Tag: Pittsburgh Steelers

Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Report: Aaron Rodgers ‘likely’ to play for Steelers in ’26

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is visiting Pittsburgh on Friday and will “likely” play for the Steelers in 2026, NFL Network reported Thursday.

The report added that no deal is done and there is “always caution until things are signed,” but the 42-year-old free agent’s plan is to play for Pittsburgh.

Last month, the Steelers reportedly placed a right-of-first-refusal tender on Rodgers. The move means he can accept a 10% raise from last year’s salary ($13.65 million), pushing the four-time NFL MVP to approximately $15 million in base pay. Pittsburgh has the right to match any offer sheet he might sign with another team as a free agent.

Thursday’s report said it’s unlikely Rodgers would play for $15 million, putting pressure on the Steelers to work out a deal perhaps as early as this weekend.

The Steelers can gain exclusive negotiating rights with Rodgers if he does not sign by July 22, or the first day of NFL training camp.

If he signs with a new team before that date, he would be a potential compensatory free agent lost by the Steelers and a potential CFA gained by the new team, provided all other requirements are met under the Compensatory Draft System’s rules.

Pittsburgh hired a familiar face in Mike McCarthy as head coach after Mike Tomlin’s resignation in January. Rodgers played under McCarthy during his time with the Green Bay Packers.

Rodgers posted his 15th season with at least 3,000 yards and 20 touchdown passes with Pittsburgh in 2025.

He ranks fourth in NFL history in passing touchdowns (527) and fifth in passing yards (66,274). His career passer rating of 102.2 ranks No. 1 all-time as does his 1.4% interception percentage.

The 10-time Pro Bowl selection won Super Bowl XLV with Green Bay after the 2010 season. He owns a 163-93-1 record as a starter in the regular season with the Packers (2005-22), New York Jets (2023-24) and Steelers.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) blocks Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. (3) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Report: Steelers LT Broderick Jones (neck) suffers setback

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones will be examined this week after suffering a setback during his recovery from a season-ending neck injury, ESPN reported Monday.

The tests will help to determine his availability for training camp and the start of the regular season, per the report.

Jones, who turns 25 next month, landed on injured reserve on Nov. 29 after injuring his neck in Pittsburgh’s Week 12 loss at Chicago. He missed the final six games of the season.

Jones started the first 11 games last season as quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ left tackle, playing 97% of the offensive snaps before getting hurt. He has started 38 of 45 regular-season games and both playoff games since being drafted in the first round (14th overall) in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (22) on the field before the Steelers play the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Report: Steelers re-signing CB Asante Samuel Jr.

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Pittsburgh Steelers are re-signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to a one-year, $4 million contract, ESPN reported Monday.

Samuel, 26, returned from spinal fusion surgery last April to play in six games (three starts) for the Steelers down the stretch in 2025. He finished with 10 tackles and one interception.

A second-round draft pick by the Chargers in 2021, Samuel has recorded seven interceptions, 38 passes defensed, one fumble recovery and 186 tackles in 56 games (50 starts) with Los Angeles (2021-24) and Pittsburgh.

–Field Level Media

Mike McCarthy on wanting Aaron Rodgers back in Pittsburgh: ‘Definitely’

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Mike McCarthy offered no ambiguity when asked at his introductory press conference as the Steelers’ head coach whether he’d want Aaron Rodgers back in Pittsburgh.

“Definitely,” McCarthy told reporters Tuesday. “I don’t see why you wouldn’t.”

Rodgers was McCarthy’s quarterback when the latter coached the Green Bay Packers from 2006-18. Rodgers spent last season in Pittsburgh, though his future is unclear.

McCarthy said he has spoken with Rodgers, 42, who has said he wants to take time away to think before deciding whether to keep playing and where.

“Just like anything, knowing Aaron long enough, going through seasons, I think … when guys are up at that stage of their career, they need to step away and decompress and I think that’s very important,” McCarthy said. “The game is so emotional. What these men commit to and what they put into it — I think that time away is important.”

Rodgers still has tread on the tires if he chooses not to retire, evidenced by posting his 15th season with at least 3,000 yards and 20 touchdown passes for the AFC North champs in 2025, numbers McCarthy appears to have taken notice of.

“I was able to sit back and watch most of the Pittsburgh games on TV and I thought he was a great asset to the team,” McCarthy said Tuesday.

The Pittsburgh native is the Steelers’ fourth head coach since 1969. He will take over the post previously held by Mike Tomlin, who coached the team from 2007-25 before stepping down earlier this month.

Tomlin followed Super Bowl winner Bill Cowher, who coached from 1992-2006. Cowher came after four-time Super Bowl champion Chuck Noll, who held the job from 1969-91.

“I understand and embrace the responsibility, the privilege and the weight that comes with this stewardship. This city, this franchise, this fan base means the world to me because Pittsburgh’s my world and it’s just awesome to be back here,” McCarthy said in his opening remarks, quickly becoming emotional.

