Steelers/NFL category, Page 296
With Stephon Tuitt on IR, Chris Wormley ready to step up, take on bigger role in Steelers defense
When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Chris Wormley to a two-year contract in March, they thought they were keeping a second free agent defensive linemen from departing in free agency. Two days earlier, Tyson Alualu had agreed to terms on a two-year contract to return to Jacksonville, where he spent the...
20 years later, events of 9/11 have lasting impact for Pittsburgh sports figures
Jason Kendall was relaxing at his home in Pittsburgh’s southwest suburbs when his phone rang about 9 a.m. on a sunny, seasonal, late-summer Tuesday. Seeing it was his brother calling, the then-Pittsburgh Pirates star catcher instinctively knew something was amiss. “You know how you get that phone call early enough,...
Former Steeler, broadcaster Tunch Ilkin dies after fight with ALS
Tunch Ilkin, the former broadcaster and tackle whose hard-nosed play on the football field was matched by his kindness and generosity off it, died Saturday after a year-long fight with ALS, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced. He was 63. Ilkin had a four-decade association with the Steelers, the first 13 as...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: What’s the holdup with T.J. Watt’s contract?
Why hasn’t T.J. Watt signed yet? We keep getting told a contract extension is imminent. But the definition of “imminent” cites a time frame that is momentary, not several weeks. Are the Pittsburgh Steelers flinching on giving Watt the guaranteed money he wants, reportedly in the neighborhood of $100 million?...
Don’t call him old, but do call Cameron Heyward a veteran leader for Steelers
As one of only six who have won the “Chief Award” multiple times as the Pittsburgh Steelers player most cooperative with media, Cameron Heyward has demonstrated a good relationship with local reporters. So much so, apparently, they aren’t afraid to needle him. And as one of the Steelers’ elder statesmen,...
Special teams leads to special feeling for Steelers’ Jamir JonesVideo
Jamir Jones’ eyes lit up. And it wasn’t just because he was still basking in the glow of making the cut for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster the day prior. A first-year player who was the recently completed training camp’s proverbial breakout darling, Jones was asked about the mentality of covering...
Steelers acquire veteran CB Ahkello Witherspoon via trade with Seahawks
When the Pittsburgh Steelers’ initial 53-man roster was revealed this week, there were hints it wouldn’t be the group that took the field for the regular-season opener Sept. 12. Friday became the latest proof. The Steelers acquired veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon via a trade with the Seahawks, sending a 2023...
First Call: Jordan Berry finds new team; Steelers will like this ESPN prediction; Bills’ Josh Allen ripe for regression?
Ex-Steelers punter Jordan Berry already has a new job. It comes with an ironic twist. Steelers fans will like one bold prediction from ESPN.com but probably will hate a second one. Also, a statistical warning for the Steelers’ opening opponent. And those who remain from the Robert Morris hockey program...
Tim Benz: Adam ‘PacMan’ Jones calls Steelers ‘dirtiest’ team in the NFL during hilarious rant
The rivalry between the Steelers and Bengals may not be as bloodthirsty as it was five or six years ago. But you’d never know that by listening to former Bengal Adam “PacMan” Jones. The former Cincinnati defensive back has made no bones about continuing his disdain for the Steelers into...
Former Chartiers Valley, Duquesne star Christian Kuntz relishes making Steelers rosterVideo
Told he had recently become the second-highest paid active professional athlete from Chartiers Valley High School, new Pittsburgh Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz revealed he had plans to go out to lunch with the one former Colts star who maintains a sizable financial lead on him. “He’s paying,” Kuntz said...
Right tackle Zach Banner among 3 Steelers players placed on injured reserve
Zach Banner’s return to the Pittsburgh Steelers lineup after a torn ACL will have to wait at least three weeks once the regular season begins. Same goes for Anthony McFarland and Stephon Tuitt. All three were placed on injured reserve Wednesday, meaning they will miss at least the season opener...
Knee injury latest setback for Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally confirmed Wednesday that defensive end Stephon Tuitt is dealing with more than the tragic death of his younger brother this offseason. Defensive coordinator Keith Butler said Tuitt has been bothered by a knee injury, and the eighth-year veteran is a “little bit overweight” from his recent...
