Cover Steelers, PGA Tour for Pgh Post-Gazette. Steelers Radio Network host and KDKA-TV Insider. Host of longest-running prime-time golf radio show in country.
BREAKING; Ben Roethlisberger said today that Monday night’s game against the Cleveland Browns is likely his final game at Heinz Field, his first public indication he will retire after the season.
After Ben Roethlisberger led a 75-yard touchdown drive, Cris Collinsworth wondered on TV, “Where’s that been all night?” I’ll tell you where: He finally said heck on those plays he’s getting in his helmet and decided to do things his way. Trust me.
Nobody will remember this is how Ben Roethlisberger's career ended. Dan Marino's final game was a 62-7 playoff loss to Jacksonville. You think he's remembered for that???
The Steelers made the move because of the way Pickett was poorly handling the arrival of Russell Wilson, according to sources. That came on the heels of Pickett's behavior last season when he refused to dress as the emergency third quarterback in Seattle in Week 17.
If the Steelers don't play the Raiders at Heinz Field on Dec. 23 -- the exact 50-year anniversary of the Immaculate Reception -- I have grossly overestimated the NFL marketing people, schedule-makers and TV executives. We'll find out Thursday night.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (via CBSMiami), the accident occurred at 6:37 a.m. when Haskins was walking on a “limited access facility for unknown reasons” and attempted to cross the westbound lanes of Interstate 595 when he was struck by a dump truck.
The nature or extent of Cam Heyward's injury that forced him from the game on the final drive was not detailed by Mike Tomlin. But Heyward is OK and his injury is not serious.
If Mason Rudolph used a racial slur as Myles Garrett apparently alleged in his appeal, why did he publicly apologize to Rudolph the day after the game? Who would apologize to a guy who used a racial slur against him? Nobody
Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey has told teammates he is likely retiring after 11 seasons. Barring a change of heart, could be making a decision soon, per sources.
No receiver in Steelers history – not Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mike Wallace or Hines Ward – had more catches in their first three seasons than Diontae Johnson, who has five more games to go.
Najee Harris ran for 123 yards on 23 carries — the most by a Steelers running back in 30 games. It was the first time in 16 games the Steelers had more rush attempts (35) than pass attempts (25).
The Steelers finished the season in third place in the AFC North, the first time since 2012 they didn’t win the division or finish second. But it was the 33rd year in a row they finished with a better record than the Browns.
Good news for Steelers on reporting day: ILB Devin Bush has recovered so nicely from ACL he is expected to be cleared to fully practice right away, per several sources.
BREAKING: Steelers president Art Rooney II said he s not going to release Antonio Brown, but “all other options are on the table.” He would not say Steelers are going to trade their All-Pro receiver, but left no doubt that is a strong possibility. Story coming soon on PG site.
BREAKING: Omar Khan, the Steelers vice president of football and business administration who has been with the organization for 21 years, is expected to be named the team’s new general manager, replacing Kevin Colbert, per multiple sources .
Steelers expected to put JuJu Smith-Schuster on injured reserve and are fearful he will miss rest of the season after injuring his shoulder vs Broncos, per sources.
More Tomlin: “Relationships run their course; the fact neither one of them are here speaks to that. No disrespect to those guys, but we had a Pro Bowl wideout on our team last year that’s still on our team. We had a Pro Bowl running back on our team that’s still on our team."
The decision to start either Mason Rudolph or Duck Hodges against the Browns isn't about who is the better QB. It will be about who gives the Steelers the best chance to win this game this week. And that, right now, is Hodges.
Steelers are interested in signing Russell Wilson and are tentatively planning to meet with the former Broncos QB before start of free agency, per sources. Wilson has interest in joining Steelers. Story in PG forthcoming.
How bad does the Steelers offense miss Ben Roethlisberger? Well, the Steelers have scored eight offensive touchdowns in the past seven games. Roethlisberger once threw 12 TDs in back-to-back games.
"Larry Fitzgerald is universally loved and in contact with the whole league; no one in recent history, especially as a WR, has a better reputation. Larry Fitzgerald, if he speaks out against me, that would give me pause."
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@criscarter80
on Antonio Brown
Wilson said he texted Kenny Pickett right after he agreed to a deal "to just tell him, hey, every day we got out there, let's be the best version of ourselves and try to make this team better. That was cool."
Tragic news: Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins died early Saturday morning after being hit by a car in South Florida. Haskins, 24, was in Fla. training with other Steelers teammates. He was apparently headed to the airport to return to Pittsburgh when the accident occurred.
I see AB said he had some bumps and bruises which is why he didn't practice that week. Now I get why he skipped every meeting, did not show up Saturday night at hotel for final team meeting, did not return phone calls from Mike Tomlin and Art Rooney II. He had some bruises.
Ben Roethlisberger had a message for the panic-mongers around the Steelers: "The season is not over. I want everyone out there to just take a deep breath. I know it's kind of crazy right now, but we got time."
