Pittsburgh Steelers / NFL category
Joe Starkey: There’s another QB project the Steelers could target, red flags and all
What’s one more? The Mike McCarthy Quarterback School already has two enrollees in Drew Allar and Will Howard. Why not try to add a 6-foot-3, 235-pound, dual-threat, first-round talent for the price of maybe a second-round pick? Actually, there might be one big reason to steer clear — we’ll get...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger ‘nervous’ after seeing ‘baby-steps teaching’ of Drew Allar; ex-Steeler couldn’t wait for Aaron Rodgers
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had an interesting reaction to Drew Allar’s practice video. One ex-Steeler was impacted by Aaron Rodgers’ long wait to re-sign. The Penguins’ AHL team is ready to fight for a conference title, and the Pirates hope Bubba Chandler can get...
Steelers receiver Roman Wilson in search of better numbers in 1st season with new coaching staff
Don’t read too much into Roman Wilson’s new jersey number, says the third-year receiver who traded in 10 for 14. Wilson knows his new digits might be viewed as him embracing a clean slate with the Pittsburgh Steelers. New coach. New number. New beginning. Not so, he says. Wilson is...
Cup of Joe (Starkey): Teams that fire successful coaches looking pretty good these days
The Pittsburgh Steelers should have fired Mike Tomlin long before he fired himself, just as the Pittsburgh Penguins should have moved on from Mike Sullivan a few years before they did. If championships are the goal, it really is OK to fire a successful coach who can’t get to the...
First Call: An 18th game ‘highly unlikely’ for ’27-’28; memories of an all-time favorite Penguins moment
Tuesday’s “First Call” returns from Memorial Day weekend with criticism of the Aaron Rodgers signing by a former Pittsburgh Steelers coordinator. The NFL may be slowing its roll when it comes to 18 games. We go back to 2017 with the Penguins during a brief nostalgia fix. And the best...
Steelers rookie Drew Allar works to put best foot forward
Though at this point no shoo-in to end up the franchise quarterback of the future, Drew Allar will be given every opportunity to sweep Pittsburgh Steelers coaches off their feet. What’s the most efficient path for the rookie quarterback to get his foot in the door? Putting his best foot...
Steelers contingent shows up in Mexican Lucha Libre ring
A contingent from the Pittsburgh Steelers showed up in an unexpected location this weekend — a Mexican Lucha Libre ring. Hall of Fame center Dermontti Dawson, safety Sebastian Castro and mascot Steely McBeam accompanied luchadore Neon to the ring for a match during a “Viernes Espectacular” professional wrestling card at...
Payton Wilson seems ready to lead middle of Steelers defense
The way Payton Wilson defines achieving his goals for his third NFL season, he won’t rest until he doesn’t have a chance to. As in, he wants to work to prove he’s worthy of not taking a break — at least when the Pittsburgh Steelers are on defense. “I want...
Joe Starkey: Steelers desperately need Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers to deliver downfield
Mason Rudolph said the magic words the other day when asked about Mike McCarthy’s impact on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive scheme. “(He’s) opening it up quite a bit,” Rudolph said. Man, it’s about time. We’ve been talking about why the Steelers are unable (unwilling?) to “open it up” since the...
For Steelers defense, the standard is not the standard anymore. The standard is the Steel Curtain
Patrick Graham can sum up his lofty aspirations for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense in three words, no matter if he’s coaching his players or chatting with fans. The Steel Curtain, he says. The 47-year-old was born at the tail end of the franchise’s dynasty of the 1970s, only three days...
Mark Madden: Aaron Rodgers talk is everywhere and, ultimately, that’s our fault
Aaron Rodgers might now be a meh quarterback, but give him credit: He knows how to refresh the news cycle. For months, Rodgers had locals on the edge of their seats awaiting his decision: To play or not to play? Rodgers got ice cream, signed and showed up at OTAs....
Beyond the Bylines: Sidney Crosby’s future; Steelers expectations; Pirates bullpen questions
Before the holiday weekend, Joe Starkey and Tim Benz hosted “Beyond the Bylines” on Friday morning. Among the topics the guys discussed: Sidney Crosby told The Athletic that he wants to play for “as many years as possible.” So how do the Penguins build their roster with that loose timeline,...
