Steelers/NFL category, Page 62
Tim Benz: When Art Rooney II says ‘actions speak louder than words,’ he better consider his brother Jim’s words
A noteworthy statement that Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II made in his annual year-end meeting with the media was a quick retort to a question about recent comments made by his brother. Last week, Jim Rooney was on a podcast with former NFL player Ross Tucker. Jim is promoting...
On Sports: Mike Tomlin scouts Senior Bowl; Penguins plummet in Eastern Conference standings
In this edition of On Sports, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is making the rounds at the annual Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., a popular destination for NFL coaches to get a firsthand look at upcoming draft talent. Unavoidably, the list of players Tomlin is perceived to be interested...
Steelers positional analysis: Starting safeties return to secondary that wilted down stretch
This is the ninth in a series examining the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster, position by position, heading into the offseason. Today: Safeties When Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II discussed the team’s roster during his annual season wrapup this week, he talked about the need to get stronger on the defensive...
Steelers QB Russell Wilson added to Pro Bowl games roster as injury replacement
The Pittsburgh Steelers benefited from another player being unavailable to play in the Pro Bowl games when quarterback Russell Wilson was named as a replacement for Buffalo’s Josh Allen. Earlier in the day, guard Isaac Seumalo was selected to replace Trey Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs, who is not...
Steelers guard Isaac Seumalo added to Pro Bowl roster
Starting left guard Isaac Seumalo became the sixth Pittsburgh Steelers player added to the AFC roster for the NFL Pro Bowl games. Seumalo will replace guard Trey Smith, whose Kansas City Chiefs advanced to the Super Bowl and, therefore, won’t participate in the Pro Bowl festivities this weekend in Orlando....
Tim Benz: Forget Mike Tomlin ‘living in his fears,’ it’s Art Rooney II we should be talking about
One of Mike Tomlin’s favorite catchphrases is, “We don’t live in our fears.” The Pittsburgh Steelers coach says it all the time when he feels like using some old-fashioned football coach machismo to justify a roll of the dice on a fourth down play call, a long field goal attempt,...
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,”...
