Tag: Art Rooney II

Steelers owner Art Rooney II praises Josh Harris

Art Rooney II says Josh Harris is a “good man” and will be a “good owner” in the NFL.

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The Rooney family is an NFL institution. Art Rooney Jr. founded the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1933. From there, Rooney’s son, Dan, took over the franchise, and now, Dan’s son, Art Rooney II, has presided as the Steelers’ majority owner since 2003.

The Rooney’s endorsement of anyone matters to the NFL. And presumed new Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris has Art Rooney II’s approval.

Harris, who finalized a deal to buy the Commanders from the controversial Daniel Snyder on May 12, is a minority owner of the Steelers since 2020. Harris bought around a 5% stake in the historic franchise, believed to be worth $140 million at that time. Of course, Harris is selling his stake in the Steelers now that he’s about to become the majority owner of his hometown team.

On Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings, Art Rooney II spoke to Darren Haynes of WUSA Channel 9 in Washington, D.C., and endorsed Harris as the next owner of the Commanders.

“Josh is a good man,” Rooney said. “I think he’ll be a good owner in the league. He has been a good partner with the Steelers for a few years now. I wish him all the best.”

What’s the mood of the other owners as Harris is set to take over as Washington’s next owner?

“You know, we just have to let the process unfold, and we got a little way to go, but it sounds like they are making progress,” Rooney said.

With the Steelers being in the AFC, they only play the Commanders every four seasons. The two teams meet again in 2024. What does Rooney think of possibly playing against a Harris-led Washington franchise?

“That would be fun to have a Steelers-Commanders game when he is in there,” Rooney said.

Washington won the last meeting, 23-17, in 2020, but the Steelers had won the previous six meetings dating back to 1997. Before Washington beat Pittsburgh in 2020, it had last beaten the Steelers in that magical 1991 season.

Steelers officially name Omar Khan as general manager

After months of interviews, the guy was under their roof the whole time.

News broke late yesterday that the search for the next Pittsburgh Steelers general manager had ended. Omar Khan would be named the successor to Kevin Colbert. After months of interviews, the guy was under their roof the whole time.

The announcement came quicker than expected as the Steelers made the move official today.

“Omar has been an integral part of our football operations department during his 21 years with the team, and that experience will serve him well in his new position,” Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II said in a statement.

Khan has been in Pittsburgh’s front office since 2001. After being the director of football administration, Khan was promoted to vice president of football and business administration in 2016.

Today begins a new chapter for which he’s been preparing decades.

“I am ready for this challenge and grateful to continue the success we have had on the field during my first 21 years,” Khan said per Mark Kaboly of The Athletic. “I look forward to completing our football operations staff and working tirelessly to build another championship football team for Steelers Nation.”

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Steelers’ Art Rooney II hints at defensive play-calling changes with new coordinator

With the lone exceptions of individual play of T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, the Steelers D was wildly inconsistent in the 2021 season.

With the lone exceptions of individual play of T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense was wildly inconsistent in the 2021 season.

Most presumed that defensive coordinator Keith Butler was to blame until Butler confirmed what was speculated for months: Mike Tomlin makes in-game calls on defense.

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In a press conference with Steelers media on Friday, team president Art Rooney said changes could be coming along with the new defensive coordinator.

As ESPN’s Brook Pryor tweeted: “Coach Tomlin inserts himself where he needs to,” Rooney said. “He and coordinators have to work out the best way for plays to be called … As we change defensive coordinators now, there may be some changes in how coach Tomlin handles that.”

The Steelers will never attract a top defensive play-caller if Tomlin doesn’t relinquish control.

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Steelers insider: Art Rooney II could overrule Mike Tomlin on retaining OC Matt Canada

The Steelers could take the Bruce Arians route with OC Matt Canada.

Mike Tomlin is optimistic about offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s ability to run the Pittsburgh Steelers offense going forward. But is team president/owner Art Rooney II?

That’s who Canada’s future in Pittsburgh could depend on, according to Steelers insider Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

And Dulac uses the Bruce Arians precedent as an example of Rooney’s power over who stays and who doesn’t in Pittsburgh.

All of that went down in 2012 — three Arians head coach gigs ago — so let’s recap.

