Steelers Update on Pennlive: Recent Episodes

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If the Steelers did one thing positive in losing so humiliatingly to the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, they certainly lowered expectations for themselves. But they also find themselves desperate for a win in just the second game of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than a week before the Steelers host the San Francisco 49ers, some very prominent sports analysts in Pittsburgh are brimming with superlatives when it comes to QB Kenny Pickett and his sky-high potential in his sophomore season. One even used the word “unstoppable” when it comes to Pickett and this year’s offense under heretofore much-criticized coordinator Matt Canada. Unstoppable? The Steelers’ offense? We haven’t heard those words in the same sentence since the heydays of the Killer Bs: Big Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. Much of this is based on a total of just 15 passes Pickett threw in the preseason in three exhibition games against Tampa Bay, Buffalo, and Atlanta. But in the NFL, it’s all about the regular season. If a young NFL QB can make it there, he can make it anywhere, so the Sinatra song goes. Yet, some Pittsburgh pundits aren’t waiting until Pickett’s passes fly for real. They’re declaring Pickett the real deal right now. Pittsburgh sports radio personality and Post-Gazette columnist Joe Starkey is projecting Pickett will take his place among the NFL’s top 10 QBs in his second year. Despite the 2022 Steelers averaging just 18.1 points per game, Starkey says Pickett is poised to win “shootouts” in the pass-happy, QB-loaded AFC. Not all of Pickett’s praise-givers are ready to go quite this far. Yet, the Pickett hype in Pittsburgh is unlike anything we’ve seen in many years heading into a Steelers’ season seemingly packed with promise and potential. We have more on Pickett and the Steelers’ offense, plus the impact of some surprising roster moves ahead of the regular season. It’s all in this can’t-wait-for-Week-1 edition of your Steelers Update podcast. And be sure to catch my full print column first thing every Thursday on PennLive. As always, it will be packed with plenty of memes bringing the latest, greatest Steelers debates to life – and to laughs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jaylen Warren’s explosive 62-yard touchdown runs vs. the Buffalo Bills heralded another gear – and another level for the Steelers’ running game. As soon as Warren sped into the end zone, it ignited a Steelers Nation debate over who’s the best running back in the ‘Burgh. Warren is seen as the modern do-it-all back. Najee Harris is the throwback. Warren is a game-breaker. Harris is a pounding plodder that harkens back to three yards and a cloud of dust. Both backs will be integral to the 2023 Steelers’ offense. Harris will help turnover the down markers and run out the clock. But it’s Warren who’ll become the take-it-to-the-house scoring threat from anywhere on the field. That’s not the only difference, either. One was drafted in the first round. The other was signed off the street. No wonder supposedly elite running backs across the league often go begging when it comes to signing their second NFL contract. The crucial number is yards per carry. Najee is stuck at a lackluster 3.9 YPC after two years with the Steelers. Warren put up a full yard on Najee in 2022, and if he continues to explode like he did vs. Buffalo, the gap could grow to the point of embarrassment for the former first-rounder. In today’s NFL, running backs have become a means to an end. As Warren showed, the shortest distance to a touchdown is a 62-yard run. We have much more on the juggernaut Steelers, who’ve been peaking in the preseason, along with all the resulting Yinzer hype now sweeping Steelers Nation. But is this team for real? We dig for answers in this band-wagon edition of your Steelers Update Podcast. And be sure to check out my full print column first thing Thursday on PennLive. It will be packed with plenty of memes bringing the latest, greatest Steelers debate to life – and to laughs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scoring from in close is a major emphasis at Steelers’ training camp this year. Early word coming out of those goal-line drills is the red zone should be much, much hotter for the Steelers in 2023. It had better be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Entering 2023 with sophomore quarterback Kenny Pickett, the rebuilt Steelers’ defense looks ready to step up and take more of the weight. They want to be the team who runs the ball (behind a rebuilt offensive line, I might add). They’ll let Pickett pick his spots for big plays. But a running clock will be the Steelers’ ally.

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Your 2023 Steelers report for training camp today at historic St. Vincent College in Latrobe. And one must wonder, given all the offseason hype, speculation and criticism, which Kenny Pickett will we see there? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Optimism is reigning supreme in the Steel City as the beloved 2023 Steelers are about to convene training camp at historic St. Vincent’s in Latrobe. With 2nd-year QB Kenny Pickett seen as the second coming and the new GM brain trust of Omar Khan and Andy Weidl having retooled the roster from top to bottom, Steelers Nation believes 2023 will be the season they’re riding high once again.

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Many are predicting 2023 will be the year Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth makes the final leap to be mentioned in the same conversation as superstars such as the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, the Ravens’ Mark Andrews and the 49ers’ George Kittle. After all, Freiermuth has established himself as quarterback Kenny Pickett’s most clutch target, especially on third down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the biggest question surrounding the Steelers’ 2023 season. The answer will largely determine whether the Steelers are a playoff team -- or Coach Mike Tomlin has his first losing football squad. As has been said so often this offseason full of anticipation: So goes 2nd-year QB Kenny Pickett, so goes the Steelers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers’ ‘Speedy Smurf’ Calvin Austin III never got out of the starting blocks in 2022. At 5-foot-8 and 162 pounds, Austin was sidelined all last season by a foot injury that eventually led to surgery last fall. Flashforward to summer 2023, and Austin says he’s feeling both healthy and fast. He’s lined up at the Steelers’ starting line, finally ready to flash his 4.32 40-yard dash speed on the football field. Anticipation is sky-high among Steelers Nation for what amounts to Austin’s Pittsburgh debut after a red-shirt year of working extensively to develop chemistry with QB Kenny Pickett, despite having yet to appear in a live game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite all the 2nd-year Steelers’ players packed with potential in 2023, the biggest Steelers’ sophomore surprise could be the player who was the biggest surprise as a rookie. I’m talking about none other than the undrafted running back out of Oklahoma State, Jaylen Warren. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

