HEADLINES

Pittsburgh Steelers News & Rumors

Steelers Unlikely To Add External QB In Free Agency?

January 23rd, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Steelers’ high-floor/low-ceiling routine extended through another season, the team again has a decision to make at quarterback. After pulling the plug on the Kenny Pickett experiment late in the 2023 season, Pittsburgh identified a cost-effective but unremarkable solution in the Russell Wilson–Justin Fields tandem. Mixed results emerged.

Although Wilson provided a boost to help the team reach 10-3, Pittsburgh crumbled as its schedule stiffened down the stretch. After five straight losses closed out the Steelers’ season, Mike Tomlin was noncommittal about the futures of his top two passers. Wilson has expressed interest in staying on multiple occasions, while Fields is nearly 11 years younger and would provide more intrigue through a longer-term lens. It may be an either/or situation, but one of them coming back seems more likely than the team pursuing an outside free agent.

As it stands in January, veteran Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly writes that is is “highly unlikely” the Steelers sign an outside QB free agent to start. The team has two experienced starters under contract through March, holding exclusive negotiating rights with Wilson and Fields until the legal tampering period starts March 10. It looks more probable than not the team will determine which of the QBs it wants to keep working with, rather than start over with one of this year’s outside FA options. A report earlier this month pointed to Fields being perhaps the team’s more appealing target of the two incumbents.

Sam Darnold would represent this year’s prize, and his difficult finish may give the Vikings pause about potentially unholstering the franchise tag. More affordable options would include Kirk Cousins (once the Falcons release him) or Daniel Jones. Cousins would likely follow Wilson’s path by signing a vet-minimum deal, as the Falcons will be on the hook for his salary once he is cut. Jones also could be a Vikings bridge option if Darnold proves too pricey to tag or re-sign, but other teams will show interest. Beyond the underwhelming non-Fields contingent of 2021 first-rounders — Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Mac Jones — a host of veteran backup types would round out the QB market. Aaron Rodgers could also loom, though the 41-year-old star has not determined if he will play a 21st season. Rodgers would represent an interesting variable here, even if, as PFR readers’ recent stance reminds, a fit with the Steelers would be a bit difficult to foresee.

The Steelers will have a major say in how the QB market plays out this year, with Fields and Wilson being perhaps the top two non-Darnold names available. Fields did not threaten Wilson’s job security after being benched midseason, but he might hold greater appeal due to his age (26 in April). Wilson is 36, and his post-Seattle performance has left much to be desired. That said, the Steelers’ failure to add a dependable No. 2 wide receiver undoubtedly affected Wilson, especially against better competition. With George Pickens‘ future with the organization potentially in doubt, the team will have WR questions to answer once again.

Holding a first-round pick around usual territory (21st this year), the Steelers have limited options in the draft. While one NFL scouting director predicts (via ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler) the team will draft a quarterback high, choosing one this year would remind — to a degree, at least — of the Pickett selection due to the criticism directed at this QB crop. Beyond Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward, the likes of Jalen Milroe (Alabama) and Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) would be available. Supply-and-demand issues may push the SEC arms up the board, but neither currently profiles as a surefire Day 1 draftee.

Illustrating the much-rumored gulf between this year’s top two college prospects and the field, Mel Kiper Jr.’s first ESPN.com mock predicts Ward and Sanders will be gone within the top three and no other signal-callers will go in Round 1. Free agency, then, will be an important component of Pittsburgh’s latest QB plan. The Steelers will have until March 10 to keep either Fields or Wilson off the market. Otherwise, they will be competing with other suitors to retain one of the QBs.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/21/25

January 21st, 2025 at 7:13pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s reserve/futures contracts:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Detroit Lions

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • DB Cameron McCutcheon

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/20/25

January 20th, 2025 at 10:13pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are the latest reserve/futures deals from around the league:

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Rams

Pittsburgh Steelers

Trade Candidate: George Pickens

January 19th, 2025 at 11:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

Having played out the first three seasons of his rookie contract, George Pickens is eligible for an extension. In spite of that fact – and his status as a potential 2026 free agent – his Steelers future remains a notable point of discussion and uncertainty.

Entering the draft, Pickens was regarded as one of the most talented prospects at the receiver position. Character concerns played a role in his drop to the second round, but expectations remained relatively high for his rookie campaign. Serving as a No. 2 option to Diontae Johnson, Pickens posted 801 yards on an average of 15.4 per reception in 2022. During the following season he took over as Pittsburgh’s top option in the passing game, leading the league with an 18.1 yards per catch average and recording a 63-1,140-5 statline.

