Pittsburgh Steelers / NFL category, Page 3
Report: Steelers re-sign cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to 1-year deal
The Pittsburgh Steelers made their first move of free agency by re-signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to a one-year deal, according to reports. The move to bring back the five-year veteran came hours before the NFL’s legal tampering period began at noon Monday, when pending free agents can negotiate with...
First Call: Browns meet with potential Steelers draft target; UFA wide receiver may already be gone
Monday’s “First Call” has eyes on wide receivers in the news when it comes to both the NFL Draft and free agency. The Robert Morris basketball team hopes to take another step toward the NCAA Tournament. And the school’s hockey team took another leap back toward the level of success...
Steelers MVP Kenneth Gainwell joining Buccaneers as free agent
The Pittsburgh Steelers team MVP is headed elsewhere as a free agent. Running back Kenneth Gainwell, who led the Steelers in receptions last season, agreed to a two-year, $14 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to reports. He was the second former Steelers player lost to free agency...
Steelers replace Kenneth Gainwell with 1,000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle
Hours after adding a two-time 1,000-yard receiver to their offense, the Pittsburgh Steelers added a two-time 1,000-yard rusher in free agency. The Steelers agreed to terms with running back Rico Dowdle on Monday, according to The Schultz Report. Dowdle, who will turn 28 this summer, has 2,155 rushing yards over...
Analyst: Draft not as strong at WR, but Steelers could pick 1
The upcoming NFL Draft offers plenty of help for teams in need of wide receivers, even if the class doesn’t feature an obvious breakout star. ESPN analyst Jordan Reid said an unusually large number of receivers could come off the board in first three rounds. But in terms of high-end...
Steelers targeting top wide receivers in latest mock drafts
The consensus among draft gurus remains that the Pittsburgh Steelers will select a receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft in April. However, on the heels of the scouting combine, an increasing number of analysts are projecting Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson as the pass-catcher wearing black and gold...
Steelers approach free agency flush with cap space — and plenty of needs
For the first time since 2006, a new Pittsburgh Steelers season is accompanied by a new coaching staff. And with that new season — officially, as per NFL parlance, the new league year — beginning next week, the accompanying start of free agency will see the Steelers undergo a significant...
‘Mountainous’ Miami tackle Markel Bell has pre-draft visit with Steelers
Miami (Fla.) offensive tackle Markel Bell visited the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice facility Friday as the team begins to host possible targets for the upcoming NFL Draft. Even among other linemen, Bell has massive size at 6-foot-9 and 346 pounds. He played two seasons for the Hurricanes, starting five games as...
First Call: Browns speaking with Ty Simpson; Alex Highsmith pledges more pass rush looks from SteelersVideo
Friday’s “First Call” features some defensive dreams for Pittsburgh Steelers fans to ponder courtesy of Alex Highsmith. The Browns apparently have eyes on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. The Penguins have a loaded weekend schedule after the trade deadline, and Pitt is in must-win territory for its basketball team. Promises, promises...
Joe Starkey: Why couldn’t Pat McAfee just ask Aaron Rodgers a simple question?
The biggest news from the Pat McAfee-Aaron Rodgers bro show Wednesday was Rodgers saying, “I’m a free agent.” Hmmm. I wonder if he’s thinking about the Minnesota Vikings. I would be, although at least if Rodgers returns to the Pittsburgh Steelers he won’t have to ignore Jonnu Smith again. News...
First Call: Pat McAfee claims Steelers asked for info on Mike McCarthy; Aaron Rodgers pans Acrisure Stadium’s field againVideo
Thursday’s “First Call” has an interesting anecdote about the Steelers’ hiring process for Mike McCarthy. Aaron Rodgers is still taking shots at the Acrisure Stadium turf. The Penguins have a tough task Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena. And the Duquesne women’s basketball team is scrapping until the end in...
U mad, bro?: Penguins fans hate the idea of trading for Vince Trocheck; Steelers’ low NFLPA player gradesVideo
On Wednesday, I wrote a column suggesting that the Pittsburgh Penguins should trade for New York Rangers center Vince Trocheck. To reiterate some of my arguments, the Penguins need a center. He’s great at faceoffs. He’s good in shootouts. The Penguins are deficient in both of those areas. Trocheck was...
