Steelers sign 2 players to reserve/future contracts
Former West Virginia offensive lineman Doug Nester was one of two players signed by the Steelers to reserve/future contracts Thursday. Wide receiver Brandon Smith, who played three games over the past two seasons for the New York Jets, also signed. Smith has also spent time on the practice squads of...
The Steelers signed Pat Freiermuth to be their TE1. What happened in ’25 that he wasn’t?
Three days before his game debut as Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator — and on the eve of Pat Freiermuth signing a $48 million contract — Arthur Smith sounded downright giddy about the skillset of his No. 1 tight end. “He’s a unique player,” Smith said of Freiermuth on Sept. 5,...
Jeannette alum Marcus Barnes headed to UFL
Jeannette alum Marcus Barnes will continue his football career in the United Football League. Barnes was selected by the Columbus Aviators on the second day of the UFL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound safety was a two-time All-Continental Athletic Association player who had nine career interceptions and made 69 tackles in...
Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel to return for 2026 season
Pitt’s most important player removed a major source of anxiety for coach Pat Narduzzi with an important announcement Thursday as quarterback Mason Heintschel intends to return to the Panthers for his sophomore year. Heintschel revealed he’ll be back at Pitt one day before the transfer portal window (Jan. 2-16) closes....
How does Steelers’ head coach opening compare with others around NFL?
Among the eight current coaching openings in the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans have something the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t. That’s a clear plan at quarterback. Having that question already answered makes any job more attractive, but joining the Steelers comes with its own perks. Maybe...
Pirates sign top-20 prospect in Dominican shortstop with family ties to Hall of Famer
The Pittsburgh Pirates invested their top international signing bonus in a Dominican teenager who is the nephew of a Hall of Famer and cousin of one of the game’s most prodigious power hitters. The Pirates agreed Thursday to sign 16-year-old shortstop Wilton Guerrero Jr. for $1.95 million, as the top-20...
Knoch reinstates fired girls wrestling coach Logan Downes
Logan Downes is back coaching the Knoch girls wrestling team. A week after being fired from his position by the district after it received a complaint filed in relation to on-mat incidents at a tournament last month, the district decided to reversed its decision. After district official met with Downes...
Steelers request to interview Ejiro Evero, Jeff Hafley, Klay Kubiak
A trend is developing among the list of individuals the Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly requested to interview for their vacant head coaching position. As the list grew to eight Thursday, six are sitting NFL defensive coordinators. The names with defensive backgrounds added Thursday, according to the NFL Network, were Ejiro...
Facts and figures you might — or might not — have known about Mike Tomlin’s Steelers tenure
You may have heard that Mike Tomlin never had a losing season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the only head coach in NFL history to begin his coaching tenure with 19 consecutive non-losing seasons, a long-cited talking point among fans and media members touting the Steelers’ success under Tomlin....
Penguins goaltender Stuart Skinner scheduled to start against Flyers
The Pittsburgh Penguins are scheduled to start goaltender Stuart Skinner in Thursday’s game against the rival Philadelphia Flyers at PPG Paints Arena. Coach Dan Muse announced Skinner’s status following an optional morning skate in Cranberry. In 30 games this season, Skinner has a 14-12-4 record, a 2.71 goals-against average, an...
Former Robert Morris forward among NCAA players and fixers charged over rigged basketball games, prosecutors say
Former Robert Morris men’s basketball player Markeese Hastings is among 26 people involved in a sprawling scheme to rig NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association games, federal prosecutors said Thursday. The scheme, which includes more than a dozen college players who tried to fix games as recently as last season, revolved...
First Call: Jerome Bettis endorses Kevin Stefanski for Steelers’ job; a major college name to consider as well
Thursday’s “First Call” has a significant update on John Harbaugh’s future. A college football coaching name is being thrown out as a possible replacement for Mike Tomlin, while Jerome Bettis is endorsing a former AFC North coach. And the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the Philadelphia Flyers, with both teams looking to...
