Joe Rutter stories, Page 78
Restricted access, limited information all part of this year’s draft process for Steelers
Draft preparations for this year’s event began last May for the Pittsburgh Steelers, which means the entirety of the process was conducted during the coronavirus pandemic. Meetings were held virtually. Attendance on college campus was limited to game days. The NFL Combine was canceled. “It’s been a real different, challenging...
Former Steelers WR Antonio Brown rejoins Buccaneers on 1-year contract
A week after settling a civil lawsuit with his former personal trainer who had accused him of sexual assault, former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown has rejoined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year contract. Brown’s deal, which he agreed to Wednesday, is for a guaranteed $3.1 million, includes...
Joe Rutter’s mock draft: Steelers will play it by the book, take RB, center early
Mock drafts can humble a football writer faster than T.J. Watt rushing the edge. One year you’re riding high, patting yourself on the back for predicting four of the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted players correctly (Devin Bush, Benny Snell, Diontae Johnson and Isaiah Buggs). The next year you’re whiffing more frequently...
Steelers exercise 5th-year option for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for $10.6 million in 2022
With the deadline approaching for NFL teams to tender fifth-year options to 2018 first-round picks, the Steelers got a jump on the process by exercising it for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. The move locks in Fitzpatrick’s salary for the 2022 season at a guaranteed $10.612 million. NFL Network first reported the...
Deep cornerback class gives chance for Steelers to buck recent draft history
Hearing the names of cornerbacks taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first four rounds of the NFL Draft over the past decade is enough to send shivers up the spine of any fan. It sounds like a roll call from a George Romero horror movie. There was Artie Burns...
Cowboys’ Sean Lee retires after 11 seasons
A football career defined by hundreds of tackles but also interrupted by several serious injuries came to an end Monday when Upper St. Clair native Sean Lee retired from the NFL after 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Lee announced his decision via a letter posted to the team’s website....
Former Steelers RT Marcus Gilbert retires after 10 NFL seasons
Another long-time member of the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line decided to retire. Marcus Gilbert, who spent his first eight seasons playing right tackle for the Steelers, announced his decision Monday on social media. Thank you for all of the support over the years. I can’t wait to share my next...
Kevin Colbert says NFL Draft is ‘wide open’ for Steelers in 1st round
Factoring in the changes along the offensive line, a left tackle or center could be a priority for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the NFL Draft. Given that the Steelers finished last in rushing in 2020, a workhorse running back could get the nod with the 24th...
Steelers could find depth in safety draft class lacking high-end talent
For the first time since 2011, no safeties were taken in the first round of the NFL Draft last spring. Are you ready for an encore? A position group low on impact players awaits NFL teams when the draft commences Thursday night. Prospects hoping to get taken in the first...
Penn State’s Micah Parsons represents head of inside linebacker draft class
When the NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night, it could evoke memories from two years ago in terms of the inside linebacker class. In 2019, Devin White and Devin Bush were the clear top two players at the position heading into the draft, and the process played out in predictable...
Outside linebacker class carries plenty of question marks heading into NFL Draft
Given that their biggest free agent loss was at outside linebacker, it’s not a matter of if the Pittsburgh Steelers will select a pass rusher in the NFL Draft. It’s how soon and, possibly, how many. As the draft approaches, outside linebacker arguably is the least fortified position on the...
Given depth at defensive line, Steelers have little need to address position in NFL Draft
Thanks to Tyson Alualu changing his mind and re-signing a two-year contract, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have their entire line returning from last year’s third-ranked defense. Good thing for the Steelers they are deep in the defensive trench because this year’s draft class for tackle and interior prospects is considered...
Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement makes center a priority for Steelers in NFL Draft
Based on numerous factors — age, declining skills and statistics, and a late-season fade among them — changes were expected along the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line in the offseason. Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement put his position front and, well, center. When Pouncey hung up his cleats in February after 11 seasons,...
Steelers career receiving leader Hines Ward joins Florida Atlantic coaching staff
Hines Ward is going back to college. The former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver has left the NFL coaching ranks to join Florida Atlantic in an on-field coaching role. Florida Atlantic second-year coach Willie Taggart is set to hire Ward to work with wide receivers coach Joey Thomas. The story was...
Lawsuit against former Steelers WR Antonio Brown settled
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown has settled a civil suit with his former personal trainer who accused him of sexually assaulting her. ESPN first reported the settlement Wednesday between Brown and Britney Taylor, citing that terms will remain private because of an agreement between the two parties. In...
Deep tackle class plays into Steelers’ hands in NFL Draft
No long ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers boasted a durable and dependable offensive line. Four of the five starters were mainstays — Alejandro Villanueva, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro — with Marcus Gilbert giving way to Matt Feiler at right tackle. How times have changed. When the Steelers open...
Thin tight end class awaits Steelers in NFL Draft
Vance McDonald’s retirement two weeks after the wild-card playoff loss to Cleveland brought some much-needed salary cap relief to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It amounted to a $5.2 million savings for a team that needed to reduce its number drastically before the start of the new league year. McDonald’s retirement also...
Wide receiver draft class could be deeper than 2020 group that included Steelers’ Chase Claypool
Eight rookie wide receivers totaled at least 500 receiving yards in 2020. Seven had at least 50 receptions, and six caught no fewer than five touchdown passes. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Chase Claypool was part of this group — he qualified in all three categories — that included six wide receivers...
Steelers place emphasis on improving running game in NFL Draft
When assessing the value the Pittsburgh Steelers place in obtaining a running back early in the NFL Draft, it’s worth remembering what team president Art Rooney II said on a fan forum last month. “We don’t want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers last in the league in rushing ever again,”...
Quarterbacks will command spotlight early in NFL Draft
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series previewing each position heading into the NFL Draft on April 29. Today’s installment: QBs. The most important position on the football field understandably and justifiably will gain most of the attention at the top of the NFL Draft. For the first...
Steelers join NFL teams in opting out of voluntary in-person workouts
Add the Pittsburgh Steelers to the growing number of NFL teams flexing their rights under the collective bargaining agreement to opt out of voluntary in-person workouts this spring. Citing concerns about protections against covid-19, the Steelers announced their decision Friday via a statement released by the NFL Players’ Association. The...
NFL sets offseason workout schedule amid backlash from several teams
With an increasing number of NFL teams deciding to boycott voluntary workouts because of covid-19, the NFL announced its offseason schedule Wednesday that includes on-field organized team activities. The offseason workout program for the 32 NFL teams is set to begin Monday and is nine weeks in length. It includes...
Steelers reportedly will re-sign LB Vince Williams, bring back QB Joshua Dobbs
Two more familiar faces are returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers — one on each side of the ball. Inside linebacker Vince Williams, who was released March 16 in a salary-cap move, agreed to rejoin the team, according to an ESPN.com report. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who became an unrestricted free agent...
Running back James Conner exits Steelers, signs as free agent with Cardinals
After spending his entire adult life in Western Pennsylvania, James Conner was ready for a change of scenery as he hit NFL free agency for the first time. He’ll get some in the form of the desert, cactus and an endless beam of sunshine. And his new destination is about...
Steelers add another defensive lineman in former Bears, Vikings DE Abdullah Anderson
Continuing to stockpile players along the defensive line, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed defensive end Abdullah Anderson on Monday to a one-year contract. Anderson, 25, is 6-foot-3, 297 pounds. He spent most of the 2020 season on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster for one...