QB Kenny Pickett, entering his all-important sophomore season, says the Steelers’ offense is night-and-day compared to this point last year. “I went back and watched our first OTA last year. It’s a different team, honestly, not just player-wise but in terms of plays and how much we have (installed) already,” Pickett was quoted as saying. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Week by week, we’re witnessing the maturation of Kenny Pickett as he proves himself franchise quarterback worthy in Pittsburgh. It’s happening right before our eyes. On a national stage Monday night, Pickett turned in his best game yet. Against the Colts in Indy, Pickett was decisive, getting rid of the ball rather than holding it and taking a sack. He sensed defensive pressure, moving in the pocket, scrambling and throwing on the run. He was accurate, hitting receivers all over the field. (Granted, some of those receivers didn’t catch some catchable balls.) And when Pickett didn’t see a viable receiver to throw it to, he tucked and ran. In the process, Pickett pocketed the first road win of his career with the 24-17 topping of the Colts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the social media firestorm following the Steelers’ 37-30 drubbing by the rival Bengals came a tweet that summed up a game, a season, a team: “The Steelers have so many needs. They basically need an entire new offensive line, especially at offensive tackle. They need a defensive lineman, a linebacker, a true No. 1 cornerback. Another wide receiver. I’m I missing anything?” It fully captures just how far these 2022 Steelers are from competing in the NFL, never mind their own division, where the likes of the Ravens and Bengals rule the AFC North. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was a slice of Steel City heresy. There were actual Steelers’ fans in the 412-area code advocating for their favorite football team to shoot for a high 2023 draft pick, rather than get off the mat and fight for respectability this season. All the nonsensical talk of a tanking Steelers team landing next year’s No. 3 draft pick has evaporated into the ether. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2022 Steelers officially became a ghost on Halloween. That’s when this team, this season disappeared -- and everyone in Pittsburgh turned the page to 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mitch Trubisky just played the best two quarters of any Steelers’ quarterback this season. In reward, he’ll be promptly shown the bench, so long as rookie passer Kenny Pickett can pass NFL concussion protocols in order to start Sunday night vs. the Dolphins down in Miami. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The startling demise of once-touted first-round running back Najee Harris is a symbol of all that ails the floundering Steelers, who are fast on their way to reaching rock-bottom. Simply put, the 1-4 Steelers’ deadly disease has been diagnosed as decided lack of talent caused by a history of bad drafting. Najee Harris is the posterchild for the problems in Pittsburgh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just 3 1/2 games into the season, the Steelers ripped up their entire 2022 gameplan. This opened the door for rookie QB Kenny Pickett to begin what’s expected to be a rocky path toward trying to establish himself as the future of the franchise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s mutiny in once-loyal, black-and-gold loving Steelers Nation. Cries for changes in the Steelers’ inept offense have reached a fever-pitch. The Pittsburgh public demands that coordinator Matt Canada be gone and Pitt product Kenny Pickett be plugged in as the Steelers’ starting QB, replacing Mitch Trubisky. But it’s not just disgruntled Yinzers shouting their heads off high in the Acrisure Stadium stands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin loves to preach against living in one’s fears. But his offensively stymied football team has been playing in theirs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers are still shuffling their porous offensive line. Coach Mike Tomlin has yet to officially name a starting quarterback. And now we find out star running back Najee Harris has been hobbling around on a Lisfranc foot sprain since Aug. 1. This is not the way to go into the 2022 regular season that was always going to be a challenge and a changing of the guard. First and foremost, the Steelers are replacing future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after 18 mostly stellar seasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A wise NFL coach once said if you listen to the fans in the stands, you’ll soon be sitting with them. So to all those Yinzers in Pittsburgh yelling for Kenny Pickett to start Week 1 of the regular season vs. the AFC Champion Bengals – you’re wasting your breath. If you haven’t noticed by now, Coach Mike Tomlin & Company have mapped out a carefully plotted plan for how to handle their three quarterbacks this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One day soon, Steelers Nation won’t have Mason Rudolph to kick around anymore. Will they regret it? Perhaps. The Steelers’ long history mistreating Mason has turned the hard-battling quarterback into a sympathetic figure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pittsburgh hasn’t been this excited for a Steelers’ preseason game since I don’t know when. These typical ho-hum affairs are usually greeted with apathy. But this season, the first without established starter Ben Roethlisberger, there’s so much change going on, and Steelers fans are dying to see what they have. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a rapturous return for the Steelers to their traditional training camp home at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. The wait after two COVID-cancelled years has been well worth it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s no escaping the incredible pressure that comes with being a first-round quarterback pick in Pittsburgh. Kenny Pickett, the hometown favorite out of Pitt, is about to face all the hype and hopes that Steelers Nation can muster. And they can muster a lot. But Pickett will do it at big disadvantage as training camp practices get underway at St. Vincent College in Latrobe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers are heading back to old Latrobe, where championship Pittsburgh teams have been forged under hot summer sun since 1966. But could this be a historically bad team we are about to see in 2022? The national NFL media and the Vegas odds makers say it is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was never going to be easy to replace Ben Roethlisberger as the Steelers franchise quarterback after 18 seasons. So the team wisely decided to purchase two lottery tickets, not one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the lull between minicamp and training camp, talk often replaces on-field achievement. And boy, has there been a lot of talk surrounding your Steelers. In wake of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick’s blockbuster Steelers contract, plenty in Pittsburgh are saying receiver Dionate Johnson will be the next to cash in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nobody puts Kenny Pickett third on the QB depth chart. Yet, that’s precisely where Pickett has been pegged by Mike Tomlin & Company coming off minicamp practices. So where does the team’s first quarterback battle in nearly 20 years stand heading into training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe? First off, this is still a three-way battle to be the Steelers’ starter when the team travels to Cincinnati to face the AFC Champion Bengals to open the season. Believe it or not, supposedly mediocre Mason Rudolph is not out of it, despite what a large portion of Steelers Nation might think. But it’s Mitch Trubisky, the free-agent signing making backup quarterback bread, who’s currently the clear frontrunner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two Steelers milestones occurred this week, and they’re very much interlinked. First, it was rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett celebrating his 24th birthday. The second is the start of mandatory minicamp, with full-blown Steelers’ training camp looming on the horizon. These events are bound together because 24 is “old” for a first-round rookie QB. But Kenny Pickett was drafted by the Steelers precisely because he was the most experienced, pro-ready quarterback available. Pickett comes with five years and 49 starts under his belt at Pitt. The Steelers, which share a building with the hometown college football team, watched Pickett’s progress every single year. This brings us to mandatory minicamp, where things start getting real. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a season of change for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Changes at the top have a new general management structure in place, with a mix of new and old blood to structure future Steelers rosters. Meanwhile, your 2022 roster has taken shape via aggressive moves by the outgoing GM in both free agency and the draft -- moves that should totally transform the team’s quarterback room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s nothing worse than seeing a former significant other getting along just fine without you. No wonder a miffed Ben Roethlisberger, who apparently thought he had more to give the Steelers beyond last season, is at the bitterness stage of his recent retirement. Big Ben had some choice words when asked about the sudden unretirement of the ageless Tom Brady and Tom’s triumphant return to the Tampa Bay Bucs for yet another season. Roethlisberger indicated he was basically unwanted by the Steelers for 2022, telling WDVD radio in Pittsburgh: “First off, my coach and GM don’t want me back.” Ouch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Timing is everything. And everyone in Pittsburgh seems to be itching for Pitt hero-turned Steeler Kenny Pickett to begin his NFL quarterbacking career on Week 1 of his rookie year. Whether impatient Pittsburgh fans get what they want could largely depend on the about-to-be-released 2022 NFL schedule. If the Steelers’ slate of games is frontloaded with winnable ones -- such as the Browns, the Jets, the Falcons and even Miami or New Orleans – this would make it far easier to justify starting the rookie Pickett over the more-established free agent, Mitch Trubisky. But if that schedule presents an early-season wall of worry, dominated by dates against the Ravens, Raiders, Buccaneers, Patriots and even the Eagles? It might cause Steelers coaches to proceed with caution. In other words, keep Pickett on the bench and throw Trubisky to the wolves, instead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kenny Pickett was considered the most pro-ready quarterback when the Steelers shocked the NFL and selected him at pick 20 in the 2022 draft. Now, Pickett must prove it. The Pitt product-turned Steelers’ QB will be under immense pressure in his adopted hometown to start right out of the gate. Pickett’s five years with Pitt and his advancing age – he’ll be 24 next month, same as Chargers’ star Justin Herbert –means there’s no luxury of time. Pickett can’t be a project who is given a clipboard season on the sideline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All of Steelers Nation has their magnifying glasses out. In Inspector Clouseau-style, they’re urgently searching for that telling clue to unlock the mystery of who the Steelers will draft Thursday night. Will it be a quarterback, as nearly every mock draft leading up to the actual Steelers selection has suggested? Don’t bet on it. As for the clues to confirm or debunk this, everyone is parsing the words of Coach Mike Tomlin and General Manager Kevin Colbert at this week’s press conference discussing the team's draft preparations. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. So goes the old adage. Well, the smoke has been pluming up from Steelers’ headquarters for months. That’s where the black-and-gold brain trust is purportedly interested in drafting a quarterback on the evening of April 28. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers are a team in the mourning. Very soon, they must be a team on the mend and on the move. This, because the all-important NFL draft awaits. Its impact on both the present and future in Pittsburgh cannot be underestimated. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Call it Steelers’ training camp South. Newly signed free agent quarterback Mitch Trubisky is opening up his Florida home to his fellow Steelers quarterbacks and offensive skill players for a mini training camp to get the Pittsburgh new offense in rhythm. It’s exactly what you want to see in early April if you’re a Steelers fan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By all outward appearances, it sure looks as if the Ben Roethlisberger-less Steelers are reloading to take a Super Bowl runs in 2021. Hate to break it to you, but this just isn’t the case. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There, for a hot second, the Steelers were in the running to land Aaron Rodgers as their 2022 quarterback. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two data points reveal the level of urgency with which the Steelers are approaching the NFL’s upcoming free agency period and the draft as they overhaul the 2022 team. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s understandable that Steelers GM Kevin Colbert declared Mason Rudolph the team’s starting quarterback if the season began now. After all, Rudolph is the only quarterback currently under contract to the team. But it was a bridge too far in the city of bridges when Colbert added he’s excited to see what Rudolph can do as the Steelers’ starter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers sack artist T.J. Watt sure knows how to bring down quarterbacks. But the NFL defensive MVP says he’s trusting the Steelers’ brain trust to bring in a new, winning quarterback to Pittsburgh. A quarterback who will win in 2022. Here’s what Watt said on the subject in one of his many interviews following his MVP win. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Burrow has changed everything for the Cincinnati Bengals -- and for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The quarterback who’s taken his team to the Super Bowl in his second year is now the standard by which the next Steelers’ passer shall be judged. So far, all of the Steelers’ options at this all-important position are coming up wanting. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Pittsburgh these days, it appears they’ll wait until a rusting bridge collapses before rebuilding it. It’s much the same with the 2022 Steelers, which are still taking shape. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sitting home for the playoffs is making an already disgruntled Steelers Nation plenty more uncomfortable. It’s settling in among Steelers’ fans just how far away their favorite football team is from competing with the likes of the Buffalo Bills, the Kansas City Chiefs and even the Cincinnati Bengals. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin loves to say, “the standard is the standard.” But in recent years, that once-high Steelers’ standard has fallen and can’t get up. Now, they’re losing franchise quarterback and future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger amid another disappointing season and postseason blowout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The last time the Steelers went on the last-seed Cinderella playoff run, running back Jerome Bettis was steps away from retirement and Ben Roethlisberger was a raw, up-and-coming star. We’ve come full circle. Now it’s Big Ben who’s in the two-minute drive of his Hall of Fame career. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pittsburgh poured out its grateful heart to retiring Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on Monday night. Big Ben’s historic, 18-year run resulted in an unheard-of level of division dominance. But with Roethlisberger retiring, his like might not be seen anytime soon in Pittsburgh. Unless you count the young gun who’ll come to call at Heinz Field when the Bengals make their annual visit. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s nothing short of Steelers sabotage! The Pittsburgh pro football club once known for excellence has totally botched quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s swan song season. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Both the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger are still very much alive in the AFC North. All the talk about a top-to-bottom Steelers rebuild for a post-Roethlisberger era will have to wait. They’re sniffing playoffs in Pittsburgh. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anyone who believes the Pittsburgh Steelers have hit bottom can’t be looking at the schedule that awaits a team that’s no longer capable of being physical on either side of the football. It could get much, much worse, starting this Sunday vs. the Ravens. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So, are you missing Big Ben yet? Mason Rudolph’s play was as dreary and miserable as the Pittsburgh weather against the lowly Lions on Sunday. The quarterback once heralded by Steelers’ brass as possessing first-round talent and heir-apparent potential has proven to be a below average NFL backup, at best. This leaves the 2021 Steelers exactly where they were entering the season. Namely, hoping against hope that 39-year-old Ben Roethlisberger can rally for one last rodeo. In this case, Big Ben is battling COVID-19. If he can whip the virus this week, he’ll earn the right to go up against the Chargers in Los Angeles Sunday night. That’s Ben’s reward. The Steelers’ punishment would be another start by Mediocre Mason, who didn’t have enough to break a terrible, 16-16 tie against the previously losing Lions. The West Coast trip commences a brutal stretch run for the Steelers. It comes as COVID has sidelined not just Big Ben, but also Minkah Fitzpatrick, in quarantine protocols. Who knows who’s next. But at least the virus doesn’t pick sides. Chargers’ defender Joey Bosa is also in COVID quarantine. But it’s not just the virus stinging your Steelers. A wave of injuries has swept the team. The biggest of which leaves superstar linebacker T.J. Watt questionable for the contest. This is not good for a defense that’s having trouble tackling. Despite all this, the 5-3-1 Steelers are still in the thick of things in a wide-open AFC. As slow, limited and weak-armed has Roethlisberger has looked at times, he’s by far the best answer the Steelers’ have. This is by design. The Steelers decided to forgo any succession plans at quarterback going into this season. They would ride with Roethlisberger one more time. And here they are -- still in the saddle for a playoff run. Sure, Pittsburgh has problems on both sides of the ball. They have a roster pinched by COVID and beset by injuries. They have questions that will only multiply as this season gets tougher. Yet, despite all this, they still have a chance. A chance against the Chargers. A chance to win the AFC North. A chance to make some real noise in the AFC playoffs. It’s all still right there for this team. Like so many seasons before, those Pittsburgh prospects will be largely up to one player: Ben Roethlisberger. He’s still the best chance these Steelers have. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers’ fans absolutely love the team’s defensive theme song, ‘Renegade’ by Styx. When the ‘Coming down from the gallows’ dirge gets going, all of Heinz Field is rocking. But these days, perhaps it’s The Who’s ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ that should blare from those Heinz Field loudspeakers. It would be the perfect anthem for highly skeptical Steelers’ fans as they seemingly wait for this 2021 version of their favorite football team to unravel. It has to be just a matter of time, right? The quarterback is age 39, moves like a snail and has a surgically repaired right arm that seemingly gets weaker by the week. The offensive line is a collection of no-names that still can’t get it done for their about-to-be a superstar rookie running back, Najee Harris. And the Steelers’ stellar defense apparently believes it only need play the first half of football games. No wonder Steelers’ fans are wary. The 11-0 Steelers were a mirage last season. It took a while, but they and Ben Roethlisberger’s weak-armed short-passing game were badly exposed. This time around, they’re being doubted every step of the way. The questions about Big Ben and his team on both sides of the ball are legitimate. If this 2021 version ultimately unravels, no one will be surprised. But that leaves room, albeit slim, for things to come together. For Ben to keep beating defenses that underestimate him. For this makeshift O-line to keep improving. For the defense to actually show up and finish the job in the second half – instead of mailing it in after establishing dominance in the first half. Then, these Pittsburgh Steelers would be right in the thick of things in this year’s wide-open AFC. That could just be the most surprising -- and sweetest – development of them all.What has to go right for these Steelers, you ask? We take a deep-dive into the team’s concerns and possible remedies in this ‘so-your-saying-there’s-a-chance’ edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. And be sure to check out my print column first thing Thursday on PennLive. It will be packed with plenty of memes bringing this week’s Steelers saga to life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Najee Harris relishes contact. Fans love it, too. He’s a workhorse running back in a league of running-back-by-committee teams. It could also be a prelude to his premature decline and fall in Pittsburgh. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a scary-good Halloween matchup that has the Steelers trying to frighten the Browns at home on Halloween. It’s unlike any contest between these once one-sided rivals in two decades. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many T.J. Watt-backers in Pittsburgh are saying that his strip-sack that delivered the ball to the Steelers in overtime for the Chris Boswell field goal for the 23-20 win justifies the team in showering their star linebacker with a $110 million contract extension, including $80 million in guaranteed. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stick a fork in him; Ben Roethlisberger is done. Such is the cold-eyed, callous assessment of once-adoring Steelers Nation. Certainly it is, if you judge by the damning reaction on Twitter in wake of the Steelers’ season-crushing 27-17 loss in Green Bay. This time it wasn’t on the Steelers young and unproven offensive line. The Steelers’ struggles were clearly the result of their 39-year-old, future Hall of Fame quarterback’s rapidly fading skills. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers are caught in a bizarre football lifecycle mismatch that threatens to doom the season and the foreseeable future. The team is burdened by a quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, in the winter of his years. The Steelers suffer from an offensive line that’s so embryonic it really hasn’t been born yet. Finally, Pittsburgh possesses a star running back, soon to enter with his prime. But 2021 first-round draft pick Najee Harris could be all washed up by the time this out-of-sync team gets good again See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was classic Mike Tomlin understatement. Ben Roethlisberger took too many hits, and Najee Harris gained too few rushing yards. This is the Steelers’ moribund offense in microcosm. And the blame for it all rests squarely on the board shoulders but so-far small play of the supposedly rebuilt offensive line. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your worry beads out, Steelers Nation. All the questions that we hoped would be answered by now are still plaguing your 2021 Steelers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All you need to know about Steelers rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth is the team was willing to draft him in the first round, had running back Najee Harris not been on the board. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The curtain goes up Saturday on the 2021 version of Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ new-look offense. The Steelers' third preseason game vs. the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field will be the closest thing to regular-season action until the real game begins in September. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How long can the T.J. Watt waiting game go on before it short-circuits the Steelers' preparation for the all-important 2021 season? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s happening. Former first-round draft pick Dwayne Haskins is beating out “mediocre” Mason Rudolph for the Steelers’ backup role to Big Ben Roethlisberger. But more it’s even more significant than that. A long-shot quarterback succession plan could be falling into place for the Steelers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL is imposing some strict new rules for unvaccinated players, who are now being marked by those telltale yellow wristbands. While the Steelers are said to have a high overall rate of vaccinated players, Najee Harris was recently spotted wearing the wristband. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Roethlisberger is plucking a page out of Tom Brady’s playbook -- and his cookbook – in order to serve up a Steelers’ Super Bowl run. Word is Roethlisberger is on a new reducing plan to increase Pittsburgh’s chances of success this season. Ben’s determined dieting comes as 18-year Steelers’ veteran QB is said to be highly motivated to get into tiptop shape to prove all his carping critics wrong. In fact, they’re saying Big Ben’s diet is even stricter than the Father Time-reversing food plan Tom Brady is on. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers’ linebacker Devin Bush is definitely not getting a dead cat bounce on recent controversial posts to his Twitter account. Instead, cat-loving Steelers’ fans have their claws out for the once-loved linebacker. This, after Bush quote-tweeted a very twisted video of a cat rescue gone wrong. The video, which was posted by another account and has since been deleted, shows two people trying to rescue a cat many floors above the ground and it fails. Instead of tragic, Bush apparently found it all very, very funny. What Bush found funny, cat lovers across Steelers Nation found very, very disturbing. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An NFL team’s offensive line is supposed to be a barrier, all right. A bulwark to protect the quarterback and a bulldozer to open lanes for the running game. But last year, the Steelers’ running game ground to a halt and Big Ben Roethlisberger was rushed into releasing his flurry of pop-gun short passes in mere nanoseconds. Much of it was because the one-time Steelers’ strong suit of its veteran offensive line had fallen into precipitous decline in Pittsburgh. This sad state of Steelers affairs stood in stark contrast to the glory days when Big Ben had plenty of All-Pros upfront. The line took care of him, and Ben lavished his linemen with high praise, plenty of steak dinners, and some pretty expensive gifts over the years. When Maurkice Pouncey’s first snap of the Browns’ playoff game sailed over Big Ben’s head, we all knew changes were coming. But did the Steelers really have to change everything, trying to install virtually a whole new offensive line on the fly in a single offseason? The patchwork of protection and run-blocking now stands as the Steelers’ biggest barrier to 2021 success. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It used to be the most popular person in Pittsburgh was the backup quarterback. Now it’s the third-string or even the fourth-string QB. That depends on where Steelers’ reclamation project Dwayne Haskins lands in the passing pecking order. It’s still not clear following mini-camp just how well Haskins is doing in his Steelers’ second chance. This, after having been cast off from the Washington Football Team last season. The now 24-year-old turned his one-year starting at Ohio State into a passing prodigy pedigree that saw him taken at pick 15 in the 2019. Haskins still-unproven potential is now draft fanning the furnace-hot hype flames of Steelers Nation. Pittsburgh is a magical place where unproven passers are empty vessels into which Steelers’ fans pour all their hopes and dreams. Without doubt, Haskins, himself, is dreaming about Big Ben Roethlisberger’s soon-to-be-vacated starting job. One sports radio host is even comparing Haskins to Brett Favre. At best, he remains a work in progress. He has a rocket right arm. But one year’s work at Ohio State doesn’t make you a passing prodigy in Pittsburgh. But until we see Haskins either flash brilliance or expose his deficiencies on the field, he’ll remain the highest hope and the biggest hype behind Big Ben. That’s the way it always is in Steelers Nation. We explore all the “best-of” and “worst-of “Haskins in this even-handed edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. So listen up, Steelers fans. And don’t miss my PennLive column on this great Haskins debate Thursday morning on PennLive. As usual, it’ll be packed with all the best memes bringing this football fracas in the Steel City to life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers and their new coordinator Matt Canada are in the midst of installing an innovative offense built around lots of tempo and pre-snap motion, a plethora of running plays, hordes of play action, and above all, finding the mismatches that allow Steelers’ personnel to excel. Canada will try to put Big Ben Roethlisberger back under center, then on the move with play action to set up both the run and the long-ball pass. The offense should keep veteran receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in the slot, where his size gives him a leg up on getting those hard yards on difficult downs. At least this the way the new Steelers’ offense should be shaping up. But both an aging Roethlisberger and a contract-hungry Smith-Schuster could prove major roadblocks to Matt Canada’s offensive overhaul. Between Big Ben’s physical limitations and JuJu’s money-motivated demands to play outside, Canada’s hands seem tied before he even begins to tinker with the Steelers attack. But there’s one huge Steelers’ X-factor that will remake the Steelers’ offense, regardless of Ben or JuJu. His name is Najee Harris, and he’s poised to explode. The team’s entire 2021 attack is being built around this tree-trunk-legged rocket. Pittsburgh Priority No. 1. is rejuvenating the moribund running game. The mandate comes from none other than Steelers’ president and owner Art Rooney II. Clearly, Canada aims to deliver. His not-so-secret weapon will be a rookie running back named Najee, who also happens to be the Steelers’ biggest offensive star. This is how Canada – and the Steelers – win, regardless of any roadblocks from Big Ben or JuJu. At least that’s the way I see it. For more Pittsburgh perspective, I’ve rounded up the views of plenty of other Steelers’ scribes as they spied the Steelers’ mini-camp practices this week at Heinz Field. It’s all here in this anything-but-mini edition of your Steelers Update Podcast. And be sure to check out my PennLive column first thing Thursday. It will be packed, as always, with plenty of memes bringing this week’s Steelers’ saga to life. Now, listen up and check out the podcast! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mason Rudolph and the Steelers have made clear what we long suspected – it’s just a matter of time before Mason is your Steelers’ starting quarterback. This, after the team re-signed Rudolph this off-season, and he stands as the only team QB under contract for 2022. It might not be nearly that long before Rudolph is taking snaps under center for real. That’s because current Steelers starter and future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger is age 39 and entering his 18th season with the Steelers. No one knows how long he will last. Big Ben broke down coming down the stretch in 2020. This year, the NFL tacked on a 17th game, lengthening what is already the ultimate sport of attrition. All this means Rudolph’s wait to be anointed the once-and-future Steelers’ starter could be far shorter than fans think. So, the Steelers trotted out Rudolph this week after some OTA practices, as if to begin grooming him to take over the role as the face – and mouth – of the franchise. Largely, the assembled Steelers’ scribes seemed to buy it. Stories and tweets coming out of Mason’s media availability showed the press ready to roll over and revise Rudolph’s very shaky Steelers’ story. It is a ready-made script for a redemptive second chapter for Rudolph just as “our hero” prepares to rise to become the starter in Pittsburgh. But the NFL rarely offers Hollywood endings to uncertain passers at the most difficult position in all of sports. Still, the Steelers will give us this shotgun wedding with this shoo-in starter. Just like marriage, it will be for better or worse, till death – or divorce – do they part. All I can say is, speak now, or forever hold your peace, Steelers fans. I’ve rounded up all the revisionist reaction to Mason Rudolph in this reality-dose edition of your Steelers Update Podcast. And be sure to check out my PennLive column first thing Thursday. It will be packed, as always, with plenty of memes bringing this week’s Steelers’ saga to life. Now listen up! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nothing short of a total Steelers’ offensive overhaul is underway in Pittsburgh. This comes right from the guy who’ll be pulling the trigger on the new attack – Ben Roethlisberger. New coordinator Matt Canada has big plans to have Big Ben back under center. There will be rollouts. There will be play action. There will be lots of movement – and a lot less shotgun and popgun that was both the Steelers’ offensive signature – and its ultimate undoing – last season. Roethlisberger, who’s had his share of sharp disagreements with offensive coordinators in the past, is saying all the right things right now. He’s willing to do all this and more in service of a Steelers’ Super Bowl. But the stats don’t lie about Big Ben preferring his “safe space” in the shotgun. So, is it Roethlisberger who is lying to himself about what he still can and cannot do? Ben swears he’ll move heaven and earth -- and move in the pocket -- to achieve the Steelers’ 7th Super Bowl trophy. Yet, there’s reason to doubt Roethlisberger and what could be the futility and failure of trying to teach old Ben new tricks at this late date. Only when bullets fly for real in the regular season will we know if Roethlisberger really is comfortable under center – or whether he’ll retreat back to the shotgun, where it’s safer. Ben’s mind may be willing. But is his body – and are those knees? Roethlisberger was plenty revealing in his post-OTA interview with the Pittsburgh media. We have all the best analysis of what the introspective QB is signaling about the Steelers’ season ahead. Plus, we take an emotional journey back to the ‘Cowher Power’ days of Bill Cowher with the release of the coach’s new autobiography, “Heart & Steel.” Inexplicably, the never shy ‘Chin’ shies away from a major Steelers’ chapter involving New England nemesis Bill Belichick. We tell you why, plus much more, in this sure-fire edition of your Steelers Update Podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Careful observation the Steelers’ first OTA’s involving its new crop of rookies reveals the cornerstone upon which the 2021 season will rise or fall. On one side of the practice field, we glimpsed 39-year-old Ben Roethlisberger showing up and firing passes on the first day of these non-mandatory team activities. Video shows Big Ben zipping the ball. But he had thin air as the only defender breathing down his neck. In other words, what we saw was an illusion. Reconstructive surgery on Roethlisberger’s throwing elbow forced Ben to alter his release and throwing motion last season. It didn’t do well because it’s not just his elbow. Roethlisberger’s knees are all but gone, too. The big-bodied quarterback once impossible to bring down can no longer generate power from his lower body to supercharge his passes. Roethlisberger’s once-signature long balls misfired. Big Ben was reduced to a pop-gun attack of short passes that defenders were batting down and snuffing underneath. Worse, the once-vaunted Steelers running game ground to a halt, too. It was a victim, at least in part, of an aging offensive line. The other problem was the lesser talent Pittsburgh had invested in the position. Enter first-round Steelers’ draft pick Najee Harris. He’s now the centerpiece of the Steelers’ attack. His churning legs, broad back, gifted hands and fleet feet will be the engine that powers the Steelers attack. Harris has been brought in to do nothing less than carry the load for Roethlisberger and the Steelers. Pittsburgh has always loved workhorse running backs. Najee, who scored 30 touchdowns in a single season in Alabama, will be pressed for similar sky-high production with the Steelers. So that $13.1 million fully guaranteed contract Harris just signed? It’s just the opening ante. Already Najee’s agent is signaling they’ll be coming back to the Steelers for far more much sooner than the four years of that rookie deal. After all, Harris’ Steelers workload will be insane. So much so, it threatens to curtail what is already the brutally short self-life of NFL running backs. Clearly, Najee and his negotiator aim to cash-in before the Steelers can grind their new rookie runner into the ground. If Harris is going to carry the Steelers, he’ll want to be paid – and paid again – before his own foundation starts to crack. Given the current state of the Steelers and Big Ben, it looks to be money well spent. In 2021, it will be giddy-up, Najee, as Steelers fans saddle up to enjoy the ride. I bring you more astute OTA observations – including the skinny on whether Big Ben’s diminishing skills are still enough for one last gasp – as smart Steelers’ scribes get their first glimpse at the 2021 team. This and much more in the still-mandatory edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. So, listen up! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rookie running back Najee Harris isn’t just the new kid on the block, but a Steelers savior the likes of which we haven’t seen since Mean Joe Greene was installed as the cornerstone building block of all those 1970s Super Bowl teams. Najee was the guy Steelers Nation coveted in the draft. The Alabama basher and dasher fills a huge need after the Steelers, a team that once prided itself on running the football, just could not get it done in 2020. Meanwhile, Big Ben came up small in 2020, as his short-pass-crazy offense got stifled, and an 11-0 Steelers start disintegrated into one-and-done in the playoffs. In the ashes, Roethlisberger looked every bit his 39 years. Sure, Big Ben will be the Steelers’ starting QB for at least one more season. But as far as face of the franchise goes, it’s looking like a rookie running back will finally surpass Roethlisberger as the signature Steeler in the eyes of most fans. No one else has ever come close to besting Big Ben as Alpha Steeler. But this is a changing-of-the-guard season. And no Steelers’ rookie has been as heralded nor as well-positioned to steal the Steelers’ spotlight as Najee Harris is coming into 2021. It’s all there for Najee’s taking. He looks to be the guy to take it. And he’s not the only new Steeler looking to step up. We do a deep dive on the sky-high expectations, along with the more reality-based assessments, for what this new-look Steelers team is capable of this season. The first practices are in the books, and we have all the best analysis for what the future holds in this Pittsburgh prognostication edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. Listen up, Pittsburgh fans! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers shuffle off to Buffalo to face the playoff-built Bills in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season. It doesn’t get any easier from there, either. The Steelers are facing a brutal 2021 schedule regardless of how you slice and dice it. If you believe in stats, Pittsburgh is starring at an NFL gauntlet of games that ranks as the league’s most difficult. But it’s not only the opponents the Steelers face that spell trouble. It’s the way this particular team is built for this season that could deflate all that Pittsburgh playoff optimism yet again. I’m talking about assembling the 2021 Steelers around a past-his-prime Hall of Fame quarterback named Ben Roethlisberger. At 39, Big Ben increasingly doesn’t resemble the once-mobile, nearly impossible-to-bring-down passer that has earned him HOF enshrinement. With Big Ben under center, all Pittsburgh could muster last season was a pop-gun attack built around Ben’s short, quick throws from the pocket. It literally got batted down, and the Steelers were one-and-done in the playoffs, with the Browns showing them the exit. Ouch! This year, the Steelers are betting that a revamped running game built on the back of rookie Najee Harris and road-graded by a rejuvenated offensive line offers the best chance for Ben’s swansong of a season to end successfully. But the biggest hurdle preventing such a story-book Steelers’ ending will those chapters – i.e. games -- that fall between Thanksgiving and New Years’. Far from being festive, this is precisely the pivot point where good teams rise and pretenders fall away. If past is prologue, Pittsburgh and its playoff aspirations could be in real trouble. And this was before the NFL gauntlet was extended by an additional, 17th game. It will be that much harder for Ben and the boys to keep it all together in 2021. Sure, Roethlisberger will give it everything he has on last time. We know that. We just don’t know what maximum effort from Big Ben’s depleted tank will look like – and whether it’s anything close to what it used to be. Only time – and that brutal slate of a 2021 Steelers’ schedule, will tell. Check out the podcast for much more game-by-game analysis in this highly scheduled edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. And be sure to catch Thursday morning’s column on PennLive. It will be packed with plenty of memes that perfectly capture the challenge presented by each of Steelers’ contests comprising this intriguing 2021 season. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

