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Steelers Sign Gritty Linebacker ‘Workhorse’ with 52 Career Games and 44 Tackles to Practice Squad After Robinson Exit

Neuqua Valley graduate Jon Rhattigan, recovering from a torn ACL, is  excited about Year 2 with Seattle Seahawks: 'I've done it before.' –  Chicago Tribune

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Steelers didn’t waste time filling a void in their linebacker room. After Mark Robinson’s surprising move to the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh turned to a name forged in grit: Jon Rhattigan, a workhorse linebacker who has fought for every snap of his NFL career.

At 26, Rhattigan carries the discipline of his Army roots into the league. Undrafted in 2021, he carved out a reputation with the Seattle Seahawks before earning a role in Carolina last season. There, he played in all 17 games, making 12 tackles on special teams — the type of production that rarely makes headlines but wins respect inside locker rooms.

Over four seasons, Rhattigan has appeared in 52 games with 44 total tackles, proof that toughness and persistence can outlast raw measurables. At his pro day, he ran a modest 4.77 in the 40-yard dash, but what he lacked in speed he has always made up for with physicality and instincts.

For Pittsburgh, the signing is less about flash and more about continuity. The linebacker room has been reshuffled, and Robinson’s exit left the practice squad thin. Rhattigan arrives as a steadying force — a grinder who embraces special teams, fills gaps, and does the dirty work the way Steelers fans demand.

As one fan put it on X: “Not a star, but a worker — exactly what the Steelers need.” That line could just as well be a chapter in the team’s playbook.

This isn’t just insurance. It’s another nod to the franchise’s enduring values: toughness, reliability, and the next-man-up mentality. The Steelers know highlight reels don’t win January football. Workers like Rhattigan do.

With his arrival, Pittsburgh reinforces its defense with a player who mirrors the city’s own identity — blue-collar, disciplined, and relentless.

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Chiefs Linked To Saints Super Star With 5x Pro Bowl & 2x All-Pro in Blockbuster Trade, Per Source
Kansas City, MO — According to a circulating on X (Twitter), the Kansas City Chiefs 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 Chiefs 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 tailor-made for Andy Reid’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 Kansas City intriguing two-back looks alongside Isiah Pacheco 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 Red and Gold really excites me.” Source: @nflrums X As of now, there has been no official confirmation from the Chiefs or the Saints regarding any talks. Still, Kamara’s résumé and toolbox explain why his name is quickly paired with Kansas City 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 Chiefs Kingdom perk up.