Steelers Corner Cory Trice Jr. Taking Strides at OTAs
Steelers Corner Cory Trice Jr. Taking Strides at OTAs originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have benefited from first-round picks on the offensive line and veteran stalwarts on the defensive line. At cornerback, though, the Steelers have relied largely on unproven talents at corner.
Advertisement
Second-round corner Joey Porter Jr. has been penciled in atop the depth chart. Behind him, Pittsburgh is searching for answers. It signed Super Bowl champion Darius Slay early in free agency and added fringe starter Brandin Echols. In the slot, Beanie Bishop Jr. will hope to entrench himself as a starter after flashing as a rookie.
One wild card in the secondary is developmental corner Cory Trice Jr., who, according to Mark Kaboly, is taking strides at the Steelers' organized team activities (OTAs).
"You know who I wanna bring up is Cory Trice, too. He's a guy that if he can just stay healthy, I think has a very legit opportunity to be that DB two next year," Kaboly said. "He could be the long-term answer next to Joey Porter. My goodness does he just look the part. He's looking faster, quicker, he's looking more comfortable. But the injuries just tend to pile up on the guy. If he stays healthy, he has a chance to be a guy that not only helps this team out this year, but long-term in the future."
Trice, a 2023 seventh-round pick, saw his hype cut short by a torn ACL in his rookie season. He made his debut in 2024, playing in six games while logging an interception and two passes defended.
Advertisement
Trice played well in his limited action a season ago, but the small sample size wasn't enough to lock in a starting role. He'll have to play himself into Pittsburgh's plans this summer, and it seems like it is going well thus far.
To his credit, Trice's upside lends itself to multiple chances. At 6-3, 206 with adequate speed and impressive explosiveness metrics, Trice is a playmaker who may be on the verge of earning a starting job.
He'd have to leapfrog Slay, barring injury, so Kaboly's expectations are measured. But if Pittsburgh needs reinforcement on the boundary, expecting Trice to be more than a replacement-level player seems increasingly reasonable.
Related: Steelers' Roman Wilson Breaking Out As George Pickens Replacement
Related: Pittsburgh Steelers 'Loading Up' in Shocking Prediction from Ian Rapoport
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Candace Parker Breaks Silence on Rumored Caitlin Clark Tension
Candace Parker Breaks Silence on Rumored Caitlin Clark Tension originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There's no question that Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is the face of the WNBA. The league went out of its way to feature Clark and the Fever is as many primetime games that it could this season, and Clark's impact is undeniable when looking at ticket sales, merchandise sales, and television ratings. Advertisement And while Clark's presence in the league has been a topic of dissension for some current and past players, most notably six-time All-Star Sheryl Swoopes, recently retired three-time WNBA champion Candace Parker went out of her way to let everyone know she's not one of them. During a recent appearance on 'The Take,' Parker admitted to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that despite what's been portrayed in the media (several reports have claimed retired players are resentful of the younger players for potentially earning more money than they did), she actually has zero problem with the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin ClarkGrace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images In fact, Parker went on record stating she's a fan of what Clark is doing a season and some change into her WNBA career. Advertisement 'You know, it's so crazy to me because I'm asked so many times if I'm resentful in any type of way for where the WNBA is right now,' Parker stated. 'My job was to leave the game better than I came into it. 'You think Cheryl Miller is resentful for me that I had a league to play in? No, she's being the mentor that she is, and she's supporting and loving and sitting courtside cheering on JuJu Watkins. And I'm doing the same for Caitlin Clark and all the women in the WNBA.' Legendary Los Angeles Sparks star Candace Lee-Imagn Images The WNBA's 'changing of the guard' has been a front-and-center issue for months — really since Chicago Sky star Angel Reese boldly stated if the next collective bargaining agreement negotiations don't go the way the players want in terms of salary increases, there will be the threat of a lockout. Advertisement And while Clark has done nothing but bring more eyes to televisions and more people to seats in WNBA arenas, any drastic changes happening in the league are being attributed to her. Related: Caitlin Clark Nearly Got Indiana Fever in Trouble for Unbelievable Reason Related: Brittney Griner Bracing for Punishment After Altercation With WNBA Official This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Boston Globe
