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49ers’ Second-Year LB Rejects IR Contract, Chooses to Fight On Despite Salary Cut

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — August 2025 — In a bold and inspiring decision, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Tatum Bethune turned down an Injured Reserve (IR) option and accepted a salary cut to remain active and compete alongside his teammates every day. The move reflects a true “warrior’s heart,” prioritizing passion and locker-room bonds over short-term financial security.

Bethune — a seventh-round pick in 2024 and a classic grinder profile — recently suffered an ankle tweak in the preseason opener against Denver, exited, then returned to play; he was later labeled iffy before being cleared for the next game. That backdrop only amplifies his choice to keep pushing forward rather than step back.

Bethune quote — as requested, unchanged:
“I don’t need IR to sit and collect a paycheck. I want my blood on the field, I want to fight alongside my brothers. Cut my salary if you have to – as long as I get the chance to prove myself. I’m not here for comfort, I’m here to battle to the end.”

Brought to San Francisco to contribute on special teams and compete for rotational snaps behind Fred Warner, Bethune is valued for his work ethic, high motor, and the way he keeps practices “clean” with disciplined reps. In a defense navigating various preseason injuries (from Patrick Taylor Jr. landing on IR to assorted knocks), a grinder voice like Bethune’s helps steady the day-to-day and sustain a competitive standard.

The choice was anything but easy: IR can offer financial security during recovery, but it also closes the door on immediate competition. For Bethune, standing shoulder to shoulder with his “brothers” matters more than the numbers on a paycheck. That’s why his story resonates with fans — a community that prizes grit & grind.

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Steelers Linked To Saints SuperStar With 5x Pro Bowl & 2x All-Pro in Blockbuster Trade
Pittsburgh, PA — According to a  circulating on X (Twitter), the Pittsburgh Steelers have been “linked” to Alvin Kamara—the New Orleans Saints superstar, five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro—as a potential target ahead of the trade deadline. The speculation has heated up as various outlets have also floated Kamara as a logical “fit” should the Steelers look to add a versatile, late-season playmaker on offense. At 30, Kamara is a rare dual-threat RB who excels as both a runner and receiver. He tied the NFL single-game record with six rushing touchdowns (Christmas Day 2020 vs. the Vikings), and he has recently been recognized as the Saints’ all-time leader in rushing yards. Across his career: 5× Pro Bowl, 2× Second-Team All-Pro, and a skill set that meshes with Pittsburgh’s motion/spacing concepts—screens, angle/choice routes, safe check-downs, and short play-action. Tactically, if a move ever materialized, Kamara would immediately put stress on short-to-intermediate coverages, force defenses to roll a safety, and give Pittsburgh intriguing two-back looks alongside Najee Harris on 3rd-and-medium and in the red zone. In this hypothetical scenario, Kamara voices a desire for a fresh challenge after hitting so many personal milestones in New Orleans: “I’ve achieved just about everything with the Saints, and I want a new challenge for myself. What could be better than a team competing directly for a Super Bowl? Just thinking about wearing Black and Gold really excites me.” As of now, there has been no official confirmation from the Steelers or the Saints regarding any talks. Still, Kamara’s résumé and toolbox explain why his name is quickly paired with Pittsburgh whenever rumors of an offensive upgrade surface. With 5× Pro Bowls, 2× All-Pro honors, and a proven knack for tilting games as both a runner and receiver, even a whisper on social media is enough to make Steelers Nation perk up.