Steelers/NFL category, Page 117
Mark Madden: Forget late division games; biggest issue with Steelers’ schedule is short rest
The Pittsburgh Steelers got screwed by the NFL’s scheduling. But not that bad. Not playing a division foe till Week 11 isn’t a big deal. Does it really matter when you play which game? If anything, that could help the Steelers. They’re breaking in a new quarterback, different offensive coordinator...
Tim Benz: Many complaints over the Steelers’ schedule are preemptive excuse making
There sure seems to be a lot of complaining from Pittsburgh Steelers fans and media when it comes to how the NFL drew up the schedule for the Black and Gold. NFL has beef with the Steelers. 4/6 road games to open the year 5/7 road games between weeks 10-16...
First Call: Cam Heyward missing OTAs for ‘contract negotiations’; ex-Steelers 1st-round pick signs with Jaguars
Friday’s “First Call,” has an update on Cameron Heyward’s contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Terrell Edmunds has a new place to play in the AFC. We celebrate Upper St. Clair’s Vince Trocheck as he helped the Rangers put away the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL playoffs. Plus, we examine...
NFL exec: Steelers not playing AFC North game until Week 11 ‘wasn’t intentional’
NFL exec Mike North likens the 2024 slate of Pittsburgh Steelers games to an NCAA basketball schedule. Minus the creampuffs and cupcakes in the early stages, of course. The Steelers don’t face an AFC North opponent until Week 11, then play six divisional games among their final eight of the...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans push back at WR concerns; Pirates fans fume; Penguins fans not thrilled with Mike Sullivan
I’ve had a bit of a modified work week. I’ve been doing a lot of radio. I’ve been researching a project for TribLive. I took a day off to see one of my favorite bands, Dirty Honey, at the Roxian on Tuesday. I’m going to a wedding in Cleveland on...
First Call: All-Steelers schedule edition: Thoughts, concerns on odd quirks, choppy flow, brutal 2nd half
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ schedule is hard, odd, scattered, heavy on primetime games, and light on AFC North contests until almost Thanksgiving. So we’re dedicating all of Thursday’s “First Call” to a full breakdown of the quirks, trends, hot spots and pitfalls that the Steelers could face in 2024. Vengeance is...
Report: Steelers’ Cameron Heyward plans to skip OTAs barring contract extension
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward, whose salary cap hit for 2024 is second-highest on the team as he enters the final year of his contract, plans to hold out of organized team activities unless he receives an extension, ESPN reported Wednesday. Heyward is coming off a season in which...
Steelers’ schedule includes back-to-back road games to open season, Christmas game with Chiefs
For the first time in 25 years, the Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to open the season with back-to-back road games. They will close it with consecutive home games for the first time in almost a decade. They won’t face a divisional foe until Week 11 and then will play six...
On Sports: Yet another veteran WR tied to Steelers; Paul Skenes pledges money for KsVideo
From trades for Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel or Courtland Sutton to signings of Tyler Boyd or Zay Jones or Michael Gallup, there have been no shortage of veteran wide receivers projected to end up with the WR-needy Pittsburgh Steelers over the past two months. A prominent ESPN analyst has...
5 things to watch for with Steelers schedule set to be released
Following in the footsteps of the Super Bowl, combine and first day of the draft, the annual schedule release has become a tent-pole event for the NFL. What once took place in April during the run-up to the draft, the schedule release keeps getting pushed back deeper into May. After...
Tim Benz: Tough decisions ahead for some Pittsburgh fan favorites
There was plenty of excitement generated by Paul Skenes’ debut Saturday night at PNC Park. Unfortunately, the bullpen folly of that 10-9 win for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the four losses in five games to close out their recent homestand drummed up some agitation within the fanbase and some grumbling...
First Call: Despite hopes from Duquesne fans, Bronny James reportedly staying in NBA Draft; new Courtland Sutton trade talk
Tuesday’s “First Call” suggests a potential target for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL trade pool may not be out of play just yet. It doesn’t appear that LeBron James’ son will be going to Duquesne after all. An ex-Penguin comes up big in the NHL playoffs. And Monday marked...
