Finally A Keeper: Steelers Sign Rushing Star Bettis
The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed unrestricted free-agent running back Jerome Bettis on Monday to a reported four-year, $14.4 million contract.
Bettis, 25, rushed for a team-high 1,431 yards and 11 touchdowns on 320 carries in his first season with the Steelers. He was the third leading rusher in the National Football League, trailing only Detroit’s Barry Sanders and Denver’s Terrell Davis.
The fourth-year pro was acquired in a draft-day trade with the St. Louis Rams for a second-round pick in 1996 and a fourth-round selection this year.
“I’m back with the organization that took a chance on me a year ago,” Bettis said. “I’d like to think it paid off for both sides.”
The signing comes after Pittsburgh lost two free agents to the Seattle Seahawks since Friday. Linebacker Chad Brown got a six-year, $24 million contract Friday and cornerback Willie Williams agreed to a four-year, $8.7 million pact Monday.
The Steelers still have eight unrestricted free agents left, including cornerback Rod Woodson, wide receivers Ernie Mills and Andre Hastings and quarterback Mike Tomczak. Bettis was the first starter re-signed by Pittsburgh in the five years of free agency in the NFL and third player re-signed of 23 overall.
The 5-foot-11, 243-pound Bettis flourished in the Steelers’ power rushing attack.
Bills acquire Hobert
A few days after signing Jeff George, the Oakland Raiders traded backup quarterback Billy Joe Hobert to the Buffalo Bills on Monday for an undisclosed draft choice.
Hobert was expected to travel to Buffalo today for a physical that would finalize the deal that has been negotiated for a week.
The Raiders became interested in unloading the former University of Washington player after signing George, a free agent who got a five-year contract reportedly worth $25 million. Hobert has been a backup since he was the Raiders’ third-round draft pick in 1993.
Bengals re-sign Sargent
Offensive lineman Kevin Sargent, a former Eastern Washington University standout, who missed last season because of a neck injury, has re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sargent, 27, was a free agent. He had been the Bengals’ starting left tackle in 1994-95 and the starting left guard in training camp last year before a herniated disc was found in his neck. He had surgery and missed the entire season. Cincinnati expects him to be fully recovered by training camp.