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Steelers Rookie Finds Out Success Brings ‘Fake Friends’ After Massive Contract

Being drafted into the NFL comes with pressure on the field — but for one Steelers rookie, it also brought an avalanche of distractions off it. Fresh off signing his fully guaranteed four-year, $15.1 million rookie contract, the young offensive lineman suddenly found himself dealing with old flames, “fake friends,” and new attention that had little to do with football.

The rookie revealed that shortly after putting pen to paper, people from his past began resurfacing. Some who had once turned their back during hard times suddenly reached out with congratulations, while others even tried to rekindle old relationships.

“After I signed, my ex-girlfriend wanted to get back together. People who once refused to help my family started messaging me like nothing happened. Success changes everything, and I’ve realized who’s really in my corner,” the rookie told local media.

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Financially, the deal included a $7.82 million signing bonus and a projected $2.8 million cap hit for the 2025 season. The organization made the investment after moving on from veteran linemen and believed the rookie’s versatility to play both tackle and guard made him a cornerstone for the future.

But the rookie’s first year didn’t go as planned. A preseason knee injury sidelined him after just one appearance, forcing him to the injured reserve list for the remainder of the season. Despite the setback, he impressed in limited snaps, recording 29 flawless pass-blocking reps without allowing a sack.

That rookie is Troy Fautanu, Pittsburgh’s first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Coaches believe he has the tools to become a long-term anchor on the offensive line, protecting new quarterback Aaron Rodgers as the Steelers aim to return to AFC contention in 2025.

“It’s an honor to wear the Steelers uniform, but the experience has taught me who truly stood by me when times were tough, and who only showed up when I found success. My focus is on getting healthy, coming back stronger, and proving every dollar the organization invested was worth it,” Troy emphasized.

Though his rookie campaign ended early, the expectation is clear: once healthy, Fautanu will be counted on to solidify Pittsburgh’s offensive front for years to come.

Packers' Star QB Refuses MVP Title to Fully Focus on Team in Tough Phase
Can you believe it? Jordan Love, the "red-hot" quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, is on track to compete for MVP with +1000 odds at DraftKings – but this guy is "refusing" personal glory to pour all his energy into the team struggling with a "hellish" schedule! Is this a heroic act or just a ploy? Read now to uncover the "truth" behind it! In the Super Bowl era, the Packers have produced three MVP legends: Bart Starr (1966), Brett Favre (1995-1997), and Aaron Rodgers (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021). Now, Jordan Love has a chance to become the fourth, putting the Packers on par with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts – the only team with four QB MVPs like Johnny Unitas, Earl Morrall, Bert Jones, and Peyton Manning. With his current "explosive" form, Love ranks fourth in the NFL for passer rating (105.4), tied for fifth in touchdown passes (22), with only four interceptions – the fewest among QBs starting all 13 games, and a 67.1% completion rate ranking seventh. But instead of "dreaming" of MVP, Love seems to be "rejecting" it! In a recent interview, he emphasized: "These are the most important games of the season, obviously with a lot of things coming down to playoff seeding and the division race, so this is the important football. I think it’s everybody, we keep stacking and keep getting better and better throughout the season and learn from the mistakes we make and overcome some of the obstacles. Just keep stacking and trying to find ways to get better every day is something that’s been helping us." These words are like a clear "declaration": Love doesn't care about MVP, but only wants to focus on the team in its "tough phase" with a 9-3-1 record, trailing the Rams (10-3) in the NFC. Head coach Matt LaFleur also "sings along": "Yeah, he’s playing really good football right now. That’s obviously important and it’s going to be important moving forward." And offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich praises the consistency: "I would say just the consistency that he’s had has been great... Just being a consistent, efficient quarterback is one thing that I’ve been really pleased with." But it's Packers defensive end Micah Parsons who "reveals" why Love deserves but is "overlooking" MVP: "I definitely think he deserves recognition... If you go off strength of schedule, how he's played and with him missing half his receivers, I think that goes unnoticed, too. Some of the things he did without (Christian Watson) early in the year, then (Jayden Reed), so this guy was missing two of his starting receivers majority of the year and they're just now getting back in these last eight weeks of the stretch, so I definitely think he deserves a lot more credit and I'm just happy I'm able to be a part of this journey with him." Currently, Matthew Stafford of the Rams leads the MVP race with -180 odds, 35 touchdown passes (far ahead of Dak Prescott with 26), passer rating 113.1, and only four interceptions. Drake Maye of the Patriots follows with +200, passer rating 111.9, 3,412 passing yards, and 23 touchdowns. Love, with a four-game winning streak (nine touchdowns, one interception, passer rating 112.1), could stage a comeback if he maintains "red-hot form" – especially in the upcoming two "epic" games: away at Denver (11-2) and Chicago (9-4). If the Packers leap to the NFC's No. 1 seed (likely needing a 4-0 finish), while the Rams stumble against Detroit (8-5) and Seattle (10-3), or the Patriots slip against Buffalo (9-4) and Baltimore (6-7), Love would have a shot at MVP. But with his "humble" attitude, does Love really want to "accept" that title? Or is he sacrificing personally to save the Packers from the "tough phase"? The 2025 NFL drama is "hotter than ever"! Do you think Love is "playing a trick" to motivate the team? Comment now and follow for the "shocking" outcome of the MVP race!