Steelers/NFL category, Page 335
Former NFL scout: How combine changes could affect NFL draft; who may tempt Steelers to go RB in first round
As soon as Matt Williamson said it, I thought that his comment made a ton of sense for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Well, for every team in this year’s NFL draft. But especially the Steelers. Williamson is a former pro and college scout. He now works for SNR and WDVE in...
First Call: Actual odds of Deshaun Watson joining Steelers; NFL salary cap update
Want the actual odds of Deshaun Watson winding up with the Steelers? We got ‘em. We also have some NFL salary cap projections. Happy returns for Joe Musgrove. And an update on Robert Morris hockey. All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.” Watson watch Pittsburgh sports talk radio is gaining steam...
With future of Steelers QB situation up in air, Mason Rudolph improved his stock in ‘20
It only was 79 snaps over five games, a lot of it in “mop-up duty,” and even the relevant play came during a game of no importance to the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the performance of Mason Rudolph in 2020 provided the organization a level of comfort and confidence that he...
Steelers’ Chase Claypool named to all-rookie team by Pro Football Writers of America
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool was named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s all-rookie team in balloting results announced Tuesday by the organization representing media from across the NFL. Claypool led the Steelers in touchdowns (11), receiving touchdowns (tied, nine) and yards per catch (14.1). His 873 receiving...
Bye, Duck? Devlin Hodges’ contract expires with Steelers
While Steeler Nation awaits the fate of their future Hall of Fame starting quarterback, it appears a decision been made about the team’s No. 4 QB. Devlin “Duck” Hodges was one of five players who finished the recently completed season on the practice squad who have not yet been signed...
First Call: Mike Tomlin makes Steelers Hall of Fame pitches; Ravens release vets; Matt Murray’s start
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is making a late push for some Hall of Fame candidates. The NFL Combine is dialing back because of the pandemic. And a Steelers rival is leaving Baltimore. Plus, we check in on former Penguins goalie Matt Murray. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” Lending his...
Tim Benz: NFL head coach hiring trend should be a reminder to Steelers about Mike Tomlin
Relax. This won’t be the 5,000th post you have read over the last three years about whether the Steelers should keep Mike Tomlin as the head coach or fire him after a third straight late-season collapse. That debate has become Republican or Democrat. Heavy metal or country. Beach or mountains....
Once a pillar of strength and continuity, Steelers’ offensive line could be due for makeover
Ben Roethlisberger helplessly waving his arm at the sailing ball and chasing it down 20 yards into his own end zone serves as the defining moment of the 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff “run.” But Maurkice Pouncey’s overshot first snap of the wild-card game against the Cleveland Browns also provides a...
Mark Madden: Steelers promoting Matt Canada falls under ‘status quo,’ ‘definition of insanity’
At his season-ending media briefing, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, “I’m not going to maintain the status quo and hope the outcome changes. That’s the definition of insanity.” Less than a week later, Tomlin slipped on a straitjacket and is hoping no one notices. Replacing Randy Fichtner with Matt Canada...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster stokes free agency talk via video game, Aaron Donald’s emotional response to loss
Monday’s “First Call” starts with Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and his “virtual” flirtation with free agency. Cleveland suffered a bad break during the Browns playoff loss in Kansas City. Los Angeles’ Aaron Donald had an emotional reaction to his Rams losing in Green Bay Saturday. And the “Killer B’s”...
Madden Monday: Matt Canada ‘is not qualified’ to be Steelers’ new offensive coordinator
The idea of the Steelers potentially promoting Matt Canada to become the offensive coordinator is going to go one of two ways. If it eventually happens. 1. It’s going to go as many predict. For quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Canada is going to be a less abrasive, less public annoyance than...
Tim Benz: Photo of dejected Ben Roethlisberger conjures bad Pittsburgh sports memory
I saw that photo of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sitting alone on the bench at the end of the team’s 48-37 playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns. Dejected. Almost slouching into his pads. Staring off into the void of defeat and a murky future. It was about 10 minutes after...
Reports: Steelers expected to promote Matt Canada to offensive coordinator
The Pittsburgh Steelers are promoting from within to replace Randy Fichtner, according to multiple national reports. Matt Canada is expected to be named offensive coordinator, per ESPN and the NFL Network. Canada just completed his first year on the Steelers’ staff, serving as quarterbacks coach. The longtime college coordinator and...
5 moves the Steelers must make for the offseason to be a successful one
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...
Mock draft predicts Steelers take Clemson RB Travis EtienneVideo
Everyone who watched Alabama’s Heisman winner DeVonta Smith torch Ohio State for 215 yards and three touchdowns in the first half of the national championship game came away with the same conclusion: Smith is really good. In fact, most would expect the talented, record-breaking Smith to be the first wide...
Steelers bring back RB Trey Edmunds, OT Jarron Jones on reserve/future deals
The Pittsburgh Steelers continued to stockpile their reserve/future offseason roster by announcing the signings of Trey Edmunds and Jarron Jones late Friday afternoon. The older brother of Steelers starting safety Terrell Edmunds, Trey Edmunds is a running back by trade who makes his NFL living on special teams. Trey Edmunds...
Despite no 1st-round pick, Steelers produced fruitful ’20 draft class
They made fewer picks than they had in 17 years and didn’t even have one in the first round. But the Pittsburgh Steelers produced a fruitful 2020 draft class. Receiver Chase Claypool, outside linebacker Alex Highsmith and guard Kevin Dotson showed enough to indicate they can be above-average NFL starters....
Mark Madden: An open letter to Hines Ward
To: Hines Ward, somewhere besides Canton From: Mark Madden, Pittsburgh Dear Hines: I bet you remember me. I called you “Whines Hard” and lampooned your unbridled ego. When you unfairly threw Ben Roethlisberger under the bus over concussion issues, I said so. I made fun of your lame pursuit of...
Family of former Steelers lineman files wrongful death suit against McKeesport nursing home
The family of a former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman is suing a McKeesport nursing home, alleging negligence and wrongful death. Samuel R. Davis was 75 when he died on Sept. 10, 2019. His body was found at the bottom of a set of private stairs at New Life Personal Care...
Tim Benz: The ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ that cost the Steelers their 2020 season
Without a doubt, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2020 collapse was sinful. But were they guilty of any of the actual Seven Deadly Sins? Hmmm. Now that I’m looking at this list, I may be more guilty of those sins than those on the team itself. • Envy: I’m envious of teams...
First Call: Chase Claypool reiterates Browns critique; Zach Banner may be back. Matt Canada to Miami?
For Friday’s “First Call,” Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Chase Claypool can’t get out of his own way. The Steelers may have to fight to keep Matt Canada on staff. And tackle Zach Banner seems optimistic about his future in Pittsburgh. All that and some college basketball news, too. Doubling down Steelers...
Steelers sign Pine-Richland’s Kevin Rader, 12 others to futures contracts
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...
5th-year options due on Steelers safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds
There are plenty of decisions that need to be made by the Pittsburgh Steelers during an offseason that began after this past Sunday’s playoff loss. A couple of the easier ones involve picking up fifth-year contract options. For the first time, the Steelers have a pair to exercise — and...
Steelers part ways with offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, 2 other assistants
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...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster refutes claims about exit plans, radio host walks back Kevin Colbert story
Plenty of Steelers talk in Thursday’s “First Call.” Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is denying that he’s already planning to find a bigger market in free agency. The Detroit radio host who advanced the “Kevin Colbert to the Lions” story admits where he went wrong. And we find out if the...