  • The day after his team got Tim Tebow’ed in the 2011 wild card round, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin declared that Arians would remain in his role as offensive coordinator.
  • Two weeks later, Tomlin made the following statement: “Bruce Arians has informed me that he will retire from coaching. I appreciate his efforts over the past five years as the team’s offensive coordinator and for helping lead our offense to new heights during his time with the Steelers. I am grateful to Bruce for contributing to our success and wish him nothing but the best in his retirement.”
  • Later that same week, it was revealed that the Steelers forced Arians to retire by not renewing his contract.
  • Eight days after the Steelers announced Arians’ retirement, he joined the Colts as offensive coordinator and, soon, interim head coach.

While Tomlin swore up and down that he made the call on Arians and not Rooney, it’s clear that the final decision was ultimately Rooney’s.

Dulac believes that Rooney could pull rank again and show Canada the door.

In a January 21 chat, Dulac reminded Steelers fans (on two occasions) that Rooney stepped in to give Arians the old heave-ho when Tomlin — and Ben Roethlisberger — wanted the coordinator to remain in Pittsburgh.

Blame Canada or blame the personnel, the offensive scheme was severely flawed in 2021. How the Pittsburgh Steelers attempt to recover will undoubtedly be the most-watched storyline of the offseason.

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Art Rooney II on passing of former Steelers OL Tunch Ilkin

Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II spoke about the passing of his friend, broadcaster and ex-Steeler Tunch Ilkin.

The Pittsburgh Steelers community and the Earth as a whole lost a great human being when Tunch Ilkin passed away Saturday at the age of 63.

Ilkin had been battling ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) since last fall. ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control.

Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II had this to say about the passing of the former Steelers offensive lineman:

“We are heartbroken by the passing of Tunch Ilkin. He was a man of faith who dedicated his entire life to being a devout Christian and family man.

His passion for the game of football was evident in his everyday life. As a player, he fought his way through tough times of being cut and injured, but continued to make an impact as a leader of our offensive line and made two Pro Bowls.

After his playing career, Tunch continued to make an impact in our community in so many ways. His efforts and dedication to the Light of Life was unparalleled, and his desire to always help others made everyone appreciate him.

He was loved by his family, teammates, and friends. We were fortunate to have Tunch as a player and broadcaster for so many years. Our condolences to his entire family during this difficult time.”

In June, Ilkin retired from his broadcasting career to focus on his health in what is now known as his final three months.

“I have had 37 years in the NFL, with 14 as a player and the last 23 in broadcasting as the color analyst on the Pittsburgh Steelers Radio Network, and I’ve decided to retire.”

After Ilkin stepped down from the broadcast booth this summer, Bob Labriola of Steelers.com went into detail about Ilkin’s fight with the disease and his memories with the Steelers.

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Art Rooney II releases statement regarding Ben Roethlisberger

Art Rooney II’s statement on his meeting with Ben Roethlisberger reiterated what Steelers fans were fairly certain of.

There were more questions than answers after Tuesday’s “went well” comment from Ben Roethlisberger. But some of those questions were addressed via a statement from Steelers President Art Rooney II.

Rooney released a statement today to say what Steelers fans already knew: The Steelers want Ben back, Ben wants to come back, and the contract needs to be worked out.

Steelers Director of Communications, Burt Lauten, posted the statement on Twitter:

Ben Roethlisberger and I met yesterday morning and we had a productive meeting. We were able to discuss a lot of things that relate to where we are and where we want to go. Ben assured me that he is committed to coming back to help us win, and I told Ben that we would like to have him back to help us win a championship.

We both understand that the next step is to work out Ben’s contract situation.

Again, nothing new here. Rooney essentially just reiterated what we had a feeling was true.

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Roethlisberger’s agent, Ryan Tollner, released a statement of his own Monday night (it made me wonder whether Rooney would’ve publicly addressed the situation if Tollner hadn’t first). The news was good or bad depending on what side you’re on of the Should-Big-Ben-return fence.

I’ve been riding that fence since General Manager Kevin Colbert seemed wishy-washy about whether the Steelers truly wanted Ben back. One side of me says, Rip the bandaid off now. See what you have in Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins since they’re both free agents after this upcoming season.

The other part of me is relieved that Roethlisberger is coming back. A certain comfort comes with familiarity. His season ended on an embarrassing note — a loss to a team that he’s owned all of his career. Not to mention the implosion that was the second half of their season. Big Ben is a future Hall of Famer who’s taken this franchise to three Super Bowls. At the very least, he deserves the chance to right those wrongs before he rides off into the sunset.

I also think it’s a good move that Rooney publicly stated that they’re behind Roethlisberger. After the contract is hammered out, they can move forward into the offseason knowing who the quarterback will be.

