Steelers/NFL category, Page 5
Steelers hire Greenfield native Mike McCarthy as head coach
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback quandary is now a problem for new coach Mike McCarthy to solve. The Steelers announced Saturday that they’d verbally agreed to hire McCarthy as head coach, choosing a one-time Super Bowl champion with a reputation for developing young quarterbacks. The 62-year-old Greenfield native was the most...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Same as it ever was for Pirates, Steelers
It’s the time of the season for horse manure, to paraphrase The Zombies. Pirates players who braved the threat of severe winter weather to get to Saturday’s PiratesFest talked about having a different attitude. (Ex-Buc Dale Berra canceled his return when he found out it wasn’t that kind of blizzard.)...
Anthony Weaver brings old-school edge to Steelers’ coaching search
As a former defensive lineman who climbed the coaching ranks to defensive coordinator, Anthony Weaver sees himself as a throwback in today’s NFL. The 45-year-old openly embraced the sport’s violent side, even as the league tries to curtail the big hits. He revealed his self-described “old-school” ways as the Miami...
Andy Weidl interviewing with Falcons could maybe provide more turnover for Steelers
A little more than halfway through the almost-four years of his current tenure spent as Pittsburgh Steelers assistant general manager, Andy Weidl, during the 2024 training camp, made an observation about the organization. “Turnover,” Weidl said, “it’s part of the business. Doesn’t happen a lot here. You know, there’s always...
First Call: Mario Cristobal linked to Steelers; DeMarvin Leal goes to New York
Friday’s “First Call” has some details about a potential hurdle in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching search. One college candidate may be in the mix. A former Steeler is heading to New York to play for John Harbaugh. And the surging Penguins have one more hill to climb on the western...
Football Footnotes: Steelers fans should be wary of Baltimore’s hiring of Jesse Minter
A former candidate to replace Mike Tomlin as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach will now be in charge of their top AFC North rival. The Baltimore Ravens hired Jesse Minter to take over for John Harbaugh as their head coach on Thursday. Your next coach of the Baltimore Ravens.We have agreed...
Tim Benz: A tweak to the Mike McCarthy conversation
Editor’s note: This column was originally posted Jan. 23, a day before news broke the Pittsburgh Steelers were hiring Mike McCarthy as their next head coach. It would just be more “Mediocre Mike.” Except it would be a different Mike. That’s been the most common reaction to the notion of...
The Steelers are (likely) in the market for yet another QB. None of the options are ideal
Pat Freiermuth was speaking with media the day after the most recent Pittsburgh Steelers season ended. The topic was the difficulties he has faced in gaining traction as a reliable producer in the receiving game. “I think it’s going to be, what, 10 quarterbacks in six years?” the veteran tight...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans express wide range of heated emotions after Mike Tomlin’s resignationVideo
NFL coaching changes are never easy. They bring out a lot of acrimony and frustration. Especially when you only do them every two decades or so. That is the case with the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans in the wake of Mike Tomlin’s resignation last week. But fret not! PiratesFest...
First Call: Another team showing interest in Steelers coaching candidate Anthony Weaver; new Brian Flores developments
Thursday’s “First Call” has a newsworthy twist on the potential courtship of Brian Flores back to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Another team is in the mix for Anthony Weaver. Andy Weidl has lots of competition to get the Atlanta Falcons general manager job. And we find out if any teams in...
Full circle: Pittsburgh native Mike McCarthy interviews for Steelers’ head coach opening
As an NFL head coach, Mike McCarthy’s greatest achievement came at the expense of his hometown Steelers, but 15 years later, the Pittsburgh native might get a chance to make amends. McCarthy, 62, had an interview with the Steelers on Wednesday, establishing himself as a candidate to become the team’s...
‘I don’t have a lot of hobbies’: Danny Smith leaves Steelers, but is coaching 51st straight year
Danny Smith was 67 years old at the time, well in the at-risk range for contracting the virus that spawned a pandemic. But testing positive for covid-19 late during the 2020 season left Smith with only minor cold-like symptoms during his NFL- mandated banishment from Pittsburgh Steelers headquarters. “For me to...