12 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
With Aaron Rodgers off the free-agent board at last, the other top stories from the NFL's OTAs
⋅ Several star players are still grumpy about their contracts and have skipped the voluntary OTAs, among them Trey Hendrickson , Jalen Ramsey , Terry McLaurin , T.J. Watt , Micah Parsons , and Jonnu Smith . If they skip minicamp, they face cumulative fines up to $104,768. Of course, that money could be more than offset by a new contract, but it's still something to consider. (Parsons has said on social media Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up I will be there! I haven't missed a mini camp in 4 years! Even though the contract is not done, I have teammates and a playbook ! I'm preparing as if I will be on the field the first week of camp! But it's in the owner's hands. I'm ready to win a Super Bowl ! — Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) Advertisement Of that group, McLaurin and Smith are the likeliest to get new contracts from their teams in the near future. The Cowboys will eventually pay Parsons the $40 million-plus he seeks, but Jerry Jones sure seems to like dragging these negotiations out for maximum drama. Hendrickson remains at an impasse with the Bengals, and minicamp will be a good test of how much he is willing to push it. ⋅ The AFC South has two quarterbacks sitting due to injury. The Texans are holding C.J. Stroud out of practices as he deals with shoulder soreness but don't appear concerned. 'When the moment is for him to be ready to go, he'll be ready to go,' coach DeMeco Ryans said. Advertisement The Colts' situation bears watching, though. Former No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson , entering his all-important third season, will miss the final week of offseason practices after aggravating the AC joint in his throwing shoulder. While not a big injury in a vacuum, it's a bad omen for Richardson, who is fighting to save his job this year. He has missed 19 of 34 games in two seasons, and he has real competition for the starting job in Daniel Jones , who is making far more guaranteed money in 2025 — $13.1 million to $3.8 million. I found it interesting last week when a league source said he believes Jones will be the league's most impactful free agent this fall — and that was before news of Richardson's shoulder injury emerged. ⋅ Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has every right to skip voluntary OTAs, as he did last year, but it is a strange look for a starter not to be working with the guys, even if the practices and workouts are more ceremonial. Jackson is also foregoing a $750,000 workout bonus that would be earned by attending 27 of 32 workouts. 'I'm not taking any position on it, judging it,' said coach John Harbaugh , probably doing a good job of masking his true feelings. ⋅ Jackson isn't the only player turning down a big bonus. Cowboys cornerback Tre von Diggs is passing on a $500,000 workout bonus to instead train in Miami alongside his brother, Advertisement If the Patriots were serious about wanting Diggs to be in Foxborough this spring, they would have offered him more than $200,000. That's a lot of money for you and me, but not enough to get someone who has made $137 million in career earnings and is becoming a mega-star through his relationship with Cardi B to change his offseason routine. Diggs was in attendance at ⋅ David Andrews wasn't Frank Ragnow , who walked away after seven seasons due to a litany of injuries that included a fractured throat and ' The Lions have had major turnover on the coaching staff this year, losing both coordinators and several assistants. They also will have big changes on the offensive line after losing Ragnow, plus left guard Kevin Zeitler to the Titans. 'He will be sorely missed, but man, this train rolls on,' Lions coach Dan Campbell said. ⋅ About half of the 32 teams will suffer a significant season-ending injury before Week 1, and it unfortunately started last week when Steelers tight end Donald Parham , formerly of the Chargers, tore his Achilles' in practice. Parham, who stands 6-foot-8, caught 11 touchdowns in four seasons and could have been a nice red zone target for Rodgers. ⋅ Several other top players won't be participating in minicamp this week as they return from injury, among them wide receivers Tyreek Hill (Dolphins, wrist), Rashee Rice (Chiefs, LCL), and Malik Nabers (Giants, toe); and defensive ends Aidan Hutchinson (Lions, leg), and Joey Bosa (Bills, calf). With Hill, the health of his wrist might be related to the status of his contract or his ability to get traded. Advertisement ⋅ Fighting is common in training camp when pads are on — temperatures are high, and everyone is battling for a job — but the Giants didn't wait. Defenders Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux threw helmets, punches, and haymakers with offensive linemen James Hudson and Jermaine Eluemunor as teammates poured in from the sidelines. Coach Brian Daboll immediately called off the rest of practice. 