In Steve Massey's new book "Revolution: The Transformation of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL," he reveals that the team nearly ended their run with their Hall of Fame passer before it even begun.
The Pittsburgh Steelers turned the 14-year career of Terry Bradshaw into four Super Bowls, two Super Bowl MVPs, a league MVP, three Pro Bowls and a Hall of Fame jacket. In their decorated history, he goes down as one of the top two quarterbacks to even play for the franchise. But they almost didn't keep him.
In Steve Massey's new book "Revolution: The Transformation of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL," he reveals that the team nearly ended their run with their Hall of Fame passer before it even begun.
After a one-win season in 1969, the Steelers landed the first overall pick in the 1970 NFL Draft. With that pick, they chose Bradshaw, but had plenty of offers to move on from him. One of those offers came from the St. Louis Cardinals, who offered a package of players that included Hall of Fame cornerback Roger Wehrli, according to Massey.
Steelers Had an Offer in Mind
Speaking with Steelers Depot, Massey said that the Steelers called St. Louis back and had an offer they wanted. And if a player was still on the board when the Cardinals were draft, Pittsburgh was willing to listen.
"The Steelers sent word back, ‘If Mike Reid is available, we’ll talk,’" Massey said. "The Bengals took him, and they were one pick ahead of the [Cardinals]. That was that and the deal was off.”
Reid went on to make a Pro Bowl with the Cincinnati Bengals but left the NFL after just five seasons. The All-American out of Penn State went on to become a country music songwriter, winning Grammys and being selected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The Trade That Would've Changed History
The Steelers were willing to have a conversation that could've changed the landscape of the entire NFL for decades. Pittsburgh is known as one of the greatest franchises of all time because of their run in the 1970's, with Terry Bradshaw as their starting quarterback.
Instead, they would've had a player who spent five years with them, and who knows if they would've ever had the success they did. Or if their franchise would be viewed in such historic fashion today.
NFL general managers are always talking, and you never know what crazy trades are close to being made, but this one would've went down as one of the wildest ever. Looking back, it might be one that changed fate in this National Football League more than any other.
Jordan Addison: "This is the Time I Prove I Deserve All the Expectations!"
Minnesota Vikings rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison has faced some early struggles in his NFL career, but he's not backing down from the challenge. After being benched for the first quarter of the Vikings’ Week 5 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Addison made it clear that he's ready to prove himself. "When you're put in a tough situation, that's when you have to show your worth," Addison said. "I won’t let anyone doubt my ability. I’m going to come back and prove that I’m worthy of all the expectations."
A Moment to Prove His Worth
Addison, a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has all the tools to be a star wide receiver. However, his performance early in the season has been a mixed bag. The decision to bench him in the first quarter of the Browns game came as a shock to many, but it was a wake-up call for Addison. It wasn’t an indictment of his skill, but rather a test of his mentality. Head coach Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings' staff wanted to challenge Addison to rise above adversity.
"I know it's a tough moment," Addison continued. "But it’s exactly in these situations where I need to show why I belong here. It’s not just about making the big plays; it's about showing that I can handle the pressure and keep improving every week."
Proving His Worth to the Vikings
Despite being sidelined temporarily, Addison didn’t let the situation define him. When he was eventually called back into action, he made an impact. He caught a crucial pass in the second half that helped the Vikings gain momentum and showed glimpses of the talent that made him a top draft pick.
O’Connell’s benching decision may have been a tough one, but it was ultimately a lesson for Addison on resilience and the importance of mental toughness in the NFL. "I’m not here to be just another player," Addison added. "I’m here to be someone who can make a difference. I’m ready to prove that I can live up to the hype."
What’s Next for Addison?
Moving forward, Addison’s performance will be closely watched by both his coaches and the Vikings’ fans. The road to stardom in the NFL is never easy, but Addison’s mindset shows he’s willing to work for it. His confidence and willingness to face challenges head-on are qualities that will serve him well as the Vikings continue to push through a competitive season.
"I’m not going to stop," Addison affirmed. "I’m going to keep learning, keep growing, and keep showing why I’m worth every bit of expectation. I’ve got a lot left to give."
Conclusion
Jordan Addison’s determination to prove himself is exactly what the Vikings need as they push for a successful season. While his journey may have had some bumps along the way, Addison is showing that he has the resilience, confidence, and work ethic to rise above challenges. The benching may have been a tough moment for him, but it’s also the first step in Addison’s journey to becoming one of the NFL’s brightest stars.