National NFL pundits like ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. are poo-pooing Pittsburgh picking Najee Harris in the NFL draft. But one guy who knows what it takes to really roll in this league insists the Steelers just might have landed themselves the 2021 Offensive Rookie of the Year. Lynch, who’s now Najee’s agent, absolutely gushed about ‘his big, tall son’, saying “physically, he’s a G.D. freak of nature. I could see him putting up numbers. I would love to see him, you know, Rookie of the Year-type stuff. Like, you feel me?” The Steelers definitely do. But Pittsburgh broke the Cardinal Rule against drafting a running back in the first round. And they passed on making a big play on a passer, such as Ohio State’s Justin Fields, who went to the Chicago Bears at pick 11 after a blockbuster trade-up. Pick 11 – sound familiar? That’s precisely the point at which Pittsburgh landed Big Ben Roethlisberger all those seasons ago. Now Ben and the Steelers have come full circle, with Roethlisberger in the twilight of his Hall of Fame career, if not the final season. In picking Najee, the Steelers might have fixed their pop-gun ground attack that reached an unheard of low in 2020. But they failed to secure the franchise’s future. Running backs, even those selected in the first round, aren’t built for the long haul. Instead, this team is built for right now. The Steelers may run out of the gate with a bang in 2021, but they’ll wither with a whimper until they find their next franchise quarterback. Hear more thought-provoking takes on what the Steelers did and didn’t do in the draft, all in this tough-grading edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. Also, be sure to check out my print column on PennLive first thing Thursday morning. It will be packed with plenty of memes perfectly mimicking the bi-polar post-draft mood in Pittsburgh. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don’t sleep on the New England Patriots swooping in and scooping up Justin Fields, leaving the Steelers with Kyle Trask. That’s because the NFL is a literal arms race. It’s all about the passer. But here your Pittsburgh Steelers sit with a plethora of needs, eight picks in the NFL draft, the first of which is at slot 24. Quarterbacks abound in this draft, but the top five, including Fields, could be off the board in the first 10 to 12 picks. The clearest message the tight-lipped Steelers brass have communicated is that they do not want to trade up. They prefer holding onto their eight selections, including five in the top 140 slots of the draft. Fine, I guess. But this scenario leaves the Steelers with… drum roll please... Kyle Trask out of Florida. That’s because I believe your favorite football team is going in looking for a live arm in the ultimate arms race that is the NFL. As for all those other positions Pittsburgh supposedly needs right now? All of them are shorter term. Nothing ensures a franchise’s long-term future like a franchise QB. Hence the name. When you realize this, drafting a passer must always be within arm’s reach of any team. Most especially, your soon-to-be-Big-Ben-less Steelers. Needless to say, a plethora of Pittsburgh draft predictions are flying fast and furiously as the seconds stick down to the Steelers being on the clock. We have all the latest and greatest Steelers’ scenarios for what could transpire in this draft-day edition of your Steelers Update Podcast. Plus, l’m rounding up all the late-breaking memes to tell this momentous Steelers’ draft story for Thursday’s Steelers column on PennLive. Do not miss it! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Word that Steelers’ Coach Mike Tomlin is now signed through the 2024 season ignited the typical polarized Pittsburgh reaction. According to the fiery arguments among Steel City fans, Tomlin is either the best of coaches, or among the worst of them. If you focus on Tomlin’s gaudy regular season win percentage, he’s right up there with the NFL’s elite. Should you be among those who choose to dwell on Tomlin’s recent abysmal playoff performance, it’s another story: three wins in the last decade despite having a Hall of Fame quarterback in his prime. That’s never going to cut it in the City of Champions. Still, Tomlin’s new deal isn’t a misguided reward from Art Rooney II for this subpar playoff performance. Instead, it’s insurance the Steelers will be in steady, experienced hands as the franchise hits the turbulent waters of transition – the future beyond Big Ben Roethlisberger. Tomlin’s contract is confirmation the Steelers are rebuilding. It frees the franchise to do what’s best for its long-term future success -- not what’s needed to put a Band-Aid on 2021. Unquestionably, the biggest need is answering the question at the sport’s most important position – who will be the guy under center after Big Ben? If the Steelers believe that answer is in this draft, they now have the freedom to trade up to secure their future, whatever the cost. Will it happen? Much depends upon how the draft board falls. But make no mistake, the Steelers are looking to gear up for the long term, not reload for this year. Tomlin loves to say “the standard is the standard” – a Steelers team capable of winning it all. That’s what he and the Steelers are looking to build during the coming four years of his contract. The controversial coach has been given a black-and-golden opportunity to put another Lombardi where his mouth is – and prove a significant percentage of his haters in Pittsburgh wrong. Put up or shut up, Coach. Steelers Nation and the franchise’s very future are in your hands. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No one yet knows who’ll be catching NFL passes from Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. Should the prodigal passer begin to fall in the NFL draft later this month, the Steelers should play his receiver -- and be there to catch him. Yes, holes in the Steelers’ 2021 roster are great and they are many, as Chuck Noll would say. And while they’ve swung a cap-friendly deal to keep Big Ben Roethlisberger around another season to two, they saw the same Ben who came up so small down the stretch, squandering an 11-0 start. Above all, there’s no bigger position than your franchise quarterback. All indications are Coach Mike Tomlin, glimpsed gushing over Fields at a recent Ohio State pro day, is sold on him as the Steelers’ quarterback for the next 15 years. Conventional wisdom says the Steelers will try to fix its one-dimensional short-pass offense by drafting a running back in the first round. But it’s naïve to think that adding a blue chip running back high in the draft solves all of the Steelers’ ills. The biggest hurdle the Steelers face in enjoying sustained future success is the absence of a franchise quarterback. So if Fields falls toward pick nine or ten, the Steelers, who hold pick 24, will be feverishly working the phones. With a bold stroke, your favorite football team could solve its quarterback quandary for the next decade-and-a-half. All in one fell swoop by catching a falling star in the form of Ohio State standout Justin Fields. Will it happen? If draft history has taught us anything, it’s that anything -- and everything -- can occur. Of course there are a plethora of predictions for what Pittsburgh may do in the draft – and for how Fields will fare. I cover them all in this jampacked edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. So listen up, Steelers’ fans! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When reports surfaced that Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson was disgruntled down in Houston and clamoring for a high-profile trade to another team, more than a few Steelers fans piped up in Pittsburgh that their favorite football team should make the deal, whatever the cost. Flashforward a couple of months, and now Watson is embroiled in an ugly sexual scandal that could lead to his lengthy suspension by the NFL -- not to mention personal lawsuits and perhaps even criminal proceedings. This stands as Exhibit One for why the Steelers brain trust might know a wee bit more than the average Yinzer fan out there and Steelers Nation. It’s also why I don’t buy the current Steelers’ draft narrative being forced down our throats. Namely, that the Steelers are falling in love with Alabama running back Najee Harris at pick 24 – and vice versa. It’s an outright romance at this point, Pittsburgh. But I say, Jerry McGuire might have had Renee Zellweger at “hello,” but Najee lost me when he gushed to Adam Schefter that Mike Tomlin is “really cool.” That sounds more like junior high than your shrewd, cold-eyed Steelers draft room. Could it be another patented Steelers’ head fake to cover up what the team truly covets high in this draft – a pedigree pass rusher to pair with T.J. Watt? History’s shown absolutely anything can happen when Pittsburgh is poised to pick. I cover all the Steelers’ draft scenarios and reveal the team’s real rebuilding plans, including the blueprint for when Big Ben is done, in this astute edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. Don’t miss it, Steelers fans! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All of Pittsburgh, it seems, has the Steelers’ ponying up a first-round pick on a running back to revive the team’s moribund ground game, which last season resembled a grave where running plays went to die. Even Steelers President Art Rooney II is on record saying the Steelers must run the ball far better in 2021. Surely, that translates into Kevin Colbert, Mike Tomlin and company picking the likes of Alabama’s ball carrier, Najee Harris, right? Then why were Colbert and Tomlin at Ohio State’s pro day this week, instead of down south where Najee was working out? Perhaps the answer is Buckeye back Trey Sermon, who could be had by the Steelers at a much more palatable draft day price. Speaking of deep discounts NFL analyst Peter King, among others, are linking the Steelers to another type of steal -- a trade for former New York Jets No. 1 pick, quarterback Sam Darnold. Word is with the Jets ready to move on and draft yet another arm with their No. 2 pick, Darnold could be had for as low as a third-round pick in a trade with the Steelers. Already, fans are debating whether Darnold could be rehabilitated in the Steel City, making him the heir apparent to Big Ben Roethlisberger. So do these possible Pittsburgh moves represent a draft-day delight – or a dilemma? In a year when the Steelers seem to need draft help at every position, the debate and intrigue surrounding what they actually will do is as hot as a blast furnace. We cover all the intriguing Pittsburgh pigskin possibilities in this draft-heavy edition of your Steelers Update Podcast – so check it out Steelers fans. And be sure to read my accompanying column Thursday morning on PennLive. I’m assembling plenty of amusing Pittsburgh memes illustrating your Steelers’ draft dilemma, plus bonus content not covered in the podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chase Claypool apparently kicking a man who is down isn’t just a bad look. It could be highly problematic with regards to the NFL Conduct policy. Worse it’s a troubling sign Claypool is headed down the wrong path that’s been frequented by Steelers’ receivers of late. The band leader for bad behavior was Antonio Brown. But many critical of the JuJu Smith-Schuster re-signing cite his attention to Instagram, social media and TikTok videos -- rather than focusing on the football field. JuJu’s has had a troubling track record of fumbling away victories -- even playoff appearance chances -- at soul-crushing moments. Still, the Steelers brought JuJu back to an already talented receivers’ room. But they kicked cornerback Steven Nelson to the curb, despite a depleted defense, thin-to-non-existent depth and plenty of past history of poor draft choices at the position. No wonder Pittsburgh is perplexed. This is not your father’s football team. There are seemingly too many clowns and questionable characters intent on becoming social media sensations, rather than part of a winning football team. The Claypool fight video – one he surely didn’t want to go viral -- just adds injury to insult. It’s a major unforced error for an up-and-coming Steelers’ star out to upgrade his game for 2021. These days, however, all the Steelers’ attempts to upgrade for 2021 are falling miserably flat. It’s just been one of those months. We have all the best analysis and reactions in this edition of the Steelers Update Podcast, so listen up! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sadly, it’s the Steelers way: Stand back while your team hemorrhages talent to the highest bitter. The Steelers’ brain trust has long viewed NFL free agency as Bizarro World. Free-spending teams pony up insane prices for top players, only to see their collection of high-priced spare parts fail to perform as a winning team on the field. This knock on free agency was especially true when fat-pocketed football idiots like Daniel Snyder we’re bidding up prices. Slapped-together clubs like the Washington Football Team of old rarely fulfilled their free agency potential, seemingly proving more conservative clubs like the Steelers correct. But it’s not that way anymore. The NFL has changed. The Steelers have not. Last year, NFL eyebrows were raised when Tampa Bay inked Tom Brady as a Super Bowl savior. The so-called smart money was predicting a Tampa train wreck. Flash-forward a year, and the Bucs have their second Lombardi Trophy, and Brady is polishing his seventh Super Bowl ring -- perhaps the sweetest of all because it came after free agency lifted Brady from beneath Bill Belichick’s thumb. That’s the kind of championship-winning change free agency can deliver in today’s NFL. In panicked Pittsburgh, it’s still known as the time in mid-March when blood runs in the streets. There hasn’t been this much carnage during the ides of March since the days Julius Caesar came under his traitors’ knives. For the Steelers, it’s a blunter tool that’s carving them up – the dollars, always the dollars. Steeler after ex-Steeler is following the money straight out of town. The exodus was long predicted. But it’s still tough to take. And there’s real reason to worry: The decimated Steelers are developing more holes than their salary-cap-strapped resources and even this year’s NFL draft can hope fill. When you suffer trauma, the first thing they do at the hospital is cut off all your clothes to assesses the damage under those harsh exam room lights. In this edition of the Steelers Update Podcast, we pronounce the Pittsburgh pigskin prognosis after all the free agency hemorrhaging suffered by your Steelers. Hint: It isn’t pretty. Neither is the way some Steelers’ fans are rationalizing their team’s massive talent loss. The tortured logic is all wet. Find out why in the podcast. And be sure to check out my full print column every Thursday morning on PennLive. I assemble all the best memes and tweets to really tell the story of this week’s football fracas in the Steel City -- a plethora of content exclusive to the column. Check them both out, Steelers fans! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s only the most important position on the football field. Why shouldn’t monopolize all those mock drafts being floated around that have the Steelers snatching a top quarterback in 2021 NFL draft? On the same week that Ben Roethlisberger celebrated his 39th birthday, the Steelers were being linked to Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. Other intriguing Pittsburgh quarterback possibilities include Mac Jones out of Alabama and Kyle Trask out of Florida. But simply plugging in a quarterback doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for Pittsburgh. Unless, of course, the team truly believes it has found a franchise quarterback. That’s the most elusive figure in all of the NFL: A prodigal passer who can play for 15-plus years as a winning starter under center. The Steelers landed one in Ben Roethlisberger. But it took 20+ years to do it after four-time Super Bowl winner Terry Bradshaw left town. If the Steelers conclude they have a franchise quarterback in this draft, they must move heaven and earth to go get him. But they have to be sure. Unfortunately, there’s lots of fool’s gold when it comes to shifting the college quarterback currents for the genuine glitter of a bonafide franchise quarterback. It’s hit and miss. But if you feel you have a hit, you have to take your shot. Will the Steelers? Only the draft board and the way the picks come in on April 29th – along with the Steelers’ super- secret scouting files on all the players -- will tell that tale. Until then, we can only speculate and debate. So be it. A plethora of Pittsburgh of draft-day scenarios are packed into this rebuilding edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. Check it out, Steelers’ fans! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just when you thought an aging Ben Roethlisberger was out, the Steelers blink and pull him back in. After 17 mostly glorious seasons, it should have come to this instead: A messy but ultimately necessary divorce for Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers, which I detail in the podcast. That's because it certainly sounded as if Steelers’ General Manager Kevin Colbert was ready to move on from Big Ben last week. Consider Colbert’s terse words as he talked so very coldly about the once darling relationship with the team and its quarterback: “As we sit here today, Ben is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.” Many in Pittsburgh interpreted that sub-zero assessment as the kiss of death. Ben Roethlisberger’s Steelers’ career sleeps with the fishes in the city’s three rivers, so the thinking went. And while Steelers Nation hated to see it, deep down those who knew football felt it was the right thing. Then, Big Ben held a private meeting with Steelers President Art Rooney II, and everything changed. Big Ben is coming back, but he shouldn’t be. Endings are inevitable, in life and especially in the in the NFL. After a great ride to three Super Bowls, two world championships and countless exciting regular season wins, this Pittsburgh pairing had reached the end of the road. Instead, Ben and the Steelers are saddling up for yet another season. But don’t look for a storybook ending in Steelers Nation. We reveal why and explore all the Roethlisberger ramifications as the Steelers’ storyline has just turned on a dime -- all in this edition of the Steelers Update Podcast, recorded before some of the latest fast-moving developments. Be sure to check out my PennLive column on Thursday, it will be packed with all the latest Pittsburgh takes on this shocking fork in the road to what had looked to be Roethlisberger’s exit. Now, the Big Ben-Steelers marriage is ‘till death do they part.’ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to a Watt Brothers reunion in Pittsburgh, there’s a lot of heat, but not a lot of light. You have T.J. Watt all but begging his brother to sign with the Steelers, uniting those two and fullback Derek Watt in black and gold. And what football franchise wouldn’t want to unite this Wisconsin football family? The mere prospect has Steelers’ fans lighting it up on social media. It is high-wattage Watt mania, 24/7. Even the famous sandwich chain Primanti Bros., which perfected the Pittsburgh tradition of putting the fries between the bread, is on board offering to rename the fast-growing franchise the Watt Bros. Wow! Watt-mani is peak Pittsburgh at this point.That’s also when you know this is more of a PR move than a football one. This isn’t fans collecting football cards, as Pittsburgh sports radio host Mark Madden scoffed. It’s building a football team with many glaring holes up and down the roster, all on a salary-cap-strapped budget. Singing J.J. Watt is a luxury, not a need. And the 2021 Steelers, a team taking body blows all over their lineup, can ill afford luxuries. They don’t even know who’ll be the starting Steelers’ quarterback, at this point. These are the questions to focus upon -- and so we do in this high-wattage edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. Be sure to check out the print column on Thursday because we got all the funniest memes about the J.J. Watt sweepstakes, which the Browns and the Bills have a much better shot at winning. We tell you why, along with everything else, in this podcast --- so listen up, Steelers (and Watt) fans! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It wasn’t just that Steelers’ nemesis Tom Brady single-handedly bested the entire Pittsburgh football franchise by achieving his seventh Super Bowl win. The Steelers have just six Lombardis. And it wasn’t watching Brady’s been-there, done-that cool, as the 43-year-old quarterback played the Kansas City Chief defense like a fiddle in his 10th Super Bowl appearance. It wasn’t even witnessing Brady connect with one of the greatest Steelers receivers -- and one of the most troubled -- for a touchdown in the Super Bowl to none other than nincompoop Antonio Brown. What really sent all that Steelers’ envy of Tom Terrific into overdrive all across the 412 area code was watching Brady operate out of play action and hit passes deep down the field. All of it, en route to one of the biggest Super Bowl blowouts ever – the Buc’s 31-9 laugher at home in Tampa. It brought about a big reckoning in Steelers Nation. After decades of denial, Steelers fans were coming around to the unthinkable but inescapable realization of how truly terrific Tom really is. There was a Brady conversion occurring all across western Pennsylvania Sunday night. Steelers fans are in full submission. They’re on bended knee to Brady. Tom has finally done it. He’s broken them. We recount all the surprising Brady praise from Steelers Nation and look ahead to the Steelers’ 2021 campaign, even though we still don’t know what the team will look like (but we have plenty of good takes) -- all in this edition of the Steelers update Podcast. And be sure to check out the PennLive column on Thursday. It’s packed with plenty of Twitter memes to put a face on all the Brady envy emanating from the 412 area code. At the very least, we all need a laugh right about now in Steelers Country. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The L.A. Rams just showed what it takes to go all in for a Super Bowl. The Rams are a peaking team full of offensive weapons and a dominate defense in its prime. The missing ingredient? A quarterback capable of taking them there. Sound familiar? Well, that’s where the similarities end, Steelers fans. As Pittsburgh debates the proper end of the Ben Roethlisberger era, the Rams did whatever it took to get Matt Stafford to take them to the pigskin promised land. The Rams broke the bank, dealing two future first round picks and more, all to unload their own first-round young gun, Jared Goff, whom they had just showered with a big new contract. But 2020 made clear, Goff couldn’t live up to the deal on the football field, so the Rams cut their losses, going all-in on Stafford. It is Super Bowl or bust for the Rams. For the Steelers, however, it’s just bust. Steelers Nation could be staring at a decade of lowered expectations for the Pittsburgh franchise once at the pinnacle of the sport. The proud Pittsburgh battle cry, “Here we go, Steelers!” has turned into, “Where did you go, Steelers?” Hear all the reasons why in the latest edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Dwayne Haskins: Visions of new starting quarterbacks in Pittsburgh are dancing in the heads of Steelers fans. So what’s football fact and what is fan fantasy? Rodgers is fresh from being vanquished from the playoffs by Tom Brady (with his new team). Worse, Rodgers remains miffed the Packers drafted a quarterback instead of a receiver in the first round of 2020’s draft. Now, he’s openly debating his uncertain future in Green Bay, saying: “A lot of guys’ futures, they’re uncertain. Myself included.” With that, the memes imagining Rodgers in black and gold, instead of green and yellow, went into overdrive in Pittsburgh. And that’s not all. Matthew Stafford is out in Detroit, and top NFL reporter Peter King says one of Stafford’s top landing spots could be Pittsburgh. (The Indy Colts may have something to say about that.) Either QB would make the Steelers instant 2021 Super Bowl contenders, stoking all the spirited speculation in the ‘Burgh, long a hotbed for quarterback controversy. The Steelers are linked to several top tier quarterbacks in the 2021 draft, to boot. All this has Steelers fans expecting a new face behind center. We explore all the possibilities, plus a stormy exit interview scandal involving defensive star, T.J. Watt. Did he bolt Pittsburgh in anger, or sit for all his required team interview before heading off to Wisconsin for the off-season? You decide which big-name Steelers’ reporter to believe. I have it all in this re-building edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. So listen up, Steelers’ fans. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wednesday saw a major changing of the guard. No, I am not talking about the U.S. presidency. I’m speaking of the retirement of Roethlisberger’s draft mate, Philip Rivers. Rivers is heeding Old Man River in joining fellow 2004 draftee Elie Manning in the post-football world, where the water is fine. And Rivers looked a heck of a lot better than Ben Roethlisberger going down the stretch this season. Next, we’ll witness the departure of Drew Brees, whose impending retirement is the worst-kept secret in the NFL. The 42-year-old hung on for one last season in the Big Easy that was anything but easy. Hopes of ending his career under the ticker tape of a winning Super Bowl bid were not to be. Instead, Brees suffered an interception fest on Bourbon Street, and the Saints hopes of adding another trophy were torpedoed by those Bucs from Tampa. The fact that Brees only got one Lombardi and Rivers never so much as touched one is a testament to how tough it is, even for great quarterbacks. Ben Roethlisberger holds two trophies, and he played in another Super Bowl. But he won’t see another again. He – and Steelers Nation -- must give up on such false hopes. One season remains on Ben’s $43 million Steelers contract. Reports are he is leaning toward coming back one more time. This is a mistake, for both Ben and the Steelers. Instead, Big Ben should follow the good example of once-greats like Rivers and Brees – and proudly take his leave in Pittsburgh. I give you all the reasons why and a plethora of pitches for solving the Steelers problems at QB – DeShaun Watson, anyone? – in this forward-looking edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s now painfully clear the Steelers have the worst quarterback in the AFC North. The Steelers division rivals all possess young, up-and-coming QBs. Two were taken at the top of recent drafts, and the third was a steal at the bottom of the first round. The Steelers have an aging, diminished Big Ben Roethlisberger. Yet what comes after Ben is even scarier for Steelers Nation. Just ask your father or grandfather about the dark years. Those sorry Steelers seasons without a franchise Hall of Famer, like Roethlisberger or Terry Bradshaw. These erasable eras are marked by names like Cliff Stoudt, Mark Malone, Bubby Brister, Kordell Stewart, Tommy Maddox. Ouch. Still, there’s no going back. A roster reckoning is coming for the 2021 Steelers. This will be no team for an old quarterback. The Steelers as we’ve known them are no more. At least until they find another franchise QB. Last time, it took more than two decades. I cover the Steelers roster debate, the ‘will-he-or-won’t-he’ questions swirling around Roethlisberger and the funerial state of Steelers Nation in wake of yet another postseason disaster – all in this edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. So listen and weep, Steelers fans. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL playoffs are marked by legendary but bizarre games. You got the Fog Bowl, the Ice Bowl and now we have the COVID Bowl. The Cleveland Browns are limping into Pittsburgh with their supposedly genius head coach and a growing list of players on quarantine due to the coronavirus. The depleted Cleveland team has Steelers Nation brimming with confidence ahead of Sunday night’s Wild Card game -- despite the Steelers losing to this very team last Sunday by a score of 24-22. But the mere fact the Steelers essentially played Cleveland to a draw in the Dawg Pound with a long-sought Browns playoff berth on the line – and Big Ben Roethlisberger, T.J. Watt and a plethora of other Pittsburgh starters held out – has confidence soaring in Steelers Country. It’s a foregone conclusion, in fact, especially with the COVID news. Right? I give you all the Xs and Os on the COVID-marred matchup, plus some side-splitting memes on this long-simmering but decidedly lop-sided rivalry – in this wild card edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. So listen up Steelers fans. Here We Go! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Troy Polamalu is an enigma. He just might be the closest things pro football has ever had to a superhero. He off-the-field alter-ego, however, is meeker and milder than Clark Kent. He had supernatural ability to immediately diagnose, then blow up an opposing team’s play. He vaulted over the line of scrimmage and tackled the quarterback nanoseconds after the snap. He took a flying leap to snatch a fluttering football from the snowy Heinz Field turf just in time. And he would jump, arms reaching skyward, to snag an interception because the opposing quarterback never expected him to be there. Polamalu didn’t wear a cape; he had something even better: That long, flowing black hair spilling out of his Steelers’ helmet. As a fan in the stands, the hair was always the signal something great was coming. There’s a chapter in the new Polamalu biography by Jim Wexell entitled, ‘Let them say they lived in the time of Troy Polamalu.’ Amen to that, because it’s a time we won’t see again. “Old and slow,” was the media mantra about the declining Steelers’ defense from 2012-14. Troy took it personally, but nothing more so that when Coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers brass came to him days after the failed 2014 season with what amounted to an ultimatum: retire or be cut. This scene and Troy’s words really got to me – and they will get to you, too. I read some extended excerpts of Troy Polamalu’s agonizing last days as a Steeler exclusively in my Steelers Update Podcast. So listen up, Steelers fans. The scene is a real heartbreaker in an otherwise uplifting book. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ask not for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for Big Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers QB nicknamed after the famous London clock tower. Steelers Nation is populated by a significant number of spoiled fans once-relishing a perfect season but now turning on their Hall of Fame quarterback. Many are seemingly ready to write off Big Ben after two-straight losses. To be sure, Big Ben looked bad in the beatdown by the Buffalo Bills. Roethlisberger’s diminished skills were on full, agonizing display on that deep throw to James Washington that turned into a woeful underthrow/interception. It capped a weary three weeks in which Roethlisberger has been exposed as a quarterback who can no longer scramble, no longer by time in the pocket, and no longer hit the long ball with any kind of accuracy. The NFL now knows the book on Big Ben and the Steelers O. If he’s still capable of doing anything else, now is the time to show it. Either way, by the end of this season, we’ll know whether we’ve witnessed the end of Ben Roethlisberger as Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback. I have all the best reactions and reasons why in this sobering edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. So listen up! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

