Joe Rutter stories, Page 82
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...
Steelers’ Mike Tomlin expects changes heading into 2021 seasonVideo
With another early playoff exit fresh in his mind, Mike Tomlin offered a succinct assessment Wednesday when asked whether he is “all in” for the 2021 season, which would be his 15th as the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach. “You bet.” The question is, who will be along for the ride...
Ben Roethlisberger’s contract situation will test Steelers’ ability to work salary cap magic
Like much of the success on the football field, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason will depend on the quarterback. Whether Ben Roethlisberger returns for an 18th season will be the biggest issue the Steelers face as they begin plotting a course for 2021. Beyond the franchise’s quarterback’s declining play down the...
Steelers close team facility because of player’s positive covid-19 test
A day after their season ended with a 48-37 upset loss to the Cleveland Browns in an AFC wild-card game, the Pittsburgh Steelers closed UPMC Rooney Sports Complex because of covid-19 concerns. “We have sent home our coaching staff, players and other staff members out of caution after we had...
5 things we learned: Late-season nosedive becoming a trend for Steelers
Five things we learned from Browns 48, Steelers 37: 1. Slip sliding away Once a team known for strong finishes, the Steelers experienced a late-season collapse for the third season in a row. In 2018, it was four losses in a five-game stretch that resulted in the Steelers missing the...
Turnover-prone Steelers bounced from playoffs by big-play Browns
It wasn’t supposed to end this way. Not after they won a franchise-record 11 consecutive games to start the season. Not against a team making its first playoff appearance in 18 years. Not to the Cleveland Browns, who hadn’t won any game at Heinz Field since 2003, and didn’t have...
Steelers activate Matt Feiler, Robert Spillane, elevate TE Kevin Rader from practice squad
The Steelers activated two players from injured reserve, as expected, and elevated tight end Kevin Rader from the practice squad a day ahead of their AFC wild-card game against the Cleveland Browns. Guard Matt Feiler and inside linebacker Robert Spillane were activated to the 53-man roster Saturday. They returned to...
Veteran Steelers players aren’t taking return trip to NFL playoffs for granted
Cameron Heyward thought he would have a Super Bowl ring by now. At worst, an appearance. After all, when he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2011 draft, the former Ohio State defensive lineman went to a team a few months removed from playing...
Steelers’ T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick named 1st-team All-Pro for 2nd year in a row
The NFL’s third-ranked defense had two players repeat as first-team All-Pros in balloting released Friday by the Associated Press. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick represent the Pittsburgh Steelers on the first team. Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward was named to the second team. Watt and Fitzpatrick earned first-team...
Steelers must decide whether Matt Feiler, Robert Spillane reclaim jobs they lost to injury
The six-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro right guard just spent two games playing two spots away from a rookie fourth-round draft pick. As impressed as David DeCastro was with the play of Kevin Dotson, he welcomes the return of Matt Feiler to the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line. After missing...
Fans limited to friends, family members for Steelers’ playoff game against Browns
The Pittsburgh Steelers were denied Thursday in their quest to have fan capacity expanded for their home playoff game Sunday night, meaning friends and family members will be the only ones permitted inside Heinz Field when the team faces the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round. The Steelers were hoping...
After being shut out in 1st quarter for past 5 games, Steelers seek hot start to open playoffs
When it comes to starting fast, the Pittsburgh Steelers are like the race horse that stumbles out of the gate. Sometimes, they recover with a strong closing kick and get to the wire first. Sometimes, they come up short. Such has been the case for much of the season, and...
Matt Feiler, Robert Spillane return to practice for Steelers; Tyson Alualu, Vince Williams sit out
Left guard Matt Feiler and inside linebacker Robert Spillane returned to practice Wednesday for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the first step toward their potential return Sunday night against the Cleveland Browns in an AFC wild-card game. Feiler and Spillane remain on injured reserve, and the Steelers have 21 days to activate...
