Joe Rutter stories, Page 70

Before being pushed into “retirement” after the 2011 season, Bruce Arians enjoyed an eight-year run with the Pittsburgh Steelers, including the final five as offensive coordinator. Although Arians’ departure was turbulent, he didn’t forget the connections and friendships he made during his time with the organization. That is apparent by...

Editor’s note: This is Part 7 of a 12-part series breaking down the Pittsburgh Steelers at each position in the offseason. All salary cap information courtesy spotrac.com or overthecap.com: One of the biggest questions surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line entering the 2020 season was how well Stephon Tuitt would...

Editor’s note: This is Part 6 of a 12-part series breaking down the Pittsburgh Steelers at each position in the offseason. All salary cap information courtesy spotrac.com or overthecap.com: Faced with an aging — and high-priced — interior of the offensive line, the Pittsburgh Steelers began preparing for the future...

In evaluating Mike Tomlin’s 14th season as coach, Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II said it’s unfair to judge it based solely on the 48-37 upset loss to the Cleveland Browns in the AFC wild-card round. Three turnovers in the first quarter led to three touchdowns and a 28-0 deficit...

Team president Art Rooney II said Ben Roethlisberger wants to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers for an 18th NFL season in 2021. The Steelers would like to have their franchise quarterback return for one more year, too, but under one condition: They have to negotiate around a $41.25 million salary...

Editor’s note: This is Part 5 of a 12-part series breaking down the Pittsburgh Steelers at each position in the offseason. All salary cap information courtesy spotrac.com or overthecap.com. No group on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster has more impending free agents than the tackle position. With three players set to...

Editor’s note: This is Part 4 of a 12-part series breaking down the Pittsburgh Steelers at each position in the offseason. All salary cap information courtesy spotrac.com or overthecap.com: After their tight ends finished with the NFL’s fewest receiving yards in 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed veteran Eric Ebron in...

Editor’s note: This is Part 3 of a 12-part series breaking down the Pittsburgh Steelers at each position in the offseason. All salary cap information courtesy spotrac.com or overthecap.com: Since the Pittsburgh Steelers played the 2016 AFC championship game with Cobi Hamilton as the No. 2 receiver and Sammie Coates,...

For the second consecutive time, the Pittsburgh Steelers have promoted their quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator. Matt Canada was named offensive coordinator Monday, replacing Randy Fichtner, whose contract was not renewed after three seasons. Canada, 49, just completed his first year as quarterbacks coach — and first year in an...

Editor’s note: This is Part 2 of a 12-part series breaking down the Pittsburgh Steelers at each position in the offseason. All salary cap information courtesy spotrac.com or overthecap.com: The participants in Super Bowl LV are proof having a strong running game isn’t a prerequisite to achieving playoff success. Neither...

Coach Mike Tomlin began reshaping his Pittsburgh Steelers staff on offense Monday with the hiring of Alfredo Roberts as tight ends coach. Roberts, 55, coached the tight ends last season for the Los Angeles Chargers. He also coached the Chargers running backs from 2017-19. Roberts brings 17 years of NFL...

Coming off a 12-4 year, the Pittsburgh Steelers entered the offseason facing the type of questions usually reserved for teams with a reversed record. They have an alarming number of free agents and already are over a salary cap that is projected to decline in 2021. They have an aging...

Tight end Kevin Rader and inside linebacker Tegray Scales, who each saw playing time on the active roster late in the season, were among 13 players the Pittsburgh Steelers signed to futures contracts Thursday. Also signed were wide receivers Anthony Johnson and Cody White; tackles Anthony Coyle, John Leglue and...

The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t waste time shaking up their coaching staff after their sudden exit from the AFC playoffs. The franchise announced Thursday that offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett and defensive backs coach Tom Bradley won’t have their contracts renewed for the 2021 season. The announcement...

Like much of the success on the football field, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason will depend on the quarterback. Whether Ben Roethlisberger returns for an 18th season will be the biggest issue the Steelers face as they begin plotting a course for 2021. Beyond the franchise’s quarterback’s declining play down the...

A day after their season ended with a 48-37 upset loss to the Cleveland Browns in an AFC wild-card game, the Pittsburgh Steelers closed UPMC Rooney Sports Complex because of covid-19 concerns. “We have sent home our coaching staff, players and other staff members out of caution after we had...

Five things we learned from Browns 48, Steelers 37: 1. Slip sliding away Once a team known for strong finishes, the Steelers experienced a late-season collapse for the third season in a row. In 2018, it was four losses in a five-game stretch that resulted in the Steelers missing the...

It wasn’t supposed to end this way. Not after they won a franchise-record 11 consecutive games to start the season. Not against a team making its first playoff appearance in 18 years. Not to the Cleveland Browns, who hadn’t won any game at Heinz Field since 2003, and didn’t have...

The Steelers activated two players from injured reserve, as expected, and elevated tight end Kevin Rader from the practice squad a day ahead of their AFC wild-card game against the Cleveland Browns. Guard Matt Feiler and inside linebacker Robert Spillane were activated to the 53-man roster Saturday. They returned to...

Cameron Heyward thought he would have a Super Bowl ring by now. At worst, an appearance. After all, when he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2011 draft, the former Ohio State defensive lineman went to a team a few months removed from playing...

The NFL’s third-ranked defense had two players repeat as first-team All-Pros in balloting released Friday by the Associated Press. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick represent the Pittsburgh Steelers on the first team. Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward was named to the second team. Watt and Fitzpatrick earned first-team...

The six-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro right guard just spent two games playing two spots away from a rookie fourth-round draft pick. As impressed as David DeCastro was with the play of Kevin Dotson, he welcomes the return of Matt Feiler to the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line. After missing...

The Pittsburgh Steelers were denied Thursday in their quest to have fan capacity expanded for their home playoff game Sunday night, meaning friends and family members will be the only ones permitted inside Heinz Field when the team faces the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round. The Steelers were hoping...

When it comes to starting fast, the Pittsburgh Steelers are like the race horse that stumbles out of the gate. Sometimes, they recover with a strong closing kick and get to the wire first. Sometimes, they come up short. Such has been the case for much of the season, and...