Steelers/NFL category, Page 317
Mike Tomlin: Steelers ‘tops in the league’ in vaccinations
If the NFL is concerned about its players being slow to receive a covid-19 vaccination, it shouldn’t cast an eye toward the Pittsburgh Steelers. That was the news coach Mike Tomlin relayed Tuesday, the first day of the team’s mandatory minicamp. Tomlin said he is “really comfortable” with the number...
Steelers have near 100% participation for opener of 3-day minicamp at Heinz Field
The first day of minicamp began Tuesday for the Pittsburgh Steelers with 89 of the 90 players on the offseason roster in attendance. The exception was defensive end Stephon Tuitt, who was excused because of the recent death of his brother. Tuitt’s brother, Richard Bartlett III, was killed two weeks...
Steelers OC Matt Canada: ‘We’re going to do what Ben wants to do’
Matt Canada made one thing clear Tuesday in discussing changes he is bringing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in his first year as offensive coordinator: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger won’t bend to his system. The system will bend to Roethlisberger’s comfort level. “We’re going to do what Ben wants to do,” Canada...
T.J. Watt shutting out contract talk during Steelers minicamp
T.J. Watt isn’t going to let his contract situation become a distraction during Pittsburgh Steelers minicamp. On the first of the three-day session at Heinz Field, the veteran outside linebacker shot down a question about negotiations on a long-term deal. “With respect to the process, I’m not going to be...
Without 5th-year option, Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds ready to ‘bet on myself’ in 2021
Terrell Edmunds has a chance to enter free agency a year earlier than expected given that the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t exercise the fifth-year option on his contract for the 2022 season. That doesn’t mean Edmunds is guaranteed to test the open market in March. “Of course I’d love to come...
First Call: Tyrann Mathieu claps back at Le’Veon Bell; Tyler Glasnow injured; Marc-Andre Fleury outduels Carey Price
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Le’Veon Bell is now getting heat from ex-teammates in Kansas City after ripping Chiefs coach Andy Reid. Super Bowl winner Chris Godwin looks back on how his Penn State days aided his career. Marc-Andre Fleury claims Game 1 in his goalie duel against Carey Price. Tyler Glasnow...
Antwaan Randle El on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot, Steelers Super Bowl memories, being a QB 20 years too soon
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Antwaan Randle El wasn’t on the other end of a FaceTime conversation. It was just a phone call. But as soon as the question was asked, you could easily picture the smile coming across his face. You could certainly hear it in his voice during the answer....
5 storylines to follow when Steelers begin 3-day minicamp at Heinz Field
For the first time since they were unceremoniously bounced from the playoffs by Cleveland in the wild-card round, the Pittsburgh Steelers will return to Heinz Field this week. Five months after that 48-37 loss and with a fresh start awaiting them later this summer, the Steelers conclude Phase III of...
First Call: Le’Veon Bell doubles down on Andy Reid criticism; former WPIAL standout still on market if Steelers want him
Monday’s “First Call” gives us a fired up Le’Veon Bell. We look at some important variables on the 2021 Steelers roster. The notion of bringing a former WPIAL star back to Pittsburgh may be in the cards for the Steelers. And one Kansas City Chiefs superstar sees a Steelers rival...
Madden Monday: Steelers will give JuJu Smith-Schuster what he wants and play him outside more often; Penguins vs. Isles fallout
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster keeps talking about his desire to play outside more often this year. That may not be a great idea. Smith-Schuster is good in the slot, and if bouncing outside takes away snaps from Chase Claypool or potentially Diontae Johnson, that doesn’t sound like a...
Instead of replacing Devin Bush, Robert Spillane ready to join him in middle of Steelers defense
The tackle that introduced Robert Spillane to Steeler Nation provided a memory that he has carried well beyond the 2020 season. It was his head-to-head Week 7 hit that dropped eventual 2,000-yard rusher Derrick Henry short of the end zone that showed Spillane had the toughness and skill set required...
With so many returning wide receivers, can Steelers keep everyone happy?
Like so many people inside and outside the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, Chase Claypool thought the wide receiver room would have a new leader in 2021. JuJu Smith-Schuster was a free agent expecting to command top dollar, and the Steelers were trying to remain compliant with the limited finances they had...