December could prove to be the cruelest month once again for these Steelers. If so, it will be because the seeds of the Steelers’ offensive implosion were sewn back in August. That’s when a surgically repaired Big Ben Roethlisberger first showed signs his deep ball wasn’t there anymore. He and the Steelers have shied away from it ever since. Now, it’s all coming home to roost, threatening to ruin a special season.Big Ben and the boys have lost their identity on offense. The team can’t run, and now they can’t run their short-passing game, either. Pittsburgh’s O is one-dimensional, and the blueprint for stopping it has been set. It’s a huge problem that won’t be easy to fix. We analyze this Catch-22 dilemma, plus I have all the most Terrible Tweets about your favorite football team’s sudden turn of fortune. Finally, we break down the even bigger test awaiting up in Buffalo. It’s all in this first-loss, no-longer-perfect edition of the Steelers Update podcast. So listen up, Steelers’ fans. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When does a Steelers win, even over the hated Ravens, fell like a loss? When you drop passes all over Heinz Field, fumble a punt, give up a long touchdown pass to the third-string QB – and most of all when you lose your relentless pass rusher, Bud Dupree, to a season-ending knee injury. This stomach-turning Steelers win feels like a major turning point in Pittsburgh’s here-to-fore euphoric season. Where it goes from here, is anyone’s guess. But it’s also in the hands of the Steelers’ players – most notably their supposedly budding-star receivers – who will have to do far better to make up for the Bud Dupree- and Devin Bush-depleted defense. Otherwise, all that Pittsburgh promise embodied in their 11-0 record, could be for naught. That would prove the biggest disappointment of all. I have all the best takes on the revulsion of this ugly win over the Ravens, the fan rebellion over the schedule changes that favored the Ravens, and much more on the very grim news about Bud Dupree -- all in this rescheduled edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. So listen up, Steelers fans. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The running game has long been sacred for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Absent a running game, the Steelers offense -- indeed it’s entire football philosophy -- just didn’t work. Until now. Until Big Ben Roethlisberger, wise and wily in his 17th season and seeing the field like never before, can dump off the football at will. Until these four Horsemen of the Apocalypse for NFL defenses. I’m talking about the wide receivers who make the most of every catch, no matter how short the so-called pass travels in the air. This is the Steelers running game now: Ben seeing the field, making the snap decision and unloading the ball to his plethora of playmakers. It’s the short pass, the yards after the catch, and this talented group of hands guys who also have great feet to turn Ben’s dump-offs into big plays. All of it was on display in the Steelers convincing 36-10 win over the Bengals. But bigger than that, it forms the blueprint for how these “Not Your Father’s Steelers” could go all the way to the Pittsburgh promised land of the Super Bowl and a mythical 7th Lombardi Trophy. The only question is: Do you believe? Well listen up, as I have all of the stats and all of the best takes on whether this team has what it takes to win it all – or whether the hamstrung Steelers’ running game will prove to be a fatal flaw. It’s all here in a fleet-footed edition of your Steelers Update Podcast from PennLive. So let’s get right to it! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pop a Prozac, Pittsburgh. Football warning signs are flashing brightly and loudly in the 412 area code about these far-from perfect 8-0 Steelers, who seem to be flirting with their first loss week in and week out. Yes, I’m talking about the real risk of this supposedly perfect team losing to the better-than-advertised Joe Burrow-led Bengals at Heinz Field this Sunday. The biggest worry centers on Big Ben, who is in COVID quarantine this week and won’t be able to practice. Roethlisberger could be cleared to play in the Bengals’ game. But he’d enter the contest with no practice, two injured knees and the current troubling trend of sleepwalking along with the rest of the Steelers offense for the entire first half of games. And that’s just tops in the long list of Steelers laments featured in this ‘living in our fears’ edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. If you’re not worried yet, you will be after listening to my spooky screed of Steelers’ scares. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers’ big win in Baltimore has celebrating players rapping along to what’s now being billed as the 7-0 team’s official song: ‘Take Over Your Trap’ by the late Bankroll Fresh. The lyrics that are printable do show why the song has struck a chord with the Steelers. This, after the team walked into the Big Crabcake on a rainy, cold Un-Charm City Sunday and proceeded to pick off MVP Lamar Jackson and company for an absolutely rapturous and rap-worthy 28-24 win. Whatever trap the Ravens thought they sprung on the Steelers was undone when Pittsburgh intercepted Jackson, not once, but twice – both leading to touchdowns. Now, all of Steelers Nation is rapping about that glorious but ugly win. I give you all the best takes, including Pittsburgh’s reaction to newest Steeler, linebacker Avery Williamson, in this rapping and rolling edition of the Steelers Update podcast. The bottom line for this special Steelers team is this: Set any trap you wish – this black and gold crew has a better one of its own. And the bait might just lead to a Super Bowl.

