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• Steelers Finish Off Signing Draft Class; Ink First-Round Pick T.J. Watt

  In News / By Matt Loede / June 14, 2017 / 0 comments

  

  The Steelers draft class is complete in terms of deals in place, as the team announced they have signed first-round pick T.J. Watt to a four-year contract.

  The brother of Texans star LB J.J. Watt, the Steelers Watt, was taken with the 30th overall pick in the draft. He is the last of Pittsburgh’s eight draft picks to sign. Financial details were not released.

  Watt actually began his collegiate career as a tight end before switching to linebacker. He played in 27 games for the Badgers, making 14 starts, over a two-year span. Watt recorded 70 tackles, including 17 stops for losses and 11½ sacks in his college career.

   

• Steelers Come to Terms with Third-Round Pick CB Cameron Sutton

  In News / By Matt Loede / June 13, 2017 / 0 comments

  

  The Steelers on Tuesday announced that they have come to terms with third-round cornerback Cameron Sutton.

  Sutton was a four-year standout CB for Tennessee, setting a school-record in passes defended along the way.

  He was one of two cornerbacks taken by the black and gold in the 2017 NFL Draft. The team also picked up Brian Allen in the fifth round.

  With Sutton aboard, the only rookie Steeler without a deal is first-round pick linebacker T.J. Watt.

   

• Steelers One of Six Teams Listed Having a Shot to Unseat the Patriots This Upcoming Season

  In Opinions / By Matt Loede / June 11, 2017 / 0 comments

  

  We all know how poorly the Steelers played in the AFC Title Game this past January in Foxboro, and right away people are picking the Pats to once again represent the AFC in the Super Bowl in February of 2018.

  While the Pats are the favorites, NFL.com has a piece out about six teams that have a legit chance to unseat the champions from 2017, and the Steelers are at the top of the list.

  Here’s what Conor Orr had to say about the Steelers and their chances.

  Pittsburgh Steelers

  Regular-season matchup with the Patriots: Dec. 17 (Week 15) at Heinz Field.

  Why they can do it: Ben Roethlisberger’s 3-5 record against Bill Belichick is saying something at this point. There aren’t many teams left with a legendary quarterback who can go 12 rounds with the Patriots on any given night. Plus, Roethlisberger’s supporting cast should be more capable and focused than it’s been in a few years. Rookie linebacker T.J. Watt and receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster are immediate upgrades who can help balance out the thinning lineup of a team that began taking too many personnel risks.

  The supporting cast will for sure have to be better in 2018 if the Steelers are going to get it done, and somehow finding a way to have the game at Heinz Field wouldn’t hurt either.

   

• Steelers QB Roethlisberger Won’t Chat About Retirement Speculation; Nor Commit to Anything Past 2017

  In News / By Matt Loede / May 24, 2017 / 1 comment

  

  Steelers fans were flat out spooked this offseason when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger stated that he was thinking about walking away from the team and the NFL this offseason.

  While he will stay on as the player under center for the Steelers in 2017, there’s no doubt the team will have to start thinking about the future of the position, possibly why the team took Josh Dobbs in the fourth round as a possible long term replacement.

  Today Big Ben spoke to the media at Steelers OTA’s, and didn’t seem too interested in giving reasons as to why he was thinking about walking away, and what may have changed his mind.

  “It doesn’t matter, I’m here now,” Ben said Wednesday when asked how close he might have been to retiring.

  “Honestly it doesn’t even matter. I’m happy to be back here. I’m happy to be back with the team,” Roethlisberger said.

  “I love the city. I love these guys. I love being out here. Football is a passion of mine. It’s what I do and it’s what I love to do.”

  While Ben will undoubtedly do whatever he can to lead the team to another Super Bowl in 2017, he’s not all that interested in talking about anything past this season.

  “I never commit to anybody more than one year,” Roethlisberger said.

  “I think that’s all we should always commit to with this sport. Because if we look past this year, then we’re cheating ourselves and we’re cheating other people. We need to give this year everything that we can, everything that we have because ultimately that’s what we have, right here and right now.

  “I’m here on Day One. You see me out there taking every rep I’m supposed to take and then some. I actually took some of the rookies’ (reps) today. I’m 110-percent committed.”

  For how long is anyone’s guess – to the point where Ben himself might not even know.

   

• Report: Steelers Ink FordhamTE Phazahn Odom Following Minicamp

  In News, Roster Moves / By Matt Loede / May 14, 2017 / 0 comments

  

  The Steelers have added another piece to their roster, as reports say the team has come to terms with former Fordham tight end Phazahn Odom.

  Steelers signed former Fordham tight end Phazahn Odom following their rookie minicamp, according to a source

  — Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 14, 2017

  Odom was an All-state basketball player in high school who averaged 19 points and 14 rebounds per game. We’ll see if his game can translate to the NFL and if he can do enough to make the Steelers roster.