Steelers/NFL category, Page 32
First Call: Steelers reportedly had trade interest in a punter; Aaron Rodgers curious about Packers WR
Wednesday’s “First Call” includes an interesting subplot to the Steelers’ punter decision. One of Aaron Rodgers’ former receivers just became available, while another did not. And an ex-Pirates pitcher is heading north of the border once more, while a recent Bucs’ farmhand had a huge night. Who wanted Waitman? Many...
Analysis: Breaking down who stayed and who went as the Steelers made their mandatory final roster cuts
Via a 4:30 p.m. Tuesday social media post by the team, the Pittsburgh Steelers initial 53-man roster was revealed. Remember, though, that it is all but guaranteed that the 53 players who survived Tuesday’s NFL cut deadline will not match the 53-man roster come Sept. 7 when the regular season...
Steelers keep 4 quarterbacks on initial 53-man roster, cut Beanie Bishop, DeMarvin Leal
In the end, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t choose between Skylar Thompson and Will Howard as the final quarterback on the 53-man roster. They kept both, giving them four players at the position on the initial roster that was unveiled Tuesday afternoon. The Steelers didn’t immediately place Howard on injured reserve,...
First Call: Aaron Rodgers will ‘reassess’ retirement talk after season; another WR trade option to watch
Tuesday’s “First Call” has more evidence of Aaron Rodgers’ indecision on the notion of retirement following the 2025 campaign. There’s another wide receiver to monitor when it comes to trade rumors that may eventually get linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers. An ex-Steelers defensive back is looking for a new place...
Tim Benz: Ready or not, Steelers’ revamped secondary will get its true reveal in Week 1
Ready or not, here it comes. The starters in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary didn’t have much of a chance to play together in August. Just a few snaps against Carolina early in the preseason finale last week, and that was it. Their time as a collective in training camp was...
Tim Benz: A layer of irony to the latest Kenny Pickett trade
Viva Las Vegas! Viva Kenny Pickett trades! The former Steelers quarterback is on the move again. This time he has been dealt to the Las Vegas Raiders from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. Vegas was in need of a QB after Aidan O’Connell injured...
Steelers sever ties with punter Cameron Johnston, cut linebacker Mark Robinson
An edge in experience and a multi-year contract weren’t enough for Cameron Johnston to keep his job as Pittsburgh Steelers’ punter. The Steelers terminated the contract of Johnston on Monday as they made another round of roster reductions to get closer to the 53-man limit. In addition to shedding Johnston’s...
Steelers close to getting OLB Alex Highsmith back, remain in wait-and-see mode with Nick Herbig
The top three outside linebackers on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster played a combined three snaps during the preseason, and coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t yet know how many of his veterans at those two positions he will have available when the regular season opens Sept. 7. Tomlin will have former NFL...
Unfiltered: Madden and Benz on Steelers’ preseason, possible Penguins sale, Pirates’ futilityVideo
Mark Madden and Tim Benz are always “Unfiltered” when it comes to talking about Pittsburgh sports. This week, they look at the possible sale of the Penguins. They also reflect on the annual dead week for NFL teams before the regular season begins, the state of the Steelers after the...
Tim Benz: No reason to alter your views on ‘September Steelers’ based on August previews
On the outside, this looks like a bit of a lull in the schedule for NFL teams. The preseason ended over the weekend. The regular season doesn’t get going until the Sept. 4 opener in Philadelphia. Within the walls of NFL clubs, though, a lot is getting done. The Steelers...
First Call: Potential trade partner if Steelers want to deal Skylar Thompson; Najee Harris could play Week 1 for L.A.
In Monday’s “First Call,” we consider a quarterback trade for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It looks like Najee Harris could play Week 1 for the Los Angeles Chargers after all. The Pirates prepare for a series against a familiar rival. And two local schools square off in early-season NCAA soccer. Possible...
No longer trying to be ‘too perfect,’ QB Skylar Thompson makes case to stick with Steelers
Ten days into training camp, Skylar Thompson was the clear No. 4 option at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a near lock to be placed on waivers when final roster moves are made this week. At the conclusion of the preseason, Thompson had the most snaps, touchdowns and passing...
