Tag: Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers fend off Ravens to take AFC North lead

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

Bears stay on NFC North perch, beat Aaron Rodgers-less Steelers

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Caleb Williams passed for 239 yards and three touchdowns and Kyle Monangai rushed for a score to lift the surging Chicago Bears to a 31-28 victory against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

NFC North-leading Chicago (8-3) stretched its winning streak to four, with each victory coming by one score.

The Bears withstood a late rally from the Steelers (6-5), who fell into a tie with Baltimore atop the AFC North.

The Bears took a 24-21 lead with 2:47 remaining in the third quarter on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Williams to D.J. Moore. Monangai’s 2-yard rushing TD with 14:14 left in the game stretched the lead to 31-21.

Pittsburgh drew to within 31-28 on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Mason Rudolph to Pat Freiermuth with 6:27 remaining. The Steelers forced a three-and-out on the Bears’ next two possessions.

With 21 seconds to go, Rudolph’s fourth-and-6 pass from the Bears’ 47 was batted down at the line of scrimmage to seal the result.

Rudolph started in place of Aaron Rodgers, who was unable to play with a left wrist fracture that forced him from last week’s win against Cincinnati. He finished 24-of-31 for 171 yards with a touchdown and interception. Kenneth Gainwell gained 92 yards on 10 carries and Jaylen Warren and DK Metcalf rushed for scores.

Moore led the Bears with five receptions for 64 yards and two touchdowns. Monangai rushed 12 times for 48 yards.

Nahshon Wright intercepted Rudolph’s first pass of the game near midfield. Chicago embarked on an eight-play touchdown drive capped by a 5-yard scoring pass from Williams to Moore.

Pittsburgh answered with a 13-play, 95-yard touchdown drive that took 7:58 off the clock. Rudolph tossed a swing pass behind him to Metcalf, who navigated his way into the end zone.

T.J. Watt later chased Williams into his end zone and strip-sacked the quarterback, with linebacker Nick Herbig falling on the loose ball for a defensive touchdown.

Facing a fourth-and-1 at their own 44, the Steelers ran a fake tush push that turned into a 55-yard Gainwell run that took the ball to the Bears’ 1. Warren rushed for a touchdown on the next play as the Steelers took a 21-14 lead.

Cairo Santos drilled a 47-yard field goal for Chicago as time expired on the second quarter.

Injuries beset the Bears, especially in the linebacking corps and secondary, where the team was missing its top three cornerbacks and top four linebackers. Rookie Ruben Hyppolite II sustained a shoulder injury early in his first career start.

Pittsburgh’s Joey Porter Jr. didn’t return after sustaining a hip injury.

–Field Level Media

Steelers pound Bengals despite losing Aaron Rodgers to injury

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kyle Dugger returned an interception 73 yards for a touchdown and Mason Rudolph relieved the injured Aaron Rodgers as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the visiting Cincinnati Bengals 34-12 on Sunday.

The Steelers scored a pair of defensive touchdowns, sealing the game on James Pierre’s 34-yard fumble return with 3:22 left in the fourth quarter, to avenge their 33-31 loss to Cincinnati on Oct. 16.

Rudolph completed 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards and one touchdown for the Steelers (6-4). Joe Flacco finished 23-of-40 for 199 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Bengals (3-7), who lost for the seventh time in eight games.

Rodgers completed 9 of 15 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown before his left hand was injured late in the first half.

After Rodgers’ exit, Rudolph converted third downs of 11 and 17 yards to set up Chris Boswell’s second field goal and give Pittsburgh a 13-9 lead.

Feeling pressure in the pocket, Flacco threw a pass over the middle for Tee Higgins that Dugger intercepted and returned for a long touchdown to extend the lead to 20-9.

The game featured two confrontations between Steelers safety Jalen Ramsey and Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase, including one early in the fourth quarter.

With the Bengals forced to take a timeout and appearing to be in disarray on fourth-and-1 at the Pittsburgh 44, Ramsey grabbed Chase by the facemask and threw a punch, resulting in Ramsey being ejected. The two players remained on the field before Ramsey had to be escorted off.

The Steelers opened the game with an eight-play, 78-yard drive that was capped by an uncontested screen pass from Rodgers to running back Kenneth Gainwell in the left flat for an 11-yard touchdown. Pittsburgh’s other feature back, Jaylen Warren, ripped off a 35-yard run to the Cincinnati 12.

The Bengals answered with a 71-yard drive in nine plays. Flacco found Higgins for a 28-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline, giving Higgins a TD in four straight games and six in his last six games.

–Field Level Media

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers (hand) questionable to return

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was ruled questionable to return in Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a left hand injury that occurred late in the first half.

Steelers running back Jaylen Warren also was ruled questionable to return with a left ankle injury.

Mason Rudolph replaced Rodgers at quarterback in the second half for Pittsburgh.

Rodgers completed 9 of 15 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown as the Steelers took a 10-6 lead before halftime. Warren had 10 carries for a team-high 62 yards.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers (5) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Report: Steelers signing veteran S Jabrill Peppers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms on a deal with veteran safety Jabrill Peppers, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

Peppers, 29, was released by New England in a surprising move on Aug. 29. He signed a three-year, $24 million extension with the Patriots in July 2024, but injuries and a league suspension limited him to six games last season.

The Steelers add a player with 99 games of experience (85 starts) and more than 500 tackles with the Cleveland Browns (2017-18), New York Giants (2019-21) and Patriots. He has seven interceptions, seven fumble recoveries, 5.5 sacks and 35 passes defensed.

Peppers was selected by the Browns with the 25th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Michigan.

Peppers spent time on the commissioner’s exempt list in 2024 after he was the subject of a domestic violence charge. He was acquitted of multiple assault charges in January.