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Big Ben Roethlisberger’s trio of troubling interceptions vs. the Titans ended up costing the Steelers points on long drives – but luckily not the too-close-for-comfort 27-24 contest. The lingering effect of those picks could be the proof that Big Ben isn’t the same gun-slinging Steelers quarterback of old. The new Ben isn’t the same as the old Ben. The difference could be big, as in the absence of his once signature long-ball. Not only has been rare this season – it’s been off on a growing number of the few occasions Roethlisberger lets it rip. Bottom Line for Big Ben vs. the Titans: Roethlisbeger threw two passes longer than 20 yards. Both were intercepted. Now comes the rested, rival Ravens and MVP Lamar Jackson. Ben and the Steelers just may need the long-ball to earn a win in Charm City. The question is – can 38-year-old Roethlisberger and his surgically repaired throwing arm deliver when it counts? I tackle this looming concern – plus all the Ravens-Steelers storylines – in this edition of the Steelers Update Podcast from PennLive. So listen up, Steelers fans! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pittsburgh’s proud pro football tradition was never just about the pigskin. It was about the community of fans that came to be known as Steelers Nation. It was the connection between town, team and stadium section mates that became strong as steel. It was the communion of excitement, shared experience and common purpose that brought together that cacophony of raised voices to chant the same, familiar refrain: “Here we go Steelers. Here we go!” But on Sunday, as the Steelers renewed their Turnpike rivalry with the hated Cleveland Browns – there was no we. The bulk of Steelers nation was missing – barred from attending due to the coronavirus pandemic. This is the surreal Steelers scene one lonely fan found amid that ocean of mostly empty yellow seats at Heinz Field – plus all the best takes and analysis as the red-hot, 5-0 Steelers face their biggest challenges yet: Titans and Ravens in back-to-back weeks. So listen up, Steelers fans! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s worse than being forced by COVID-19 to take your bye in Week 4? For the Steelers, it’s watching the Cleveland Browns offense break out with 49 points against the Dallas Cowboys.But it’s not just the Browns. Offenses across the NFL are scoring like crazy. Yet, the Steelers, under a surgically repaired Ben Roethlisberger and despite plenty of weapons around him, have yet to really break out. So what’s holding back the Steelers as they prepare to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in what’s dubbed as the Pennsylvania Super Bowl? And how does the point-challenged Pittsburgh team stack up against those loud-barking Browns and the rest of the higher-scoring AFC North, as those division games loom? Glad you asked. I have all the answers in a point-laden edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. So listen up, Steelers fans! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s now clear this coronavirus-shrouded NFL season will be a game of attrition and a survival of the fittest. With COVID-19 striking at least three players and five coaches on the Tennessee Titans as they prepare to meet the Steelers in the Music City Sunday, the real rules for this season like no other are emerging. One thing stands clear above all else: The NFL desperately wants to play the games as scheduled. They don’t want to be postponing, canceling or shuffling the NFL schedule, which culminates in its annual Super Bowl climax in early February. The NFL will abide banning fans from the stands. But it wants to keep things as normal as possible when it comes to the all-important TV product. This means the football organization that handles COVID-19 the best will have a decided advantage as the season grinds forward and coronavirus inevitably strikes more and more teams. The Steelers are that organization. The team is gelling after a comeback win vs. the Texans that would have been squandered in seasons’ past. And they are these crazy COVID times that will have many more unexpected twists and turns to come. But you can expect on thing – the Steelers will survive. By doing so, they’ll be in prime position to thrive. The last team standing hoists a Lombardi. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers defense is suffering from a serious case of split personality. In one respect, they’re on a record pace for pressuring quarterbacks, blitzing relentlessly and playing highly aggressive. The result has been sacks, interceptions and fumbles – all great! But then there’s the other side of this conflicted Steelers defense. This is the permissive personality that is allowing opponents with less-than-impressive quarterbacks to mount long drives and put up big plays. It all makes for some high anxiety in the Steel City, to be sure. But just how worried should Steelers Nation be? And what are the areas of biggest concern for the Steelers, especially on defense? Glad you asked. I’ve got all the best takes on what is ailing these “Sybil Steelers” – Google it guys -- in this edition of the Steelers Update Podcast from PennLive. So listen up, Steelers fans! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers look good on the field, but they’re facing a big backlash over their divided social justice stand off of it.It was a mixed message to say the least. The Steelers high profile Monday Night Football attempt to stand united against racism was seemingly sabotaged by a war-hero left tackle. With the rest of the team wearing the name of Pittsburgh-area police shooting victim Antwon Rose Jr. on their helmets, Afghanistan war vet and Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva seemingly went rogue. He hand-scrawled the name of fellow vet Alwyn Cashe on his helmet in Sharpie ink. Cashe, who is African-American, died of injuries suffered pulling fellow soldiers out of a burning vehicle in Iraq.Now a large segment of Steelers Nation is divided, TV ratings are tanking and many now-former NFL fans are tuning out the league’s aggressive venture into divisive politics. Will it prove a poison pill in Pittsburgh – and across the rest of the NFL? We have all the best takes on these off-field troubles, plus plenty of coverage of what happened on the field vs. the Giants -- including running back James Conner’s suddenly shaky starting status – all in this controversy strewn edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. So listen up, Steeler fans! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the Steelers, it’s long been a frustrating tale of two units -- offense and defense. During the best of times for the offense, the defense was in tatters and full of holes. Swiss cheese, instead of the Steel Curtain. When the defense shined last season, the offense crumbled, along with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s throwing elbow. But for the first time in a long time, both sides of the football appear to be in nearly top form for the 2020 season. I give you all the best reasons why the 2020 Steelers could be far greater than the sum of its parts, overperforming all expectations, in this edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. I also explain why it could be now or never for this group of Steelers. A shrinking NFL salary cap for 2021 – another casualty of the coronavirus – could see to that. But for now, it could be one shining season for your Steelers. What a gift at what time. When we all need it. Pittsburgh would revel in it after years of uncharacteristic disappointments from their beloved football team. A truly special – and highly unusual -- season awaits. Enjoy it, Steelers fans! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Notre Dame receiver Chase Claypool became the Steelers top draft pick in 2020. Yet, he was the 11th receiver taken off the board, as the Steelers lacked a first-round selection. No matter. Claypool has quickly become the most highly touted rookie receiver going into the 2020 season. But it’s one thing making acrobatic catches in practice. Can Claypool do it in regular season? And come December, will Claypool still be standing head-and-shoulders above all those other receivers in his 2020 draft class? I give you all the national NFL praise being heaped upon Claypool – along with a very intelligent take on why his impact as a rookie could be limited – in this Dog Days edition of the Steelers Update podcast. Plus, I debunk another national media knock against Ben Roethlisberger and shine a light on the other Steelers rookie who just might be a star on defense. So listen up, Steelers fans! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finally, the 2020 Steelers training camp at Heinz Field is starting to resemble an actual training camp. This week, players put on the pads, and the organization allowed the media inside to get a closer -- but not too close -- look at players from Big Ben Roethlisberger and his surgically repaired throwing elbow to irrelevant rookies who may or may not make a mark in this coronavirus-canceled NFL preseason. With the sharp eyes of plenty of Steelers’ scribes watching, the top observations from are coming fast and furiously. As always, there’s the good, the bad, the ugly and in this case -- the really, really ugly. I cover it all – and fill in every detail – as I survey the most intelligent takes from the most astute Steelers’ analysts in this jam-packed edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. PS: Do not miss the growing concerns about Big Ben’s seemingly altered throwing motion, especially on deep throws. It could portend big problems in Pittsburgh this season. Ouch! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My, how times of changed for the suddenly shark-like Steelers secondary. Once a pathetic Pittsburgh weakness, it’s now a fast-rising strength that should strike fear in the hearts of opposing quarterbacks. The clear catalyst was the trade last September to acquire Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins. Now, Minkah’s talking about ranking with the great safeties of the past decade or so: “The Ed Reeds and the Polamalus and the Brian Dawkinses of the game,” as Fitzpatrick himself says. But that’s just for starters. The 2020 unit shapes up as the team’s best in years, one long-time Steelers beat reporter writes. It boasts two Pro Bowlers last season in cornerback Joe Haden and Fitzpatrick, and cornerback Steven Nelson is bucking to be the third this year. Minkah will move around much more, helping his counterpart, Terrell Edmunds, as he enters his third season. Finally, depth, especially at cornerback, is much improved. It all spells shutdown for opposing offenses, with quarterbacks quaking in their Nikes. Much more on the rise of the secondary, plus a wide-ranging Steelers Grab Bag, in this edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. So listen up, Steelers fans! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers Nation, meet the new boss; same as the old boss. That being quarterback Big Ben Roethlisberger, who says he’s back and better than ever. In a training camp interview, Ben proclaimed his surgically repaired elbow is the best it’s been in years; he’s lighter than he’s been in some 14 seasons; and feels he has years left to his NFL career. So much so, there’s now a real bottom line business concern for the Steelers: Namely re-signing this suddenly young-again Steelers QB for the future beyond 2021. No wonder GM Kevin Colbert passed on drafting a young arm in 2020. Ben could be at the helm for several stellar Steelers seasons to come -- but he’s yet to take a hit in an actual NFL game. So there’s that. Is Steelers Nation getting fooled again by a 38-year-old QB who didn’t last two full games last season? I give you all the best Big Ben takes in this edition of the Steelers Update Podcast.

