Steelers Cut Ties with Veteran LB Ja’Whaun Bentley After Short Stint
The Pittsburgh Steelers announced news of a corresponding cut for a Week 6 roster move that was first reported on October 7.
Running back/returner Raheem Blackshear will officially join the practice squad, following the Monday news of his addition, and he’ll take the place of recent Steelers signing Ja’Whaun Bentley, per the team’s social media account.
Bentley is a veteran linebacker who has spent his entire career with the New England Patriots before briefly signing with Pittsburgh in September.
The hard-hitting interior LB has suited up for 85 career NFL outings, including 2 playoff appearances. He’s accumulated over 510 total tackles and 10-plus sacks, with 2 interceptions and 4 forced fumbles.
Bentley earned a Super Bowl ring as a rookie for his contributions during the 2018-19 season. This was the final championship that ex-Patriots legend Tom Brady won with New England.
Ja’Whaun Bentley Fails to Impress With Steelers, Leading to Roster Cut
When the Steelers first brought in Bentley, some believed he would follow in the footsteps of fellow former Patriots “thumper” Elandon Roberts.
A contingent of Steelers fans has criticized the team for letting Roberts leave in free agency, and Bentley felt like the perfect replacement as an affordable, rotational linebacker with Malik Harrison sidelined.
Unfortunately for Bentley, he must have failed to impress during his two-to-three weeks with the organization.
Heading into Week 6, the Steelers have Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb and rookie Carson Bruener at inside linebacker. They also added Jon Rhattigan to the practice squad in early September, just before Bentley.
Head coach Mike Tomlin must feel that this is sufficient enough depth at inside linebacker, as injuries have begun popping up at other positions on this roster.
Buffalo Rookie Draws Rave Reviews After Week 5
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Bills tight end Jackson Hawes at Highmark Stadium on September 07, 2025.
There have been mixed reviews on the 2025 Buffalo Bills draft class, but one of the surprise players has been tight end Jackson Hawes.
Buffalo took Hawes in the fifth round out of Georgia Tech and has been one of the best players on the team so far this season.
Hawes Earns An Honor On PFF’s Week 5 Rookie Team
In the Bills‘ 23-20 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday, Hawes showcased a solid performance that earned him a spot on Pro Football Focus’s Week 5 Rookie Team.
“Jackson Hawes has been an interesting case this season,” Jim Wyman wrote on Tuesday. “He’s the highest-graded tight end in the NFL through five weeks with a 90.7 overall grade, yet you wouldn’t know it from checking the box score. Hawes has just four catches for 54 yards all season, and none came in Buffalo’s Sunday night loss to the Patriots. However, his blocking has been so good that he’s become a valuable member of this offense. Hawes generated a 73.9 pass-blocking grade and was even better as a run blocker, garnering an 80.3 grade.”
Hawes recorded 20 snaps on Sunday, with 14 of them dedicated to running plays. It seems the Bills have found a great role for Hawes, using him as an effective run blocker. He has significantly contributed to the running game this season.
PFF ranks the Bills as the fourth-best rushing attack so far this season and the No. 1 run-blocking team.
Hawes Could Be The Bills’ No. 1 Tight End One Day
The rookie tight end is playing so well this season that The Athletics‘ Joe Buscaglia thinks Hawes could be the Bills’ No. 1 tight end in the future.
“Hawes received a little buzz over the first few weeks for his blocking ability, and that’s definitely the top draw of his game,” Buscaglia wrote on Oct. 1. “He has allowed the Bills to almost completely do away with their jumbo formation, which had become a staple of their offensive game plan in 2024.”
Hawes, with his exceptional run-blocking skills, has given the Bills greater flexibility this season. Instead of bringing in an extra offensive lineman for run blocking, they can rely on Hawes to fill that role.
“Last season, to get an extra boost in the running game, the Bills would sub in reserve offensive lineman Alec Anderson for a skill position player,” Buscaglia added. The offensive line was playing well enough by itself, but the Bills became difficult to defend against the run with Anderson on the field as the added blocker.”
Bringing in an additional offensive lineman typically indicates that the play will be a run. This predictability allowed teams to anticipate the Bills‘ strategies last season.
“The primary problem with the jumbo formation is that it made the Bills far more predictable than they would have preferred to be,” Buscaglia wrote. “Even if they didn’t run the ball with Anderson on the field, it took a viable pass catcher off the field and made the Bills easier to defend with only four, sometimes three receiving options on a given play.”
Now that Hawes is in the mix, Buffalo doesn’t have to use the extra offensive lineman, which could catch teams off guard. Opposing teams now have to defend both the run and the pass with Hawes on the field.
