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Steelers | Trenton Thompson cut loose Wed Jun 19, 12:39 PM
Pittsburgh Steelers S Trenton Thompson was waived on Wednesday, June 19.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers WR Denzel Mims was waived on Tuesday, June 18.
Footballguys view: The Jets drafted Mims in the second-round of the 2020 NFL Draft. They traded him to the Lions in July of last year. He was waived midway through August with an injury designation and signed with Pittsburghâ??s practice squad last October. He did not appear in a regular-season game for the Steelers and signed a futures deal with the club in January. In 30 career games with 15 starts, Mims has recorded 42 catches for 676 yards. |
Pittsburgh Steelers OT Troy Fautanu said he expects to compete for the starting right tackle position when the team reports for training camp in July. Fautanu has spent most of the offseason program working on the right side.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris could still land a long-term extension, according to general manager Omar Khan.
Footballguys view: While the Steelers didn't think Harris was valuable enough to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, nobody should be surprised they still might want him on the team in 2025 and beyond. Khan explained that Harris "knows that just because we're going into this with one year left, that doesn't prevent us from doing business with him long term." As Profootballtalk.com pointed out, NFL teams are increasingly deciding that running backs aren't worth big contracts, but Harris may still find that the Steelers are willing to offer him more than anyone else. Either way, fantasy managers should expect Harris to handle his usual role alongside Jaylen Warren through 2024. |
Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens has spent time in the slot during minicamp. 'It is great,' Pickens said. 'I'm a total receiver, so I like working in the slot just as much as I like working at outside receiver.'
Footballguys view: Pickens will be the undisputed #1 receiver, and now it sounds like new offensive coordinator will be more creative in deploying Pickens than his predecessor Matt Canada. Pickens went off at the end of the season with Mason Rudolph and should play with an even better deep passer whether Justin Fields or Russell Wilson wins the job. He might be significantly undervalued as a fourth round pick on the verge of a DJ Moore-esque leap. |
Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris was present for two of the three days of the team's minicamp this week, but he did not participate in any of the sessions. Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters after practice on Wednesday, June 12, that Harris had no health issues and downplayed his lack of participation by pointing out minicamp is more about learning about the players he is less familiar with.
Footballguys view: Tomlin explained his reasoning, so we're just left to see what Harris looks like in training camp and the preseason. The Steelers declined his fifth-year option, so Harris is in the final year of his contract with the team. He will have plenty of motivation to play his best football in 2024. |
Pittsburgh Steelers LB Cole Holcomb (knee) is expected to be ready for the start of training camp, according to head coach Mike Tomlin.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers CB Luq Barcoo (undisclosed) was released from the Reserve/Injured list Wednesday, June 12, after the two sides reached an injury settlement.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris (personal) is expected to return to practice on Wednesday, June 12, after missing Tuesday's mandatory minicamp practice with an excused prior appointment.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers second-round draft choice C Zach Frazier signed a four-year contract with the Steelers Monday, June 10. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension, the team announced Monday, June 10.
Footballguys view: The 52-year-old Tomlin has been the Steelers' head coach since 2007, and if he coaches for the length of this contract, he'll have been the head coach in Pittsburgh for 21 seasons. There's no reason to believe change is coming. Tomlin is one of only three head coaches the Steelers have had since before the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, and Pittsburgh likes that kind of continuity. Bill Cowher was the Steelers' head coach for 15 years before Tomlin, and Chuck Noll, hired in 1969, was the Steelers' head coach for 23 seasons before Cowher. |
Pittsburgh Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth 'looked like a legitimate playmaker' in the offense during OTAs, according to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic.
Footballguys view: Let's not get carried away here. Freiermuth, currently TE16 on the Footballguys 2024 Draft Rankings, shouldn't be considered a front-line fantasy tight end. We all saw incoming offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's inconsistent use of Kyle Pitts in Atlanta after Pitts' 1,000-yard rookie season. That said, Smith's heavy reliance on two- and three-TE sets could result in more opportunities for Freiermuth. Drafting him as a TE2 and hoping he delivers some upside isn't cost-prohibitive. |
Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Warren said he is not worried about his contract situation and is focused on winning a championship this upcoming season. Warren is scheduled to be a restricted free agent next offseason.
