Steelers Land Two-Time Pro Bowl Star After DeShon Elliott’s Injury to Prove Super Bowl Ambition
Pittsburgh, PA – September 8, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers have wasted no time sending a message to the entire AFC. Less than 48 hours after losing starting safety DeShon Elliott to a devastating ACL/MCL tear, the team has already moved to reshape its defense.
Elliott’s injury in Week 1 against the New York Jets was a gut punch to the locker room and to Steelers Nation. The veteran safety, expected to anchor the secondary alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick, is now sidelined for the rest of the season, leaving a massive hole in the defense.
Rather than stand pat, general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin were clear: the Steelers will not let this season slip away. Pittsburgh is determined to fight for a Lombardi Trophy, and the front office has made a bold move to prove it.
That move is a verbal agreement with Justin Simmons, the two-time Pro Bowl safety who has long been considered one of the NFL’s premier defensive backs. A proven star with leadership credentials, Simmons immediately restores balance and brings championship credibility to Pittsburgh’s defense.
"This is about more than replacing a player," Tomlin said. "It’s about reaffirming what this franchise stands for. We’re here to compete for a Lombardi Trophy, and Justin Simmons helps us do that."
Simmons’ résumé speaks volumes. Drafted in 2016, the former Denver Bronco has been named to two Pro Bowls (2020, 2023) and earned Second-Team All-Pro honors twice (2019, 2021). He led the NFL in interceptions in 2022 with six, and across his career has compiled over 600 tackles, 30 interceptions, and 60 pass deflections.
Despite his accolades, one achievement has eluded him — a Super Bowl ring. Now, Pittsburgh is offering him a shot at glory. Pairing Simmons with Fitzpatrick instantly creates one of the league’s most feared safety duos, reminiscent of the Steel Curtain legacy that defined the franchise’s golden years.
Steelers Nation has already erupted online. “This is the move that proves we’re serious,” one fan wrote. “With Simmons and Fitz back there, nobody’s throwing on us. Super Bowl or bust.” The energy around the team has shifted from heartbreak to belief in a matter of days.
Pittsburgh may have lost Elliott, but with Simmons stepping into the spotlight, the Steelers are making their ambitions crystal clear: the road to Super Bowl LX runs through the Steel City.
Stay tuned to ESPN!
BREAKING: Chiefs Star Restructures Contract to Save $8 Million Cap Space
Kansas City, MO – September 8, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs have executed a critical roster move to strengthen their chances of extending a dynasty. By restructuring the contract of their defensive cornerstone, the team created valuable cap flexibility ahead of a season filled with championship expectations.
Balancing salaries in Kansas City has never been simple, particularly after a turbulent offseason that included high-profile departures on both sides of the ball. But this latest decision ensures stability at the heart of Steve Spagnuolo’s defense while also keeping the door open for roster reinforcements.
That player is Chris Jones, the All-Pro defensive tackle who signed a massive extension in 2024. His 2025 cap hit stood at $27.6 million, including $19.5 million in base salary. By converting nearly $12 million of that salary into a signing bonus and spreading the charge across the final years of his deal, Kansas City frees up close to $8 million in cap space.
The move does carry future risks, potentially inflating the dead cap figure for 2026, but the Chiefs believe the short-term gain is worth it. Jones has tallied 75.5 career sacks and is widely viewed as the anchor of the Chiefs’ front seven, especially critical after the departure of veteran pass rusher Charles Omenihu earlier this offseason.
With the cap space now available, Kansas City is expected to explore adding defensive depth, with free-agent edge rushers and veteran linebackers linked to the market. The timing is deliberate — the Chiefs want every possible advantage as they prepare for another playoff run under Patrick Mahomes.
Jones’s willingness to restructure speaks volumes about his leadership and his identity as a franchise cornerstone. Fans have long called him “the soul of the defense”, and the organization’s decision to build around him again makes that statement clear.
For the Chiefs, the move reflects a proven formula: protect core stars while maintaining the flexibility to add impact players. For Jones, it is a reaffirmation of his long-term place at the center of Kansas City’s championship pursuit.
As the Chiefs embark on the 2025 campaign, they do so with one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive linemen secured — and with the financial breathing room to continue building a roster capable of contending for another Super Bowl.