Despite short playoff absence, Mike Tomlin appreciates what’s ahead for Steelers
One look at his opponent’s postseason history — or lack thereof — is enough to make coach Mike Tomlin appreciate what awaits the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night in the AFC wild-card round at Heinz Field. While the Steelers are making their ninth playoff appearance and seventh as AFC North...
Steelers’ Mike Tomlin says Matt Feiler, Robert Spillane could be available for start of playoffsVideo
As coach Mike Tomlin prepares for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff opener Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, he does so knowing he might get a starting left guard and inside linebacker back from injured reserve. Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly press conference guard Matt Feiler and inside linebacker Robert Spillane...
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, 2 assistants, 2 players test positive for covid-19
When the Pittsburgh Steelers open the playoffs Sunday night, they will be facing a short-handed opponent because of covid-19. Five days before the Steelers face Cleveland for the third time this season and second time in eight days, the Browns announced head coach Kevin Stefanski, two of his assistants and...
Steelers’ exec Omar Khan interviews for Houston Texans GM vacancy
Omar Khan, the Pittsburgh Steelers vice president of football and business administration, interviewed Monday for the vacant Houston Texans general manager position. The Texans announced the interview on their Twitter account. Khan, 43, has worked for the Steelers since 2001, and he has been responsible for the team’s contract negotiations...
Baker Mayfield’s scrambling presents another challenge for Steelers in playoff rematch with Browns
Needing 2 yards for a first down that would clinch the franchise’s first playoff berth in 18 years, the Cleveland Browns didn’t just put the outcome in quarterback Baker Mayfield’s hands. They put it in his feet, too. A designed keeper around the right edge gained 3 yards and enabled...
5 things we learned: Rudolph enjoys deep connection with Steelers receivers
Five things we learned from Browns 24, Steelers 22: 1. Third time’s the charm For someone who hadn’t started a game in more than a year and had seen only occasional mop-up work, Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph showed deft touch on his deep passes while throwing for a career-best 315...
Alex Highsmith gets 1 of 4 sacks for Steelers in season finale against Browns
CLEVELAND — The pressure Alex Highsmith has applied to opposing quarterbacks since replacing Bud Dupree last month paid dividends Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie third-round pick. Although the Steelers lost their regular-season finale, 24-22, to the Cleveland Browns, Highsmith set a career high with nine tackles, and he had...
Steelers lose regular-season finale to Browns; playoff rematch awaits
CLEVELAND — With the backups taking center stage, the Pittsburgh Steelers nearly completed a comeback from a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter Sunday before losing to the Cleveland Browns, 24-22, at FirstEnergy Stadium. The varsity will see if it can fare any better next weekend in a rematch at...
Steelers’ Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt, Maurkice Pouncey out vs. Browns
Three more Pittsburgh Steelers players were downgraded to out Saturday and will not make the trip to Cleveland for the regular-season finale Sunday against the Browns. Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, outside linebacker T.J. Watt and center Maurkice Pouncey will not play against the Browns, joining quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, kicker Chris...
After experiencing illness, injury, Steelers guard Kevin Dotson looking for stability at end of rookie season
For someone who started 52 consecutive games in college, guard Kevin Dotson knew life would be different as a rookie in the NFL. He didn’t expect to win a starting job immediately, not on a veteran offensive line that included a Pro Bowl player at his position. Dotson, though, could...
Steelers kicker Chris Boswell misses practice again because of groin injury
Kicker Chris Boswell returned to the injury report for the Pittsburgh Steelers because of a groin injury that kept him out of the game against the Indianapolis Colts. Boswell did not practice Thursday after being a full participant one day earlier. If Boswell can’t kick in the season finale against...
Chase Claypool searches for strong finish for Steelers
A missing piece of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense resurfaced in the second half Sunday and helped contribute to the comeback from the 17-point deficit. Chase Claypool would like to take the momentum he built against the Indianapolis Colts and carry it into the season finale at Cleveland — and beyond....
