Steelers/NFL
Seattle on the sidelines for now
The Pittsburgh Steelers will learn the length of Ben Roethlisberger’s suspension this afternoon, which is expected to be at least four games and with the NFL draft just a day away, the team is still considering all of their options with Roethlisberger.
Internally the Steelers have not made a full pledge effort to move forward with Roethlisberger and the looming suspension has not halted interested teams from engaging the Steelers in trade discussions.
Will the Steelers pull off a draft day shocker?
NFL executives are still insisting that it would be “shocking” if Roethlisberger is traded but the Steelers are being open to trade inquiries in what is expected to be an interesting next 36-48 hours for the Steelers.
According to a league source, the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills have made what is being considered as inquiries on Roethlisberger with at least one NFC team lurking.
Oakland were told could willing to package a deal centering around pro bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha but at this conjecture the Raiders are showing little interest in moving their 8th overall selection for the Steelers franchise quarterback.
The Bills under head coach Chan Gailey who has close ties to former Steelers coach Bill Cowher have inquired but there’s talk that ownership hasn’t signed off on bringing on Roethlisberger’s salary which puts them as an unlikely suitor.
However, Buffalo has shown enough interest that they have done more than just “kick the tires” on Roethlisberger.
In the NFC, there has been no interest from the St. Louis Rams.
A league source says Seattle has yet to make a serious play for Roethlisberger but it’s too early to count them out from making a draft day run at Roethlisberger.
San Francisco is the sleeper team to keep an eye on. They own the 13th and 17th selections.
There has been no indication that Arizona or Minnesota are among the teams to inquire about Roethlisberger.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported last night that the Steelers have received trade feelers from other teams and have not ruled out the possibility of dealing their two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