Russell Wilson signed a one-year contract with the Steelers for the vet minimum because the Broncos were paying him $39 million in 2024. But Wilson and the Steelers intend to do a longer deal at the end of the season, per sources.
Mitch Trubisky said he doesn't have the freedom to call audibles on every play in Matt Canada's offense. "We're still figuring out when it’s a good time for me to audible," he said. Trubisky is a six-year veteran, right?
"It doesn't get better than the situation that AB's been in. Be careful what you wish for, there's a lot of bad landing spots in the NFL. It's a difference between playing in the cold in Pittsburgh and playing in the cold in Buffalo."
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@criscarter80
Ben Roethlisberger said he got a text from Bruce Arians shortly after the Steelers drafted Pat Freiermuth. "The text said, 'He's the closest thing to Heath Miller I've ever seen. You'll love this kid.' That was enough for me."
Since a 16-16 tie with the Detroit Lions, Matt Canada has had 4 different QBs run his offense. In those 14 games, the Steelers have averaged 18.5 points, and only because BR7 put up 27 points in the 4th qtr against the Chargers and 21 in the 4th qtr in Minnesota. So...QB or OC?
Mason Rudolph with the line of the year when asked if he feels he and Mitch Trubisky are 2 and 2A, as Mike Tomlin indicated: "I feel like I've been inactive."
Did you know Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked more times (501) than any active quarterback. And is third all-time behind Brett Favre (525) and John Elway (516). But, in the past 3 years, no fulltime starting QB has been sacked fewer times than Roethlisberger (62).
BREAKING: Steelers will celebrate 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception at their 12/24 game against the Raiders by retiring Franco Harris' No. 32 jersey. He is only the third Steelers player to have his number retired, joining Joe Greene (75) and Ernie Stautner (70).
Latest Steelers draft intel: Najee Harris is the target. Hope is Miami or NYJ don’t take him. If he’s gone, don’t be surprised to see a QB who might drop land at Heinz Fields.
Ben Roethlisberger just now about Maurkice Pouncey: "I hate to say he's the greatest teammate and competitor I've ever been around, but at the end of the day that’s what it is – he's the greatest teammate and competitor I've been around. And that’s no slight to anybody else."
The Steelers have allowed only 8 sacks in eight games, fewest in the league. They have allowed 77 since the start of the 2016 season, also fewest in the league.
Maurkice Pouncey on former teammate Le'Veon Bell: "I’m telling you -- we love Le’Veon. The outside world can think whatever they want but everyone in this locker room loves and respects him. If he was still here we’d be riding with him.”
Steelers amazed by how fast JuJu Smith-Schuster
@TeamJuJu
healed from shoulder surgery. He wants to play and he will play in KC, tho not sure how much.
BREAKING: Art Rooney II said today GM Kevin Colbert will step down after the 2022 draft and Steelers will start conducting outside interviews immediately. He also said Colbert is interested is remaining in a reduced capacity this season.
Steelers have restructured the contract of Ben Roethlisberger to create extra cap space. Fifth player to do so along with tight end Vance McDonald, cornerbacks Joe Haden and Steve Nelson and kicker Chris Boswell.
Now that the preseason is almost over, expect T.J. Watt to sign a contract extension shortly after the Carolina game that will make him the league's highest-paid defensive player.
How good was Steelers defense? It was the first time the Rams failed to score an offensive touchdown in a game since a 15-6 loss in Chicago on Dec. 9 last season.
Ben Roethlisberger called Kenny Pickett last week to welcome the new QB. “It was awesome,” Pickett said. “He said he’s always there for me if I have any questions. He’s an unbelievable player, a Hall of Famer, definitely a guy I will use as a resource.”
Steelers have signed C
@MaurkicePouncey
to a new three-year, $29 million deal and G Ramon Foster to a two-year $8.25 million deal, per source. Pouncey had one year remaining on his contract; Foster was an unrestricted free agent.
Ben Roethlisberger to PG: He and his agent, Ryan Tollner, had already approached the Steelers about restructuring his contract and helping them any way he can. “I don’t care about my pay at all this year,” Roethlisberger said.
Steelers have scored just one touchdown and only 16 points, but I think all would agree the offense looked more diverse and so much better. Great job of play-calling by Mike Sullivan, the new OC.
This picture hangs in the hallway leading to the Steelers locker room. Joe Haden, when asked if he had a picture of his pick framed already, said, “I’m taking the one in the hallway, too.”
Late note: When the Steelers beat the Browns, Titans and Ravens in successive weeks, they became the first team since 1992 Washington Redskins to beat three teams in a row who had one loss or fewer (Week 6 or later), per Elias Sports Bureau
More Mean Joe on Chase Claypool: "Why you playing this game? For you to show [off] or win the game? Hell, we can see. We know you made the first down. Get your tail back to the huddle. Give the ball back to the official. Very immature."