Report: Steelers to release tight end Jonnu Smith after 1 season
Jonnu Smith’s tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers is ending after one season. The Steelers plan to release the veteran tight end in a move that saves the team $7 million against the cap, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday night. The 30-year-old Smith, acquired from the Miami Dolphins in a July...
Aaron Rodgers says he moved out of beach house because of stalkers
Stalkers drove Aaron Rodgers out of his beach home, the quarterback said Wednesday while addressing the troubles he’s had in living the private life he desires. The four-time NFL MVP also blasted individuals who’ve tried to dig up information on his wife, calling it an “obsession” by some that he...
Tim Benz: The only thing Aaron Rodgers owes the Steelers is a timely answer. So why not give them one?Video
About 20 minutes into his winding 75-minute conversation on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers gave us the money quote about his future with the franchise. “I want to say that anybody on here who was expecting me to make some big decision, just turn it...
Steelers should avoid early-round QBs in 2026 NFL Draft, says Ben Roethlisberger
Rather than search for their next quarterback early in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ all-time leading passer wants the team to prioritize other needs first. “I think too many teams try and get a quarterback … and they build a team around a quarterback,” retired quarterback Ben Roethlisberger...
Aaron Rodgers: There hasn’t been ‘progressive conversations’ with Steelers on 2026 contract
In making his first public comments since the end of the 2025 season two months ago, Aaron Rodgers on Wednesday recognized there would be attention on his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” About 20 minutes into his live video chat with McAfee on the latter’s popular YouTube channel, Rodgers...
NFL Draft opens online fan registration
Fan registration for the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh is open. In a joint release, the league, Visit Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Steelers said the event will transform Pittsburgh’s central neighborhoods into an “expansive Draft campus” showcasing the city’s landmarks and rivers. The league is encouraging draft attendees to download...
Mark Madden: Steelers should gamble on Kyler Murray, not wait on Aaron Rodgers
Kyler Murray is getting cut by Arizona. The Pittsburgh Steelers want Aaron Rodgers to return at quarterback. Instead of waiting on Rodgers, the Steelers should grab Murray. Rodgers is 42. Murray is 28. Rodgers is playing out the string. Murray would be playing for his career. He could conceivably be...
First Call: High profile training partner with Will Howard; huge money coming in on Pirates win totalVideo
Wednesday’s “First Call” has a big name training partner (and tutor) for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard. Gambling money is pouring in on the Pirates. Pitt needs to close the college basketball season strong, as Robert Morris is ready to start tournament play. Plus, postseason accolades for Duquesne women’s basketball,...
Top-rated CB draft prospect Mansoor Delane likely won’t fall to them, but plays like a Steeler
By the nature of the position he plays, coverage skills are paramount. And it should come as no surprise that the consensus No. 1 cornerback prospect for next month’s NFL Draft was graded as the second-best in coverage among power-conference corners by Pro Football Focus. What perhaps might come as...
Joe Starkey’s Cup of Joe: Upon further review, Ben Roethlisberger performed an absolute miracle in his final season
CUP OF JOE: Starkey on sports in 350 words or less (or more, in this case) His unqualified coordinator had never called an NFL play. His top receiver sometimes ran backwards and would be run straight out of the league by his late 20s. His No. 2 receiver would be...
Joe Starkey’s Mailbag: Who’s better — Drew Allar or Will Howard?
You ask. I answer. It’s time for “Mailing It In,” a weekly Q&A that appears Tuesdays at TribLive.com. Most of the questions come via X, but you can also hit me up at jraystarkey@gmail.com. Let’s gooooooo …. Burke O’Toole, @BurkeMan513: Dr. Starkey who would you rather the Steelers try to...
First Call: Steelers alumni pile on reports of bad NFLPA grades; Maxx Crosby to Baltimore?
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some validation for those bad NFLPA grades for the Steelers, and it’s coming from some alumni of the team. Also, a fierce AFC pass rusher may wind up in the Steelers’ division. Pitt’s former athletic director, Heather Lyke, is wrapped up in a negative story at...
Tim Benz: We can talk about Malik Willis and the Steelers. But let’s have the entire conversationVideo
The dialogue about the Steelers potentially being interested in free-agent quarterback Malik Willis seems to have cooled. The Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns appear to be the teams most commonly linked with the current Green Bay Packers backup. That doesn’t break my heart. I’m certainly not sold on...
