Mar 1, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Pittsburg Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert talks to the media during the 2022 NFL Combine. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert retires after 22 seasons with club

Kevin Colbert has stepped aside as general manager of the Pittsburgh Steelers — a retirement he announced earlier this year to come following the conclusion of the NFL draft.

Colbert, 65, had been general manager since 2010 and has spent 22 seasons with the organization. Pittsburgh won two Super Bowls and 10 division titles during Colbert’s time with the Steelers.

The Steelers named the Pittsburgh native the director of football operations in 2000, and in a final news conference at the conclusion of the draft on Saturday, he talked about his legacy.

“I don’t want to say better than,” Colbert said of how he was leaving the organization. “I’m proud to say we added to that (trophy) room.”

The Steelers have yet to name his successor, but Colbert is expected to retain an advisory role with the organization.

His final draft class is made up of quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Chris Oladokun, wide receivers George Pickens and Calvin Austin III, defensive end DeMarvin Leal, linebacker Mark Robinson, and tight end/fullback Connor Heyward.

After 38 years in professional football, Colbert said he isn’t sure what Monday morning holds for him.

“It will hit you a little bit later,” he said. “It’s like a game. When a game comes to an end, you think about it and appreciate it. But you really will reflect on it when it gets quiet and you’re by yourself, and it’s like, wait a minute, what do I have to do next? I don’t know.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 16, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) warms up before an AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers GM getting close look at 2022 QB class

In Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins we trust.

This has been the company line since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger left the Pittsburgh Steelers in a relative no-man’s land at quarterback.

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine there are starting-caliber quarterbacks available in the 2022 NFL Draft. But he also said the Steelers aren’t fretting the potential reality of playing the veterans on the roster.

Colbert witnessed multiple games played by Field Level Media’s top-ranked quarterback in the draft, Pitt’s Kenny Pickett. The team also spent time at the Senior Bowl with Liberty quarterback Malik Willis.

There are also veteran free agents who could be available, or trade targets at the position, whom the Steelers are vetting.

“We won’t narrow it to any one place, never have, never will,” Colbert said Tuesday in Indianapolis. “Quarterback is obviously a huge position in any given season, especially this season with our Hall of Fame quarterback calling it a career. Is it different this year? Yes. Is it going to change how we approach things? No. We have two vets in Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins who have started NFL games … and they’ve won games. We think we have two capable NFL quarterbacks. How we’ll add to that I can’t say.”

Beyond the quarterback position, a number of roster-build scenarios could play out for Pittsburgh, depending on the results of free agency. One of the team’s priorities has been to engage JuJu Smith-Schuster, who returned to the team in 2021 on a one-year deal.

“JuJu did a great comeback from the shoulder injury that he suffered,” Colbert said. “Much to our surprise, he was available to us late in the season as well as the playoff game. We commend him for doing that and putting his free agent thoughts aside and helping us win a playoff game. We take that into account. JuJu has been a great player for us.”

Colbert said he didn’t pause before endorsing the addition of Brian Flores to the coaching staff. Flores has a pending lawsuit against the NFL. Colbert said the litigation wasn’t a factor, but Flores’ resume was.

“Brian Flores has been a successful NFL head coach and defensive coordinator, and I was excited to have him,” he said. “As I mentioned to coach Flores when he first came into the office, I really like his background because he started out on the personnel (side).”

–Field Level Media

Jan 16, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) warms up before an AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers GM: Mason Rudolph starting QB if season started today

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert let the cat out of the bag in regard to the team’s new starting quarterback.

Well, for now.

“If we started a season today, Mason (Rudolph) would be our starter,” Colbert said Monday, via ESPN. “He’s 5-4-1 as a starter. We’re excited to see what’s next for Mason.”

Colbert was giving the nod to Rudolph over pending restricted free agent Dwayne Haskins as the Steelers look for a replacement for Ben Roethlisberger, who retired after 18 seasons with the team.

Rudolph, 26, posted a 5-3 record in eight starts in 2019 when Roethlisberger was sidelined with an elbow injury. He threw for 1,765 yards with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions that season.

Overall, Rudolph has thrown for 2,366 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 picks in 17 career games (10 starts).

Haskins, 24, didn’t see any action for the Steelers this past season. He went 3-10 as a starter over the previous two campaigns for Washington before being released late in the 2020 season. He passed for 2,804 yards with 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Colbert noted the Steelers are looking to add competition to their quarterback ranks, whether through free agency or the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft. The Steelers hold the 20th overall pick.

Roethlisberger completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 64,088 yards and 418 touchdowns in 249 career games, 247 of them starts for the Steelers. Roethlisberger was the 2004 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Colbert is stepping down as GM after the draft.

–Field Level Media

Feb 27, 2019; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert speaks to media during the 2019 NFL Combine at Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Steelers GM Kevin Colbert expected to retire after draft

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert, one of the architects of two Super Bowl-winning teams, is expected to retire after the 2022 NFL Draft, NFL Network reported Sunday.

His contract runs through the draft.

With the all-but-official retirement of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers will be looking to fill two major roles before the 2022 season.

Colbert began his NFL career in 1985 as a scout for the Miami Dolphins, then moved on the role as director of scouting for the Detroit Lions before the Steelers named him director of football operations in 2000. He was promoted to general manager in 2011 and added the team vice president title in 2016.

NFL Network said Omar Khan, the VP of football and business administration, and pro scouting coordinator Brandon Hunt would be candidates to replace Colbert.

During Colbert’s time in Pittsburgh, the Steelers have been to three Super Bowls and have a record of 225-124-3 entering Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.

–Field Level Media

Feb 25, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers sign GM Kevin Colbert to 1-year extension

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced a one-year extension Monday for general manager Kevin Colbert through the 2022 NFL Draft.

Colbert, 64, has been with the organization since 2000 and has been the GM since 2010. His tenure includes wins in Super Bowl XL and XLIII.

“I am excited to announce that we have extended the contract of Kevin Colbert for an additional year,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a release. “Kevin has been instrumental to the success of our franchise over the last two decades, and we are happy to have him continue for another year.”

Colbert was the pro scouting director with the Detroit Lions from 1990-99 before joining the Steelers as director of football operations in 2000.

“It has been such an honor to be in this position with the Steelers for over 20 years,” Colbert said in a statement. “I want to thank Art Rooney for his continued support in extending my contract another year. We’ve been able to accomplish some great things, but my determination to help the Steelers reach our ultimate goal — to win another Super Bowl — has never been greater.”

–Field Level Media