“My heart is full, my focus is singular and it’s time to bring another championship back to this great city.”

McCarthy, 62, did not coach in the NFL this season after compiling a 49-35 record — with three 12-win seasons — in Dallas from 2020-24. He went 125-77-2 with Green Bay and led the Packers to victory against the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.

McCarthy spent four years as an assistant coach in college at Pitt before beginning his NFL coaching career.

Tomlin stepped down on Jan. 13, one day after the Steelers dropped a 30-6 decision to the Houston Texans in the AFC wild-card game in Pittsburgh. The loss was Tomlin’s seventh straight postseason defeat.

–Field Level Media

Report: Steelers open to QB Aaron Rodgers’ return

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There will be a welcoming party in the Pittsburgh locker room if Aaron Rodgers decides to return for his 22nd season in 2026, ESPN reported.

“Most if not all” of the Steelers players are open to the four-time MVP quarterback’s return and conveyed that sentiment to team brass during last week’s exit meetings, per the report.

Rodgers played the 2025 season on a one-year, $13.65 million deal. Returning for 2026 reportedly seems “unlikely,” however, following longtime head coach Mike Tomlin’s resignation.

Rodgers, 42, has said he wants to take time away to think before deciding whether to keep playing and where. He still has tread on the tires if he chooses not to retire, evidenced by posting his 15th season with at least 3,000 yards and 20 touchdown passes for the AFC North champs in 2025.

“I’ve enjoyed this experience, and everybody in Pittsburgh has been fantastic to me on and off the field,” Rodgers said earlier this month, before Tomlin moved on after 19 seasons and a 193-114-2 record.

“And it’s really what I was hoping for this experience was. It’s been even better than I was hoping.”

Pittsburgh’s choice to replace Tomlin will no doubt go a long way toward influencing Rodgers’ ultimate decision.

Rodgers ranks fourth in NFL history in passing touchdowns (527) and fifth in passing yards (66,274). His career passer rating of 102.2 ranks No. 1 all-time as does his 1.4% interception percentage.

The 10-time Pro Bowl selection won Super Bowl XLV with the Green Bay Packers after the 2010 season. He owns a 163-93-1 record as a starter in the regular season with the Packers (2005-22), New York Jets (2023-24) and Steelers but is just 11-11 in the postseason after Monday night’s wild-card loss to the Houston Texans.

–Field Level Media

Steelers sign veteran CB Tre Flowers to active roster

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The Pittsburgh Steelers signed veteran cornerback Tre Flowers to their 53-man roster on Thursday.

Flowers, 30, appeared in two games this season with the Detroit Lions before being released on Nov. 30.

He has recorded four interceptions and 287 tackles in 97 career games (44 starts) with six teams since 2018.

The AFC North-leading Steelers (9-6) visit the Cleveland Browns (3-12) on Sunday and can clinch the division with a victory or a Ravens loss on Saturday.

Flowers played his first three-plus seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, who drafted him in the fifth round in 2018.

He has also played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts.

Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols (groin) did not practice Wednesday and cornerback James Pierre (calf) was limited.

–Field Level Media

Suspension could cost Steelers’ DK Metcalf more than $45M

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DK Metcalf’s two-game suspension for an altercation with a fan could void $45 million in the Steelers receiver’s contract, according to multiple reports.

Metcalf, 28, signed a four-year, $132 million deal with Pittsburgh in March after being acquired from the Seattle Seahawks.

The contract includes guaranteed money in 2026 ($25 million) and 2027 ($20 million) that will be “null and void” if he fails “to practice or play with the Club for any reason,” according to CBS Sports.

Metcalf is also forfeiting $555,556 in salary for missing Pittsburgh’s final two regular-season games ($277,778 per game) after being suspended for conduct detrimental to the NFL for initiating contact with a fan at Detroit’s Ford Field on Sunday.

Metcalf appealed the suspension, but it was upheld on Tuesday by an appeals officer jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.

With the Steelers (9-6) trying to hold off the Baltimore Ravens (7-8) to win the AFC North, Metcalf will miss Sunday’s contest at Cleveland and the Week 18 finale at home against Baltimore.

During the Steelers’ 29-24 win over the Lions, Metcalf walked behind Pittsburgh’s sideline toward a Lions fan leaning over the front row. Metcalf raised his right hand to grab the fan, who was wearing a blue wig, and then appeared to try to punch the man as he leaned back.

Metcalf was not penalized during the game, but multiple cameras caught the interaction and ultimately led to his suspension on Monday.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Metcalf leads the Steelers in receiving yards (850), touchdown receptions (six) and targets (99). He ranks second on the team with 59 catches.

–Field Level Media

Steelers’ T.J. Watt has surgery for collapsed lung

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Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt is recovering from surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung, his brother J.J. Watt posted Friday on social media.

