:33 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates are signing former New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German to a minor league contract. That’s according to a person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. The team also has agreed to a $4 million, one-year deal with outfielder Michael A. Taylor. Another person with knowledge of the Taylor agreement confirmed the move to the AP on condition of anonymity because it is pending a physical. German pitched a perfect game last season for the Yankees before entering treatment for alcohol abuse in August. Taylor hit .220 with 21 home runs and 53 RBIs last season while playing in Minnesota.

Steelers Officially Sign Free Agent Quarterback Russell Wilson

March 15, 2024 1:51 pm

PITTSBURGH – (WPXI) The Steelers have signed free agent quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year contract. Wilson, entering his 13th NFL season, spent the last two years with the Denver Broncos following a trade from the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Seahawks and spent the first 10 years of his career with them. During a press conference Friday, Wilson said the reason he wanted to join the Steelers is that he “(wants) to be able to win championships.” When asked about what he expects for his role coming in, Wilson responded “I expect for us to win.” Wilson says as soon as he decided to come here, he immediately texted Kenny Pickett. “I got to talk to him a little bit and I just told him, ‘Hey, let’s go out there. Let’s be the best version of ourselves to try to make this team better,” Wilson said. The Steelers also officially signed linebacker Patrick Queen to a three-year contract and safety DeShone Elliott to a two-year contract on Friday.

Penguins Beat Sharks To Snap Losing Skid

March 15, 2024 4:26 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — John Ludvig and Rickard Rakell scored two minutes apart in the third period and the Pittsburgh Penguins pulled away from the San Jose Sharks for a 6-3 win. Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, Jeff Carter Noel Acciari also scored for Pittsburgh, which won for the first time since dealing star winger Jake Guentzel to the Hurricanes at the trade deadline last week. Tristan Jarry made 30 saves for the Penguins, who were outscored 17-2 during their losing streak. Fabian Zetterlund, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Klim Kostin scored for San Jose, which lost for the 11th time in 12 games. Magnus Chrona stopped 25 shots.

Pitt Beats Wake Forest At ACC Tournament

March 15, 2024 4:29 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ishmael Leggett scored 19 of his season-high 30 points in the second half and Pittsburgh turned away Wake Forest 81-69 on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament. Friday, the fourth-seeded Panthers (22-10) will face top seed and No. 4-ranked North Carolina. Leggett was 11-of-18 shooting, repeatedly driving hard to the hoop, and collected eight rebounds and five steals. Blake Hinson hit four 3-pointers and added 20 points with Jaland Lowe adding 11 points and five assists. Cameron Hildreth led the fifth-seeded Demon Deacons (20-13) with 23 points. Hunter Sallis added 15 points, Andrew Carr 13 and Efton Reid III 12.