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REPORT: Ben Roethlisberger met with Pittsburgh Steelers brass on Tuesday

The first of what I’m sure will be many meetings happened on Tuesday between Ben Roethlisberger and Steelers president Art Rooney II. 

The first of what I’m sure will be many meetings happened on Tuesday between Ben Roethlisberger and Steelers president Art Rooney II.

Per a source of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, that meeting “went well”.

Vague, of course, as most of these talks are. Likely, we won’t know anything concrete until it comes straight from the horse’s mouth.

The two sides have until mid-March to hammer out a new deal, in whatever form that may be. Roethlisberger is due a $15 million roster bonus on March 15.

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Steelers president Art Rooney II hints at Pittsburgh signing free-agent QB

Steelers president Art Rooney II says Pittsburgh will be looking for a free-agent quarterback this offseason. 

Among the many noteworthy statements Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a season-end call with beat reporters is Pittsburgh will be looking for a free-agent quarterback this offseason.

“I think when you look at our room, we’ll have to add somebody to the room this offseason,” said Rooney II. “We’ll look at all the opportunities we have to do that.”

Although the question posed by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor was specific to the plan when Roethlisberger retires, Rooney said the team will have to add a quarterback this offseason.

32 quarterbacks are currently set to hit free agency in March, including Cam Newton and Jameis Winston.

Rooney II also said, per Bob Labriola of Steelers.com, “I feel confident [Mason] can be a quarterback in this league and a starter in this league.”

This comment is more about what he didn’t say — that he could be a starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Perhaps it’ll be with another team? The QB room would be plenty full with Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins and a free agent. Unless, of course, the Steelers simply re-sign Josh Dobbs, who will be a free agent in March — which I don’t see them doing.

In 15 games (nine starts), Rudolph’s record is 5-4. He’s passed for 2,089 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

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Ben Roethlisberger won’t play in Pittsburgh next season at $41 million

Ben Roethlisberger’s $41 million salary-cap hit is not feasible for the Steelers. 

In Art Rooney’s season-end call with Pittsburgh beat reporters, he said what we’ve all kinda known: Ben Roethlisberger’s $41 million salary-cap hit is not feasible for the Steelers.

“Ben wants to come back,” said Steelers president Art Rooney II on Thursday. “We’ve left that door open. We’ve been up front with Ben in letting him know that we couldn’t have him back under the current contract. He understands we have some work to do there.”

The only way to potentially reduce the cap number is to convert Roethlisberger’s $15 million roster bonus (due in March) into a signing bonus and offer him a new long-term contract. And, even then, it might not lower the cap hit by much.

Roethlisberger, 38, started 15 games this season, passing for 3,803 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Steelers started the season hot at 11-0 before going 1-4 to end the regular season.

Rooney already said in September that he was open to extending Roethlisberger beyond 2021. If Roethlisberger’s intent to return remains and the two sides come to a deal, Big Ben will be back and, possibly, for the foreseeable future.

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Steelers president says the team is open to extending Ben Roethlisberger beyond next season

Steelers president Art Rooney II welcomes extending Ben Roethlisberger beyond 2021.

Steelers Pro Bowl quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has said this offseason that he still has “it in the tank” and, with that, wants to win more Lombardi trophies for his team before calling it a career.

Roethlisberger, 38, has a contract that currently expires after the 2021 season. According to Over the Cap, his 2020 salary-cap charge is $23.75 million, or 12 percent of the Steelers cap.

In speaking with Ed Bouchette of The Athletic, Steelers president Art Rooney II said he’s open to the possibility of extending Roethlisberger if the quarterback is up to it.

“Obviously, after the season we’ll evaluate his contract situation along with other contract decisions we have to make,’’ Rooney told Bouchette. “But if Ben feels like playing longer and it looks like he’s capable of doing it, certainly that would be a great scenario.”

“We’re excited what we see from Ben so far in this training camp,’’ Rooney said. “We’re looking forward to what he can do this season. Certainly, his arm strength looks to be as good as it’s ever been. That’s a good sign.”

In 2021, Big Ben’s big salary-cap charge will be $41.25 million, or 19 percent of the Steelers cap. He’s due a salary of $4 million with a roster bonus of $15 million. However, the Steelers could potentially lower that hit by offering Roethlisberger a new contract and turning that $19 million into a signing bonus that would pro-rate the cap hit over the life of the contract.

If Roethlisberger can attack the 2020 season and lead his team to playoff contention, dare I say, the Super Bowl, he could very well be pulling a Tom Brady and playing for the Steelers in his 40s.

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