Steelers/NFL category, Page 258
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert’s revealing take on how NFL ready Kenny Pickett may truly be
As I look ahead to Pittsburgh Steelers training camp this summer, my brain actually goes back to Saint Vincent College in 2010. That’s when we knew Ben Roethlisberger was going to be suspended for at least the first four (and perhaps six) games of the season. So we were all...
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert addresses Stephon Tuitt situation, reveals plans for DeMarvin Leal
When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line, the team is still trying to figure out if Stephon Tuitt is going to play in 2022. He missed all of 2021 due to a knee injury and because he was dealing with the grieving process of his brother’s death in...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans launch all sorts of opinions on Kenny Pickett, draft strategy, Devin Bush
This week’s “U mad, bro?” has all manner of heated reactions to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ selection of Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett. Others question the overall draft strategy. There is some push back to a column I wrote about Devin Bush. Plus, we have gratuitous shots at the Pirates … …...
First Call: Antonio Brown makes onstage return to Pittsburgh; Marc-Andre Fleury bounces back in playoffs
Former Steeler Antonio Brown will soon return to Pittsburgh to show off his musical talents. Marc-Andre Fleury is back on the winning track in Minnesota. A pair of former Penguins are looking for new coaching jobs. We look at the other Eastern Conference playoff series besides Penguins-Rangers. And the Pirates...
First Call: Kevin Colbert shares background on drafting Kenny Pickett; interesting contract twist for Melvin Ingram
Wednesday’s “First Call” features some background on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ selection of Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett. Former Steeler Melvin Ingram is part of a little-used contract ploy. Ex-Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon has been a big part of the New York Yankees’ torrid start. We check out the Eastern Conference playoff...
Tim Benz: Following Kevin Colbert, new Steelers GM will have big shoes to fill, big decisions to make
Outgoing Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert is leaving behind a towering legacy. He helped build rosters of three AFC Champions, two of which won Super Bowls. The Steelers enjoyed 226 regular-season wins under his guidance, 15 more in the playoffs. Not to mention drafting Pro Bowlers such as Casey...
Steelers add veteran safety Damontae Kazee on 1-year contract
Providing another starting option in the secondary, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed free agent safety Damontae Kazee to a one-year contract. Kazee agreed to terms after the conclusion of the NFL Draft, but the contract wasn’t signed until Tuesday. Kazee, a five-year veteran, played primarily free safety throughout his career. With...
First Call: Steelers stole draft pick from Ravens; ‘Honey Badger’ finds a team; ex-Penguin has playoff hat trick
Tuesday’s “First Call” features the Pittsburgh Steelers getting one over on the Baltimore Ravens during the NFL Draft. We now know the destination of the Honey Badger, and it’s no surprise. Plus, highlights from the first night of the 2022 NHL playoffs are dotted with big moments from ex-Penguins and...
Tim Benz: Praise of Kevin Colbert’s success with Steelers meets acknowledgment of Devin Bush’s failure
It’s a strange juxtaposition for outgoing Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert. Since the 2022 draft has ended — Colbert’s last one before he retires from the position once a successor is named — he has been appropriately lauded for his 22 years of positive influence on the organization. From...
Steelers decline 5th-year option on inside linebacker Devin Bush
For the second year in a row, the Pittsburgh Steelers have declined the fifth-year contract option for their former first-round draft pick. It was inside linebacker Devin Bush’s turn Monday, meaning he will not be guaranteed a $10.892 million salary in 2023. ESPN.com first reported the Steelers declined Bush’s option,...
First Call: Steelers may have been trying to to move up in Round 1; Ravens still need a receiver; checking on Rangers
Monday’s “First Call” shows an interesting twist to the Pittsburgh Steelers draft. We preview the injury situation with the New York Rangers as they prepare to play the Penguins. The Ravens still need to know what’s going on at wide receiver. And we preview the Pirates’ next series in Detroit....
Tim Benz: Question the Steelers draft strategy if you like, let’s just debate the right things
For the most part, I liked the Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 draft class and the team’s approach to building it. That’s because while I’m not in the “Kenny Pickett, future Hall of Famer” camp just yet, I do think he’s got the potential to be at least an above-average NFL quarterback....
Madden Monday: Mitch Trubisky ‘should feel hoodwinked’ after signing with Steelers
When it comes to who should start at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE feels that the decision is obvious. Who cares if Mason Rudolph has been with the team the longest? Who cares if Mitch Trubisky was signed to be...
