Green Bay Packers Inform $48M Starter He Is Being Benched Next Week
The Green Bay Packers made one of the most surprising personnel decisions of Week 8 when they benched cornerback Nate Hobbs in Sunday’s 35–25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers — and now the move is becoming permanent, at least for another week. Multiple team sources confirmed that Hobbs has officially been informed he will remain on the bench heading into the matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
It’s a stunning development for a player who signed a four-year, $48 million contract in free agency and was expected to be a foundational piece of the Packers’ secondary. Instead, Hobbs played just four snaps against Pittsburgh while second-year corner Carrington Valentine took over his role and delivered a strong performance that impressed the coaching staff.
Despite previously giving Hobbs a public vote of confidence, head coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged the decision reflects the competitive standard inside the building. He emphasized that the change isn’t about giving up on Hobbs — but rather rewarding performance evaluated daily in practice as well as on gameday.
LaFleur remains optimistic Hobbs can rebound, saying the veteran corner still has the traits to regain his starting job. But the reality is clear: with a major free-agent contract and rising expectations, Hobbs now faces the most intense pressure of his career. The Packers signed him to be a difference-maker, not a bench player.
Hobbs has struggled since returning from knee surgery — including being charged with multiple touchdowns and explosive plays by Pro Football Focus over recent weeks. Meanwhile, Valentine has brought physicality and urgency back to Green Bay’s outside coverage, giving defensive coaches a compelling reason to stay the course with the younger corner.
For now, the message has been delivered. Nate Hobbs will continue to watch from the sideline as the Packers move forward with Valentine in the starting lineup. The competition isn’t over — but momentum has shifted, and Hobbs must now fight to reclaim the role he was paid to own.
GAMEDAY: How to Watch Steelers vs. Panthers in Week 3 Preseason Game
August 21, 2025
Steelers Nation, gear up for the final tune-up before the regular season! The Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Carolina Panthers in their Week 3 NFL preseason game at
TV Broadcast Options
Whether you’re in Pittsburgh, Charlotte, or beyond, here’s how to watch the game on TV:
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Pittsburgh Market: Tune into KDKA-TV (CBS affiliate), the flagship station for Steelers preseason games. Coverage kicks off with a pregame show at 6:30 PM ET, featuring Bob Pompeani (play-by-play), Charlie Batch (color analyst), and Missi Matthews (sideline).
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Charlotte Market: Local fans can watch on WJZY (FOX affiliate) with Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Steve Smith Sr. (color analyst), and Kristen Balboni (sideline) calling the action.
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National/Out-of-Market: NFL Network
will air the game live for viewers outside Pittsburgh and Charlotte, though local broadcasts on KDKA-TV and WJZY take precedence in those markets. Check the NFL Network schedule closer to game day to confirm availability. -
International (Ireland): Fans in Ireland can catch the game live on Virgin Media Two at 12:00 AM GMT (Friday, August 22, 2025), thanks to a partnership to broadcast Steelers preseason games.
Live Streaming Options
For those cutting the cord or watching on the go, streaming options abound:
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In-Market Streaming:
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FuboTV: Streams KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh) and WJZY (Charlotte) with a 7-day free trial. Compatible with Apple TV, Roku, smartphones, and more, it’s a go-to for local fans.
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Hulu + Live TV: Carries KDKA-TV and WJZY with a 3-day free trial, available on smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.
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YouTube TV: Includes KDKA-TV, WJZY, and NFL Network with a 14-day free trial, offering Key Plays and Stats View for a deeper game experience.
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Paramount+: Streams CBS (KDKA-TV) for Pittsburgh fans at $7.99/month with a 7-day free trial, but limited to CBS broadcasts.
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Panthers TV: Offers streaming for Charlotte-area fans via the Panthers’ official app or website, subject to local availability.
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Out-of-Market Streaming:
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NFL+: Perfect for out-of-market fans, NFL+ streams all preseason games live on mobile devices and tablets for $6.99/month with a free trial. Includes game replays and condensed highlights.
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DAZN (International, excluding US and China): Provides NFL Game Pass International, streaming all NFL games, including preseason, on devices like Apple TV, Chromecast, and Roku. Pricing varies by region (e.g., $169.99/year in the UK, $319.99/year in Australia).
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Additional Platforms: Use JustWatch to check real-time streaming availability on platforms like Prime Video or DAZN. The NFL App streams local and primetime games on mobile devices, subject to blackout restrictions.
Game Details
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Date and Time: Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET
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Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
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Why It’s Not TNF: Despite being played on a Thursday, this game is part of the NFL preseason, not the regular season. The
Thursday Night Football brand is reserved exclusively for regular-season games broadcast on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, FOX, or NFL Network. Preseason games, even on Thursdays, don’t carry the TNF designation, so don’t expect the prime-time hype associated with those matchups.
Radio Broadcast Options
For audio coverage, whether you’re driving or prefer the radio vibe:
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Pittsburgh Market: Listen on WDVE-FM (102.5) or WBGG-AM (970), the flagship stations of the Steelers Radio Network. Coverage starts with a pregame show at 3:00 PM ET, featuring Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play), Tunch Ilkin (color analyst), and Craig Wolfley (sideline).
Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) streams live audio on Steelers.com, subject to NFL geographical restrictions. -
Charlotte Market: Tune into WBT-AM (1110) or WBT-FM (99.3) for full game coverage, with pregame starting at 4:00 PM ET, available on the Radio.com app.
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National/International: SiriusXM NFL Radio offers live coverage with home (Panthers, Ch. 88) and away (Steelers, Ch. 225) feeds. Check the SiriusXM app or channel lineup for details.
Key Players to Watch
With starters like Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jaylen Warren, and T.J. Watt likely resting, this game is a critical showcase for backups and rookies:
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Skylar Thompson (QB): After a stellar Week 1 (20/28, 233 yards, 3 TDs), Thompson aims to solidify his QB3 spot.
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Kaleb Johnson (RB, Rookie): The third-round pick showed explosiveness in Week 1 and could see more carries post-Najee Harris.
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Derrick Harmon (DT, Rookie): The first-rounder recorded a sack in Week 2, poised to anchor the defensive line alongside Cameron Heyward.
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Will Howard (QB, Rookie): Recovering from a fractured hand, Howard could make his preseason debut if cleared, adding intrigue to the QB battle.
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Ke’Shawn Williams (WR, UDFA): Scored a 26-yard TD in Week 1, making him a name to watch for a roster spot.
For the Panthers, expect limited snaps from Bryce Young, with backups like Andy Dalton and rookie Tetairoa McMillan (WR) likely seeing significant action.
Injury Updates
The Steelers have faced injury challenges:
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Nick Herbig (OLB, hamstring), Christian Kuntz (LS, chest), and Gareth Warren (OL, concussion) were injured in Week 2.
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Will Howard (hand), Calvin Austin III (undisclosed), Alex Highsmith (groin), Calvin Anderson (undisclosed), Donte Kent (foot/ankle), and Yahya Black (elbow) are questionable, with Howard and Austin potentially returning.
The Panthers list Jaycee Horn (thumb), Chandler Zavala (guard), LaBryan Ray (DE), Damien Lewis (guard), and Claudin Cherelus (LB) as questionable.
