Tag: Football

Steelers 2025 game in Ireland expected to be announced Super Bowl weekend

Dublin’s Croke Park will host its first regular-season NFL game in 2025, featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers in a historic matchup.

It’s been a long time coming, but iconic Croke Park Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, will finally host the Pittsburgh Steelers in its first NFL regular-season game in 2025.

This will mark a significant milestone in American football’s expansion into Ireland. According to Ireland’s RTE, negotiations between the NFL and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) are in advanced stages, but an official announcement is anticipated before the upcoming Super Bowl.

Pittsburgh last played at Croke Park in a 1997 preseason game versus the Chicago Bears when the Steelers won 30-17.

With deep Irish roots, the Rooney family has been instrumental in championing this initiative. Team owner Art Rooney II talked about it in January.

I think we’re still optimistic that it’s going to happen. We’re hopefully going to have an announcement soon, but it’s not official until it’s official. We just have to wait until all those pieces fall in place.

The NFL’s expansion into Ireland reflects its broader international strategy to grow the sport. This event aims to establish an annual NFL fixture in Dublin, similar to those in London.

The game, which could feature a matchup against the Green Bay Packers, is tentatively scheduled for September or October.

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Steelers insider reveals ‘buzz’ around one particular QB in 2025 NFL draft class

Steelers insider revealed which quarterback Pittsburgh might be interested in taking a flyer on in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Senior Bowl is over, and every reporter in attendance returned with tidbits about the NFL beats they covered.

Nick Farabaugh, Pittsburgh Steelers insider for Penn Live, revealed which quarterback the team might be interested in taking a flyer on in April’s draft in Green Bay.

“I talked to enough people down there. They do not seem to be super interested in that [2025 quarterback class] crop.”

Farabaugh said he never saw any Steelers scouts — or Mike Tomlin — watching quarterbacks.

One name Farabaugh did drop that seemed to pique Pittsburgh’s interest is Ohio State’s Will Howard.

“I’ve heard some buzz around Will Howard. That’s the interesting name that, I think, is the midround target.”

As Steelers Nation painfully remembers, the last quarterback Pittsburgh took was Kenny Pickett at No. 20 overall in 2022. He’s now Jalen Hurts’ backup for the NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Like Pickett’s class, this group of quarterbacks is nothing to write home about.

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Why T.J. Watt situation with Steelers is no different than Myles Garrett

Myles Garrett requested a trade from the Browns to join a playoff contender, while T.J. Watt wants to remain with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Myles Garrett made it official that he wants out of Cleveland. On Monday, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year officially requested a trade from the Browns.

Garrett spent his entire eight-year career with Cleveland since the team took him No. 1 overall in the 2017 NFL draft. While his accolades include six Pro Bowl nominations and four All-Pro honors, the Browns have yet to sniff the pinnacle of the postseason — a Lombardi trophy.

The star defender knows he won’t ever get there in a Browns uniform, either, and stated as much in his trade request. Cleveland is just as far (if not farther) from being a Super Bowl contender as the Pittsburgh Steelers are.

General manager Omar Khan will likely work out a new contract for Garrett’s counterpart, T.J. Watt, this offseason. Otherwise, he’ll play on the final year of his contract in 2025. As Pittsburgh media personality Mark Madden posted on X (formerly Twitter) this morning, Watt is in the same boat as Garrett.

“T.J. Watt is in the same situation as Garrett. He just won’t admit it to himself,” Madden wrote.

Despite the team’s lack of postseason success, Watt, 30, has stated on multiple occasions he wants to remain with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In January, he reiterated his stance, “I don’t want to leave this place. I want to be a part of the solution. I’ve put so much into it here and seen so many guys—I want to help Cam Heyward get to where we need to get.”

Sadly, Watt and Cam Heyward will retire without Super Bowl rings if they do stay in Pittsburgh. No one on the team deserves it more than these future Hall of Fame defenders.

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Russell Wilson’s future: Will the Steelers let him walk in free agency?

Despite the uncertainty of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Russell Wilson is confident in his ability to perform at a high level.