WrestleMania: Steelers’ draft class includes trio of former state champion grapplers
The formal or informal chats between representatives of NFL teams and draft prospects at the annual combine can span from the spectrum of mundane, awkward, bizarre, informative, conversational and enlightening. This past winter, more than one soon-to-be drafted player found one topic in particular piqued the mutual interest of him...
First Call: Steelers sign cornerback after tryout; T.J. McConnell shines in NBA playoffs
Monday’s “First Call” has a defensive back signing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jameson Taillon will be back this week for the Cubs. The Pirates have a tough trip to Milwaukee looming. And T.J. McConnell is tearing it up with the Indiana Pacers. All A’s for Anthony Averett Anthony Averett’s audition...
Madden Monday: If Steelers don’t land a legit No. 2 WR, Omar Khan will have ‘flunked the offseason’
While some Pittsburgh Steelers fans are insisting the lack of depth at wide receiver is a problem that will be rectified before the 2024 season kicks off, others are worried. As we discussed at “Breakfast With Benz” last week, consider me in that second camp. During this week’s “Madden Monday”...
Undrafted free agent John Rhys Plumlee hoping to stick with Steelers at QB
John Rhys Plumlee is the longest of long shots to win a roster spot with the Pittsburgh Steelers this fall. He is the fourth quarterback on a team that historically keeps three and doesn’t necessarily stash another on the practice squad. He is the only one in a reconfigured position...
Steelers notebook: Veteran CB Averett not above working out with youngsters
Ryan Watts is the youngest player at Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp. Born more than seven years before him is a player — on some level — against whom he is battling for a roster spot. Cornerback Anthony Averett will turn 30 this fall. He is part of the build-up to...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Najee Harris hasn’t been a problem yet, but is trouble looming with Steelers?
Ever since the Steelers declined the fifth-year option for the contract of running back Najee Harris, there’s been an underlying assumption that Harris is going to be a problem. But Harris hasn’t said anything to that end, or sent bad signals via social media. There was a report that Harris...
Steelers rookie minicamp notebook: Practice stays outside despite cool weather
Mike Tomlin used this week’s less-than-pleasant early-May Pittsburgh weather as an opportunity to give his rookie class a more comprehensive tour of the Steelers’ facilities. While the first on-field walkthrough-style practice of rookie minicamp Friday was indoors, Saturday’s was outside at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex — despite a chilly...
Rookie minicamp with Steelers ‘feels like home’ for 3rd-round pick Roman Wilson
After the first day of rookie minicamp was moved indoors because of rain, the Pittsburgh Steelers took the newcomers outside Saturday morning at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. When a morning workout concluded, wide receiver and third-round draft pick Roman Wilson said he felt at ease practicing on the outdoor practice...
Veteran RB, special-teamer Jonathan Ward impressing in tryout with Steelers
Because he entered the league during a 2020 calendar year that should be forgettable for us all, Jonathan Ward was robbed of the experience of attending an NFL rookie minicamp. Until now. Ward, now a 26-year-old, four-year veteran running back, is at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex this week on...
Veteran CB Anthony Averett healthy, seeks to make Steelers off tryout at rookie campVideo
Ryan Watts is the youngest player at Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp. Born more than seven years prior to him is a player — on some basic level at face value — against whom he’s competing for a roster spot. Cornerback Anthony Averett will turn 30 this fall. He’s part of...
Steelers sign draft picks Mason McCormick, Logan Lee to rookie contracts
Fourth-round selection Mason McCormick and Logan Lee, one of two sixth-round selections, became the first two draft picks to sign rookie contracts with the Pittsburgh Steelers. McCormick, a guard from South Dakota State, and Lee, a defensive end from Iowa, signed their four-year deals on Friday, the first day of...
Steelers rookie minicamp notes: Pitt’s Marquis Williams leaving nothing to chanceVideo
As one of the players attending on a tryout basis and without a contract, Marquis Williams had no guarantee he will be back with the Pittsburgh Steelers after the conclusion of rookie minicamp Sunday. Williams, apparently, wants to make the most of the time he has available. And he might...
Former WVU CB Beanie Bishop feels at home in slot — and with SteelersVideo
Barely recruited out of high school, not invited to the NFL Combine and not selected with any of the 257 picks in the recent NFL Draft, Beanie Bishop knows about overcoming underwhelming expectations. Setting out to make the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted rookie defensive back is just the next...