Johnson was traded away last offseason, but that move and the decision to release Allen Robinson left the Steelers short on established wideouts. Efforts to make a major addition by trade (in particular Brandon Aiyuk during the summer and Christian Kirk ahead of the deadline) did not result in a deal being made. Pickens therefore remained the top catalyst on offense for the Steelers, a unit which struggled mightily down the stretch. Part of Pittsburgh’s five-game losing streak (counting the wild-card round) to close out the campaign included Pickens’ missed time due to a hamstring injury, but even upon return he had an inconsistent showing.

While sorting out the quarterback position is an obvious priority for the Steelers this offseason, adding at the WR spot is another. Acquiring a new No. 1 option through free agency, trade or the draft would be challenging for general manager Omar Khan, but doing so could open the door to moving on from Pickens. As Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show notes, trading away the 23-year-old is an option the team may be prepared to explore if a major pickup were to be made this spring.

Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson are recent midround receiver draftees, but further investment will be needed moving forward. As Kaboly adds, selecting a wideout in the first round of April’s draft would not come as a surprise; that would of course be particularly true if Pickens were to be dealt. Finding a suitor willing to acquire and extend the Georgia product could be difficult, though.

Pickens is in line for a second contract any time between now and next offseason, and the top of the receiver market sits at $35MM per year. Matching Justin Jefferson’s compensation (or that which Ja’Marr Chase is in line to receive soon) would be a stretch, but Pickens could easily join the list of receivers (which currently sits at 23) making $20MM or more on average per year on an extension. He comfortably led Pittsburgh in receiving in 2024 and will be expected to continue as one of the league’s premier deep threats and contested catch specialists on the Steelers or another team moving forward.

Head coach Mike Tomlin – who will remain in place as Pittsburgh’s head coach for 2025 – has a reputation of maximizing the potential of wideouts carrying off-the-field and attitude concerns. That has been the case so far with Pickens, although earlier this year Tomlin admitted in a post-game press conference his team’s WR1 needs to “grow up.” The sentiment regarding Pickens around the league will (along with financial considerations) be a key factor in determining his potential trade market.

Of course, the Steelers have the option of keeping Pickens in place for at least one more season. A franchise tag could also be used to retain him for the 2026 season if no long-term commitment is made, although by that point it will be clearer if team and player wish to continue their relationship. Should the Steelers open extension talks in the near future, the likelihood of a trade would obviously decrease. In the event negotiations are put on hold or do not progress as planned, however, the possibility of making a deal will no doubt be raised in Pickens’ case.

Updated 2025 NFL Draft Order

January 19th, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Ely Allen

Two weekends of playoff football have come and gone, providing us with 10 more draft slots cemented into position as NFL teams continue to be eliminated from the playoffs. The top 18 picks were already divvied up at the conclusion of the regular season to the teams who failed to make the playoffs, while picks 19-28 have been determined over the past two weeks.

For non-playoff teams, the draft order has been determined by the inverted 2024 standings plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. The playoff squads are being slotted by their postseason outcome and the reverse order of their regular-season record.

The league’s Super Wild Card weekend resulted in the elimination of Chargers, Steelers, Broncos, Packers, Buccaneers, and Vikings after their respective losses. Tampa Bay benefitted from the three-way tie in record with Denver and Pittsburgh, just as the Chargers did over the Packers.

The divisional round of the playoffs resulted in the elimination of the Texans, Rams, Ravens, and Lions. This time, Houston held the tiebreaker over Los Angeles, gifting it higher draft priority.

We are still at a place that, for the first time since the league expanded to 32 teams in 2002, there is a chance that every team drafts in the first round, as no first-round picks have yet been traded. It’s extremely unlikely that this will remain the case, as draft-day trades are a very common occurrence, but it’s still an interesting concept to note this close to the draft.

Here is how the draft order looks following two weeks of playoff football:

  1. Tennessee Titans (3-14)
  2. Cleveland Browns (3-14)
  3. New York Giants (3-14)
  4. New England Patriots (4-13)
  5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13)
  6. Las Vegas Raiders (4-13)
  7. New York Jets (5-12)
  8. Carolina Panthers (5-12)
  9. New Orleans Saints (5-12)
  10. Chicago Bears (5-12)
  11. San Francisco (6-11)
  12. Dallas Cowboys (7-10)
  13. Miami Dolphins (8-9)
  14. Indianapolis Colts (8-9)
  15. Atlanta Falcons (8-9)
  16. Arizona Cardinals (8-9)
  17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
  18. Seattle Seahawks (10-7)
  19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
  20. Denver Broncos (10-7)
  21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
  22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
  23. Green Bay Packers (11-6)
  24. Minnesota Vikings (14-3)
  25. Houston Texans (10-7)
  26. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
  27. Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
  28. Detroit Lions (15-2)
  29. Washington Commanders (12-5)
  30. Buffalo Bills (13-4)
  31. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
  32. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)

Bears Denied Meeting With Steelers HC Mike Tomlin

January 18th, 2025 at 11:17pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bears continue to leave no stone unturned in their search for a new head coach. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears reached out to the Steelers about head coach Mike Tomlin.