First Call: Taylor Swift learns about Jerome Bettis’ legacy; ex-Steeler joins Vikings; controversy in WBS Pens playoff game
In our final “First Call” before Memorial Day weekend, Taylor Swift figures out what made Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis a legend. Former Pirate Gerrit Cole makes his long-awaited return to Major League Baseball. A former Steeler is heading to a new team. And there was controversy during Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s...
Steelers OL Dylan Cook embraces move to right tackle, even if it means more competition
It doesn’t feel like recent attempts to tinker with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line were done with Dylan Cook’s best interest in mind. That doesn’t mean he’s against them though. “I played a lot of right tackle in my day,” Cook said with a grin Wednesday. That’s good. Because he...
Steelers brush off concerns about Aaron Rodgers’ age: ‘He can throw it with anybody’
Eleven current NFL head coaches are younger than Aaron Rodgers, but how many can toss a perfect pass at practice? The future Hall of Famer, who has thrown for the fifth-most yards and fourth-most touchdowns in NFL history, got compliments from his coaches and teammates this week. With Rodgers putting...
Steelers training camp schedule released with early practice times, rare Saturday night practice
A side of football with your brunch, perhaps? Get ready for midday practice times at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. The Steelers announced the schedule for their 59th camp at Saint Vincent College, and a notable feature for the first season under new coach Mike McCarthy is an 11 a.m. start...
First Call: Bonus money for Aaron Rodgers revealed; Mars’ JJ Wetherholt shines vs. Pirates
Thursday’s “First Call” features details about Aaron Rodgers’ new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Pirates are getting worn out by a Pittsburgh native during their series with St. Louis. A former Pirates relief pitcher has found new life in Cleveland, and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have a chance to advance...
Tim Benz: Bet on ‘old dog’ Mason Rudolph learning some ‘new tricks’
New Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy admitted that he had some preconceived expectations about returning quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. The QB guru said Howard moves better than he expected. “He’s a lot more athletic than I realized in his lower half,” McCarthy said Wednesday. McCarthy also said he...
Mason Rudolph sees value he provides Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a couple of young quarterbacks at practice nowadays, but Mason Rudolph knows how many veteran players are out there, too. He’s one of them. With that in mind, Rudolph, who’ll turn 31 in a couple of months, certainly sees value in keeping around a seasoned backup...
Tim Benz: No need for Aaron Rodgers to worry. Expectations for Steelers aren’t high enough to be ‘tempered’
Speaking for the first time since re-signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2026 season, Aaron Rodgers clearly stated that this will be his last year in the NFL. “Yes,” Rodgers said Wednesday afternoon. “This is it. Yup.” "This is it."Aaron Rodgers says he will retire after the 2026 season....
Steelers OT Broderick Jones determined to get back but doesn’t know when
Broderick Jones anticipates playing again once his injured neck allows, but the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle still can’t say when that will be. “I don’t really have a timeline,” said Jones, who took part in individual drills Wednesday but sat out team sessions on the second day of OTAs at...
2 decades after Brett Favre downplayed mentoring him, Aaron Rodgers embraces leading young Steelers QBs
For the (up to) $25 million he is scheduled to receive this season, Aaron Rodgers has one primary responsibility: helping the Pittsburgh Steelers win as many games as possible. But given that the organization is trying to groom two young possible replacements for him, does the 42-year-old Rodgers see it...
‘This is it’: Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers says this will be his final NFL seasonVideo
For all the mystery Aaron Rodgers allowed to fester about whether he would join the Pittsburgh Steelers during either of the past two seasons, the four-time NFL MVP left little ambiguity about whether he will play for them — or anyone else — in 2027. Will 2026 be his final...
First Call: New Steelers WR recruits JuJu Smith-Schuster via social media; Gerrit Cole’s return set for YankeesVideo
Could JuJu Smith-Schuster have another tour in Pittsburgh? At least one current Steeler is nudging to make that happen. The Pirates are trying to stop the bleeding in St. Louis. Mason Miller had a rare rough night for the San Diego Padres, and Gerrit Cole is coming back for the...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans frothing over early QB pecking order
Due to circumstances beyond our control, “U mad, bro?” is posting a day early this week. Actually, who am I kidding? It’s totally within my control. But with conflicts, partial vacation days, Pittsburgh Steelers press conferences, podcasts, public appearances, radio shows, the Pirates’ schedule and other considerations, our weekly point-counterpoint...
