Joe Rutter stories, Page 76
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Ben Roethlisberger encounters ‘fun, new challenge’ in learning Steelers’ revamped offense
Attendance for organized team activities is, per NFL policy, strictly voluntary. It’s not until minicamp, which takes place in the fourth and final week of the league’s on-field offseason conditioning program, that players are required to attend. And in the years preceding the coronavirus pandemic, Ben Roethlisberger took it to...
Steelers’ B.J. Finney ready to make most of 2nd chance
He had a seven-figure signing bonus in his bank account and a partially guaranteed contract assured, and he didn’t want to lose it. That is the Cliffs Notes version of how B.J. Finney showed up “overweight and out of shape” last year with the Seattle Seahawks, a decision that ultimately...
Brother of Steelers DE Stephon Tuitt killed in hit-and-run
The brother of Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt was struck and killed in a hit-and-run accident Wednesday night in Georgia. According to a police report, Richard Bartlett III was killed in Johns Creek, which is located about 25 miles northeast of Atlanta. WGCL-TV reported that Bartlett was struck when...
Tunch Ilkin announces retirement from Steelers broadcast duties
Standing on a balcony overlooking the practice fields at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Tunch Ilkin watched the Pittsburgh Steelers go through organized team activities Thursday morning. Flanked by a group that included his wife, Karen; best friend, teammate and broadcast partner Craig Wolfley; team president Art Rooney II and general...
James Washington trying to establish role in Steelers’ new-look offenseVideo
As one relationship begins for James Washington — he married his longtime girlfriend, Julia White, in March — another could be nearing its conclusion. The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver is entering his fourth and final season of the contract he signed after being selected in the second round of the...
Ben Roethlisberger: ‘My idea’ to approach Steelers and offer to take pay cut
Ben Roethlisberger knew not long after the sting of that 48-37 playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns wore off that he wanted to return for an 18th season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also was aware some financial leeway was necessary to make that happen. Roethlisberger revealed Tuesday it was...
Tyson Alualu details emotional journey that brought him back to Steelers for 2 more years
Tyson Alualu could have spent the past week in Jacksonville, taking part in the first week of organized team activities under new football coach Urban Meyer. He could have shared a locker room with an old quarterback turned tight end in Tim Tebow and a new franchise passer in Trevor...
Steelers jerseys once worn by Dwight White, L.C. Greenwood, Donnie Shell up for auction
It will be difficult to top a collection that featured a container once housing Jack Lambert’s false teeth, but the folks at Lelands auction house have put more Pittsburgh Steelers memorabilia up for bidding. Lelands’ mid-spring classic auction runs through June 4 and contains 25 pieces of Steelers memorabilia, including...
Zach Banner, Devin Bush make appearance on field during Steelers’ OTA sessionVideo
Zach Banner equated his pairing with Devin Bush in the Pittsburgh Steelers offseason conditioning program to Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito from the movie “Twins.” The big man wasn’t off base. Banner stands 6-foot-8 and is listed at 335 pounds. Bush is 5-11 and is 101 pounds lighter. “I call...
Kevin Dotson, Alex Highsmith prepare for starting roles in 2nd year with SteelersVideo
Mike Tomlin believes the biggest ascension in an NFL player’s career comes in his second season. Kevin Dotson and Alex Highsmith would like to justify the faith their Pittsburgh Steelers coach is showing them at that pivotal stage of their careers. After making contributions as rookies and combining to start...
Cameron Heyward tired of ‘badmouthing’ he hears about Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger
Cameron Heyward has heard the criticism lobbied at Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the offseason. He is tired of it. Heyward defended his teammate and fellow captain Monday after the first day of organized team activities. Roethlisberger and Heyward, the two longest-tenured players on the team, both participated in...
1st-round draft pick Najee Harris, 2nd-rounder Pat Freiermuth sign contracts with Steelers
On the first day of organized team activities, the Pittsburgh Steelers got their top two draft picks under contract when they signed running back Najee Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth to four-year deals. According to the NFL’s slotting system for draft picks, Harris got a $13.047 million deal that...
Steelers get large turnout for 1st day of voluntary organized team activitiesVideo
So much for Pittsburgh Steelers players staying united with the NFL Players’ Association and skipping organized team activities. On the first day of voluntary OTAs, the Steelers had about three-fourths of the 90-man offseason roster on hand for a morning workout at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. The 90-minute session, conducted...
Rookie Quincy Roche brings strong college numbers to Steelers defense
Even with two college destinations in his rear-view mirror, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie pass rusher Quincy Roche keeps getting caught up in a numbers game. In his third season at Temple, Roche was given a single-digit uniform number, an honor bestowed upon the team’s toughest players. After transferring to Miami (Fla.)...
Wisconsin coach thinks Isaiahh Loudermilk can scale new heights on Steelers defensive line
Before Isaiahh Loudermilk reported to rookie minicamp with the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend, one of his college coaches made an apt observation. “He’ll be blocking out the sun there,” Wisconsin defensive line coach Ross Kolodziej said. Of the 34 players who attended rookie minicamp, Loudermilk was the second tallest, standing...
Troy Polamalu chooses former Steelers coordinator Dick LeBeau to present him at Hall of Fame
Troy Polamalu will be presented to the Pro Football Hall of Fame by the man who coached him for virtually his entire Pittsburgh Steelers career. Dick LeBeau, the long-time Steelers defensive coordinator, will present Polamalu when he is inducted into the Hall of Fame on Aug. 7 at Tom Benson...
