Steelers trade for $56 million WR amid Calvin Austin III injury
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Pittsburgh, PA — September 30, 2025 — The Pittsburgh Steelers have pulled off a timely trade for veteran wide receiver Curtis Samuel, valued at $56 million over his nine-year career, to bolster their receiving corps following Calvin Austin III's shoulder injury. The deal, reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, sends a third-round pick in 2026 to the Buffalo Bills, where Samuel had been a healthy scratch despite his $7.4 million salary for 2025.
Samuel, a second-round pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2017, steps in as Pittsburgh addresses a depth crisis. Austin, who suffered a shoulder ailment in Week 4's 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland, is expected to miss "several weeks," according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac. Austin left the game in the fourth quarter and was seen with his arm in a sling, having posted 10 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns through four games.
The Steelers (3-1) acted swiftly, recognizing Samuel's upside as a versatile slot receiver. In 2020 with Washington, Samuel exploded for a career-high 77 catches and 851 yards. Though his production dipped in 2024 (31 catches, 253 yards, 1 TD in 14 games), his experience opposite DK Metcalf could stabilize an offense averaging 212 passing yards per game. Aaron Rodgers, fresh off 510 career touchdowns, has relied on Metcalf (3 TDs, 150 yards) and Austin, but Roman Wilson (1 catch, 7 yards) and veterans Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek lack proven reliability.
"Samuel brings proven production and versatility we need right now," Steelers GM Omar Khan said. "With Austin sidelined, this move gives us balance and depth." The Bills, clearing cap space, parted with Samuel after he played just 20 offensive snaps in Week 4 against the Saints.
Pittsburgh's offense, hampered by injuries to Jonnu Smith (questionable), Jaylen Warren (questionable), and Max Scharping (out for season), gets a boost before the Week 5 bye. Samuel's addition could elevate a unit criticized by legend Bill Cowher for lacking identity, allowing Rodgers to exploit mismatches in the AFC North.
As the Steelers prepare for Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, Samuel's arrival signals a proactive push for contention. Steelers Nation on X erupted: "Samuel to Pittsburgh? Game-changer!" The $56 million veteran, with four 600+ yard seasons, could be the spark to unlock Rodgers' arm.
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Trey Yesavage wasn’t supposed to look this cool, calm, and collected. Not with 44,000 fans roaring in Toronto. Not against the mighty New York Yankees in October. Not just three weeks after his MLB debut. Yet, on a chilly night at Rogers Centre, the 22-year-old Blue Jays rookie didn’t just pitch—he owned the moment.
“This has got to be cloud nine,” Yesavage beamed as he walked off the mound to a standing ovation and thunderous chants of his name. And he wasn’t kidding. The kid just silenced baseball’s highest-scoring lineup, holding the Yankees hitless through 5⅔ innings and giving Toronto a commanding 2-0 ALDS lead. When manager John Schneider came to pull him after 78 pitches, the crowd booed—then erupted into cheers. Schneider stuck to the plan: Yesavage was done, no matter how unstoppable he seemed.
His stats? Eleven strikeouts—a Blue Jays postseason record—and only the second pitcher in MLB playoff history to rack up 10 Ks without a hit. Eight of those punchouts came from his wicked splitter, a pitch that drops like a disappearing act. The Yankees were left clueless.
“Built for this,” he’d boldly claimed before the series. Sunday night, he proved it, pitch by pitch.
From Low-A to the Spotlight
Yesavage’s ascent is mind-blowing. Drafted last June from East Carolina, he started 2025 pitching to 300 fans in Low-A Dunedin. Now, he’s facing Aaron Judge and Juan Soto under the October lights. His fastball sizzles at the top of the zone, his splitter plummets, and his slider keeps hitters guessing. For the Yankees, it was like solving three impossible riddles at once.
Unfazed, Yesavage walked only Judge in the first inning and saw one other baserunner via an error. His teammates mobbed him in the dugout, and fans refused to sit until he returned for a curtain call.
A Glimpse of the Future
October often births new stars, and Trey Yesavage might be the brightest. Toronto’s rotation boasts Kevin Gausman and Max Scherzer, but this rookie ace, fearless and unflinching, adds a new dimension. If Game 2 hints at what’s ahead, the Jays’ future shines as bright as the scoreboard flashing his name.
“This has got to be cloud nine,” he repeated in the clubhouse, still grinning, still pinching himself. For one unforgettable night in Toronto, it absolutely was.
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