Specifically, the Bears asked if they “would be allowed to talk to and potentially try to trade” for Tomlin. That inquiry was ultimately rebuffed by the Steelers. The Bears apparently weren’t the only team to ask about Tomlin; per Schefter, another squad checked in with the Steelers.

While the Steelers would obviously have a major say in a potential Tomlin ouster, it sounds like the coach also has the ability to control his future. Per Schefter, Tomlin possesses a no-trade clause, so any potential suitors would face multiple hurdles if they were serious about a pursuit.

The Bears have been especially aggressive in their search for a new head coach. The team has interviewed or requested an interview with some of this cycle’s most popular candidates, ranging from hot shot coordinators like Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to long-time head coach Pete Carroll. The team has even looked towards the college ranks, with a recent report indicating that the Bears wanted to interview Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman.

As our 2025 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker shows, the Bears have either interviewed or requested interviews with 17 candidates, and there are a handful of additional options that have been connected to the organization. Considering the team’s wide search, it isn’t a surprise that they took a swing at Tomlin. This report also indicates that the Bears wouldn’t be shy about making a trade for a HC. ESPN’s Courtney Cronin notes that Bears GM Ryan Poles was apparently sincere when he said the team would “look at all avenues to get the best coach” in Chicago.

Tomlin would represent one of the most experienced and accomplished coaching options for the Bears. He’s served as the Steelers head coach since the 2007 campaign, and he’s famously never had a losing season during his 18 years in Pittsburgh. This run has included 12 playoff appearances, including a Super Bowl championship during his second season on the sideline. More recently, the veteran coach has drawn criticism for the Steelers’ lack of postseason success. The team has made the playoffs in four of the past five years, with each of those appearances resulting in a one-and-done showing.

2025 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

January 17th, 2025 at 10:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

Last year, half the league changed up at offensive and defensive coordinator. As most HC-needy teams have now filled their open positions, the coordinator carousel will accelerate. Here is how the market looks now. When other teams make changes, they will be added to the list.

Updated 1-26-25 (2:30pm CT)

Offensive coordinators

Chicago Bears (Out: Chris Beatty)

Cleveland Browns (Out: Ken Dorsey)

Detroit Lions (Out: Ben Johnson)

Houston Texans (Out: Bobby Slowik)

New England Patriots (Out: Alex Van Pelt)

New York Jets (Out: Nathaniel Hackett)

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks (Out: Ryan Grubb)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Liam Coen)

Defensive coordinators

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Jimmy Lake)

Chicago Bears (Out: Eric Washington)

Cincinnati Bengals (Out: Lou Anarumo)

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Mike Zimmer)

Detroit Lions (Out: Aaron Glenn)

Indianapolis Colts (Out: Gus Bradley)

New England Patriots (Out: DeMarcus Covington)

  • Ryan Crow, outside linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/21
  • Terrell Williams, defensive line coach (Lions): Hired

New York Jets (Out: Jeff Ulbrich)

San Francisco 49ers (Out: Nick Sorensen)

Falcons Conduct DC Interview With Steelers’ Grady Brown

January 17th, 2025 at 3:25pm CST by Adam La Rose

The list of candidates for the Falcons’ defensive coordinator spot continues to grow. Steelers secondary coach Grady Brown will interview for the position today, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The team has since announced the meeting has taken place.

Brown spent time with the Seahawks and Chiefs as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship in 2004 and ’07, respectively. That was followed by a lengthy college coaching tenure; from 2009-19, Brown worked at LSU, Southern Mississippi, South Carolina, Louisville and Old Dominion. He spent much of that time working with defensive backs.

In 2021, Brown was hired by the Steelers to serve as the team’s secondary coach. He has remained in that capacity ever since, working with a unit currently highlighted by cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Pittsburgh ranked third in the league in interceptions in 2024, keeping in line with the team’s recent success with respect to forcing turnovers. While the Steelers finished 25th against the pass this past year, Brown’s work has landed him on the radar of at least one coordinator gig.

Atlanta had Jimmy Lake in place as DC for the 2024 campaign, the first with Raheem Morris as head coach in his return to the team. Lake guided the unit to a 23rd-place finish in total and scoring defense, though, and he was dismissed after the campaign. Several candidates have received a look in the search for his replacements.

Lou Anarumo (formerly of the Bengals), Don Martindale (in place at Michigan after multiple NFL gigs), Jeff Ulbrich (who finished 2024 as interim Jets head coach), Derrick Ansley (pass game coordinator for the Packers) as well as Steve Wilks (longtime NFL coach) have already interviewed with Atlanta this week. Brown’s name is the sixth on the list of contenders for the position, although finalists will likely not be known until a second round of interviews is conducted.

