Steelers/NFL category, Page 66
First Call: Art Rooney II comments on Bears’ interest in Mike Tomlin, updates status of Steelers coordinators
Tuesday’s “First Call” has Art Rooney II’s version of events regarding the Chicago Bears’ inquiry about Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s availability. We also have a late Pro Bowl invitation for a Steelers offensive lineman and an update on the status of both coordinators. Plus, Robert Morris tries to play...
Steelers deciding whether to bring back Russell Wilson or Justin Fields as QB for 2025
Calling it the “biggest piece of the puzzle that we have to address,” Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II said determining which quarterback to pursue before the start of free agency will dominate discussions this offseason. Russell Wilson started the final 11 games of the regular season and the wild-card...
Steelers owner Art Rooney II shares frustration with way season ended, maintains support of Mike Tomlin
Art Rooney II doesn’t need to listen to talk radio or read newspaper columns to understand the frustration surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers after their latest collapse. All the team’s owner has to do is turn on his computer and check his email. “My inbox has been pretty full lately,” Rooney...
Steelers positional analysis: More splash sought from Patrick Queen, rest of inside linebackers
This is the eighth part of a series examining the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster, position by position, heading into the offseason. Today: Inside linebackers The Pittsburgh Steelers found an ironman for the middle of their defense when they signed Patrick Queen to a three-year, $41 million contract in March. It was...
Mark Madden: Steelers wallow in mismanagement, illusion of success
The Pittsburgh Steelers maintain credibility based on two brands: their logo and the Rooney family. Simply being the Steelers is enough. But now the Steelers are not serious people. The Steelers wallow in mismanagement that isn’t acknowledged, let alone corrected. They’re clueless. The current disappointment isn’t just a blip. It’s...
Tim Benz: Debunking the theory that Pittsburgh couldn’t handle a Steelers’ losing season
A common refrain from defenders of head coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers franchise is that Pittsburgh should be more grateful for the team’s current situation. I frequently hear that Pittsburgh fans and media members couldn’t handle a four- or five-win season if that’s what it took for the Steelers...
Madden Monday: AFC and NFC title games show how much of a ‘fraud’ the Steelers have become
In Sunday’s NFC Championship game, the Philadelphia Eagles routed the Washington Commanders, 55-23. In the AFC Championship, the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills stood at the 50-yard line and exchanged haymakers for three hours before the Chiefs emerged with a 32-29 victory. That’s 139 total points in the two...
First Call: Russell Wilson to Vegas may be discussed; Steelers speaking with Missouri QBVideo
Monday’s “First Call” has a potential free-agent destination for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson. Former Steeler Antwaan Randel El is reportedly getting a new coaching job. A college quarterback is drawing the Steelers’ attention. Marc-Andre Fleury is honored yet again. And if the Penguins can’t beat Monday night’s opponent, they...
Steelers positional analysis: Outside linebacker could have different look if T.J. Watt is on move
This is the seventh in a series examining the Pittsburgh Steelers roster, position by position, heading into the offseason. Today: Outside linebackers T.J. Watt’s future with the Pittsburgh Steelers undoubtedly will be a topic of discussion within the organization this offseason. It’s not just that the former NFL Defensive Player...
Steelers positional analysis: Time for organization to restock defensive line
This is the sixth in a series examining the Pittsburgh Steelers roster, position by position, heading into the offseason. Today: Defensive line As the string of seasons without a playoff victory extended to eight for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the longest-tenured player on the roster struggled to make sense of the...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Steelers’ draft focus should be on scoring, quarterback, not defense
The NFL Draft takes place April 24-26. Since we’re going to debate ad nauseam whom the Pittsburgh Steelers should pick from now till then, here’s two early suggestions. • Don’t take a defensive player in the first round. Sure, the Steelers badly need help on the defensive line. But the...
Steelers positional analysis: Future at QB seems like either/or decision — for now
This is the fifth in a series examining the Pittsburgh Steelers roster, position by position, heading into the offseason. Today: Quarterbacks As Pittsburgh Steelers fans discovered last year, predicting the team’s starting quarterback in January is an exercise in futility. Twelve months ago, Kenny Pickett appeared to be poised to...
