A Steelers Depot daily segment. A quick hit of some Pittsburgh Steelers-related stories that may not require a complete article, but nuggets worth mentioning and passing on to you guys.
Your Depot After Dark for August 3.
ESPN-NFL MEDIA DEAL
As reported by The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand on Friday, The Worldwide Leader in Sports is getting even bigger. ESPN will gain access to NFL RedZone, NFL Network, seven regular season games, NFL’s fantasy football business and potentially more in exchange for “billions” in equity.
The deal coincides with ESPN announcing their direct-to-consumer product, and it gives the network a leg up in carriage agreements due to now controlling NFL Network and RedZone. For the NFL, it gives them a large stake in one of their media partners and allows them to focus on the league itself and not the media business.
The deal requires regulatory approval, and that could take up to a year to come. But it’s a major media deal between two of the biggest entities in the world, and it’s one that could change how viewers consume football on Sundays.
POUNCEY, DECASTRO HALL OF FAME ELIGIBLE
Two former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive linemen are eligible for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, with C Maurkice Pouncey and OG David DeCastro eligible for the first time.
It would be a surprise if Pouncey, who is part of the 2025 Steelers’ Hall of Honor class, and DeCastro are inducted next season. But both, especially Pouncey, at least have a case to wind up in Canton one day. In 2027, QB Ben Roethlisberger will be Hall of Fame eligible, and Roethlisberger could very well wind up being a first ballot Hall of Famer after winning two Super Bowls and ranking as one of the best passers of all time during his career with the Steelers.
WARD GETS NEW TITLE
Arizona State recently added the associate head coach title to former Steelers WR Hines Ward, and head coach Kenny Dillingham explained why the team gave Ward an additional title via Speak Of The Devils on YouTube.
“He’s been awesome. Just look at Jordan Tyson, look at the wide outs and their progression. Malik McLain has had an unbelievable offseason,” Dillingham said. “The reason we added the title was, what better person for our leaders to go to, when you’re trying to build consistency, than the guy who was one of the models of consistency in an organization that built consistency?”
Ward was one of the most consistent Steelers during his career with the team, and Jordan Tyson became one of the top receivers in the country and a likely first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft under Ward’s tutelage. Having someone with his knowledge and experience from his time in the NFL with Pittsburgh is invaluable to a college team. It sounds as if Ward is well-deserving of his new title.
Watch all your favorite Amazon Prime Video Sports broadcasts live and free. Get access to NFL, NBA, NASCAR, WNBA, and more – all included with your Prime membership!