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Whether it’s Juju Smith-Schuster’s skin-tight unitard dance on the China-owned social media app, TikTok, or Zach Banner’s unexpected Twitter blowup over Stephon Tuitt’s stand on the National Anthem, the Steelers seem to be sowing division at a time they should be coming together as a team in training camp. This has some long-time Steelers analysts predicting doom and gloom in Pittsburgh. They say the latest social media missteps are proof the Steelers’ locker room remains a big problem. Are they right? Hear all the evidence and plenty of hot takes in this edition of the Steelers Update Podcast, then reach your own conclusion: Are the 2020 Steelers a “clown show” or simply exercising freedom of speech? The answer could make or break the Steelers’ season, which hasn’t even started yet. Wow! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To black and gold faithful, Antonio Brown stands as the ultimate fool’s gold. All flash, no substance. Plenty of style, but no steel. Stats, but no championships. A big talking, look-at-me player who put self above team. This makes Brown the ultimate failure and biggest disappointment in Steelers franchise history. But there’s another side to this coin – the bad Pittsburgh penny that was Antonio Brown. A cold-eyed assessment of what this unheralded sixth-round pick did with his nine Steelers seasons shows Brown could be the greatest pass catcher Pittsburgh has ever seen – and a sure-fire future Hall of Famer. I give you all the best takes on the still-evolving Antonio Brown reappraisal, plus, all the latest on the Steelers training camp – just 80 players will enter -- as we are just 50 days away from real football. A jam-packed Steelers Update podcast awaits, so listen up! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers Nation is in an uproar in wake of the new ‘Madden ‘21’ video game ratings that seem to diss one of their superstars, while hinting at a big comeback for a fan favorite. Is this simply the tale of two computer game ratings that won’t really matter much once the real season begins? Or a prescient prediction of things to come in 2020 – namely a reversal of Steelers fortunes with the Ben Roethlisberger-led offense flying high again and the defense and its lack of depth taking a significant step back this coming season? Video game rating rage gives rise to some actual substantive analysis that up may be down for the 2020 Steelers. I round up all the best takes on outstanding outside lineback T.J. Watt; possible come-back player of the year, JuJu Smith-Schuster, who could still be heading out of Pittsburgh regardless – and which until will be better – offense or defense – in this prediction packed edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. So listen up, Steelers fans! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The image of the Steelers as the ultimate NFL misers is a bygone trope that won’t die. The Pittsburgh football team founded for $2,500 by Art Rooney does pony up and pay its stars. They have the salary cap troubles to prove it. But would they ever go as far as the Kansas City Chiefs just did in locking up quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a 10-year extension worth more than $500 million? It’s a dilemma the Steelers surely would like to have. Because to pay Patrick Mahomes money you first must draft and develop a Patrick Mahomes-type player, then surround him with the coaches, scheme and supporting players to shine all the way to a Super Bowl. We explore this and the Ravens’ almost-certain troubles singing Lamar Jackson in wake of all this – plus plenty of Steelers news and a fond revisiting of Three Rivers Stadium in honor of its 50thanniversary – all in this edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fans still have faith in seeing live, in-person football in Pittsburgh this fall. That’s why this Steelers season ticket holder plunked down cold, hard cash for 4 season passes, no questions or COVID worries asked. Why? Well, it’s Steelers football. That’s why. I’ve been part of it since the 80s at the old concrete bowl that was Three Rivers Stadium. I always imagined the place as a giant witch’s caldron -- crackling and gurgling with the unmitigated euphoria and unregulated rage of Steelers fans. I loved being part of that potent Pittsburgh Steelers stew, brewed up and boiling over Sunday after Sunday. I shudder to think of the Steelers making plays in utter silence amid an empty, cavernous Heinz Field. It just wouldn’t be the same, not even close. Not even on TV. Here’s why – and how this season might work for fans wanting to attend Steelers games. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Roethlisberger’s soul-baring comments have the feel of a man looking himself hard in the mirror, examining every scar, recognizing that some were self-inflicted, but accepting the long journey and the many mistakes it to get here. He’s not only still standing, but the better for it. Roethlisberger sounds like he’s stepping up for one last stand – a career comeback that could become legend. Just maybe, another championship. The Steelers’ 7th – the same number emblazoned across Big Ben’s broad chest. Wouldn’t that be poetic, Pittsburgh? After all, who wants perfect heroes? Perfect people don’t have to scratch, claw and strive. In Pittsburgh, we like the scratchers. Ben bears all the scars, all the dents and dings, the knocks to his reputation. But he’s still standing. He’s owned up to it all. Now he’s ready to move on. I respect the hell out of that. As a football fan, I just have a feeling this season could be special because Big Ben now knows just how special every down really is. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JuJu Smith-Schuster was a second banana who flourished in the shadow of then-Steelers superstar Antonio Brown. When the spotlight -- and opposing defenses -- shone on JuJu in the No. 1 role, he wilted. Badly. Now with other receiving options rapidly rising as the Steelers retool and a returning Big Ben Roethlisberger looks to rev up the offense, JuJu will largely retreat to the comfort of his slot receiving role. A step down? Perhaps. But you’d never know it from his social media, which remains as frantic as ever. In fact, JuJu just filed for a trademark for “IT'S LITTY,” so he can slap the expression on T-shirts and cell phone accessories. What could really be lit is the Steelers’ revamped O. But only if Big Ben remains upright. I give you all the facts, figures and analysis on how the Steelers offense is shaping up – plus a great Steelers grab bag – in this edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. So listen up! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling National Anthem protests now seems prescient. Eight-plus excruciating minutes of video showing a white police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd until his heart stopped beating has made it so. It sets up an explosive start to what was already going to be a very unusual football season due to the coronavirus pandemic. It’s a very good bet NFL players, including your Pittsburgh Steelers, will take a knee during the National Anthem this season. The most fitting tribute to the memory of George Floyd and what it means for all of us will be genuine understanding, empathy and acceptance of the players’ point of view. And above all – fundamental policing changes and criminal justice reform so America is America for all. Fittingly, America’s Game will be right in the middle of this significant cultural moment. So will your Pittsburgh Steelers, as it should be. The only question is where will Steelers Nation stand – or kneel? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Pittsburgh Steelers spent plenty of draft capital on its defense over the years. But for various reasons, many of those picks didn’t have positive returns. But the team brain trust admitted their drafting deficiencies and made up for them by trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick, signing Joe Haden and Steven Nelson and discovering Mike Hilton – and that’s just the un-Steelers-like renovation in the secondary. Pittsburgh will always prefer home-grown players, but the defense being built by going outside the organization is something special. And in 2020, the rebuilt D should show its strength like never before. I tell you all the reasons why in this prediction-oriented edition of the Steelers Update podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Big Ben, his bushy Brett Keisel-like beard was a marker of his long recovery from throwing elbow surgery after the second game last season. The fact that Ben’s locks and beard are now nicely trimmed – along so it seems with his body as seen in that slick 38-second video – signals the Steelers’ future Hall of Famer is back. And with everyone from Gov. Tom Wolf on down jumping on Big Ben’s back, Pittsburgh is standing solidly with their star and stalwart passer. In the portion of Pennsylvania known as Steelers Nation, it quickly became Big Ben vs. Big Bad Gov. Wolf. In western Pa. at least, the outcome was no contest. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You might want to pop a Prozac, Pittsburgh. There’s mounting gloom and doom swirling around the 2020 Steelers. I’ve rounded up all the recent arguments for why the playoff-starved team will struggle yet again. Unfortunately, it’s all here in this shocking – some would say, treasonous -- edition of the Steelers Update Podcast from PennLive. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Antonio Brown – who’s looking to get back to the NFL on a paying basis anyway he can – would love to flock with the high-flying Ravens. In Pittsburgh, this prospect has spawned two schools of thought. On one side, Steelers fans' nightmares now run with Brown-Ravens highlight reels. This, as the social-media-savvy receiver rubs in every catch and celebrates each touchdown he scores in Charm City. But the other line of thinking smacks of a subtle form of sabotage that could wreck the Ravens and allow the Steelers to flourish. These Pittsburgh fans predict Brown is a cancer – not a catalyst for a championship. They’re convinced Antonio will destroy the Ravens, should John Harbaugh and Company be dumb enough to sign him. So which scenario should Steelers fans believe? And what are the prospects of Brown actually returning to the NFL in Baltimore? I give you all the answers – plus a plethora of Pittsburgh pigskin news and notes – in this edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About the best you can say is the 8-8 Steelers added some special teams players for 2020 and brought in rookies who’ll replace second-tier stars like receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and linebacker Bud Dupree next season. This, so the Steelers have the salary-cap firepower to re-sign true superstars like T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Still, the Steelers’ odds of returning to the NFL playoffs after a two-year drought did improve markedly. Not due to the draft. Rather, because the NFL playoffs will now include a seventh team from each conference. If this had been the case the past two years, the Steelers would have made the postseason. So there is hope. Just not a lot of comfort after this crapshoot of a draft. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers already have their 2020 first round pick in the form of proven playmaking safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Good thing, too, because this could be the most unpredictable NFL draft of the modern era due to the limitations of the coronavirus. Strap in, Steelers fans. It’s going to be wild. When it’s over, let’s hope the Steelers have one or two really special players who’ll pay some 2020 dividends in playoff starved Pittsburgh. As for who -- I have all the late-breaking Steelers speculation, a last-minute Leonard Fournette trade to Pittsburgh push and even an Antonio Brown mention in this draft edition podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Both James Conner and Ben Roethlisberger should be very interested in the Steelers’ upcoming draft. It could just determine the future roles for both offensive stars, should the team spend a premium pick to select their successors. So who will it be for the Steelers at pick 49? Quarterback Jalen Hurts, running backs Jonathan Taylor or J.K. Dobbins – or another position altogether, even defense? We analyze Pittsburgh’s critical draft day dilemma in the latest edition of the Steelers Update Podcast. So listen up! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sure, Eric Ebron is nice, new and nifty in his Steelers’ uni. But he’s not nearly enough in today’s pass-happy Patrick Mahomes-dominated NFL. And Steelers fans should find no comfort if Antonio Brown actually flocks with the Ravens this season. Such a deal would signal a measure of comfort by both parties that this will be a successful partnership. Brown knows it’s his last chance – and by joining up with his cousin, he’ll be in a position to be a mentor. In short, it could develop into a full-blown nightmare scenario for long-suffering Steelers fans. They’d be left to watch Brown and the Ravens flourish, while Big Ben takes baby steps from elbow surgery recovery, playing it safe passing to his pair of tight ends. Ouch! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers are finalizing their draft day moves, just as their former star Antonio Brown looks to be out of moves after a former Pittsburgh coach shuts him down cold. I’m talking about current Tampa Bay Head Coach Bruce Arians’ hard pass on pairing Brown with a willing Tom Brady, who was brought in to take over the Bucs’ offense. This stiff-arm from Arians, who covets his offensive toys like no other, is notably damning for the future prospects of Brown ever returning to the NFL. The book on Brown right now is “Steer Clear.” The Steelers wrote the first chapter last year by trading Brown for a third-round pick. What moves will the team make in 2020? One rumor has another name receiver being shopped and shipped out of Pittsburgh for a second-rounder. I give you all the latest right here.

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The release of two big NFL names with big NFL arms has stirred visions of Big Ben backups with Steelers-starter potential in the minds of Pittsburgh fans. So who’s the better 412 area code fit -- Jameis Winston and his interceptions or Cam Newton and his injuries? Maybe neither - but not how you’d think: Don’t believe for a moment the Steelers are content to stand pat with their current QB depth chart – or lack of it. Thus, I surmise the Steelers harbor a secret plan to address this situation, and I reveal it in this podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shakespeare once said, parting is such sweet sorrow. For Steelers fans, watching good players go, it’s bitter as could be. Yet, the Steelers have played free agency the same way for decades. Early days when big money buys up the biggest, hottest names, the Steelers opt to sit it out, biding their time and awaiting bargains. The challenge this critical offseason will be landing players at bargain prices who can actually play. In other words, no Donte Moncriefs in this Steelers’ free agent crop.

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There’s plenty of pot-stirring going on right now in Pittsburgh. But soon, bullets will fly for real when free agency begins March 18th. Rest assured, the Steelers are quietly and secretly targeting their kind of talent, aiming to improve the team the “Rooney Way.” That means less hype, less ego – but bigger heart, better bargain and high character. In other words, far from the flash that generates good headlines. But if it wins football games in the fall, winter – and best of all, in January – I’m in. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bud Dupree franchise-tag dilemma requires some serious re-thinking by the Steelers. The team should be very nervous when conventional wisdom is so squarely on the side of the player Pittsburgh fans so recently wanted to ride out of town. It screams of a contract-year flash-in-the-pan that could burn the Steelers already tight budget. T.J. Watt is the true Steelers star at outside linebacker, utterly making Dupree. The Steelers could be about to tag and reward the wrong player. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A 5-second video of a bushy-bearded, badly-bloated, blue-shirted Big Ben Roethlisberger lightly tossing a soft football inside a gym has all of Pittsburgh predicting the Steelers will be back in the playoffs in 2020. Ever-confident Steelers management is doubling down, doing nothing to downplay expectations, despite the fact that Big Ben’s bad elbow didn’t last two full games in 2019. Despite Ben’s 38th birthday next month, General Manager Kevin Colbert is boldly proclaiming a surgically repaired Roethlisbeger could be better than ever as he rides into his 17th NFL season. Color me cautiously optimistic but continually nervous – at best. Here’s why, plus much more on the Steelers plans for the NFL Combine. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don’t believe in Mike Tomlin’s mental mastery. Get yourself a transcript of Tomlin’s comments to Stephen A. Smith on Monday’s ‘ESPN First Take.’ Study it. Parse every word. Devine the multiple meaning behind every sculpted sentence. Then, truly appreciate what a wise leader, master motivator, quintessential coach and superb football business executive Mike Tomlin truly is. Or just listen to my breakdown of Tomlin’s verbal brilliance in this podcast. He’s the NFL’s version of EF Hutton. Google it, young ones. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Antonio Brown has something to prove, all right. But it’s not in the ring with some YouTube yapper, Logan Paul. It’s to himself, as a supremely talented football player, and to the fans who saw him do incredible things over 9 seasons – some of whom still believe in Brown, despite his best efforts to repel them. Antonio’s only redemption comes with an NFL return and an earnest, all-out bid to recapture his greatness. He needs to get his outsized ego out of the way in order to run precise and winning route in that direction. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Perhaps Antonio Brown has been properly humbled. Maybe taking away all those fat NFL game checks finally got his attention. Whatever the wakeup call was, Antonio the grinder seems back -- and he’s grinding toward a goal of returning to the NFL. For now, he’s making the right moves gaining the sympathy of NFL players, coaches, analysts – even all-powerful Commissioner Roger Goodell. Brown could be back sooner, than later. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers traded up in 2003 to secure soon-to-be Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu, and he promptly became the key cog in their two-time Super Bowl-winning defense. Now even Tom Brady says Troy belongs in Canton. But the bigger question is whether the Steelers have landed another Polamalu-like player with last season’s trade for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fans can only hope he generates similar “Super” dividends. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some of Antonio Brown’s most recent bizarre behavior includes throwing phallically-shaped gummy’s at his former girlfriend and the mother of his three boys outside his Florida home. He’s had increasingly hostile clashes with local police called in to mediate the situation, then proudly posted the profanity-filled video on social media. Now, Brown finds himself in the middle of a felony investigation allegedly involving his trainer. The entire situation, once ridiculed with laughs from spurned Steelers fans, is growing more and more grave, demonstrating Brown needs serious help before tragedy strikes. Here’s why it should be the Steelers who act.

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The Titans showed the football world how to go right at Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. They didn’t just get their feathers plucked, their deepest vulnerabilities were revealed. Both Jackson and his team face long-term game-planning headaches as the copycat NFL duplicates what Tennessee did. First among those mimickers will be the Steelers, potentially turning the 2020 season on its head. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ending to Tom Brady’s season wasn’t much better than that of the Steelers. When last we saw the aging GOAT, he was throwing a pick-six to the Tennessee Titans, en route to a crushing 20-13 Wild Card loss. To think it could be the GOAT’s last game in New England? But Tom Brady a Steeler? Pittsburgh fans have plenty to say about that – and it’s classic! I cover it all in the podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s all the iron-clad reasons why the Steelers are shoo-ins for the 2020 season of HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ – the annual all-access peek unto NFL training camps. Not only is Steelers Nation a built-in fanbase sure to boost ratings, out-of-football Antonio Brown won’t be able to resist hate-tweeting about every episode providing plenty of free publicity. Then there’s all the built-in Steelers’ drama a storylines, which I detail here, making for must-see TV. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Of all the shocks this Steelers season, the demise of receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster ranks among the biggest. He went from being given the No. 1 receiver position on a prolific offense to having become all but irrelevant player with lingering injuries. These maladies haven’t stopped his social media partying and hijinks one bit – and some fans are finally growing tired of his act. Meanwhile, the Steelers final act awaits – so do the playoffs if Pittsburgh can win the reunion with Le’Veon Bell and the Jets this Sunday. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How sweet it is for Steelers fans, who proudly took over the Cardinals’ stadium in Arizona to cheer on a fourth-string, undrafted quarterback, a bunch of rookies and no-names on offense, along with that swarming, smothering defense that has brought the Steel Curtain back after a long absence. Meanwhile, in a home loss to the Chiefs, Boston boo-ers were turning their backs on six-time Super Bowl winners Tom Brady, who has been less than terrific, and Bill Belichick, who finds himself embroiled in another spygate scandal. You just gotta smile, Steelers Nation! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unheralded, undrafted Devlin ‘Duck’ Hodges flew over No. 1 draft pick Baker Mayfield as the Steelers bested the Browns. Now comes Kyler Murray, another No. 1 pick pedigree quarterback. Look for your stellar Steelers D to feast, your re-energized head coach to come up with a fool-proof game plan and your offense under Duck to quack just enough for the win to keep Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes very healthy, indeed. This season has become an absolute blast because no one could have penned this Pittsburgh pigskin play, which has been part drama, part comedy and all action with that swaggering Steelers D. Best of all, it isn’t near over. All I can say is, ‘Here we go!’ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plenty of Browns bluster is blowing into Pittsburgh for the big rematch of HelmetGate at Heinz Field. Meanwhile, Steelers Nation is embroiled in a quarterback controversy. Mason Rudolph is out, and a possible Duck Dynasty begins with Devlin “Duck” Hodges calling offensive signals, instead of making duck calls. Despite it all, on the week of Thanksgiving, we can all be thankful the Browns-Steelers rivalry is officially back. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After getting smashed over the head with his own helmet by the Browns Myles Garrett, Steelers quarterback has been getting beat up in the media for starting the Browns brouhaha. But the biggest causality is the Steelers offense, which now must rely on no-names signed off the street to beat Cincinnati. Oh by the way, the aptly named Bungles always manage to play the Steelers pretty tough. Expect the Steelers to try plenty of surprises to move the football. But one thing that won’t change: Gritty Rudolph, who rose from a concussion against the Ravens and has now survived a helmet bludgeoning by the Browns, is your passer, for better or worse, the rest of this Steelers season, like no other. The ride’s been bumpy, for sure, but it’s far from over. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers QB Mason Rudolph remains the reluctant starter who was thrust into service beneath Big Ben’s long shadow. Without doubt, he has much growing to do in order remain at the helm in Pittsburgh for the long haul. But will Steelers fans stay patient through Rudolph’s inevitable growing pains? Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield and the Browns were much ballyhooed all off season as AFC Super Bowl prospects. That is, until the actual games began. Since then, Mayfield has become an interception machine, helping the hapless Browns promptly resume their losing ways. So which team has the real franchise quarterback? We tell you in the podcast.