Russell Wilson’s tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers could be short-lived as the veteran quarterback approaches free agency. If the Steelers decide to re-sign Justin Fields and move on from Wilson, he will wind up on his third team in as many seasons. Despite the uncertainty, Wilson remains confident in his ability to perform at a high level.

“I’ve been fortunate to play 13-plus years, and I’ve got a lot more ball left in me,” Wilson said from the 2025 Pro Bowl. “I think staying healthy is always the thing. You’ve got to be healthy to play your best, and I feel great right now.”

The Steelers must quickly figure out if Wilson fits into their long-term plans. With experience, leadership, and a championship pedigree, Wilson could be a valuable asset for quarterback-needy teams like the Las Vegas Raiders.

Will Wilson’s next chapter be in Pittsburgh, or will he find a fresh start with Pete Carroll in Las Vegas or elsewhere?

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Steelers QB Russell Wilson recalls first Pro Bowl with Ben Roethlisberger

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson recalled his first Pro Bowl honor with Ben Roethlisberger.

On Tuesday, Russell Wilson was named to the 10th Pro Bowl of his 13-year career — replacing Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen.

Wilson joins fellow Steelers Isaac Seumalo, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Chris Boswell, and Miles Killebrew.

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, last named a Pro Bowler in 2021, recalled the honor he received his first year in the NFL.

“It’s a blessing,” Wilson said from the 2025 Pro Bowl in Orlando. “I remember being here my rookie year and being around guys like Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton and Eli Manning. And I remember how grateful I was. Ten Pro Bowls later, it’s still a blessing.”

Despite the Steelers’ five-game skid to close out the 2024 season, Wilson finished with a respectable 2,752 passing yards, 18 TDs, and five interceptions in 12 games. It could be his one and only in the Black and Gold, as the Steelers are expected to re-sign Justin Fields to lead the team in 2025. Wherever Wilson goes — and it could be Las Vegas — it’ll be his third team in as many seasons.

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Cam Heyward eager for solution to Pittsburgh’s QB dilemma

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Cam Heyward said he’s eager for the Pittsburgh Steelers to find a solution between Russell Wilson, Justin Fields.

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in familiar territory this offseason — looking for a starting quarterback.

For the third time since Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2021, the team’s top priority is figuring out their plan at the most critical position in sports.

Speaking from the Pro Bowl, defensive captain Cam Heyward said he’s eager for the Steelers to “find a solution.”

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but [Russell Wilson, Justin Fields] know what they’re doing,” Heyward said. “I just hope we find a solution and a recipe for us to continue to win.”

Though anything can happen between now and March, Pittsburgh is expected to re-sign Justin Fields and let Russell Wilson, 36, hit free agency. If that happens, he’ll join his third team in as many seasons.

Heyward earned the seventh Pro Bowl nod of his 14-year career. He joins fellow Steelers Isaac Seumalo, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Chris Boswell, and Miles Killebrew, and Wilson.

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‘Focused’ Russell Wilson breaks silence on Raiders rumors

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson skirted questions about reuniting with Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll.

The moment when Pete Carroll was named head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, rumors started flying about Pittsburgh Steelers pending free agent Russell Wilson reuniting with his former coach.

Speaking to media at this week’s Pro Bowl, Wilson skirted questions about getting back together with Carroll. Wilson, 36, was named to nine Pro Bowls and went to two Super Bowls — winning one — under Carroll during his 10-year tenure with the Seattle Seahawks.

“Pete’s going to be a great coach, obviously,” Wilson said. “He’s great at what he does.”

Wilson quickly followed that up with where his head is, saying, “I’m focused on the Steelers.”

Wilson finished the 2024 season cold, but his overall stats were solid given his limited playtime: 2,752 passing yards, 18 TDs, and five interceptions in 12 games.

Pittsburgh is expected to re-sign Justin Fields and let Wilson walk. If that happens, he’ll join his third team in as many seasons.

This week, Wilson was named to the Pro Bowl as Josh Allen’s replacement. He joins Isaac Seumalo, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Chris Boswell, and Miles Killebrew.