'The only thing I'm mad about is that we had to go ahead and call it,' Burns said. 'We got most of our work done today, but I just want to stay away from that.' Stefon Diggs was in attendance at last Monday's voluntary practice and should be present at minicamp, but he spent time this offseason training with his brother in Miami. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff STEEL UNCERTAIN Rodgers another patch on long-standing issue The Steelers finally agreed to a one-year deal with Aaron Rodgers last week, a move they had to make. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields weren't the answer. Sam Darnold at $35 million per year wasn't, either, and Rodgers is probably better than every draft prospect that was available with the 21st pick. He still represents a major organizational failure. This is what happens when a team does the bare minimum at quarterback. The Steelers' troubles go back to 2019, when Ben Roethlisberger hurt his elbow and Advertisement There has been no foresight from the front office to find the next QB. No boldness to move up in the draft, or to find anyone who is more than a Band-Aid or a lottery ticket. Drafting Kenny Pickett when he falls to you with the 20th pick isn't a bold move. Nor is signing Mitchell Trubisky , Wilson, and Fields off the scrap heap and hoping they out-perform their contracts. Now, it's Rodgers, who looked gun-shy and immobile last year with the Jets. The Steelers haven't swung for any fences, content instead to go 9-8 every year and lose in the playoffs. (They've gone seven straight seasons without winning a postseason game.) Yes, it's hard finding a franchise QB, and the Steelers should be commended for always being competitive enough to never pick in the top 10. That doesn't excuse their inability to find a follow-up to Roethlisberger. The Patriots drafted Instead, the Steelers have sat back and let the universe plop a quarterback in their lap for five years. They'll have to do it again next offseason, unless they finally get bold and make a big move. Aaron Rodgers is another patch on a long-term issue for the Steelers. Seth Wenig/Associated Press BASE CAMP Denver drawing plenty with Foxborough ties ⋅ Sean Payton and the Broncos have become a haven for former Patriots. Camren Williams , the college scouting director who had been with the organization since 2016, left last month to become a co-pro personnel director in Denver. Evan Rothstein , who did everything from analytics to coaching offensive line and quarterbacks since coming to New England in 2021 with Matt Patricia , joined the Broncos in March as an offensive line assistant and director of game management. Advertisement The Patriots reportedly filled Williams' role internally with national scout Tony Kinkela . They are replacing Rothstein with John Streicher , Mike Vrabel's right-hand man from Tennessee, and Ekene Olekanma , formerly the coordinator of football R&D for the 49ers who will be the Patriots' director of coaching analytics. ⋅ With the Steelers coming to Foxborough on Sept. 21, it will likely mark the second year in a row that the Patriots face Aaron Rodgers in Week 3. It should be three years, but Rodgers missed the ⋅ Left tackle Done deal — New England Patriots (@Patriots) ⋅ Bad news for out-of-town fans. NFL Network is carrying 21 preseason games live this year, but none involving the Patriots. The games against the Commanders and Vikings will be on WBZ and the Patriots Preseason TV Network, while the finale against the Giants will be on Prime Video (plus a local channel in Boston and Providence). Under pressure Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald is correct that it's 'crazy' to think Sam Darnold could lose the starting job before Week 1. Injuries are one thing, but the Seahawks signed Darnold to a three-year contract worth a maximum of $115.5 million for a reason. It's hard seeing any scenario in which backups Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe beat Darnold out in training camp. 'I respect that you've got to ask it, but it's just a crazy question,' Macdonald said on 710-AM after Darnold threw a couple of picks in OTAs. 