Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in his final game at Heinz Field. January 3, 2022 in Pittsburgh. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)
PITTSBURGH (GSM) — “Big Ben” owns a large piece of not only Pittsburgh sports history, but in the history of the National Football League!
Ben Roethlisberger’s tenure as the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers netted him Rookie of the Year in the 2004 season. Throughout his career he racked up2 Super Bowl wins (on three appearances), 6 Pro Bowls, he led the league in passing twice, and a host of accolades that make him a part of pro football’s elite.
PITTSBURGH (GSM) — The difficult decision to shave the remaining players from an NFL team has come to reality. For the Steelers, the final cuts were made Tuesday at 4pm and the team has been assembled for the battles leading up to Super Bowl LVI.
Among notable cuts, running back Jaylen Samuels who has been with the team since 2018 and punter Jordan Berry, added to Steelers in 2015. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs was placed on the injured reserve list to make way for offseason pickup Dwayne Haskins who was picked up off of waivers in January of this year.
The following list of the final roster is credited to to the Pittsburgh Steelers in alphabetical order:
Offense (24)
Quarterbacks (3): Dwayne Haskins, Mason Rudolph, Ben Roethlisberger
Offensive Line (8): Zach Banner, Kevin Dotson, Kendrick Green, Joe Haeg, J.C. Hassenauer, Dan Moore Jr., Chukwuma Okorafor, Trai Turner
Tight Ends (3): Eric Ebron, Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry
Wide Receivers (5): Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, Ray-Ray McCloud, JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington
Defense (26)
Defensive Line (8): Tyson Alualu, Isaiah Buggs, Carlos Davis, Cameron Heyward, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Henry Mondeaux, Stephon Tuitt, Chris Wormley
Linebackers (10): Marcus Allen, Devin Bush, Ulysees Gilbert III, Alex Highsmith, Melvin Ingram III, Buddy Johnson, Jamir Jones, Joe Schobert, Robert Spillane, T.J. Watt
Defensive Backs (8): Terrell Edmunds, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Joe Haden, Miles Killebrew, Justin Layne, Tre Norwood, James Pierre, Cam Sutton
Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner stretches over the goal line to score a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns on October 28, 2018 at Heinz Field. (Photo: Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media, FILE)
PITTSBURGH (GSM) — Erie, PA native and former Steelers running back James Conner has a new home over 2,000 miles away.
The Arizona Cardinals signed Conner in a 1-year deal just months after the Steelers decided not to renew his contract. In 4 years with Pittsburgh he racked up 2,302 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns on the ground. He also accomplished 963 receiving and 4 receiving touchdowns throughout his tenure.
Conner joins Chase Edmunds and Jonathan Ward in the backfield and is the second big-name free agent signed this off season by the Cardinals. Arizona signed former Texans defensive end J.J. Watt signed a 2-year, $31 million contract on March 3.
BRIAN COOK IS AN EMMY-NOMINATED INTERNATIONAL JOURNALIST WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SINCE 2005. HE CAN BE REACHED AT BCOOK@GOLDENSKYMEDIA.COM.
Steelers offensive lineman Derwin Gray following the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 21, 2020 at Paul Brown Stadium. (Marlon Martin / Golden Sky Media)
PITTSBURGH (GSM) — Heading into the final game of the 2020 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have released offensive tackle Derwin Gray to make space in the 53-man active roster and 10 on the practice squad.
Gray was a seventh round draft by Pittsburgh out of Maryland in 2019. He spent most of his time on the team’s practice squad but played in five games this season.
Steelers offensive lineman Derwin Gray in action during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 21, 2020 at Paul Brown Stadium. (Marlon Martin / Golden Sky Media)
On Twitter, Gray thanked the city of Pittsburgh and fans for the support during his time as a Steeler but mentioned that he is excited to begin the next journey in his career. The Jacksonville Jaguars claimed him from waivers on Tuesday.
BRIAN COOK IS AN EMMY-NOMINATED INTERNATIONAL JOURNALIST WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SINCE 2005. HE CAN BE REACHED AT BCOOK@GOLDENSKYMEDIA.COM.
Steelers’ wide receiver Diontae Johnson makes a leaping catch against the Indianapolis Colts on December 27, 2020 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh (Clyde Harris / Golden Sky Media)
PITTSBURGH (GSM) — Dionte Johnson leads the league with 12 dropped passes. These dropped passes have come at the most inopportune time during the recent 3 game losing streak. Two drops in the Steelers loss to Buffalo, three in the loss against Washington, and one against the Bengals. Johnson has attributed the recent occurrences to a lack of focus and overthinking the process of catching the football. It has been a dark and frustrating time for Johnson.
All of his recent problems with dropped passes, faded away against the Indianapolis Colts. Dionte Johnson returned to form, looking like a true number 1 receiver. Johnsons acrobatic 39 yard touchdown pass ignited the Steelers offense, overcoming a 17 point third quarter deficit, en route to a 28-24 victory. The win crowned the Steelers the 2020 AFC North Division Champions.
With Johnson, and the other members of the vaunted Steeler receiving corps returning to the form, the Steelers offense will once again be a force to contend with.
Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in his final game at Heinz Field. January 3, 2022 in Pittsburgh. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)