According to J.J. Watt, the Steelers’ star linebacker sustained the injury during a dry needling session Wednesday at the team’s practice facility.

“Recovery timeline is still TBD, but all went well and he is being released from the hospital today,” J.J. Watt wrote on X. “He and his family are very appreciative of everyone’s kind words and well wishes.”

The team confirmed that the three-time NFL sacks leader had to be hospitalized on Wednesday. He underwent the surgical procedure on Thursday.

Dry needling is a procedure used to increase blood flow and raise oxygen levels in overused and sore muscles.

Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters on Thursday that Watt’s availability for Monday night’s game between the AFC North-leading Steelers (7-6) and visiting Miami Dolphins (6-7) will be determined later.

Signed to a three-year, $123 million contract with $108 million guaranteed in July, Watt has recorded seven sacks and 53 tackles in 13 games (all starts) this season. The seven-time Pro Bowl selection has not missed a game since the 2022 season.

Watt, 31, has 115 career sacks in 134 games (all starts) since being selected by Pittsburgh with the 30th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 when he had a career-high 22.5 sacks to match the official league record (since 1982) held by Michael Strahan.

–Field Level Media

Steelers WR DK Metcalf (stomach pain) stayed in Baltimore Sunday night

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf spent the night in Baltimore after experiencing stomach pains after Sunday’s 27-22 win over the Ravens, the team announced.

“DK Metcalf was experiencing stomach pains once the team boarded the plane in Baltimore Sunday evening. The Steelers’ medical team removed him from the plane out of an abundance of caution to seek further evaluations at a nearby hospital. He remained in Baltimore overnight and is scheduled to return to Pittsburgh today,” the team statement said.

NFL Network reported that Metcalf, 27, took a hard hit during the game and that the team wanted to rule out any internal injuries.

Despite the hit, Metcalf set season highs with seven catches and 148 yards to raise his tallies to 52 catches for 753 yards and five touchdowns in his first season in Pittsburgh.

The AFC North-leading Steelers (7-6) have an extra day of recovery this week before hosting the Miami Dolphins (6-7) next Monday night.

–Field Level Media

Steelers fend off Ravens to take AFC North lead

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Aaron Rodgers passed for 284 yards and a touchdown and also ran for a score as the Pittsburgh Steelers took sole possession of the AFC North lead with a 27-22 victory over the host Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon.

DK Metcalf caught seven passes for 148 yards as Pittsburgh (7-6) defeated Baltimore (6-7) for the ninth time in the past 11 regular-season meetings. Kenneth Gainwell rushed for a touchdown and Jaylen Warren had a scoring reception for the Steelers.

Rodgers completed 23 of 34 passes while wearing a soft cast to protect his broken left wrist.

Lamar Jackson completed 19 of 35 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jackson also rushed for a score for the Ravens (6-7), who lost their second straight contest following a five-game winning streak.

Derrick Henry rushed for 94 yards on 25 carries and Zay Flowers had eight receptions for 124 yards for Baltimore. Isaiah Likely caught a touchdown pass but also was ruled to have dropped what would have been a go-ahead scoring catch with 2:43 remaining.

The Ravens reached the Pittsburgh 30-yard line in the final seconds before Pittsburgh’s Alex Highsmith sacked Jackson to end the game.

That was part of a frantic Baltimore late-game push. On the previous drive, Jackson connected with Flowers for 33 yards to the Pittsburgh 13. On the next play, Jackson hit Lively in the end zone for an apparent touchdown.

But the tight end held the ball out in front him with both hands as trailing Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. poked into his body. Lively took a couple steps in the end zone before the ball fell to the ground. A review determined the pass was incomplete and not a touchdown.

The Ravens had fourth-and-5 from the Steelers’ 8 later in the drive but Jackson’s throw for Mark Andrews was high and incomplete with 2:22 remaining.

Pittsburgh led 17-9 at halftime before Chris Boswell booted a 28-yard field goal early in the third quarter.

Keaton Mitchell exploded for a 55-yard run on Baltimore’s next possession and that set up Jackson’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Lively to pull the Ravens within 20-16 with 7:35 remaining.

The Steelers responded when Warren caught a short pass from Rodgers and turned it into a 38-yard score to make it an 11-point margin with 3:30 left in the period.

Tyler Loop kicked field goals of 28 and 36 yards in the fourth quarter to pull the Ravens within 27-22 with 7:10 remaining.

Earlier, Rodgers threw 52 yards to Metcalf to the Ravens’ 13 on the Steelers’ first offensive play. Rodgers capped the drive with a 1-yard run with 7:13 left in the first quarter to give Pittsburgh a 7-3 lead.

Boswell’s 23-yard field goal and Gainwell’s 6-yard TD run gave Pittsburgh a 17-3 advantage with 6:05 left in the half. Jackson scored on a 6-yard keeper with 16 seconds on the clock.

–Field Level Media