Steelers' Sebastian Castro Heads to Tampa Bay After Roster Overhaul Pushes Him Out
Right after training camp, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While it was primarily seen as a way to test out how good the team really was entering the regular season by pitting them against someone other than their own offense for once, it was also a good chance for both front offices to do a little scouting for potential bubble players that could fit their needs.
The Buccaneers had to place a safety on Injured Reserve (IR) this week, so they had a hole at the position. They filled it by taking utility man Sebastian Castro
Castro has yet to be called up from the practice squad by the Steelers, so unless he's listed as a healthy scratch, he will make his NFL debut in Week 5 for the Buccaneers against the Seattle Seahawks. Luckily for Tampa Bay, the defensive back was with the Steelers when they lost in Week 2 against Seattle. He has seen first-hand what they do well and how they made Pittsburgh's defense look suspect, so he can likely help keep the Buccaneers from making the same mistakes.
That potential scouting report for Week 5 was probably a reason that Castro was specifically signed off the practice squad, as well as what the Buccaneers saw when they flew up to Western Pennsylvania for the joint practice back in August. He still has quite a bit to learn, but if he can jump on that moving train, he could be a quality depth piece for Tampa Bay down the road.
During his time in college, Castro played a role similar to that of Cooper DeJean, as they were teammates for the Iowa Hawkeyes. That position is a mix between a linebacker, a safety, and a slot cornerback. He was a thumper that had some issues with size and speed. Despite that, the Steelers wanted to give him a shot, as his versatility and tackling abilities made him an ideal developmental piece for
Steelers Loaded Up On The Back Seven In 2025
While Castro could have fit in Pittsburgh with his physicality and versatility, the problem here was that the Steelers spent all offseason overhauling the linebacker core, as well as their defensive backs. Slot corner was even taken after the trade for
Between free agency frenzy and Week 2 of the 2025 season, the Steelers
At linebacker, the Steelers brought in Malik Harrison to help stop the run, but that wasn't what made Castro expendable. That would be the sudden reemergence of Cole Holcomb after his disastrous injury in 2023. He quickly got back to form and became an impact player at helping stopping the run, to go along with the two usual starters. Castro suddenly was not a fit in Pittsburgh, but maybe he can be one in Tampa Bay.
Derek Carr is preparing for a comeback – Bengals may need a savior
The New Orleans Saints lost quarterback Derek Carr ahead of the 2025 National Football League season as he announced his retirement after 11 seasons in the league and four Pro Bowl appearances.
Carr was dealing with a shoulder injury and opted to hang up his cleats opening up the door to the quarterback competition that featured Spencr Rattler, Tyler Shough, and Jake Haener. Rattler won the job and Carr has made some media appearances so far this season.
Recently, Carr, who is just 34 years old, slightly cracked open the door to an NFL return while joining the "Dan Patrick Show."
"I wouldn't say never because I've learned when I say never, then it usually happens," Carr said. "I think we've all probably learned that. For me, right now, I'm training because I love to train. That's going to be the rest of my life. I love to train. I throw a football every now and then in the fornt with my kids and to my buddy for fun because it is part of my rehab still with my shoulder.
"I'm trying to get that back right and getting a shot and doing the rehab and all of that. I'm still doing those things. I always felt like even though I'm done, if God wanted me to do it, I've got to be ready. I don't want to go out there and not be ready. So, I'll be ready. But, I'm not coming back. Right now, today, I'm not coming back."
As the season progresses, it wouldn't be shocking to see his name thrown around simply because of the fact that if he can get healthy, he can help a quarterback-needy team.
Will the former Saints QB return?
"That question reminds me that quarterback needs can change in a hurry -- especially after what the Bengals just showed Monday night," Fowler said. "Got to wonder if Cincinnati evaluates quarterback options if the downward spiral deepens. After Monday night's lifeless outing, Cincinnati now has gained fewer than 200 offensive yards in three of its first four games. The last team to do that was the 2009 Raiders, who rolled out a combination of JaMarcus Russell, Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye at quarterback.
"The Bengals still believe in Jake Browning, who was far from the only culprit in Denver on Monday, but Cincinnati has too much skill position talent to accept the status quo. At some point, it could need reinforcements at the game's most important position. It might be worth calling recently retired Derek Carr to check on how his shoulder injury is healing."
If there's a team that could use a quarterback right now, it would be the Bengals. But, it's important to note that Carr -- although slightly opening the door for a return -- didn't say any return was imminent or even guaranteed. The Bengals could use Carr, but would that be enough to get him back on a field? Plus, there isn't any way to know if his shoulder would be ready to go right now. Cincinnati has a pressing issue. It is likely better suited for a guy who is definitely healthy enough to play, like Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins.
