Pittsburgh Steelers / NFL category, Page 11
Tim Benz: A tweak to the Mike McCarthy conversation
Editor’s note: This column was originally posted Jan. 23, a day before news broke the Pittsburgh Steelers were hiring Mike McCarthy as their next head coach. It would just be more “Mediocre Mike.” Except it would be a different Mike. That’s been the most common reaction to the notion of...
The Steelers are (likely) in the market for yet another QB. None of the options are ideal
Pat Freiermuth was speaking with media the day after the most recent Pittsburgh Steelers season ended. The topic was the difficulties he has faced in gaining traction as a reliable producer in the receiving game. “I think it’s going to be, what, 10 quarterbacks in six years?” the veteran tight...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans express wide range of heated emotions after Mike Tomlin’s resignationVideo
NFL coaching changes are never easy. They bring out a lot of acrimony and frustration. Especially when you only do them every two decades or so. That is the case with the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans in the wake of Mike Tomlin’s resignation last week. But fret not! PiratesFest...
First Call: Another team showing interest in Steelers coaching candidate Anthony Weaver; new Brian Flores developments
Thursday’s “First Call” has a newsworthy twist on the potential courtship of Brian Flores back to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Another team is in the mix for Anthony Weaver. Andy Weidl has lots of competition to get the Atlanta Falcons general manager job. And we find out if any teams in...
Full circle: Pittsburgh native Mike McCarthy interviews for Steelers’ head coach opening
As an NFL head coach, Mike McCarthy’s greatest achievement came at the expense of his hometown Steelers, but 15 years later, the Pittsburgh native might get a chance to make amends. McCarthy, 62, had an interview with the Steelers on Wednesday, establishing himself as a candidate to become the team’s...
‘I don’t have a lot of hobbies’: Danny Smith leaves Steelers, but is coaching 51st straight year
Danny Smith was 67 years old at the time, well in the at-risk range for contracting the virus that spawned a pandemic. But testing positive for covid-19 late during the 2020 season left Smith with only minor cold-like symptoms during his NFL- mandated banishment from Pittsburgh Steelers headquarters. “For me to...
On Sports: Former Steelers RB Najee Harris on Mike Tomlin’s advice; Andrew McCutchen blasts those doubting his defense
In Wednesday’s “On Sports,” we look at Najee Harris’ recollection of a telling conversation with former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. We also look at Andrew McCutchen’s defense of his defense, and a Pirates player who got married over the weekend. Plus there’s a Steelers anniversary, more on an NHL...
Steelers conduct 1st in-person interview with Brian Flores, Vikings defensive coordinator
Brian Flores was only weeks removed from filing a lawsuit against the NFL when the Pittsburgh Steelers hired him in 2022, providing the former Miami Dolphins head coach a pathway back into the league. Four years later, the Steelers could rekindle his head coaching career, too. The Steelers conducted an...
Special teams coordinator Danny Smith becomes 1st Steelers assistant to be hired elsewhere
Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith became the first member of former coach Mike Tomlin’s staff to leave the team. The 72-year-old was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their new special teams coordinator, the Buccaneers reported. Smith spent the past 13 seasons with the Steelers under...
Special-teamer Carson Bruener the only Steeler named to PFWA NFL all-rookie team
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2025, on the whole, showed promise during its collective rookie season. The only player, though, honored on the Pro Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team played exactly one snap on offense or defense. Carson Bruener was the designated specialist on the PFWA all-rookie team released Tuesday....
Joe Starkey’s Mailbag: Is it time to trade T.J. Watt?
You ask. I answer. It’s time for “Mailing It In,” a weekly Q&A that will appear Tuesdays at TribLive.com. I had a record amount of submissions in Week 1, so we’re off to the best start since Starling Marte homered in his first big-league at-bat. Most of the questions come...
First Call: Overlap in coaching search for Steelers and Ravens; ex-Penguin involved in goalie fight
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we attempt to organize and update the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching search. We also discuss some overlap with the Baltimore Ravens’ hunt to replace John Harbaugh. Sean McDermott’s dismissal in Buffalo creates questions. And a former Penguin was part of a goalie fight. Pulling from the pack?...