2025 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker

January 15th, 2025 at 11:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

With the Cowboys and Mike McCarthy splitting up, seven teams have made coaching changes so far during this year’s cycle. Here are the candidates connected to each of the now-HC-needy franchises. If more teams make changes, they will be added to the list.

Updated 1-25-25 (4:06pm CT)

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Mike Tomlin Confirms Intent To Coach Steelers In 2025; QB Situation In Flux

January 14th, 2025 at 10:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

A report over the weekend pointed to the expected Steelers coaching scenario — Mike Tomlin returning for a 19th season — taking shape. Nothing has emerged to contradict it, and the veteran HC addressed the matter himself Tuesday.

Regarding any potential trade inquiries HC-needy teams may have, Tomlin told prospective suitors to “save your time” regarding such an effort. Moving closer to Chuck Noll‘s tenure duration in Pittsburgh, Tomlin said he is prepared to continue as Steelers HC in 2025.

Noll lasted 23 years at the helm, while Tomlin has moved past Bill Cowher (15 seasons). Even as Tomlin’s high-floor/low-ceiling routine has irked many Steelers supporters in recent years, he has made the team one of the safest bets in modern sports at avoiding poor seasons. Though, early playoff exits have mounted since the team’s run to the 2016 AFC championship game. And that Patriots matchup is the Steelers’ only conference championship appearance since Super Bowl XLV.

“I don’t make excuses for failure,” Tomlin said, via ESPN.com’s Brooke Pryor. “I own it, but I also feel like I’m capable and so as long as I’m afforded an opportunity to do that, I will continue, but I certainly understand their frustrations and probably more importantly than that, I share it because that’s how I’m wired.”

Rumors about teams considering Tomlin trade offers surfaced in December 2023, and some uncertainty about his 2024 status circulated as well. Tomlin squashed those soon after and received another contract extension — his seventh as Steelers HC — this past summer. Although the Steelers have continued to hit a wall in the wild-card round, after having lost as a No. 2 seed in the 2017 divisional round, Tomlin has shown no indication he is fed up with the situation. That said, he met with ownership and GM Omar Khan on Monday and did indicate Tuesday there will be organizational changes.

While the 52-year-old leader declined to specify where changes were coming, quarterback will be a closely monitored situation in Pittsburgh. Russell Wilson has repeatedly indicated he wants to stay in Pittsburgh, and while the organization has been tied to having the same sentiment, a Monday report suggested the team has cooled on its primary 2024 starter. Not tipping his hand, Tomlin offered neither an endorsement of his QBs nor a firm indication another new group will arrive.

“We don’t have a quarterback under contract. We are certainly open to considering those guys, but we have a lot of work ahead of us,” Tomlin said of Wilson and Justin Fields.

Adding to the uncertainty here, Tomlin did say both QBs can help the Steelers in 2025 and praised both players’ professionalism. The Steelers, however, did not threaten the Ravens in their Saturday wild-card loss. The team has now lost five consecutive playoff games, with its most recent win coming in a 2016 divisional-round matchup in Kansas City.

Tomlin’s streak of .500-or-better seasons reaching 18, however, continues to impede the Steelers when it comes to finding quarterback help in the draft. By virtue of their 10-7 record, the Steelers hold the No. 21 overall pick in this year’s draft — one not viewed as teeming with QB talent. Their last attempt to fill a need through the draft came in a worse draft for QBs, with the Kenny Pickett miss highlighting this shaky period for the organization at the game’s premier position.

Some veteran avenues may be open, but major questions would come with any of the high-profile options. depending on other teams’ actions.

Sam Darnold‘s shaky showings in high-stakes Vikings spots to close the season could certainly impact the team’s desire to use the franchise tag to keep him off the market. That would stand to intrigue a team like the Steelers, though Darnold’s free agency price tag should still be fairly high. Similarly, Kirk Cousins‘ stock dropped late in his season. The Falcons are likely to release the 36-year-old passer, who was part of Wilson’s 2012 draft class, as no trade appears realistic. Aaron Rodgers is still expected to be a Jets cap casualty. Rodgers has not committed to playing in 2025, and PFR readers were not high on a Steelers fit — as interesting as the increasingly outspoken QB pairing with Tomlin would be.

Names like Daniel Jones or even Jimmy Garoppolo could come up as lower-cost choices, but the Steelers would seemingly be more likely to keep Wilson or Fields than take one of those routes. Pittsburgh has been unable to find a high-end quarterback for a while now, with Ben Roethlisberger‘s 2019 elbow injury effectively ending his prime. The team has continued to rely on its defense since, and while that unit should still be formidable in 2025, Tomlin and Co. have several weeks to determine if there is a viable upgrade on the Wilson/Fields setup out there.

Load More Posts