The Steelers lost starting safety DeShon Elliott to a knee injury during Sunday’s season-opening win against the New York Jets. Elliott is expected to miss multiple weeks with an MCL sprain, per multiple reports.

Pittsburgh has a Week 3 meeting with the Patriots in Foxborough, Mass.

–Field Level Media

Jul 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) participates in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Aaron Rodgers said he will play preseason opener if asked

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Aaron Rodgers rarely participates in preseason games, but the first-year Pittsburgh quarterback is willing to step up if Steelers coach Mike Tomlin asks.

Pittsburgh opens its preseason schedule at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, and Rodgers said he expects to have “an interesting conversation” with Tomlin regarding his reps in the matchup.

“I don’t think it’s in the plan for me to play this week,” Rodgers said, “but whatever Mike wants to do, I’m fully on board.”

The NFL’s oldest active player, Rodgers, 41, appeared in an exhibition game for the New York Jets two years ago. But you would have to go back to 2018 to find his previous performance in a game that did not count.

Pittsburgh has four quarterbacks on its depth chart, with Mason Rudolph backing up Rodgers, who ranks fifth and seventh in career passing touchdowns and yards, respectively, and signed a one-year deal in June.

Rookie Will Howard is listed as the third-string QB, although the national champion from Ohio State will not be available on Saturday with a hand injury after smacking it against a helmet in Tuesday’s practice. Skylar Thompson is QB4 on the depth chart.

While Rodgers said he’s “totally on board” with playing preseason reps if Tomlin requests him to, he told 93.7 The Fan that “preseason football is not necessarily real football, because defenses don’t really do a lot.”

For his part, Tomlin was non-committal about Rodgers’ participation in the exhibition opener.

“I can’t see past Wednesday at this juncture,” Tomlin told reporters. “At this stage of development, Saturday is a long way away. Seriously, we’re just trying to have good days.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) throws the ball to fans before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Steelers release ‘washed up’ Cordarrelle Patterson

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have released veteran Cordarrelle Patterson, the decorated utility player announced Monday on social media.

“Breaking news!!!” Patterson posted on X. “Pittsburgh Steelers release old washed up cordarrelle patterson on his day off!!!”

Patterson, 34, is a four-time Pro Bowl and four-time first-team All-Pro selection with more than 13,000 all-purpose yards in his 12-year NFL career as a running back, wide receiver and record-setting kick returner.

Patterson was headed into the second year of a two-year, $6 million contract he signed with the Steelers in March 2024. He carries a salary cap hit of $3.75 million for 2025, per Spotrac.

In his first season with Pittsburgh in 2024, Patterson played in 13 games and contributed 215 yards from scrimmage (135 rushing, 80 receiving) and returned 11 kicks for 240 yards.

Patterson has accumulated 2,646 rushing yards, 2,875 receiving yards and 8,229 kick-return yards in 183 games (61 starts) for the Vikings (2013-16), Raiders (2017), Patriots (2018), Bears (2019-20), Falcons (2021-23) and Steelers.

His 48 career touchdowns include an NFL-record nine scores on kickoff returns. Patterson broke the previous record of eight shared by Josh Cribbs and Leon Washington.

–Field Level Media

Dec 5, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Chuck Clark (36) warms-up before they play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images

Steelers sign former Ravens S Chuck Clark

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The Pittsburgh Steelers signed free agent safety Chuck Clark on Friday.

Terms were not disclosed.

Clark, 30, played six seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before being traded to the New York Jets in 2023.

After missing the entire 2023 season with a torn ACL, he tallied 69 tackles and one sack in 12 starts last season.

Clark has 453 career tackles, five interceptions, five fumble recoveries, 4.5 sacks and two defensive touchdowns in 108 games (75 starts). The Ravens drafted Clark in the sixth round in 2017.

Pittsburgh waived defensive tackle Domenique Davis, 29, to make room for Clark on the training camp roster.

–Field Level Media

Dec 9, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; The Steelers logo on their helmet before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Former NFL exec Tim Rooney, nephew of Steelers founder, dies at 84

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Longtime NFL executive Tim Rooney, the nephew of Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr., died on Tuesday morning after battling cancer. He was 84.

A former coach at Villanova, Tim Rooney joined the Steelers as a scout in 1972 before becoming their director of pro scouting. As reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he was credited with drafting Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert after escorting then-coach Chuck Noll to watch Lambert at Kent State.

After leaving the Steelers in 1979 to join the Detroit Lions, Rooney was hired by the New York Giants as director of pro personnel in 1985. He remained in that role until 1999 and later returned in a part-time position.

All told, Rooney was part of six Super Bowl-winning teams.

“He was a great guy,” Hall of Fame head coach Bill Parcells told the Post-Gazette. “When you’re a head coach, you need someone to tell you the truth. Tim was our pro personnel guy, and that was his job.

“We had daily interaction every day talking about the roster. We had a lot of talks and became close. That enhanced our relationship. He understood me, and I understood him.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Montravius Adams (57) on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Report: Steelers releasing DT Montravius Adams

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are releasing veteran defensive tackle Montravius Adams, ESPN reported Monday.

Adams, 29, recorded one sack and 14 tackles in 11 games with the Steelers last season.

He has 2.5 sacks and 123 tackles in 96 games (25 starts) with the Green Bay Packers (2017-20), New Orleans Saints (2021) and Steelers (2021-24).

Adams would have carried a $3.12 million cap hit for 2025, according to Spotrac.

Pittsburgh picked two defensive tackles in the 2025 draft, selecting Oregon’s Derrick Harmon in the first round (21st overall) and Iowa’s Yahya Black in the fifth round.

–Field Level Media