Footballguys view: Because Warren went undrafted, he'll get a chance to get a significant raise next year if the Steelers want to retain him. The 2024 right of first refusal tender was about three million dollars, so the Steelers will have to pay that just to be able to have the right to match any offer he gets from another team. If they wanted to tender him at the second round level - meaning any team that signs him to an offer sheet would have to give up a second round pick, effectively preventing any offers - the Steelers would have had to pay Warren almost five million, which is basically starter money at running back. |
The Pittsburgh Steelers could add a legitimate No. 2 wide receiver before the beginning of the season, in the opinion of Mark Kaboly of The Athletic. At the moment, WR Van Jefferson appears to be the most likely in-house candidate to start opposite WR George Pickens but Quez Watkins, Cordarrelle Patterson, Calvin Austin, Scotty Miller, Marquez Callaway and Denzel Mims could also be in the running if the Steelers decide not to sign another receiver.
Footballguys view: Courtland Sutton could still be available via trade, but it seems like that deal would have gotten done during the draft if it was going to happen. The Steelers will probably run a lot of multi-tight end sets and Jaylen Warren could see a lot of targets out of the backfield. The #2 wide receiver hasn't been an important position in Arthur Smith's offenses at either of his previous stops, so this isn't urgent. |
Pittsburgh Steelers TE Izaiah Gathings was waived Wednesday, June 5.
Link to storyFree-agent CB Cameron Sutton (Lions) agreed to a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers Wednesday, June 5. Financial terms weren't disclosed.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers CB Luq Barcoo (undisclosed) was moved to the Reserve/Injured list Tuesday, June 4, after he cleared waivers.
Link to storyFree-agent S Grayland Arnold (Texans) signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers Tuesday, June 4, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers first-round draft choice OT Troy Fautanu signed a four-year contract with the Steelers Monday, June 3. The deal includes a fifth-year option but financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyFree-agent WR Jaray Jenkins (Jaguars) signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday, June 3. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The team also waived/injured CB Luq Barcoo (undisclosed).
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers TE Darnell Washington said there is a 'strong possibility' that he will be more involved in the passing game this season. 'I feel like I got more than just a run blocker,' Washington said. 'I just have to keep building and show Arthur Smith that I'm a guy that he can trust and he put me in whatever position he decides.'
Footballguys view: Washington is a huge target, so he should at least get some opportunities in the red zone. Pat Freiermuth is there to be the lead tight end, and he's excited about catching passes from QB Russell Wilson. Washington is the next man up at the tight end position in Pittsburgh, and he's a player we appreciate in dynasty formats. |
Pittsburgh Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth said he is excited about the scheme offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is bringing to the team because the tight ends will be very involved in the passing game.
Footballguys view: Let's keep this in mind as we listen for drumbeats in the offseason. Previous reports indicate Freiermuth has established a strong chemistry with QB Russell Wilson. If Wilson wins the starting job (we'll see how much Justin Fields can push him for that spot in training camp), then Freiermuth could be a nice low-end TE1 for Fantasy GMs like he was in 2021 and 2022. |
Free-agent TE Izaiah Gathings (Chiefs) is signing an undisclosed contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers following a successful tryout, per source on Wednesday, May 29.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers WR Keilahn Harris (undisclosed) was waived with an injury settlement on Tuesday, May 28.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers CB Cory Trice (knee) is still wearing a brace on his knee but said he should be fully cleared in time for training camp.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth has developed a connection with QB Russell Wilson early on in OTAs, according to beat writer Mark Kaboly.
Footballguys view: Wilson will use his tight ends, but he generally stays away from the middle of the field. Everyone expects Wilson to be the starter, as the seasoned veteran can still play good ball. However, Justin Fields is there to compete. He's not going to sit back idly and watch Wilson just take the job. When we get to training camp, we'll see how much of a competition this truly is. |
Free-agent RB La'Mical Perine (Chiefs) signed an undisclosed deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, May 23.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers LB T.J. Watt (knee) participated in the first day of OTAs Wednesday, May 22.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers WR Keilahn Harris (undisclosed) was moved to the Reserve/Injured list Wednesday, May 22, after clearing waivers.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers QB Justin Fields said he expects to compete with QB Russell Wilson for the starting quarterback job during training camp.
Footballguys view: Wilson is not going to be handed the starting job. Fields is a younger version of Wilson, and he might just be better. We'll see how this competition shakes out in training camp, but we're certain teammates will love Fields (like they did in Chicago). Wilson is a fine veteran, but he's had trouble warming up to teammates in both Seattle and Denver. Stay tuned. |
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Keilahn Harris was waived on Tuesday, May 21.
Link to storyFree-agent RB Jonathan Ward signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, May 21. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris has been 'obsessively clean' with his diet in the offseason and has dropped around 7 pounds, according to his trainer Josh Scott. 'One of the main things he's done, personally, was make some big changes to his eating habits,' Scott said. 'A lot of fish, a lot of vegetables, no processed foods has been the dietary goal.'
Footballguys view: This is the time of year when we regularly hear about players changing their bodies. Sometimes, it works out great and production is high. Other times, players don't play well with their new look. We'll see how this shakes out for Harris in 2024, but we imagine the Steelers are gonna run the heck out of the ball. Harris is an RB2/flex option for Fantasy GMs out there. |
Pittsburgh Steelers DE Cameron Heyward plans to play several more seasons and has recovered from his core muscle injury, a source told ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers OL Kellen Diesch was waived Monday, May 13.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers LB Payton Wilson signed his four-year rookie deal, the team announced Sunday, May 12.
Link to storyFree-agent CB Anthony Averett (Lions) signed an undisclosed deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to sources Sunday, May 12.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers LB Payton Wilson signed his four-year rookie contract Saturday, May 11. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers DB Ryan Watts signed his four-year rookie contract on Saturday, May 11. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers WR Roman Wilson signed his four-year rookie contract on Saturday, May 11. The financial terms were not disclosed.
Footballguys view: Wilson should be able to play a big role in the Steelers offense this year because there isn't much on the depth chart after George Pickens. He'll primarily be a slot receiver, but with the speed to be a factor in the downfield passing game. |
Pittsburgh Steelers fourth-round draft choice OG Mason McCormick and sixth-round draft choice DE Logan Lee signed four-year contracts with the Steelers Friday, May 10. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyFree-agent WR Scotty Miller (Falcons) agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, May 8, per source. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Footballguys view: The former Falcons' players keep coming to Pittsburgh to reunite with Steelers OC (and former Atlanta HC) Arthur Smith. Miller is a reserve receiver who will mostly be a special teams player for the Steelers. |
Undrafted free-agent QB Cole Dow (Dayton) is scheduled to participate in the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp.
Link to storyFree-agent WR Jonathan Ward (Titans) is expected to participate with the Pittsburgh Steelers during their upcoming rookie minicamp, according to a source.
Link to storyUpdating a previous report, Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris had his fifth-year option declined because the team wants to see how he performs in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's scheme but are open to signing him to a long-term deal in the future, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Footballguys view: We'll see what Harris agrees to - if he agrees to a long-term deal given the state of the market at the running back position. Jaylen Warren and Harris will continue to provide the Steelers with the core of their offense on the ground in 2024. |
Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris did not have his fifth-year option for 2025 exercised by the team before the deadline to do so on Thursday, May 2.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers QB Justin Fields has been discussed as a potential kickoff returner under the new return rules, according to DE Cameron Heyward.
Footballguys view: It would be an interesting move, but with the new rules perhaps it makes sense. Every team is going to be looking for two returner options, and it could lead to some big plays on special teams. We'll see if Fields can beat out Russell Wilson in training camp for the starting job. If he's QB1 for the Steelers, Fields will not be on special teams. |
Free-agent CB Anthony Averett (Lions) is scheduled to participate in the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent QB John Rhys Plumlee (UCF) agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, April 27, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The Steelers announced a deal with RB Daijun Edwards (Georgia). Contractual terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan met with free-agent CB Cameron Sutton (Lions) in Pittsburgh last week, according to multiple sources.
Link to story