2022 draft completes near-total makeover of Steelers offense
It was 16 months ago that the 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers’ season ended. It probably seems like a lot longer ago than that,and not just because of the stunningly disappointing result, a 48-37 wild-card playoff loss to the rival Cleveland Browns. The offensive lineup for the Steelers that Jan. 10, 2021,...
National analysts: Steelers aced Day 2, questionable Day 3, split on Kenny Pickett in Day 1
Just as seemingly everyone covering the NFL has a mock draft, those same analysts also seem to want to grade out each team’s draft within hours of its completion. None of the players taken have stepped onto a practice field for the new teams, but that doesn’t stop those from...
Little clarity on Steelers decisions related to Devin Bush’s option, Stephon Tuitt’s status
The questions needed to be asked of Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin, even if an on-the-record answer wasn’t likely to be provided. As if on cue, the Pittsburgh Steelers general manager and coach dutifully dodged shedding all that much light on two significant personnel decisions the franchise is dealing with....
Kevin Colbert ends final Steelers draft by doubling up at QB, WR among 4 selections
Kevin Colbert didn’t get emotional in the war room as he was preparing to make the final pick of his 23rd NFL Draft with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coach Mike Tomlin tried his best Saturday to get his boss to crack, offering a reminder when the Steelers sent in the card...
Beaver Falls’ Donovan Jeter, Duquesne’s Jake Dixon among 10 Steelers UDFAs
Donovan Jeter and Jake Dixon are players with local ties among the 10 undrafted free agents the Pittsburgh Steelers added to their rookie class in the hours after the draft ended Saturday. Two each outside linebackers, running backs, offensive linemen and cornberbacks also were signed, allowing the Steelers to shore...
Tim Benz: You know who the Steelers got in the NFL draft. Let’s talk about what they didn’t get
It’s time again for the column you hate to love: “What the Steelers didn’t get in the draft.” Well, I love this column. My readers seem to hate it. But you sure do fill up my inbox and Twitter mentions to tell me as much. So you must at least...
Steelers complete draft with 7th-round choices QB Chris Oladokun and LB Mark Robinson
The Pittsburgh Steelers completed their 2022 draft by taking two players who competed for three different college programs each. Linebacker Mark Robinson and quarterback Chris Oladokun were selected at Nos. 225 and 241 overall during the seventh and final round Saturday. Robinson played in 2021 at Ole Miss and Oladokun...
Steelers NFL Draft bio on brief: Chris Oladokun
Chris Oladokun Seventh-round, No. 241 Quarterback, South Dakota State 6-1, 213 Stats: Completed 62.3% of his passes for 3,164 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his lone season at South Dakota State. He also had two rushing touchdowns. … At Samford in 2019, he completed 62.1% of his passes...
Steelers NFL Draft bio in brief: Ole Miss LB Mark Robinson
Mark Robinson Seventh-round pick, No. 225 overall Linebacker, Ole Miss 5-foot-11, 235 pounds Stats: Had 92 tackles during his only season at Ole Miss, including 79 over the final nine regular-season games. Added 8 ½ tackles for loss and three sacks. Hometown: Lessburg, Ga. Tidbits: Ranked 11th in the SEC...
Steelers draft Cameron Heyward’s brother, Connor, a Michigan State tight end
Call the Pittsburgh Steelers the team of brotherly love. With their sixth-round pick, the Steelers made it four sets of brothers on their roster by taking Michigan State tight end Connor Heyward with the 208th overall pick. Heyward is the younger brother of Steelers All-Pro defensive lineman Cameron Heyward. At...
Steelers NFL Draft bio in brief: Connor Heyward
Connor Heyward Sixth-roundpick, No.208 overall Tight end/fullback, Michigan State 5-11, 233 Stats: Played in 49 games with the Spartans from 2017-21. He started 28 times, including 13 in 2021. His first 15 starts were at running back, the remaining ones at tight end following a position switch. … Finished career...
Steelers NFL Draft bio in brief: Calvin Austin III
Calvin Austin III Fourth-round pick, No. 138 overall Wide receiver, Memphis 5-foot-8, 170 pounds Stats: Aggregate 2020-21, Austin had 137 catches for 2,202 receiving yards and 19 receiving touchdowns in 23 games. Adding in a rushing touchdown and two more on punt returns, he had 22 touchdowns over his final...