On Sports: Former Steelers RB Najee Harris on Mike Tomlin’s advice; Andrew McCutchen blasts those doubting his defense
In Wednesday’s “On Sports,” we look at Najee Harris’ recollection of a telling conversation with former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. We also look at Andrew McCutchen’s defense of his defense, and a Pirates player who got married over the weekend. Plus there’s a Steelers anniversary, more on an NHL...
Steelers conduct 1st in-person interview with Brian Flores, Vikings defensive coordinator
Brian Flores was only weeks removed from filing a lawsuit against the NFL when the Pittsburgh Steelers hired him in 2022, providing the former Miami Dolphins head coach a pathway back into the league. Four years later, the Steelers could rekindle his head coaching career, too. The Steelers conducted an...
Special teams coordinator Danny Smith becomes 1st Steelers assistant to be hired elsewhere
Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith became the first member of former coach Mike Tomlin’s staff to leave the team. The 72-year-old was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their new special teams coordinator, the Buccaneers reported. Smith spent the past 13 seasons with the Steelers under...
Special-teamer Carson Bruener the only Steeler named to PFWA NFL all-rookie team
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2025, on the whole, showed promise during its collective rookie season. The only player, though, honored on the Pro Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team played exactly one snap on offense or defense. Carson Bruener was the designated specialist on the PFWA all-rookie team released Tuesday....
Joe Starkey’s Mailbag: Is it time to trade T.J. Watt?
You ask. I answer. It’s time for “Mailing It In,” a weekly Q&A that will appear Tuesdays at TribLive.com. I had a record amount of submissions in Week 1, so we’re off to the best start since Starling Marte homered in his first big-league at-bat. Most of the questions come...
First Call: Overlap in coaching search for Steelers and Ravens; ex-Penguin involved in goalie fight
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we attempt to organize and update the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching search. We also discuss some overlap with the Baltimore Ravens’ hunt to replace John Harbaugh. Sean McDermott’s dismissal in Buffalo creates questions. And a former Penguin was part of a goalie fight. Pulling from the pack?...
Tim Benz: Concern over Mike Tomlin’s Steelers legacy is unnecessary … and James Harrison’s story shows why
In the wake of his resignation as Steelers coach last week, there was much discussion about Mike Tomlin’s legacy. How should it be viewed? How much was it damaged by the lack of postseason success over much of the last 15 years? Will the 19 years of nonlosing football ever...
As Steelers’ offseason rolls on as usual, evaluating pending free agents is priority
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason is only a week old, and already it’s taken a turn like few others in franchise history. Or at least over the past five-plus decades or so. Mike Tomlin stepping down has made for a coaching search, something the Steelers haven’t done since 2007 and have...
With 7 virtual interviews done, Steelers prep for in-person talks with coaching candidates
There’s nothing virtual about getting a chance to look the prospective job candidate in the eye. To this point, any of the chats that Pittsburgh Steelers team brass has had with their next potential head coach have been via the modern miracle of video teleconferencing. That will change this week,...
No Steelers on PFWA NFL All Pro team; Cam Heyward lands on all-AFC team
Mirroring the more publicized Associated Press All Pro team, the Pittsburgh Steelers were likewise shut out of having any All-NFL recognition from the Pro Football Writers of America. Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, again, however was part of a still-prestigious but slightly lesser honor. Heyward was on the All-AFC team released...
Mark Madden: Steelers could reunite Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy — and waste another season
The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly open to Aaron Rodgers returning, even with Mike Tomlin quitting. Rodgers likely wouldn’t want to. He came to Pittsburgh specifically to play for Tomlin. But what if Mike McCarthy succeeded Tomlin? The Greenfield native coached Rodgers to a Super Bowl win (against the Steelers) in...
First Call: Brian Flores to have in-person coaching interview; Steelers must wait on Rams candidates
Monday’s “First Call” has some updates on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching situation. New England has tied a noteworthy Steelers’ historical mark. And we lay out the Penguins’ western road trip, which gets underway Monday evening in Seattle. Return trip Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is coming to Pittsburgh this...
Tim Benz: Steelers are reportedly ‘open to an Aaron Rodgers return.’ Here’s why they shouldn’t be
Aaron Rodgers’ reported reaction to the resignation of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin tells a lot. According to a post in “The Athletic,” the Steelers’ quarterback was heard “through sobs” telling his coach, “I’m sorry” after Tomlin’s announcement to the team. The reason for that is clear. Rodgers knows his presence...