Steelers add former 1st-round pick Karl Joseph of WVU to practice squad
Karl Joseph, the former West Virginia safety who was a first-round pick of the then-Oakland Raiders in 2016, was one of 15 players the Pittsburgh Steelers signed to their practice squad Wednesday. Joseph, 27, spent his first four seasons with the Raiders and was in their training camp this season...
Joe Haden reverses course, wants to test free agency in 2022 rather than get extension from Steelers
After approaching the Pittsburgh Steelers about a contract extension last month, veteran cornerback Joe Haden changed his mind and will test free agency in 2022. Haden’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN on Wednesday morning that his client now wants to play out his contract and see what the market holds...
Mark Madden: For some athletes, it’s easier to prioritize fame over accomplishment
America is in the age of gravitating to the stupid. Less than two weeks before the PittsburghSteelers season begins, JuJu Smith-Schuster was filmed doing the milk crate challenge. You stack milk crates, then climb and walk the length of them. The goal is to not go splat, but many do....
First Call: Latest on James Washington’s trade status; changes for Steelers special teams; Penguins still have high expectations
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us an update on the trade status of Steelers wide receiver James Washington. Changes are afoot for the Steelers special teams. A key piece of the Pirates future is on fire. And the Penguins still have high expectations. Nowhere to run It appears James Washington is...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans want less criticism of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Dwayne Haskins; Pirates fans want more information
Steelers and Pirates fans get to sound off early this week. Because Labor Day is looming, “Breakfast With Benz” is ending the week a day early. As a result, everything gets moved up and “U mad, bro?” comes your way on a Wednesday. That’s good because the submission box was...
Dan Moore Jr. confident he can start at left tackle if called upon by Steelers
The instruction for rookies goes beyond the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Before Dan Moore Jr. had a prescheduled availability with media after Tuesday’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, none other than the head coach called Moore over for a discussion that lasted a few minutes. As Moore took...
Steelers deep on defensive linemen, short on opposite side after cutdown to 53 players
In formulating their initial 53-man roster, the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to carry an equal number of offensive and defensive linemen and defensive backs. Eight players will occupy each of those position groups based on the roster moves that transpired Tuesday. Eight rookies also survived the final cut. The Steelers released...
Steelers’ Cameron Sutton remains prepared to man multiple positions again if needed
Cameron Sutton insists he is just like the rest of us who follow the Pittsburgh Steelers. The fifth-year defensive back says he remains in the dark about what the coaching staff’s plan is for the identity of the nickel DB. “I don’t know yet,” Sutton said late Tuesday morning after...
Former pro and college scout on Steelers tackle Dan Moore Jr.: ‘There is a lot there to work with’
Monday’s Steelers practice featured a reconfigured offensive line because of a possible injury to right tackle Zach Banner. Even before that news, former pro and college scout and Steelers Nation Radio host Matt Williamson told me the Steelers offensive line was already questionable at best. “It’s just so unproven. There’s...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster does milk crate challenge; Steelers teammate optimistic about Stephon Tuitt’s return
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” an update on Stephon Tuitt from one of his fellow Steelers defensive linemen. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster couldn’t avoid the milk crate challenge. Fallout continues in Baltimore after the injury to running back J.K. Dobbins. And the Pirates are taking on one of the league’s best...
Tim Benz: ‘Dwayne Train’ preseason hype showed a lot of deep-rooted scars for Steelers fans from ugly quarterbacking history
Quarterback Dwayne Haskins’ stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers has gotten off to a decent start. Most days he looked sharp in training camp. Then, during the first three preseason games, he was a lot better than I expected (28 of 42, 271 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 92.5 passer rating)....
Dan Moore shifts left, Chuks Okorafor right as Steelers make alternate tackle plans
With Zach Banner’s availability for the season opener in question, the Pittsburgh Steelers tipped their hand in practice Monday about how they might replace him against the Buffalo Bills in 13 days. Chuks Okorafor took snaps at right tackle, the position he started for 15 games last season after Banner...
Practice fight involves Steelers stars Minkah Fitzpatrick, Chase Claypool
An apparently significant skirmish broke out late during Pittsburgh Steelers practice Monday, several players confirmed, and it involved two high-profile players. The conflict began with Minkah Fitzpatrick and Chase Claypool yelling at each other, guard Kevin Dotson confirmed. “When you come out here and are pretty much fighting the person...