Mark Madden: Justin Fields has better options than staying with Steelers
This space recently floated the largely accepted notion that starting Justin Fields at quarterback next season makes sense for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fields is 25 and has pedigree, having been selected 11th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He’s mobile and athletic: Lamar Jackson Lite. If Fields blossoms, perhaps he’s...
First Call: James Harrison doubts Mike Tomlin’s ‘standard’ message; ex-Steeler up for Lions’ defensive job
James Harrison has a pointed critique of Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Another former Steelers linebacker is in the hunt for a significant coaching promotion. The Penguins try to get right in Seattle on Saturday. On the college hoops scene, Pitt, Duquesne and Robert Morris all play conference games this...
Football Footnotes: Round 4 of Mahomes vs. Allen conjures memories of Bradshaw vs. Stabler
The Steelers and Raiders haven’t faced each other in the playoffs since 1983-84. But with the Buffalo Bills preparing to lock horns with the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, the glory days of Black and Gold versus Silver and Black are coming back to mind....
Steelers positional analysis: Was Pat Freiermuth underutilized in Arthur Smith’s offense?
This is the fourth in a series examining the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster, position by position, heading into the offseason. Today: Tight ends When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed tight end Pat Freiermuth to a five-year contract worth nearly $50 million in September, it was done with the expectation he would become...
NFL finalizes dates for 2026 draft in Pittsburgh
Dates have been finalized for the NFL Draft that will be held in Pittsburgh next year. The league announced Thursday that the draft will take place April 23-25, 2026. Last May, Pittsburgh outbid other cities for the chance to host the draft, one of the league’s tentpole events of the...
Steelers OLB T.J. Watt among 5 finalists for AP defensive player of year award
On the day he withdrew from participating in the Pro Bowl games because of injury, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt again was named a finalist for the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year award. Watt is not considered to be a front-runner to win the award. Watt, who...
Tim Benz: Jim Rooney’s explanation for playoff slump a sobering reality check of Steelers’ lowered standards
Jim Rooney is the brother of Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II. He recently wrote a book about their father, the late Dan Rooney, who also served as the Steelers president and owner of the franchise. As part of a media tour for the book, “A Different Way to Win,”...
First Call: Todd Haley may be in line for another NFL gig; Steelers executive misses out on Raiders job
A former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator may find his way back into the NFL. A Steelers front office member is staying put despite an interview with another team. It’s already NFL mock draft season. And we preview the Penguins’ next stop out west. All that and more is in “First...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans shift ire from head coach to lack of a QB
Following the Steelers’ latest failed attempt to win a playoff game, most of Pittsburgh’s angst was aimed at head coach Mike Tomlin. However, this week’s “U mad, bro?” appears to be focused on the franchise’s lack of a quarterback. Either way, it’s just as good. Whatever it takes. Vent. Get...
Steelers-themed KFC locations launch in Mexico
Two Kentucky Fried Chicken locations have transformed into a Steelers fan’s paradise, but they’re not in Pittsburgh — they’re in Mexico. KFC Mexico approached the team about creating Steelers-themed KFC locations in Mexico City and Guadalupe, according to Cecelia Cagni, the Steelers’ director of corporate communications. Temporary Steelers branding of...
Steelers positional analysis: Adding to WR room with or without George Pickens is top priority
This is the third in a series examining the Pittsburgh Steelers roster, position by position, heading into the offseason. Today: Wide receivers After spending the 2024 season looking — to no avail — for a wide receiver to pair with George Pickens, the Pittsburgh Steelers will continue their search into...
Impending free agent QB Russell Wilson says talks on new contract have started with Steelers
Russell Wilson not only wants to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, but the veteran quarterback said the team has taken steps toward making that happen. Appearing on the ESPN’s “Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday afternoon, Wilson said discussions have started on a new contract. “We have been starting...
Steelers special teams captain Miles Killebrew added as injury replacement to Pro Bowl
Miles Killebrew will get a chance to participate in the Pro Bowl Games for the second year in a row. The Pittsburgh Steelers special teams captain was named Wednesday as an injury replacement for the games, giving the team five representatives at the event, which will be held Feb. 2...
