DeShon Elliott Sacrifices Guaranteed Money to Help Steelers Survive Season-Ending Loss
Pittsburgh, PA — The Steelers lost a key defensive leader when All-Pro safety DeShon Elliott went down with a season-ending knee injury against the Packers. But just hours after surgery, Elliott showed why he is still the heartbeat of this defense.
Officially ruled out for the remainder of the year, Elliott immediately requested a call with general manager Omar Khan — not to secure his money, but to help the Steelers through his absence.
In a stunning act of loyalty, Elliott voluntarily removed $1,000,000 of guaranteed money from his 2025 contract, freeing emergency cap space for Pittsburgh to sign a replacement defender who can help right away.
“I don’t want the team to be financially limited because of my injury. Use that money to sign someone who can help right now,” Elliott stated. His message carried equal parts pain and pride — a leader refusing to be a burden.
The gesture left Steelers executives shocked. Elliott had every right to keep the full guarantee from his two-year, $12.5 million extension signed in June. Instead, he put the team above personal financial security.
The cap relief now gives Pittsburgh the flexibility to pursue veteran secondary help as they push to stay in the AFC playoff fight — despite losing one of their most important players on defense.
Elliott is expected to remain heavily involved in film, game planning, and mentoring younger safeties while he rehabs, continuing to lead without ever stepping on the field.
His season may be over, but his commitment is only growing stronger. DeShon Elliott just made it clear: being a Steeler doesn’t stop when you’re injured — it gets even tougher.
Eagles OC's Tank Bigsby admission reveals backfield scheme for Saquon Barkley
The engine of the Eagles' offense has found a new gear. It rumbles with extra horsepower now. Imagine a vintage car, all polished and iconic, leading the charge. Then, you hear the guttural roar of a modern supercar waiting in the wings. That’s the new sound echoing through the NovaCare Complex. The starter is a known superstar, but the backup? He brings a thrilling, explosive uncertainty.
This new dynamic is changing everything. And Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo just made a telling admission about Tank Bigsby. A reporter asked if he knew about Bigsby's power. Patullo’s response was revealing. He said,
He added, “It just adds another element to our offense, another dynamic player that if Saquon needs a blow and he gets tired for a second, we can go back out there with Tank Bigsby and keep it rolling.”
This philosophy exploded to life against the Giants. Saquon Barkley dominated with 150 rushing yards. But got benched over a groin injury. Then came Bigsby. And he delivered a shocking 104 yards... that too on just nine carries. The Eagles' ground game amassed a historic 277 yards. The one-two punch finally arrived. And suddenly, the backfield looks incredibly deep and dangerous.
This crazy run game and overall domination even prompted Nick Sirianni to hand over a cowbell to Saquon and Bigsby. Supposedly, a new ritual in the Eagles locker room. Besides, Bigsby's success directly fuels the entire offense.
Defenses can no longer key solely on Barkley. This opens up the play-action game for Jalen Hurts. It creates clearer windows for receivers. The offense transforms from predictable to multiple. This balance is what Patullo has been searching for all season. And the proof was in the production
Unleashing the Tank Bigsby Effect
Patullo’s acknowledgment solidifies Bigsby's role. He is the designated relief pitcher for the ace. This allows Barkley to stay fresh for a full four-quarter grind. More importantly, it gives the offense a consistent, powerful identity. The run game doesn't dip when the starter takes a breather. It just keeps coming in waves.
The players have clearly bought in. Left tackle Jordan Mailata praised the rookie’s hunger, stating, “That boy’s hungry. Talk about hungry dogs. Tank is a hungry dog.” This sentiment resonates throughout the locker room. The offensive line loves blocking for a back who attacks the hole with force. The entire unit feeds off that relentless energy.
Hurts has seen this development unfold. He understands the importance of continuity. “There’s a culmination of time, experiences together, and the communication that you all merge together so you can get it to where you want to be,”
This new backfield scheme is the culmination of patience and identity. Barkley remains the centerpiece, a superstar in his prime. Bigsby is now the perfect complement, a powerful change of pace. Sirianni’s mystery cowbell now makes sense. Whoever hammers the rock rings the bell, and only the room hears it. If both backs top 100 again, the sound will echo straight into January.
