Chris Adamski stories, Page 65
Numbers don’t add up for Steelers’ Diontae Johnson in bizarre season
When it comes to Diontae Johnson, perhaps the only thing more difficult to figure than his tweets these days is that he somehow made it through 17-game season without even one touchdown. According to pro-football-reference.com, Johnson in 2022 set dubious NFL records for most receptions (86) and targeted throws (147)...
A case for — and against — the Steelers keeping each of their UFAs on offense/special teams
When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ upcoming crop of unrestricted free agents, the heavy lean is to those on defense. Nine players who started at least one game on defense are scheduled to be UFAs, including four who were full-time starters. On offense, the pending free agent who played...
The case for — and against — Steelers keeping each of their free agents on defense
The Pittsburgh Steelers offseason has just begun — but the “legal tampering” period for unrestricted free agency begins a mere two months from Friday. As such, the Trib will take a look at each of the Steelers’ 18 players scheduled for free agency, and why (or why not) the Steelers...
Ahkello Witherspoon’s lost 2022 could mean he isn’t back with Steelers in 2023
For the first 12 days of the season, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon never left the field when the Pittsburgh Steelers were on defense. From that point on, though, he barely made it onto the field. Witherspoon’s odds of getting on the field for the Steelers again might depend on the reason...
Steelers add 3 more to offseason roster, including former 4th-round pick RB Anthony McFarland
Running back Anthony McFarland is back for a fourth offseason with the Steelers. The team’s fourth-round pick in 2020 was signed Thursday to a reserve/future contract, adding him to the 90-man offseason roster. McFarland spent all but one game of this past season on the practice squad. During his lone...
Steelers’ Cameron Heyward on retirement talk: ‘When I do something, I put my whole heart into it’
Still at the top of his game, there is no tangible evidence Cameron Heyward’s NFL career is over. But whether it’s psychological or motivational or something else, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ longtime captain continues to decline to definitively say he will be back for a 14th season with the team. Speaking...
Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick part of first NFLPA All-Pro team
There was credible new NFL All-Pro balloting introduced for this season, and Minkah Fitzpatrick is on the inaugural team. Voted by his teammates as the Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 MVP last week, Fitzpatrick again was honored by peers with his selection as the first-team All-Pro free safety in balloting done by...
Wilkinsburg native, former WVU safety Kenny Robinson among 4 signed by Steelers
Wilkinsburg native and West Virginia safety Kenny Robinson was among four players signed to reserve/future contracts with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday. Robinson was a PIAA Class A all-state honoree while playing for Imani Christian, though he began his high school career at University Prep. A first-team Big 12 selection...
Steelers sign 10 to reserve/future contracts, including 9 of their 16-man practice squad
Nine of the players who finished the season on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 16-man practice squad were formally kept in the organization for the offseason when they were signed to reserve/future contracts Tuesday. The moves keep the players on the 90-man offseason roster. The Steelers on Tuesday afternoon announced deals with...
Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth’s knee injury not significant
Pat Freiermuth had the benefit of a long offseason in the event the knee injury he suffered in the season finale was significant. He certainly must pleased he won’t have to utilize all of it. Freiermuth, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ standout tight end, suffered what had the look of a potentially...
Alex Highsmith likely the lone candidate for offseason contact extension from Steelers
This past offseason, three significant members of the Pittsburgh Steelers roster were given big-money contract extensions. This coming offseason, there’s seemingly only one player who fits the criteria to receive such a multiyear contract. And the timing might not be better for Alex Highsmith, the outside linebacker who in his...
Steelers criticized for CPR-like act after sackVideo
Some on social media have expressed disappointment or anger toward a pair of Pittsburgh Steelers players for appearing to mime a CPR act after a sack late during Sunday’s season-ending victory. In an apparent celebratory act that the Steelers have, at various times, performed this season after big defensive plays,...
Robert Spillane, Terrell Edmunds among Steelers’ 18 UFAs expressing eagerness to come back
It’s a rite of passage in the days after a season ends for a professional sports team. In public comments with the cameras and recorders rolling, soon-to-be free agents express how much they love being part of their current team and that they’d love to be back. Monday at UPMC...
