As long as the effort is there, the willingness to give Minten a chance should remain in place.
Steelers Begging NFC Foe To Make Big Trade That Will Seriously Affect Pittsburgh Long-Term
Posted October 5, 2025
The NFL season is rolling along in Week 5 as the Pittsburgh Steelers enjoy a well-deserved bye. Sitting at 3-1, Mike Tomlin's group had an effective month of September knowing that a good start to the year was pivotal due to a tough backend of the 2025 schedule. The team has a legitimate shot to win five out of its first six games because of the next two contests being against an injured Cincinnati Bengals unit and unimpressive Cleveland Browns bunch. It will be important to not look down on opponents, but it's hard not to be excited as a fan in the Steel City.
While some early-season success is certainly being enjoyed by the Steelers, fans have the right to continue to think about the future. NFL franchises need top-notch quarterbacks to have success long-term, and Pittsburgh hasn't figured that part out since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 campaign. Dating back to the future Hall of Famer's final year, the organization has started each of the last five campaigns with five different signal-callers atop the depth chart.
There was also a sixth individual in the mix in Russell Wilson, who didn't begin the 2024 season as the first-string guy because of an injured calf. The veteran signed a contract with the New York Giants during the 2025 offseason, but it didn't take very long for Head Coach Brian Daboll to bench him in favor of exciting rookie Jaxson Dart.
If things continue to go south for the Giants, it doesn't make sense to keep both Wilson and Jameis Winston on the roster as the trade deadline nears. For the Steelers, they are intensely rooting for New York to deal Wilson much sooner rather than later. Pittsburgh is projected to have roughly 12 draft picks in 2026, with several being compensatory. It's possible that the one for Wilson could fall all the way to a sixth-rounder if he doesn't see the field again in 2025.
In short, the Giants trading Wilson to a quarterback-needy team (ahem, the Bengals?) could lead to the veteran getting back into a starting lineup. This would significantly increase the Steelers' chances of getting a better comp pick for Wilson.
It was confirmed by cap guru Nick Korte that the Steelers would indeed find it beneficial if Giants General Manager Joe Schoen decided to deal Wilson to an organization that would play him.
Pittsburgh won't be throwing any parties if Wilson is traded at some point, but everything will help in 2026 when it comes to potentially trying to draft a future franchise quarterback. A fourth or fifth-round selection will work much better in trade discussions to move up in the first round compared to a sixth if New York's now-backup doesn't get another opportunity in 2025.
Steelers Are Looking To Have Made Right Quarterback Decision In 2025 Offseason
Wilson has been benched and Justin Fields' New York Jets have yet to win a football game entering Week 5. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers is playing great football and has led Pittsburgh to a strong start to the year. It's evident that Tomlin and General Manager Omar Khan were right to be patient as the 41-year-old mulled his future over in the offseason. Now, the Steelers can only hope that the Giants trade Wilson in a timely manner.
Bruins betting big on prized prospect in 2025-26
The Boston Bruins have a significant bet on a prized prospect who's poised to take the next step this season.
The Boston Bruins have placed a significant wager on one prized prospect this season. Coach Marco Sturm has moved the pieces on his chessboard to accommodate Fraser Minten in the club’s lineup.
Minten was the major piece in the Brandon Carlo trade last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. As such, the club is betting that Minten will turn into the prospect the Leafs once envisioned as a potential second-line center.
However, Sturm and the Bruins have tapered expectations for the 21-year-old. That’s why the Bruins' first-year coach has him on the third line with Tanner Jeannot and Marat Khusnutdinov.
That third line has the potential to be a solid defensive unit while chipping in offensively. They won’t burn out the lightbulb on the goal light, but at least they can provide meaningful depth scoring.
If the bet pays off, the Bruins could have themselves a much deeper lineup. To accommodate Minten in the lineup, Sturm has Casey Mittelstadt as the second-line pivot with Pavel Zacha on the wing. That move seems to have paid off. On Saturday against the Rangers, Zacha scored a goal with Mittelstadt picking up an assist.
If that line continues to gel, it will take the pressure off the rest of the Bruins’ lineup. Then, it’s up to Minten to prove he can hang in the 3C role for now. But if everything really goes according to plan, fans could see Minten climb up the depth chart much faster than anticipated.
Minten could make other Bruins expendable
This season comes with much more uncertainty than other seasons. The Bruins will be looking to shake off last season’s disastrous campaign. But the main issue is that there’s no guarantee that this year’s team can turn things around.
Yes, there’s plenty of talent there. Players like Morgan Geekie, Mason Lohrei, and Minten promise to bring a new crop of young stars to the fold. But the fact is that fans won’t know what to expect from the club until it hits the ice.
If things go well, the Bruins could challenge for a playoff spot. Coupled with a strong performance from prospects like Minten, the Bruins could be emboldened to make a move. For instance, the team might consider moving a piece like Mittelstadt to address another key area.
The odds are that a talented young player like Fraser Minten could reach a new level in 2025-26. He’ll have an opportunity to prove he can play. The club will be patient with him as he grapples with the challenges of becoming a full-time NHL center.