'Sam's our starting quarterback. We love him. He's doing a tremendous job.' That doesn't mean Darnold is guaranteed to finish the season. His contract is really just one year guaranteed for $37.5 million. His 2026 season, worth $27.5 million, is guaranteed for injury only and doesn't become fully guaranteed until the fifth day of the league year next March. His 2027 season ($35.5 million) has no guarantees. Realistically, Darnold has through November to prove that he's worth the investment for 2026. If he doesn't, the Seahawks easily could bench him down the stretch and release him next March without owing him another dime. A lot will likely depend on the progress of Milroe, a third-round pick who has tremendous physical tools but is raw as a passer. Not playing for money Derek Carr made almost $200 million in on-field earnings over his 11-year NFL career, so he's not exactly hurting for money. He Still, few people would have made the decision Carr did, which was to forgo the $30 million in salary this year he was contractually entitled to. Carr officially hit the retired list last week as he deals with a shoulder injury. 'I didn't want to have surgery and just sit there and — it sounds crazy but — just take the Saints money,' Carr is only 34 and should have several years of football left if he gets his shoulder fixed, but told his agent recently that he's done. 'I sent him a picture of me on the beach with my two kids playing. And I said, 'This beats an OTA any day,' ' he said. That's fair, but few players ever say they miss June practices. Let's see how Carr feels come September, when Extra points Yes, spring OTAs are voluntary. Players aren't wearing pads, and the practices are meant more for teaching than pure competition. That doesn't mean the coaches like seeing interceptions and other mistakes. 'Well, I care,' Mike Vrabel said when asked about Drake Maye's four-interception practice. 'I care about every player's performance and that we continue to improve. There has been great improvement. Everybody's going to have a bad day. There's a lot of reasons that go into it.' … The Chargers ripped the heart out of San Diegans in 2017 when they abandoned their home of 55 years and Dean Spanos may want to stay out of the spotlight on those days … Former BC receiver Zay Flowers , who has 1,917 regular-season yards and nine touchdowns in two seasons for the Ravens, recently switched agents. He still has two years left on his rookie deal but will be eligible for a new contract next offseason … This fall, Clemson plays at North Carolina and Boston College in consecutive weeks. 'I feel like we're playing the whole Patriots organization in a two-week span,' coach Dabo Swinney quipped, referring to head coaches Bill Belichick and Bill O'Brien … Patriots receiver Mack Hollins will be participating in Justin Herbert , Justin Reid , Harrison Phillips , Richard Sherman , and A.J. Dillon … Few people would have noticed the Falcons' social media post last week of cornerback Mike Ford and safety Jessie Bates had the team left it alone, but the Falcons deleted the post because Ben Volin can be reached at
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pistons' JB Bickerstaff Reveals What NBA Coaches Have To Do To Not Be Fired
Pistons' JB Bickerstaff Reveals What NBA Coaches Have To Do To Not Be Fired originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In the NBA, head coaches rarely retire. Usually, they are fired, and, more often than not, hired by a new team before being fired again. Advertisement This season, Mike Brown, Michael Malone, and Taylor Jenkins were all fired before the season even ended, and Tom Thibodeau followed after the season ended. JB Bickerstaff seems to have some job security as the head coach of the Detroit Pistons, although he has been fired twice before, by the Memphis Grizzlies and the Cleveland Cavaliers. He recently revealed what is expected from an NBA coach. Detroit Pistons head coach JB. Bickerstaff yells instructions to his team against the Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Horwedel-Imagn Images In 2023, Dwane Casey stepped down as head coach of the Pistons and took on a front office role. He was replaced by Monty Williams, who was fired after one season. Bickerstaff is by no means on the hot seat, although he knows better than anyone that the tides can change. Advertisement "It is not an easy job," Bickerstaff said on Wednesday. "Every year, we sit down with our front office, and we lay out a plan on what a successful season looks have to do more. We have to overachieve in order to progress and move forward." Seemingly every year, coaches have to build on the successes from the season prior. Thibodeau led the New York Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years and seemingly had the franchise moving in the right direction for the first time in decades, although the Knicks decided to part ways with him. Being a head coach in the NBA is never a permanent position, although finding new employment, it would seem, is easy. Advertisement Check out the All Pistons homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles. Related: Detroit Pistons To Test Free Agent Waters With Two Elite Centers Related: Surprise East Team Could Emerge as Potential Trade Suitor For Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