Former Ravens coach John Harbaugh and Giants working to make him their coach, reports say
John Harbaugh and the New York Giants are working on an agreement to make him the team’s head coach, three people with knowledge of the decision said Thursday. The people spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been finalized. Harbaugh is not meeting with...
U mad, bro?: Mike Tomlin’s departure and Steelers’ playoff dud fan the flames of discontent from readers
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost a playoff game in humiliating fashion. Again. It was so bad that Mike Tomlin resigned after 19 years. Fans are sniping at each other and angry at the media. In other words, “U mad, Bro” is off to a roaring start in 2026. ______________________________ Let’s start...
Miami’s Columbus High will have some CFP champions, no matter what happensVideo
MIAMI — Tuesday’s classes at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami have been canceled. There wouldn’t be much learning going on that day. No matter what happens Monday night in the College Football Playoff title game between Indiana and Miami — a game that will be played in South Florida...
Brandin Cooks’ chemistry with Allen adds new dimension to Bills passing game
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Whether it was catching passes from Drew Brees as a rookie in New Orleans, or teaming up with Buffalo’s Josh Allen 11 years later, wide receiver Brandin Cooks has stuck to a tried and tested method in building a quarterback’s trust. The key, Cooks said on...
Reports: John Harbaugh interviews in person for Giants’ coaching vacancy
John Harbaugh interviewed in person with the New York Giants for their head coaching vacancy, according to multiple reports. Harbaugh was at the team facility in East Rutherford, N.J., for most of the day Wednesday. The Super Bowl-winning former Baltimore Ravens coach is believed to be the Giants’ top candidate,...
Broncos bring different mentality into playoff rematch in Denver against Bills
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The venue isn’t the only thing that will be different when the Denver Broncos host the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round of the playoffs Saturday. The vibe in Denver isn’t the same as it was a year ago, either. “We were just kind of excited to...
Seahawks’ defense adds to the legacy of the team’s stellar units of the past
RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks have fielded their fair share of stout defenses over their history, including the dominant “Legion of Boom” from the 2010s. The team had the top scoring defense in the NFL from 2012 to 2015, and the unit helped lead the team to five straight...
Minor league report: Penguins, Tristan Broz beat BruinsVideo
A pair of goals by forward Tristan Broz led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to a 4-1 win against the Providence Bruins at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, R.I., on Wednesday. Forward Valtteri Puustinen recorded two assists for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (24-10-1-2) while forwards Rafael Harvey-Pinard and Joona Koppanen each contributed a goal....
Behind team offensive effort, Pitt clobbers Georgia Tech to notch elusive 1st ACC victory
Pitt arrived at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta on Wednesday night a desperate squad, winless in ACC league play and sitting in 16th place in the conference. Whether that desperation was channeled into a much-needed victory would depend upon a full team effort by the Panthers. A team effort is exactly...
Marcus Freeman says Notre Dame must ‘leave no doubt’ in future CFP discussions — and addresses NFL rumors
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman spoke with reporters Wednesday for the first time since the Irish were left out of the College Football Playoff. He touched on multiple topics, including addressing some big additions through the transfer portal. Here are six things Freeman said: Freeman preaches to his players that...
Dolphins interview Kevin Stefanski, Jeff Hafley for coaching vacancyVideo
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Former Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski and Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley have interviewed with the Miami Dolphins for their head coaching vacancy. The Dolphins began reaching out to candidates after hiring Jon-Eric Sullivan as their general manager last week, a day after firing...
Ravens interview defensive coordinators Minter and Schwartz for their coaching vacancy
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens have interviewed Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Cleveland defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for their head coaching vacancy. Minter is a prominent candidate, because he has coached in Baltimore fairly recently. He was a defensive backs coach with the Ravens before...
Oregon QB Dante Moore says he’ll return to the Ducks rather than declare for the NFL draft
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has decided to return to the Ducks next season rather than declare for the NFL Draft. Moore, 20, announced his decision Wednesday on ESPN. “When it comes to me just making my decision, of course I want to feel most prepared and do what’s best for...