Tim Benz: Concern over Mike Tomlin’s Steelers legacy is unnecessary … and James Harrison’s story shows why
In the wake of his resignation as Steelers coach last week, there was much discussion about Mike Tomlin’s legacy. How should it be viewed? How much was it damaged by the lack of postseason success over much of the last 15 years? Will the 19 years of nonlosing football ever...
As Steelers’ offseason rolls on as usual, evaluating pending free agents is priority
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason is only a week old, and already it’s taken a turn like few others in franchise history. Or at least over the past five-plus decades or so. Mike Tomlin stepping down has made for a coaching search, something the Steelers haven’t done since 2007 and have...
With 7 virtual interviews done, Steelers prep for in-person talks with coaching candidates
There’s nothing virtual about getting a chance to look the prospective job candidate in the eye. To this point, any of the chats that Pittsburgh Steelers team brass has had with their next potential head coach have been via the modern miracle of video teleconferencing. That will change this week,...
No Steelers on PFWA NFL All Pro team; Cam Heyward lands on all-AFC team
Mirroring the more publicized Associated Press All Pro team, the Pittsburgh Steelers were likewise shut out of having any All-NFL recognition from the Pro Football Writers of America. Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, again, however was part of a still-prestigious but slightly lesser honor. Heyward was on the All-AFC team released...
Mark Madden: Steelers could reunite Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy — and waste another season
The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly open to Aaron Rodgers returning, even with Mike Tomlin quitting. Rodgers likely wouldn’t want to. He came to Pittsburgh specifically to play for Tomlin. But what if Mike McCarthy succeeded Tomlin? The Greenfield native coached Rodgers to a Super Bowl win (against the Steelers) in...
First Call: Brian Flores to have in-person coaching interview; Steelers must wait on Rams candidates
Monday’s “First Call” has some updates on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching situation. New England has tied a noteworthy Steelers’ historical mark. And we lay out the Penguins’ western road trip, which gets underway Monday evening in Seattle. Return trip Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is coming to Pittsburgh this...
Tim Benz: Steelers are reportedly ‘open to an Aaron Rodgers return.’ Here’s why they shouldn’t be
Aaron Rodgers’ reported reaction to the resignation of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin tells a lot. According to a post in “The Athletic,” the Steelers’ quarterback was heard “through sobs” telling his coach, “I’m sorry” after Tomlin’s announcement to the team. The reason for that is clear. Rodgers knows his presence...
Madden Monday: Art Rooney II ‘wasted a decade,’ so expect the Steelers to ‘hire the wrong guy’
Conventional thinking is that the Pittsburgh Steelers will attempt to hire a head coach who is in his mid-30s, has never held an NFL coaching job and is a current defensive coordinator. Their previous three coaches — Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin — all won Super Bowls. They...
Report: Steelers to interview Pittsburgh native, Super Bowl champion Mike McCarthy
The Pittsburgh Steelers coaching search is adding a candidate with Steel City roots. Greenfield native Mike McCarthy, a Super Bowl champion with the Green Bay Packers, will interview with the Steelers, according to reports by NFL Network and ESPN. McCarthy, 62, is the oldest and most experienced of the head...
Joe Starkey’s Stick Route: Steelers should have at least interviewed Kevin Stefanski
He’s only 43. He’s a two-time NFL Coach of the Year. He made the playoffs twice as many times as all other Browns coaches combined since their rebirth in 1999. His team even won a playoff game (he wasn’t on the sidelines, but his offense dropped 40-plus on the Steelers)....
‘Backdoor’ betting sites embrace Steelers coaching search
Willing to risk 46 cents on Chris Shula? Less than a week into the Pittsburgh Steelers’ search, online prediction markets have taken in more than $340,000 from those speculating about who will or won’t be the next coach. The innovative websites operate more like stock markets than the sportsbooks of...
Market begins to declutter for Steelers as they aim to zero in on top coaching candidates
In-person interviews with teams have yet to even begin for the vast majority of the leading NFL coaching candidates, but that didn’t mean Saturday didn’t bring news — most of it good — for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers were scheduled to continue virtual interviews over the weekend, but what...
Mark Madden’s hot take: Steelers also need a roster reset
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a new head coach. The Steelers are replacing their entire coaching staff. They will probably hire somebody else’s defensive coordinator to be their head coach, thus maintaining their misguided organizational commitment to prioritizing defense in an era of score more, faster. But this is as...