Steelers notes: Joey Porter Jr. adjusts to 3 pairs of CB partners in 3 NFL seasons, Donte Kent update
When he entered the starting lineup early during his rookie season, Joey Porter Jr. most often was on the field with fellow cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace. For his second NFL season last year, Porter’s running mates at CB were Donte Jackson and Cameron Sutton. Now for his —...
Steelers rookie Derrick Harmon felt knee discomfort 1 snap before he was injured in preseason finale
Derrick Harmon was looking forward to lining up on the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line for the first snap of the season opener Sept. 7 at the New York Jets. The rookie defensive tackle, the team’s first-round draft pick, had played well enough in offseason workouts and training camp to earn...
After conclusion of preseason, Steelers remain mystery team in many ways
Aaron Rodgers offered a one-word wish for the final preseason game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. “Health.” Rodgers didn’t have to worry about the risk of injury because he didn’t play a snap against the Carolina Panthers. Or in the entire preseason, for that matter. Same goes for Cameron Heyward, T.J....
Stock up, stock down for Steelers after final preseason game
The NFL’s 2021 addition of an annual preseason “bye” over Labor Day weekend leaves some ambiguity as to when, exactly, training camp ends and the regular season begins. For the sake of argument, let’s say training camp ended Thursday night for the Pittsburgh Steelers with their 19-10 preseason victory at...
Steelers 1st-rounder Derrick Harmon reportedly out ‘about a month’ with knee injury
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round rookie Derrick Harmon has been diagnosed with a knee ligament sprain and will be out “about a month,” according to a report from the NFL Network. Harmon, a defensive lineman drafted 21st overall, suffered an injury early during the second quarter of the Steelers’ preseason finale at...
Matthew Rooney, grandson of Steelers founder Art Rooney, dead at 51
Matthew “Dutch” Rooney, grandson of Pittsburgh Steelers founding owner Art Rooney, has died. An obituary says he died Aug. 15 at his home in East Hampton, New York. He was 51. Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten confirmed his death to TribLive and said the Rooney family is mourning his loss. A...
Steelers begin roster purge, cutting 11 a day after preseason finale
Less than 24 hours after wrapping up their preseason — but four days before the league-mandated deadline to trim rosters — the Pittsburgh Steelers announced 11 cuts. No overly notable names were among those cut from the offseason/training camp 90-man roster, with 10 of the 11 combining for 30 regular-season...
Mark Madden: Can Aaron Rodgers keep Mike Tomlin from living in his fears?
Mike Tomlin unloads lots of horse manure when he preaches to the media. One of Tomlin’s greatest hits is that nonsense about “not living in our fears.” The Pittsburgh Steelers do just that all too frequently, not least when they’re in the red zone. The Steelers lay up and settle...
First Call: Wondering about Beanie Bishop; Jerry Jones says Micah Parsons’ agent told him to ‘stick it’
Friday’s “First Call” examines an odd omission from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason game in Carolina. Things are tense between Micah Parsons and the Cowboys. Ke’Bryan Hayes is heating up with the Reds. Also, the Pirates and Rockies clash in a meeting of … well, um, they are meeting. And there...
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Rookies, backups counter sloppy play in Steelers win
At the end of his club’s preseason-opening win in Jacksonville, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin applauded the fact that the players managed to avoid penalties, injuries and turnovers. Unfortunately, those matters all became concerns to various degrees over the last two preseason contests. The next one was a 17-14 loss at...
1st-round pick Derrick Harmon leaves with knee injury in Steelers’ preseason win over Panthers
A knee injury suffered by first-round draft pick Derrick Harmon put a blemish on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason finale. Harmon was injured with 10 minutes, 4 seconds left in the second quarter of the Steelers’ 19-10 victory against the Carolina Panthers and was taken from the field on a medical...
T.J. Watt partners with Abercrombie & Fitch for clothing line
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt has a new side hustle — he’s partnering with Abercrombie & Fitch Co. for a clothing line. The collaboration, which was announced Thursday, includes Watt’s wife, former professional soccer player Dani Watt, as well. “Working with such a great design and marketing team at Abercrombie,...
Tim Benz: Debate over playing veterans in preseason is actually a worthy conversation for Steelers this year
Some who cover or root for the Pittsburgh Steelers may call them explanations. Others may call them excuses. All are reasons why the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016. Last year’s daunting late-season schedule. T.J. Watt’s injury in 2022. Ben Roethlisberger’s injury in 2019. Missed field goals from...