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Steelers owner doubtful about George Pickens’ future in Pittsburgh

Judging Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II comments about George Pickens, it’s likely he’ll play on an expiring contract in 2025.

George Pickens will likely be playing on an expiring contract in the 2025 season. While there’s still plenty of time, the Pittsburgh Steelers have not yet discussed extending the contract he signed as the No. 52 pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

Speaking to Pittsburgh media in a 2024 season wrap press conference, Steelers owner Art Rooney II had this to say about their star receiver (via Bob Labriola of Steelers.com):

I still think George has enough talent that we’ve got to try to work and see if we can get him to fulfill the talent that he really has

Who knows if we can get there? We’ll see. But when you have guys who are as talented as some of the guys you’re probably thinking of, you try to work with them and have them help you be successful.

Historically, the Steelers get something done with players ahead of their final season. Rooney was hopeful they’d extend T.J. Watt, but it didn’t sound as promising with Pickens.

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Steelers insider: Art Rooney II ‘scared to death’ to fire Mike Tomlin

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II is living in his fears with head coach Mike Tomlin.

In a closed-door press conference with the Pittsburgh media, Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II continued to show his support of head coach Mike Tomlin.

(Rooney does it every year like this, yet fans blasted him for making it hush-hush and not streaming it live like Tomlin’s weekly pressers.)

Rooney, president of the Steelers since 2003 and owner since 2017, recycled the same old comments. Nothing new to see here.

“I share (fans’) frustration.”

“Look at how many games Mike has won… we still feel good about him as a leader.”

Rooney also said turning head coaches over is not a good strategy.

Tim Benz, Steelers insider for TribLive, shared these observations in his Jan. 28 column:

But is it a good strategy to keep a guy whose last playoff win was in 2016? I don’t think so. Twenty-eight other coaches have won a playoff game since then.

Yet Rooney seems on board with keeping Tomlin because he is petrified of firing him. He’s scared to death that the next coach won’t equal even the slightly above-average results Tomlin has forged the past eight years, let alone that he’d be capable of getting to two Super Bowls and winning one as Tomlin did early in his career.

Rooney is paralyzed by fear when it comes to making a change because it’d be shattering the family-ownership tradition of never firing a coach since Chuck Noll was hired in 1969.

Sometimes, it’s better to divorce when the marriage is failing. Rooney, 72, must begin considering Tomlin’s exit strategy (if he hasn’t already). No more extensions beyond 2027, short of winning a Super Bowl. And we know from watching these incredible teams throughout the playoffs that the Steelers are more than just a quarterback away from the Stairway to Seven.

As Benz pointed out, Rooney’s father, Dan, eased Noll out after the 1991 season and “put more heat on Bill Cowher after three straight playoff misses from 1998 to 2000 than Tomlin had ever felt during this drought.”

Art will never be Dan — fans have seen that with their own eyes since his last day working at the Steelers offices in 2009. But something has to give. The bandaid should’ve been ripped off a long time ago.

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Mark Madden blasts ex-Steelers QB Kenny Pickett after Eagles NFC title win

Pittsburgh media personality Mark Madden slams Kenny Pickett and fans commenting on the QB’s achievements in Eagles going to the Super Bowl.

In his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Kenny Pickett is going to the Super Bowl. Only their accomplished feat has zero to do with the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback.

Pickett, 26, had two rushing attempts for negative three yards in Philly’s 55-23 trouncing of the Washington Commanders.

Pittsburgh media personality Mark Madden blasted Pickett and fans who had anything to say about the quarterback accomplishing something in the NFC title game.

“Acting like Kenny Pickett accomplished anything yesterday is as cringe as it f***ing gets,” Madden posted on X (formerly Twitter).

While some fans are on the side that Pickett is in the Super Bowl and the Steelers are not, most agree all he accomplished was “riding pine” (a.k.a. sitting on the bench).

Pickett appeared in five games in the 2024-25 season, throwing for 291 yards, two scores and an interception.

Seven other former Steelers seek to earn their first (or second) ring in Super Bowl 59 on Feb. 9.

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