Mike Tomlin won’t commit on retaining Matt Canada; Browns requested to interview Brian Flores
Mike Tomlin made clear two things when asked whether there will be any changes to the Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff. One, he wasn’t going to use Monday’s season wrap-up news conference to divulge any details on whether he was considering any changes. Two, rest assured, head coach won’t be one...
Steelers relish keeping streak of non-losing seasons alive for Mike Tomlin
The goal of making playoffs? That was left unfulfilled. But the Pittsburgh Steelers were pleased with their consolation prize of continuing the franchise’s streak of non-losing seasons. Sunday’s 28-14 victory against the Cleveland Browns lifted the Steelers to a 9-8 finish. While that record won’t win the organization any trophies,...
Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth leaves game with knee injury
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth suffered a knee injury during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win against the Cleveland Browns and did not return. Sunday’s game — a 28-14 victory — concluded the Steelers’ season, so the seriousness of Freiermuth’s injury perhaps is less relevant than if the team...
Steelers hit Vegas for 1st time; 2023 opponent schedule set
Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas. It’s not just a sign along a median on a thoroughfare through that arid Nevada city. It’s what the Pittsburgh Steelers were (figuratively) told by way of their victory in their season finale Sunday. Based on the NFL’s predetermined schedule rotation, only three of the...
Steelers’ longest-tenured player, Cam Heyward: ‘Never know if (management) wants me back’
Less than an hour after a game in which he showed he still has it at age 33, Cameron Heyward was hesitant to express the Pittsburgh Steelers were committed to bringing him back for a 13th season. “I want to take time to think about what’s going on,” Heyward said...
Steelers, fans show support for Damar Hamlin before, during game vs. Browns
The four white “3” digits marking the 30-yard-lines on each side of the field were painted with subtle outlines of red and blue, but that wasn’t the only recognition for Damar Hamlin during Sunday’s game at Acrisure Stadium. Hamlin, the former star at Pitt and Central Catholic, remains in a...
Steelers at almost-full health, but ILB Mark Robinson in uniform again vs. Browns
Despite being listed as questionable on the final league-mandated status report of the week, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and inside linebacker Myles Jack were in uniform and active for Sunday’s Pittsburgh Steelers regular-season finale. Fitzpatrick suffered an ankle injury and Jack aggravated a groin ailment during last week’s win at the...
Steelers 4 Downs: run of .500-or-better records isn’t the only streak on the line Sunday
1. Plenty of streaks The Pittsburgh Steelers seemingly have become as well known for their run of finishing with a non-losing record (since 2004) as they have for their six Super Bowl championships, which is tied for the NFL record. The .500-or-better streak run of 18 consecutive seasons — dating...
NFL INT co-leader Minkah Fitzpatrick joins Hall of Famers as safeties voted Steelers MVP
In the rich era of Pittsburgh Steelers history since the franchise won its first Super Bowl in January 1975, only two safeties had been named team MVP until Friday. Each ended up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Time will tell if Minkah Fitzpatrick might join Donnie Shell and...
Steelers loose, in light mood after what (maybe) was final practice of their season
More than five dozen times since training camp at Saint Vincent broke in mid-August, Pittsburgh Steelers have filed off a practice field at their UPMC Rooney Sports Complex headquarters. Friday, perhaps, was the final time the group known as the 2022 Steelers did so. Their regular-season finale set for Sunday...
Could Steelers CB Ahkello Witherspoon be activated off IR for regular-season finale?
When Pittsburgh Steelers starting cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon took the field for the first meeting this season with the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 22, few could have believed that by the time the teams would play again that he would not have played in a full game since. But as Sunday’s...
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Myles Jack questionable; Alex Highsmith to play for Steelers vs. Browns
With the Pittsburgh Steelers’ must-win regular-season finale two days away, inside linebacker Myles Jack and free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick officially were given questionable designations on the NFL-mandated injury report released Friday. Aside from reserve defensive back Tre Norwood — who will miss his second consecutive game because of a hamstring...
