Trubisky, Steelers open post-Big Ben era against Bengals
Kenny Pickett — the former Pitt star, Heisman Trophy finalist and firstround draft pick — might be the quarterback of the future for the Pittsburgh Steelers. But for right now, Mitch Trubisky is their man under center.
Trubisky will be the starter when the Steelers open the post-Big Ben era on Sunday against the AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.
Trubisky, who signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Steelers in March, got the nod after battling Pickett and three-year backup Mason Rudolph throughout training camp. It will be a fresh start for the 28-yearold after failing live up to expectations with the Chicago Bears and then going through last season backing up Josh Allen in Buffalo.
“I had a really good camp. I came in here with a lot of experience, showed I could lead a team, showed I've been playing really well and throwing the football really well,” said Trubisky, the No. 2 overall pick in 2017. “Now we go out there and execute on the field.”
His Steelers teammates apparently believe in him, too, installing him as one of five team captains earlier this week.
“We're just really comfortable with what Mitch has shown us,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said.
The Steelers are going to have to worry a little bit about their defense against quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals, who have won the last three games in the series — including a sweep last season as Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger played out his final year.
Burrow, who had to recover from an appendectomy at the start of camp after taking the Bengals on an improbable run to the Super Bowl last season, will operate in front of an improved offensive line with four new starters. In the backfield, Burrow will be joined by running back Joe Mixon, who has been a steady, productive presence the past few years despite the lackluster line play.
Cowboys' Prescott says he's fine for Bucs
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was limited in practice Thursday with a right ankle issue he said was caused by trying a different style of cleats.
Prescott said the ankle wouldn't affect his status for the opener Sunday night at home against Tampa Bay and seven-time
Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
It's the same ankle that was surgically repaired after the gruesome injury that ended Prescott's 2020 season in Week 5. Prescott said he had worn a different style of cleats all of training camp.
“It's just being very, very cautious,” said Prescott, who said he didn't twist the ankle. “Switching shoes today probably wasn't the best idea. We're good to go. Promise that.”
Saints' McCoy agrees to $63M extension
New Orleans Saints center Erik McCoy has agreed to a contract extension and a person familiar with the terms said it spans five years and is worth up to about $63.8 million.
McCoy's representatives at APEX Sports Group announced that McCoy had reached a “long-term” extension in a social media post on Thursday. A person familiar with contract terms provided them to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because those have not been announced.
The person said $40.3 million of the deal is guaranteed.
The agreement comes as the 6-foot-4, 303-pound McCoy enters the final season of his rookie contract.
The Saints used their top 2019 draft choice on McCoy when they selected him in the second round out of Texas A&M and immediately made him a starter at center.
McCoy remained at that spot even after the Saints used a 2020 first-round draft choice to select former Michigan center Cesar Ruiz, who was converted to right guard.
Also
• The New York Jets are already without their starting quarterback. They might be without their left tackle, too.
Duane Brown didn't practice for a second straight day Thursday while dealing with a shoulder issue, putting his availability for the season opener Sunday against Baltimore in serious doubt.
Coach Robert Saleh said shortly before practice that Brown wasn't at the facility because he was having his shoulder evaluated. He didn't have any other immediate details.
• Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark pleaded no contest in Los Angeles on Thursday to two counts of misdemeanor possession of an assault weapon and was sentenced to one year of probation and 40 hours of community service.
Clark is due back in court early next year, when he will need to show proof that he completed his sentence.
The three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher was arrested in March 2021, when he was pulled over while riding with another man in a vehicle that did not have a license plate. An officer noticed a weapon in the car and recovered two loaded firearms.
Three months later, Clark was pulled over for a code violation and officers discovered another gun in his vehicle.