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Just call him the most eligible receiver in Pittsburgh: Massive offensive tackle Zach Banner has become something of a Steelers folk hero as he declares himself as an eligible receiver in about a dozen plays per game. It’s just one sign of the rising excitement sweeping Steelers Nation as the beloved black and gold are busy stacking wins for the first time in the 2019 season. I have all the best Steelers’ buzz on playoff prospects, the big home game vs. the L.A. Rams and the development of Mason Rudolph in this podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finding a franchise quarterback, even high in the first round of the draft, remains a crapshoot. The Steelers were lucky enough to have a lightning strike twice in 50 years with Terry Bradshaw in the 1970s and Big Ben Roethlisberger in the 2000s. Who knows when it will strike again in the vicinity of Heinz Field? And to already think it has, in the form of Mason Rudolph, is the real definition of fantasy football. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The verdict is in: The Steelers missed on one of the most exciting, electric players in the NFL right now. That player is Lamar Jackson. He resides in Baltimore. And he could help his rising Ravens preside over the AFC North -- and the Steelers -- for some time to come. To say many in Steelers Nation aren’t happy is as big an understatement as saying Jackson can run the ball a bit. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two teams linked by a mutual hatred and 90 miles of bad turnpike go into their bye week with identical 2-4 records. But the gulf that separates the Steelers and the Browns couldn’t be wider. Looking forward, Cleveland is reverting to basement-dwelling form, while the Steelers are surging to salvage a season. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We already may be past the point of having JuJu and James measure up to the playmaker level of their predecessors, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. But they must to do the bare minimum. They can’t be a reason the Steelers lose. Otherwise, even a very sympathetic Steelers Nation soon will turn on these highly likable replacement stars who just aren’t ready for prime time. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ravens will force Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph to beat them, not with gadget plays, but with his arm by throwing downfield. Winning could be the biggest trick of all for still-struggling Steelers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Would it be unfair for Tomlin to finally be fired after a season in which he loses his Hall of Fame quarterback? Yes. But if he is let go, it would not be about just this one season. Here’s how and why it just could happen this time. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Perhaps Steelers Nation should be known as Prozac Nation, given its collective mood swings from booking Super Bowl plans to going on suicide watch. (Kidding, of course!) But despair is no way to win a football game vs. Seattle. Here’s what is. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What an opener! The contrast between the Patriots and the Steelers couldn’t be starker, especially these last 19 seasons of the Bill Belichick/Tom Brady era. But a victory on Super Bowl banner-raising night in New England wouldn’t just be sweet for the Steelers and their fans. It would punctuate an offseason-long metamorphosis into what a fervent fanbase truly believes can be a surprise Super Bowl team. One that would finally supplant all those talented-packed and heavily predicted championship squads that fell so woefully short. Here’s what the opener means to the rest of 2019 for Pittsburgh. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Regrets? Big Ben has a few, especially when it comes to his fractured relationship with Antonio Brown. But even as Roethlisberger owns up to his deepest regret in handling his fragile relationship with the ego-centric receiver, a major media reappraisal of the Steelers is in the offing. Plenty of national TV talking heads are suddenly changing their tunes on the Steelers and the team’s fortunes in 2019. But why? I clue you in right here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s why Jay Z’s deep-pocketed ownership interest and Antonio Brown’s big blow-up rank as major Steelers wins before the 2019 season even begins: If those Jay Z part-ownership reports turn out to be true, the pressure for the Steelers to win now will only increase. That's a good thing. Still, there’s something to be said for the careful and considered Steelers stewardship the Rooney family has displayed all these 80-plus years now. After all, the Rooneys stuck with Mike Tomlin amid the ugly Antonio Brown mess, and now the Steelers are fully vindicated. Sometimes, all that glitters is not black and gold. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All that ‘I-told-you-so’ Steelers’ snickering over Antonio Brown’s antics ended abruptly Sunday morning, plunging Pittsburgh into crisis. Already, the pressure was going to be on the Steelers receivers, who must collectively make up for plenty of big plays and a plethora of catches once hauled in by the unlikeable but undeniably talented Brown. But with the untimely death Sunday of Steelers’ receivers coach Darryl Drake, it will be a highly emotional battle for grieving Steelers’ pass-catchers to get their heads and hearts back into the game. The fallout could affect the already hard-to-read 2019 season. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let the Browns have all the hype and headlines they want. Pittsburgh is more than ready to be “bored” by a business-like football team of like-minded pros that simply churns out wins. If Ben Roethlisberger is happy and has his own workman-like receiver with no attitude, it means the Steelers have a singular focus – winning. Not stats. Not social media. Not recording rap music. Just winning – and winning it all! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers exorcised the demons of dispatched superstars Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. Now they just need JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner to replace all their big plays. This season of change begins in the hallowed place where Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl hopes springs eternal – Steelers training camp in Latrobe, Pa. But of late, the practice field that has spouted so many great Steelers teams of old has been fallow, giving the 2019 season the feel of a grand but uncertain experiment. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shouldn’t Mike Tomlin be angry at the man in the mirror and all those ugly blemishes of poor performances in the playoffs? Instead he’s bucking for a big, new contract and PO’ed that the Steelers's chances are being dissed in 2019. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is JuJu Smith-Schuster the Chosen One? He certainly thinks so, saying a God-given opportunity awaits with the Steelers. But beware. Heavy is the crown of football stardom in Pittsburgh. Expectations are sky-high and so will be the pressure. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It sounds like heresy given all the big plays. But consider the fact that malcontent receiver Antonio Brown was constantly clamoring for the football, leading to many interceptions by Big Ben. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers’ diminutive rookie linebacker Devin Bush may be the latest star player to shatter those old NFL stereotypes. Here's why. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some telling stats covering Tomlin’s last eight seasons – which have been devoid of Super Bowl wins and full of playoff futility – offer Tomlin fans and critics, alike, plenty of ammo. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JuJu Smith-Schuster has been a fan favorite almost since he arrived in Pittsburgh. But by going to a high school prom as a boy’s date at age 22, along with handing out packets of Heinz ketchup at Kennywood amusement park, has the social media savvy Steelers star gone too far? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2019 Steelers were supposed to have learned their lesson in humility by focusing on winning football games. Social media says different. Among the embarrassments: Underperforming linebacker Bud Dupree says, ‘hold my beer’ and fat-shames a reporter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This was supposed to be the year Mike Tomlin critics finally got to see the cool Steelers coach sweat. Think again. (From Steelers Update by PennLive) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Antonio Brown’s replacement on the Steelers could be boom or bust – breaking down Diontae Johnson See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Devin Bush & stellar Steelers draft class is big on production, pedigree, passion, meaning the future is now in Pittsburgh. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Skip Bayless goes-all in on the Steelers as the NFL draft looms: Is he right? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers vs. Browns a primetime NFL rivalry once again – here’s why and who wins. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Le’Veon Bell still loves you, Steelers fans; so how do you really feel? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Roethlisberger a racist? We’ve hit peak crazy, and Steelers critics must be all out of ammo by now. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's official: Antonio Brown’s Twitter attack on JuJu Smith-Schuster fully vindicates Steelers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Roethlisberger gets muzzled, so will he do his talking on the field in 2019? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers’ long string of lamentable luck at the linebacker position must change with a ‘sure-thing selection’ in the 2019 draft. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ‘new’ Mike Tomlin sounds a lot like the old one: Is this a problem for the Steelers? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Antonio and Le’Veon who? Steelers President Art Rooney II channels Chuck Noll when asked about the departures of Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. All Pittsburgh fans should do the same. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The plot to destroy Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers: Pittsburgh is steaming at what it sees as a vast anti-Ben conspiracy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Le’Veon Bell backpedals a bit after signing Jets contract for less money than Steelers’ offered - Think he might have a regret or two? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cleveland Browns are killing Steelers in free agency; will they do so on the field this fall? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Antonio Brown trade backlash: Steelers got played; Brown got paid. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Antonio Brown for Amari Cooper if Raiders make much-rumored deal with Steelers. So who comes out ahead? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers’ Antonio Brown tanks his trade value with lots more ‘crazy’ talk – did he just burn the last bridge out of Pittsburgh? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers’ Antonio Brown to the Raiders? Jon Gruden isn’t ruling out blockbuster trade See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s prostitution bust has Steelers fans feeling superior again, but is this really something to cheer? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Antonio Brown is beating the Steelers at what used to be their game & the team’s frustrated fans know it all too well. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Antonio Brown’s breakup with the Steelers gets ugly; should the team respond with ‘ugly’ trade to Loserville? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers stymied as Antonio Brown’s trade value plunges amid his woman-shoving scandal. So is it time for the once-proud Pittsburgh team to simply cut him loose and end the embarrassment? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers Nation is giving the Patriots some grudging respect while loathing its own team like never before. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the Steelers, draft day is becoming Groundhog Day - here’s why it's sad repeat of the Bill Murray comedy, ‘Groundhog Day.’ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The nemesis New England Patriots seeks to match the Steelers’ singular standing of 6 Super Bowl trophies and all of Pittsburgh is freaking out! A once-proud city dubbed Six-Burg for the Steelers’ six Lombardis threatens to be surpassed by the half-dozen trophies up in Boston. Say it ain't so! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers have blocked Antonio Brown from seeking trade, so are they seriously thinking about keeping him? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JuJu Smith-Schuster’s Pro Bowl antics show he’s the next Steelers diva - fact or fiction? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Tomlin’s contract extension isn’t a Steelers’ priority right now; should he worry? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vegas is giving the Steelers some good odds to win next season’s Super Bowl: Easy money or big mistake? And what would it take to reach this lofty goal? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Instead of criticism, Ben Roethlisberger’s getting a big, new Steelers contract – fair? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Antonio Brown disses Emanuel Sanders while hitting back at Bruce Arians – no wonder the Steelers have no trade offers for him yet! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers plan to trade Antonio Brown by the NFL combine, but is a 2nd rounder for the All-Pro pass-catcher the best they can do? Oh yeah, and Mike Munchak is gone! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So how close were the 2018 Steelers? Position-by-position grades & 5 pivotal plays that spoiled the season. Plus, Jerry Rice on Antonio Brown. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More Steelers coaching staff changes; Antonio Brown declared 'un-tradable'; & Big Ben has big condition on a new contract – News and Notes. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A big, new contract awaits Big Ben Roethlisberger, while the Steelers seem more intent than ever on trading Antonio Brown: Right Moves or Major Mistakes? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joey Porter is out. Mike Munchak is interviewing. And Antonio Brown says the standard wasn’t the standard. Guess which is the bigger story? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the big Antonio Brown blow-up and team-turmoil Steelers’ playoff miss, here’s how an under-siege Mike Tomlin gets his groove back. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Antonio Brown’s antics reach new levels of absurdity, it’s sure looking like Mike Tomlin and the Steelers will seriously ponder trading away their star wide receiver. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollow victory as the Steelers down the Bengals but miss out on the playoffs in a bitter end to a squandered 2018 season. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pittsburgh’s playoff parlay: Browns over Ravens and Steelers over Bengals – reality or get real? Keys to both big games. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Tomlin’s fake punt call in the 4th quarter was either utter genius or sheer stupidity – arguments for and against as Pittsburgh fumes over Steelers’ possible playoff ouster. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a crushing loss to the Saints, the Steelers’ fast-fading playoff hopes are now pinned to the Browns beating the Ravens. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A slumping Drew Brees and a slipping Saints offense, but a strengthening New Orleans D – Key matchups that could determine Sunday’s Saints-Steelers clash. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forget about a shoot-out in the Superdome, could Steelers-Saints be a low-scoring defensive struggle? Here's what you should know before betting the over. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The defense rises up as the Steelers (finally) beat Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots, sending the Heinz Field faithful into a Super Bowl-like celebration. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Brady vs. Steelers pass rush; Artie Burns vs. his last chance; Gronk vs. Steelers secondary; Belichick vs. Antonio Brown – matchups for Patriots-Steelers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers weren’t the only ones to suffer a shocking loss last Sunday, but in a bad sign for the black and gold, Bill Belichick rarely loses two in a row, as it is “on to Pittsburgh” for the Pats. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big Ben and Mike Tomlin both try to clear up Ben’s Ribgate in Oakland, as the Steelers bring in kickers to unseat a spiraling Chris Boswell. Oh yeah, and they play the Patriots Sunday. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers shocker: Chris Boswell slips on last-second field goal in Oakland, sending Steelers to three-game losing skid -- but they’re still very much alive in the playoffs. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big Ben vs. the Black Hole curse; Steelers D vs. a hot Derek Carr; and Jaylen Samuels vs. expectations – key matchups for Steelers-Raiders. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers haven’t won in Oakland's Black Hole since 1995 – so why are they 11-point favorites? All the big storylines from Sunday’s clash with the Raiders. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s what rookie running back Jaylen Samuels brings to the offense – and what's up with these angry, head-butting, woman-choking Steelers fans? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Conner is more seriously injured than first thought, plus more fallout from the Steelers short-circuiting vs the Chargers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers are no-shows in the second half and get shocked by the Chargers at home – plus they lose James Conner to injury in the process. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers look to win the ground war and control Philip Rivers through the air in order to short-circuit the Chargers on Sunday Night Football – key matchups. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To beat the Chargers, the Steelers secondary must step up and take away the ball, while the defense needs to win on first down — Breaking down the Bolts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big Ben dishes out blame for all those costly Mile High mistakes in Denver, but Pittsburgh scores a huge break vs. the Chargers on Sunday. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was a Mile High Meltdown: Sloppy Steelers give the game to the Broncos and plummet in the playoff standings. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Conner vs. the drops; Phillip Lindsay vs. the Steelers D-line & Von Miller vs a rookie O-lineman? Key matchups for Steelers-Broncos. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Mike Tomlin looks to Denver and another tough D, but can’t help savoring the historic comeback in Jacksonville one more time. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to a resilient Steelers D, Big Ben has the chance to win a game he had no business winning vs. the Jaguars. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Roethlisberger vs. Ramsey; Fournette vs. the Steelers run D; and Pittsburgh vs. the Jacksonville curse – key matchups vs. the Jaguars. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Conner’s concussion clears, but is the way clear for the Steelers’ No 1 running back to have a big game vs. a still-stiff Jaguars D? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On paper, the surging Steelers should storm past the suddenly toothless Jaguars — so how come fans feel so nervous about this game? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Le’Veon’s final decision, Conner’s concerning concussion, Coach Tomlin’s unlikely wellspring of support — all the latest Steelers news! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leonard Fournette is back but Le’Veon Bell isn’t, as the Steelers head south to face a still-dangerous Jaguars team. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers pound the Panthers on both sides of the ball, gaining momentum faster than Antonio Brown’s Porsche doing 100 mph. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers D needs some sure-tackling vs. the tough Panthers, but Pittsburgh’s O holds the advantage — key matchups for Thursday night football. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a short week vs. Carolina on Thursday night, so we have a rundown of all the latest Steelers news — and there’s a lot! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers overcome the Ravens, the zebras and a scary hard-hit on Big Ben to claim victory in Baltimore — hot takes on a had-to-have game. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Breaking the Steelers’ streak of bad luck in Baltimore begins with big outing by James Conner & his stellar run blockers — the keys to the game. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The secret behind running back James Conner’s astounding Steelers’ success - Hint: it’s right in front of him. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No trades, so Le’Veon Bell will be a Steeler in 2018. What should the team do when he returns? Oh yeah, and Big Ben broke his finger. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As crowd chants ‘Conner! Conner!’ the Steelers running back who beat cancer makes franchise history in win over Browns — can he take Steelers all the way? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big Ben’s changing game plan; first aid for the Steelers’ secondary & tilting the lopsided turnover battle: Browns vs. Steelers keys to the game Sunday. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, starting his first Steelers game Sunday, expects a very physical challenge — here's the view from Cleveland. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Roethlisberger is defending Browns’ offensive coordinator, former prickly play-caller for the Steelers, Todd Haley — yes, you heard me right. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The division-leading Steelers face the top-flight, turnover-minded Browns defense and Mike Tomlin says it will be a challenge just to hold on to the football. Wow. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Call him ‘The Vanimal’: Tough-as-nails tight end Vance McDonald is this season’s breakout Steelers' star – here’s why. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rumors of the Steelers trading for Arizona Cardinals’ cover-corner Patrick Peterson — reality or get real? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This huge, inescapable fact could prevent the Steelers from trading Le’Veon Bell, despite all those lingering rumors of a deal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Conner has matched Le’Veon Bell’s production, still he’d welcome him into a 'dynamic duo' backfield — question is, will it work? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fallout from big Bengals win: Steelers good — JuJu and the offensive line; Steelers bad — Artie Burns; Steelers’ ugly — Le’Veon Bell watch on a bye week. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Tomlin missed a challenge that made it close, but Big Ben sure didn’t miss Antonio Brown for the game winner over the Bengals — how sweet it is! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bengals-Steelers could boil down to James Conner vs. Vontaze Burfict –—and wouldn’t that be perfect? Keys to the game Sunday. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Returning to the scene of a Steelers’ tragedy: Playing in Cincinnati after losing linebacker Ryan Shazier stirs Steelers’ emotions vs. a rising division foe. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How the Steelers would handle a Le’Veon Bell-James Conner backfield — and don’t look now but Antonio Brown is caught up in a new controversy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A beautifully balanced Steelers team finds the winning formula in complete victory vs. the Falcons — season turning point or merely a mirage? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s all the many things the Steelers must fix to beat the Falcons on Sunday — your keys to a must-win game. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Antonio Brown in a slump -- and if so what’s to blame? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pittsburgh's in a state of panic over the Steelers’ awful start. So is there still time to turn it around, or is it game over? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Digging into Le’Veon Bell’s plans to return to the Steelers — is he serious, will it save the season, or is it too little too late? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers’ vaunted offense grinds to a halt vs. the Ravens — Le’Veon Bell, where art thou? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Steelers-Ravens so get ready for another great physical grudge match that goes down to the wire. Here are your keys to the game. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Le’Veon Bell’s possible landing spot with the Eagles; Big Ben’s illuminating prime-time record; Joe Haden’s wee-hour drug test; and the health of the Steelers offensive line vs. Ravens. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite getting a win, the Steelers’ problems are great and they are many — will rival Ravens expose them? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Talking the Steelers’ squeaker in Tampa; Le’Veon trade rumors; special teams troubles; defensive woes — and that sweet stiff-arm that sure made a statement. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Those drama-loving Steelers turn a halftime blowout in to sweat-it-out nailbiter down in Tampa. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers cornerback Artie Burns could lose his starting job in the Monday Nighter in Tampa Bay – so is he yet another top defensive draft pick who disappoints? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers’ situation gets ‘stormier’ as famed porn star accuses Big Ben - but the real storm could be stopping the quick-strike Tampa Bay offense. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Steelers rookie Jaylen Samuels see some action at running back? Here’s why his specialized skills are so intriguing. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Antonio Brown is back in the fold, so can the Steelers finally focus on beating the Buccaneers now? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Antonio Brown skips a meeting, Le’Veon Bell jet skis in Miami, and Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin tries to convince the media he’s got it all under control. Does he? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s going on with Antonio Brown and all his antics on the Steelers’ sideline and social media? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers are out-gunned by Patrick Mahomes and all of his video-game weapons in pinball-machine of a home opener at Heinz Field – so what went wrong? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He's back at practice, but could Big Ben’s bad elbow be a big problem vs. the Chiefs — Key game-day match-ups. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can the sputtering Steelers keep up with the video-game-like Chiefs? Only Big Ben can say for sure. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Le’Veon Bell parties it up in Miami, breaks his silence on his hold out, and has a return date in mind: Should Steelers' fans care? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just how good was James Conner? Breaking down his dazzling Steelers' debut. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just what will Le’Veon Bell do after watching the Steelers’ James Conner run wild against the Cleveland Browns? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sloppy Steelers let a win slip away in soggy Cleveland -- but at least the Browns don’t win either! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Le’Veon-less Steelers are tiny favorites vs. the lowly Browns — we analyze the key match-ups! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Le’Veon Bell mess is getting plenty ugly with teammates taking out the knives - so how will it all end for the Steelers? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get used to life without Le’Veon, Steelers fans, as Bell could hold out for months to ‘preserve his body’ for his next team. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get used to life without Le’Veon, Steelers fans, as Bell could hold out for months to ‘preserve his body’ for his next team. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers don’t know when star running back Le’Veon Bell will show up -- so is it time to start James Conner? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All the best takes on the Steelers’ blockbuster roster moves: QB Josh Dobbs over Landry Jones and more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quarterback Josh Dobbs has some real value to the Steelers —and to several other NFL teams that just might trade for him. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who is running away with the Steelers' running back competition? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The pressure to improve the Steelers' defense in 2018 begins with pressure right up front from the team’s twin towers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hold-out Le’Veon Bell will soon return to the Steelers, but where will he be next season? We have the odds! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two key injuries for the Steelers -- but rookie Terrell Edmunds is the real deal, and the defense is gelling. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are we about to witness the best offense in Steelers' history? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who’ll be the odd arm out in the Steelers’ three-way quarterback quandary? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Second-year sensation James Connor is re-writing the running back situation for the Steelers. Le’Veon who? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rookie receiver James Washington is winning contested catches like crazy. Will it win him a starting role with the Steelers? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Time to push the panic button on the Steelers’ shoddy defense? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hold on,Mason Rudolph! Landry Jones is still seen as the Steelers’ best bet to back up Big Ben. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DBs Coach Tom Bradley breaks down key players in the improving Steelers secondary. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No "rust" for the wicked as Le’Veon Bell works out with the "Footwork King" in Florida. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Roethlisberger breaks down Mason Rudolph. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers' suspect secondary is getting a much-needed makeover for 2018 — here’s how it shaking out. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re witnessing the maturation of rookie quarterback Mason Rudolph – but at times it just isn’t pretty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It isn’t a real game — but it is Steelers-Eagles and it gets a step closer to football. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers’ biggest free-agent signing endures a frustrating start at training camp — will things get better for Morgan Burnett? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s inside linebacker Jon Bostic versus Tyler Matakevich in one of the Steelers’ biggest training camp battles. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rookie Terrell Edmunds is making it look easy in Steelers' training camp — so is he the real deal? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The flashes of Randy Fitchner’s new offense at Steelers' training camp look incredible. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Le’Veon Bell’s booty-slapping night at a Miami strip club, plus which Steelers are working hardest in training camp – we have the stats! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s where the Steelers stand on the National Anthem as players taking a knee continue to needle the NFL in 2018. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s all the best takes on all the big news out of Steelers' training camp. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big Ben flashes fine form at Steelers’ training camp — so is it too early to talk about his next contract? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Helicopters over Latrobe; Tomlin playing favorites; a safety first signing; and Eli returns — Steelers’ training camp achieves lift-off. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Steelers’ training camp set to open, here are the unknown players to watch in Latrobe. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the biggest Steelers’ quandary: It may take the entire defense to replace Ryan Shazier. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The many disappointments of linebacker Bud Dupree & the Steelers' pass rush — will anything change? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s why rookie receiver James Washington is the real X factor in the 2018 Steelers offense. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lots more Le’Veon Bell fallout — including the Steelers’ final offer & whether his replacement is already on the roster? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A disappointed Le’Veon Bell reassures Steelers fans, “Trust me 2018 will be my best season to date” — and also his last. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monday’s contract deadline looms for Le’Veon Bell — here’s everything we know. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Move over Jesse James, a healthy Vance McDonald is looking to out-duel you as the Steelers' top tight end in 2018. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Which Steelers receiver will step up in the all-important slot position in 2018? The answer may surprise. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A deal deadline is looming for Le’Veon Bell and the Steelers — here’s what it means. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s the key role veteran free agent safety and former Green Bay Packer Morgan Burnett will fill for the Steelers in 2018. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers legend Jerome ‘the Bus’ Bettis has some choice words for Le’Veon Bell — will it shake up his contract situation? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet Keion Adams, the second-year player who could be a big key to stabilizing the Steelers’ shaky linebacking corps. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's how the Steelers offense under new coordinator Randy Fitchner could fizzle — or produce plenty of fireworks? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers fans are super cheap; big Ben is way under-appreciated; and the Steelers get a huge early-season break. Here are Steelers News and notes ahead of the July 4 holiday, See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In attempting to both win now and build for the future, are the Steelers trying to have their cake and eat it, too? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s how JuJu Smith-Schuster his schooling up rookie receiver James Washington for his Steelers debut. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite lip service to the contrary, the Steelers defense is still playing plenty of zone coverages against the pass. But why? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Perhaps Le’Veon Bell is worth Antonio Brown money after all — and a deal may be closer than we think. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three Steelers are in the mix to replace traded receiver Martavis Bryant — and none of them is named JuJu. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two words for why Steelers’ training camp could be the most exciting in 15 years: Mason Rudolph. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could be ready to strike a deal on his next contract with the Steelers. Here’s the latest. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can second-year Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith Schuster be even better in 2018? He certainly thinks so. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers legend Rod Woodson blasts the defense— here’s what he’s saying. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martavis Bryant is making Steelers GM Kevin Colbert look like an absolute genius — here’s how. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers defense is already making big changes for 2018, as linebackers Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt switch it up. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell making the 2018 Steelers totally unlikable? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big Ben Roethlisberger is revved up and ready to go for 2018 like never before — here’s why. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers’ No. 1 draft pick Terrell Edmunds is making plenty of mistakes — so is this real trouble or the rookie learning curve? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Le’Veon Bell has been hanging out with a rapper — and it’s not music to Steelers fans’ ears. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are we about to see a tougher Mike Tomlin in order to tame Team Turmoil — a.k.a. the Steelers? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s up with Antonio Brown? It's certainly not attending Steelers' OTAs. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers’ Superman Ryan Shazier says don’t count him out in inspiring return to the spotlight. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can this talented Steelers receiver finally catch a break and grab a key role with the team? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