First Call: Ravens looking at Todd Gurley; Browns DBs getting healthy; Robert Morris rink negotiations appear dead
Steelers fans will be interested in Friday’s “First Call” as we have updates on two AFC North rivals. The Cleveland Browns are getting healthy in the secondary, and the Baltimore Ravens’ deep group of running backs may be adding another familiar name. Meanwhile, we celebrate the present and the past...
Steelers OT Chuks Okorafor takes both contract year, move across offensive line in strideVideo
A day after teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster spent a good portion of his 13-minute media session openly discussing free agency and maximizing his value for when he hits the market next spring, Chuks Okorafor laughed when asked for his thoughts about playing out a contract year for the Pittsburgh Steelers. “I...
First Call: Steelers’ Devin Bush ‘100%’ sure he can cover Browns’ Jarvis Landry; Ray Shero’s new job; Dave Parker turns 70
Thursday’s “First Call” features a bold Devin Bush, as the Steelers linebacker talks about tough tasks in coverage. There are a few newsworthy items about some former Penn State stars. A familiar Penguins face is heading out to Minnesota to reunite with Bill Guerin. Plus, we wish a happy birthday...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick says ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ Agreed. But how ’bout a tune up?
This week at Steelers organized team activities, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was asked about the prospect of his role in the 2021 defense and if it will change much from his first two All-Pro seasons in Pittsburgh. “I don’t think too much is going to change,” Fitzpatrick replied. “If it ain’t...
Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster expects to hit peak contract value with strong 2021 season
JuJu Smith-Schuster wants to keep being a security blanket for Ben Roethlisberger even if he plays outside in the offensive formation. Smith-Schuster also wants security of the financial nature. And he’s willing to go outside to get it, too. Working on a one-year contract that was a byproduct of the...
ACL recovery wrapping up, Devin Bush assures he’ll be 100% by Steelers camp
While most of his teammates ran through football drills on the two fields behind him last week, Devin Bush was relegated to doing what could described charitably as labored sprints. Flanked by fellow rehabbing Pittsburgh Steelers teammate Zach Banner, Bush dragged a weighted plate that was tied to his waist...
Behind the mane: Book captures essence of Steelers great Troy Polamalu
Troy Polamalu is a man of few words. But author Jim Wexell came up with a book’s worth of them about the beloved former Pittsburgh Steelers star strong safety – 432 pages, in fact. “Troy is the most mysterious sports figure and the most liked in Pittsburgh,” said Wexell, of...
Mark Madden: Ben Roethlisberger must risk more for Steelers offense to reap rewards
Matt Canada is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ new offensive coordinator. He served as the quarterbacks coach last season. Canada was supposed to have influence on the offense then. If he did, it was negligible. But now Canada is in charge. Or maybe he’s quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s new bobo. Canada’s offense features...
First Call: Minkah Fitzpatrick wanted fifth-year option for Steelers’ teammate; Gerrit Cole’s awkward Spider Tack response
Wednesday’s “First Call” features interesting comments by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick on some recent front office decisions. Gerrit Cole gives a bizarre explanation about Spider Tack. Levon Kirkland sees a lot of himself in a potential NFL star linebacker. And yet another entertaining game out west between the Colorado...
Tim Benz: Steelers QB Mason Rudolph is certain about his uncertainty, and that’s OK with him
There’s one thing Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph can’t buy with his one-year, $5 million contract extension from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Certainty. Peace of mind? Maybe. To a degree, anyway. But certainty? No. All that contract means (announced an hour before the 2021 NFL Draft on April 29) is that Rudolph...
Extension gives Mason Rudolph security as he pursues starting job with Steelers in 2022Video
Mason Rudolph doesn’t know if he will be a starting quarterback or if he’ll be a backup when the 2022 NFL season arrives. He just knows he’ll be playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And that’s good enough for him. Rudolph talked Tuesday about his decision to take a year of...
‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’: Minkah Fitzpatrick anticipates same role with Steelers in 2021Video
With two starters departing via free agency and some youth injected into the position over the past 14 months, there is the potential for changes in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary. Not, though, for its most decorated player. Minkah Fitzpatrick doesn’t foresee any tweaks to the role he’s filled for the...
First Call: High hopes for Steelers’ Najee Harris; Bruce Arians gets bump in pay; long range depth for Ravens O-line
Expectations are already high for Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Najee Harris. Bruce Arians is getting a bump in pay for winning a Super Bowl ring. Depth is coming for the Baltimore Ravens offensive line. But not this year. And now we have an idea of how the Duquesne basketball...
