Logo

Steelers Bring 3-Time Pro Bowl Superstar Back to Pittsburgh in a Trade Amid Malik Harrison’s Injury

Colts' 2020 free agency target: DT Javon Hargrave

Pittsburgh, September 8, 2025 — The rumor mill at Acrisure Stadium is buzzing: following inside linebacker Malik Harrison’s knee injury in the Week 1 matchup against the Jets, the Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly considering a blockbuster move to bolster their defensive front—bringing back 3-time Pro Bowler Javon Hargrave. In an increasingly brutal AFC race, a move like this could reshape the landscape as early as September.

In Minnesota, the atmosphere is anything but calm. Hargrave, currently one of the NFL’s top defensive tackles, was notably absent from the Vikings’ 2025 captains list, and their dominant 28–10 Week 1 victory over the 49ers—where Hargrave recorded 2 sacks—has only fueled speculation about his future. For the Steelers, this is a rare moment where need and opportunity align: they require a dominant DT to fortify their interior line, and Hargrave is a former cornerstone who already knows Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defensive scheme—no onboarding required.

From a football standpoint, the upside is clear. The Hargrave × Cam Heyward duo was once a nightmare for opposing offenses from 2017–2019, collapsing pockets, generating interior pressure, and creating opportunities for outside linebackers like T.J. Watt. Hargrave’s presence could alleviate pressure on Heyward, free up Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen to roam at the second level, and shore up a run defense exposed by Harrison’s injury. A few “boom” plays from Hargrave could be the razor-thin margin between winning and losing in the AFC’s dogfight.

Risks remain, of course: the Vikings will demand a steep price, the Steelers will need savvy cap maneuvering (potentially via incentives or partial salary retention by Minnesota), and reintroducing a superstar midseason must preserve the locker-room dynamic.

If negotiations materialize, the deal’s structure would likely center on Day 1/Day 2 draft capital with performance escalators tied to snap counts and playoff outcomes, or a “cap-balance + picks” option where the Vikings retain part of Hargrave’s 2025 salary for enhanced draft value. This is a “sell only at the right price” equation: Minnesota would only approve the trade if it jumpstarts a defensive retool around younger pieces, while Pittsburgh would only pay up if it significantly boosts their Super Bowl odds this season.

On the field, the tactical picture is straightforward. The Steelers would deploy Hargrave at 3-tech, leveraging his speed and technique to disrupt pockets, paired with stunts and twists to open lanes for Watt and Alex Highsmith. His presence would force opponents to allocate more resources to the interior, creating space for ILBs like Wilson to operate at the second level. Even without racking up sacks, Hargrave’s gravity alone would reshape opposing game plans.

Emotionally and legacy-wise, this would be a homecoming with a statement. In the Mike Tomlin era, the Steelers don’t measure yards—they chase glory. For Hargrave, returning to the black-and-gold sky could complete a career arc in the loudest possible way.

1579 views
Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side