These two Steelers stalwarts are out to make the oft-injured defensive line an immovable force in 2018. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s who’s rising, falling, injured and AWOL at Steelers' OTAs. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This second year Steeler seems headed for a big breakout season in 2018. Here’s who, and here’s why. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can running back James Connor redeem himself after a rough rookie season with the Steelers? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Le’Veon Bell vents his Steelers contract frustrations in new rap song, ‘Target.’ Sour note or not? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet Ryan Shazier’s replacement at inside linebacker for the Steelers — and boy does Jon Bostic have big shoes to fill! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler says this task is Job No. 1 for his defense in 2018 — but it’s not what you think. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert’s days in a Steelers’ uniform may be numbered — here’s why. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Le’Veon Bell watch has officially begun in Pittsburgh — expect it to last all summer long. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet the Steelers’ other third round pick — who just could be the steal of the 2018 draft. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Baltimore Ravens’ incoming general manager just admitted his plan is to copy the Steelers’ mode to win. Say what? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New England Patriots-loving Colin Cowherd just declared the Steelers the better team for 2018 -- here’s why. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Penn State coach Tom Bradley is already making a big difference on the Steelers defense. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This unsung rookie could become a true wild card in the already potent Steelers offense. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All the bashing of Big Ben Roethlisberger for his “rude” welcome of Mason Rudolph has jumped the shark —here’s why. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers' 2018 rookie class is in minicamp — but there might not be a starter in the bunch! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet 3 undrafted Steelers who have real shot of making the 53-man roster – here’s how. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are the Steelers copying the New England Patriots’ blueprint for handling their quarterback situation? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mason Rudolph has another Steelers quarterback girding for battle – but can this QB win? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s why some in Steelers Country are still scratching their heads over the team’s 2018 draft. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Roethlisberger isn’t angry with Mason Rudolph — he’s mad at the Steelers’ brass. Here’s why. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are the Steelers any better for having traded away wide receiver Martavis Bryant and taking James Washington in the draft? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whoa there Mason Rudolph, Ben Roethlisberger now says he wants to play quarterback another five years for the Steelers.

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Here’s how all-everything back Jaylen Samuels could revolutionize the Steelers' offense. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Expect Mason Rudolph to be the Steelers’ No. 2 quarterback come opening day — here’s why. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The key to the brilliance that was the Steelers’ draft is recognizing the team’s emphasis on versatile, hybrid players in an evolving NFL. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martavis Bryant is gone; Terrell Edmunds is a reach; and Ryan Shazier is walking! Breaking down the Steelers’ big draft moves. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martavis Bryant is out and Terrell Edmunds is in: Breaking down the Steelers' big moves in the draft. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s all the latest on who the Steelers will take in Thursday night’s NFL draft. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

These college conferences loom large in every Steelers draft — and 2018 will be no exception. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers aren’t giving up on linebacker Bud 'Dud' Dupree after all — and fans are angry! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s who the Steelers might draft to fill the giant shoes of Ryan Shazier. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could 2018 be the year the often-porous Steelers secondary finally shuts down opponents’ big pass plays? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do the Steelers keep missing on drafting linebackers - and will the troubling trend continue? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers' approach to the NFL draft is quantity over quality — winning formula or recipe for disaster? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary linebacker James Harrison calls it a career — is there any chance he’ll un-retire again? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here are the Steelers’ 3 biggest needs heading into the 2018 NFL draft. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The rise and fall of Le’Veon Bell in Pittsburgh — from star running back to reviled villain. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why good players plunge: Steelers guard David DeCastro recalls that sinking feeling in the NFL draft. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s why the Steelers won’t take a quarterback in the NFL draft -- despite all the talk to the contrary. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Harrison is out to avoid a repeat of what happened with the Steelers in 2017. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's how a bruising, violent game between the Steelers & the Bengals has brought about a major NFL rule change for 2018. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fact or fiction? If the Steelers take a quarterback in the 2018 draft, someone should be fired. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers’ 2018 free agency moves — blockbuster or bust? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s who NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has the Steelers taking in the first round. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers draft flashback: The class of 2015 — boom or bust? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Mike Tomlin says changes to the Steelers defense could be nothing short of “dramatic” in 2018. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Le’Veon Bell wants Antonio Brown money — is he worth it? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree is on the bubble — big time! Has he played himself out of his contract? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers are courting college running backs — should Le’Veon Bell be worried? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Mike Tomlin finally opens up about the Steelers’ 2018 plans. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers put Le’Veon Bell on the back burner to focus on more pressing matters to improve the team. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers re-signed tackle Daniel McCullers to a one-year contract on Thursday. And about that controversial catch rule... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While general manager Kevin Colbert checked out running backs at Georgia's pro day, Ryan Shazier helped scout prospects at Pitt's pro day. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers signed former Green Bay Packers safety Morgan Burnett. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Free agent linebacker Jon Bostic officially signed with the Steelers on Monday. He talked with the media about Ryan Shazier, his injury history and more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers will sign free agent linebacker Jon Bostic to a two-year deal, pending a physical. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Running back Fitzgerald Toussaint re-signed with the Steelers and Pittsburgh's coaches scouted Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steelers have been busy checking out potential draft picks this week. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alejandro Villanueva became the fourth Steeler of the offseason to restructure his contract. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices