Pittsburgh Steelers: Owner Art Rooney II Eager for First Playoff Win Since 2016
The Steelers have not gained a playoff recreation since 2016, which is simply too lengthy for proprietor Art Rooney II.
Rooney nonetheless believes Head Coach Mike Tomlin can lead Pittsburgh to a different Super Bowl, however stated the group feels a way of urgency to have extra postseason success.
“We’ve had sufficient of this,” Rooney stated, through Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com. “It’s time to get some wins; it is time to take these subsequent steps.”
Rooney didn’t give an replace on contract negotiations with Tomlin, who’s the league’s longest-tenured present head coach and has by no means had a dropping season in 17 years.
Tomlin led Pittsburgh to a Super Bowl victory in 2008, however they’ve misplaced 4 straight postseason video games, together with this yr’s 31-17 defeat in opposition to Buffalo in the Wild Card spherical.
Rooney made it clear, nonetheless, that he nonetheless believes in Tomlin.
“The gamers nonetheless reply to Mike, and that is No. 1,” Rooney stated. “He nonetheless has the important thing traits that we noticed after we employed him. He can maintain the eye of a gaggle of 20-year-olds for a complete season and maintain them in the battle the entire manner.
“So, nonetheless be ok with Mike. Obviously if I did not, [we] would make a change, but when we did not suppose Mike was capable of lead us to a championship, he would not be right here, and that is why he’s right here.”
The Steelers struggled offensively a lot of the 2023 season, and had three completely different beginning quarterbacks – Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky and pending free agent Mason Rudolph. Pickett has been named the starter heading into the offseason. Rooney believes the Steelers can win with Pickett, however he is going through a essential juncture coming into his third season.
“We nonetheless be ok with Kenny Pickett and his future, however he is aware of he must work exhausting to take the subsequent step,” Rooney stated. “And we have talked about that, and one of the issues I feel we preferred about Kenny in phrases of his profession at Pitt was that, how exhausting he labored, and he took a step yearly. So, we’re searching for that to occur right here.”
Cleveland Browns: GM Still Weighing Options Regarding Nick Chubb
Star operating again Nick Chubb remains to be recovering from two knee surgical procedures after tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 2, and his standing with the group stays unsure coming into the ultimate yr of his contract.
General Manager Andrew Berry stated Chubb’s timetable for a return remained unsure and that the group was nonetheless weighing its choices.
“With Nick, I can say for myself (and for) the group (that) no person desires to see that carry in Pittsburgh be the final time he carries the ball for the Cleveland Browns,” Berry stated through the group’s web site. “Obviously there are issues that we’ll must work by, however that might not be our intention. We clearly will work to maintain him on the group.”
The 28-year-old Chubb will likely be coming into his seventh season and is one of the group’s most revered gamers. Berry stated Chubb has performed all the pieces in his energy to return again as rapidly as attainable.
“I most likely got here into this yr, on a scale of one to 10 in phrases of respect for Nick Chubb, it was a ten,” Berry stated. “Probably popping out of this yr, it is now a 20.”
Cincinnati Bengals: Jonah Williams Could Leave During Free Agency
After making a profitable change from left sort out to proper sort out, Jonah Williams must be among the many most coveted offensive linemen throughout free company in March. Willams had an excellent season after switching positions when Pro Bowl left sort out Orlando Brown Jr. was signed throughout free company final yr.
Williams did not say he will not re-sign with the Bengals, however acknowledged the chance that he could possibly be transferring on.
“I gave my all around the final 5 years,” Williams stated through Mark Inabinett of al.com. “Like I stated, I do not know what the longer term has, however I’m proud of what we constructed right here and appreciative of the chance.”
Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin stated Williams performed proper sort out as if he had been there all through his profession.
“It was spectacular,” Tobin stated. “He confirmed he is versatile, which is able to play nicely over time with him.”
