First Call: Steelers release Beanie Bishop; Minkah Fitzpatrick trade rumors; Marquez Valdes-Scantling signing still possible

It’s time to say goodbye to Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop. We’re still awaiting Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s arrival.

The Chargers and Packers suffer blows to their rosters. And could a pair of former defensive backs with the Steelers both be heading elsewhere?

All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.”

Bye, Bye Beanie

The Steelers have released cornerback Beanie Bishop. The team made that announcement Monday afternoon.

The West Virginia product had a promising start to his Steelers career. As a rookie last year, Bishop picked off four passes and recovered a fumble. However, despite all the coverage issues and injuries the team has faced in 2025, Bishop never got on the field.

In 2024, Bishop appeared in all 17 games with six starts. He posted 45 tackles (two for loss), half a sack and seven pass breakups.

Meanwhile, the long-anticipated signing of wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is on the verge of happening. That’s according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling is now signing with the Steelers, per source. He's in Pittsburgh now. https://t.co/FCTnhcJthr

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 3, 2025

Valdes-Scantling worked out in Pittsburgh last week, but didn’t sign.

ALTernate plans

In advance of hosting the Steelers on Sunday, the Los Angeles Chargers got some really bad injury news. Offensive tackle Joe Alt needs season-ending ankle surgery. That’s because the 6-foot-9 standout suffered a second high ankle sprain to the right leg Sunday.

The organization posted that news Monday on social media. He was carted off the field during a win against the Tennessee Titans.

#JoeAlt LT @chargers
Rolled up on right side
Recent right ankle issues
Carted off
More OL issues again for Harbaugh pic.twitter.com/K8t9fxQ0bt

— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) November 2, 2025

Fellow tackle Rashawn Slater tore his patellar tendon in training camp practice. He and Alt were supposed to be one of the best tackle tandems in the NFL. Now they are both done for the year.

L.A. is now 5-1 when Alt suits up, 1-2 without him. Now the team has to face T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig with Alt sidelined.

Fellow lineman Bobby Hart also left Sunday’s game in Tennessee with ankle and groin injuries. The Athletic reports he will miss some time as well. The outlet advanced Cleveland’s Jack Conklin and Washington’s Andrew Wylie as potential targets the Chargers may want to acquire to offset Alt’s loss.

Minkah moving once more?

After the Steelers traded Minkah Fitzpatrick back to Miami this offseason, the safety may be on the move again.

According to Fox’s Jordan Schultz, the Dolphins may be open to trading Fitzpatrick before Tuesday’s trade deadline expires.

Sources: The #Dolphins have been open to trading 5x Pro Bowl S Minkah Fitzpatrick, and there has been interest from multiple teams.

Miami already traded Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles on Monday morning for a 3rd-round pick. pic.twitter.com/LdnropSlKW

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 3, 2025

For those in Pittsburgh wondering if a reunion with Fitzpatrick is possible via trade, it isn’t.

Sure, the Steelers need safety help. Yet, NFL rules state that a team cannot reacquire a player that they previously dealt until at least two full NFL seasons have passed.

So the only way the Steelers could get Fitzpatrick now is if the Dolphins release him instead of trading him.

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Along those lines

Speaking of former Steelers safeties, Damontae Kazee is hitting the open market. The Browns are letting him go under some interesting circumstances.

He wants more playing time. The Browns don’t seem to want to play him. But if it saves them a few bucks, they are apparently going to give him a chance to find work elsewhere.

The #Browns' releasing S Damontae Kazee was an agreement between player and team, with Kazee forfeiting over $200k in guarantees for the chance to find playing time elsewhere, source says. The nine-year vet, who had never been released, was active for four games with Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/JSQgEjNyZy

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 3, 2025

After three years in Pittsburgh, Kazee signed with the Browns in May. He was active for four games this year but didn’t register a stat.

Too bad for Tucker

Just a week removed from roasting the Steelers, Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft is finished for the year.

Kraft had 143 yards and two TDs at Acrisure Stadium on “Sunday Night Football.” But he suffered a torn ACL against the Carolina Panthers this week.

"Tucker Kraft has a torn ACL and he's out for the season..

It's a tough loss for the Packers and they're hoping that Luke Musgrave can step up" @AdamSchefter #PMSLive https://t.co/ccJapaFTDB pic.twitter.com/JmhxBPkm40

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 3, 2025

Kraft’s teammates took the news hard.

From the postgame locker room yesterday:

Christian Watson, Luke Musgrave, Romeo Doubs and Rashan Gary discuss Tucker Kraft's injury. @NBC26 pic.twitter.com/TFeJn9Q5Vs

— Kelly Hallinan (@kellyhals) November 3, 2025

The Pack ended up losing that game to Carolina at home 16-13. However, the club is still atop the NFC North at 5-2-1.