Category: NFL

T.J. Watt Has Made it a Brother Act for AP Defensive Player of the Year.

(Los Angeles, CA) Pittsburgh’s All-Pro edge rusher who tied the NFL sacks record with 22 1/2, joined older brother J.J. in taking the award at NFL Honors on Thursday night.

The Steelers star received 42 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league, far outdistancing Dallas rookie linebacker Micah Parsons (five) and three-time winner Aaron Donald (three).

Watt, a unanimous All-Pro selection this season, follows his brother, who was the top defensive player in 2012, ’14 and ’15 with Houston.

Although he missed three games, Watt still got to the sacks mark set by Hall of Famer Michael Strahan — and Watt didn’t need Brett Favre taking a dive for the final sack. In all, Watt made 64 tackles despite battling an assortment of injuries.

Not surprisingly, given Pittsburgh’s history on defense — the Steel Curtain and all that — Watt is the seventh Steeler to earn the award. He joins Joe Greene (1974), Mel Blount (1975), Jack Lambert (1976), Rod Woodson (1993), James Harrison (2008) and Troy Polamalu (2010).

Tom Brady Officially Retires Tuesday Morning After 22 seasons, 7 Super Bowl Titles

Tom Brady retires after 22 seasons, 7 Super Bowl titles
By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tom Brady has retired after winning seven Super Bowls and setting numerous passing records in an unprecedented 22-year-career. He made the announcement in a long post on Instagram. Brady has long stated his desire to spend more time with his wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, and three children despite still playing at the top of his game.The 44-year-old Brady goes out after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title last season and NFC South championship this season.

Roethlisberger Retires at 39: Time to ‘Hang Up My Cleats’

Roethlisberger retires at 39: Time to ‘hang up my cleats’
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger’s NFL career is over. The longtime Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback has announced his retirement. In a video message, Roethlisberger said it was “time to clean out my locker, hang up my cleats” after 18 years, two Super Bowls, countless team records and a likely spot in the Hall of Fame. The 39-year-old said it was time to clean out his locker and hang up his cleats. Roethlisberger called his journey from a kid growing up in Ohio to the 11th overall pick in the 2004 draft to a likely future Hall of Famer “exhilarating,” but he added he is retiring “a truly grateful man.” The Steelers never had a losing season during Roethlisberger’s tenure and captured Super Bowls 40 and 46.

Steelers’ Tomlin: ‘All-Options’ On The Table at QB in 2022

Steelers’ Tomlin: ‘all options’ on the table at QB in 2022
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says all options are on the table when it comes to finding a starting quarterback in 2022. Ben Roethlisberger is likely heading toward retirement after 18 years. Backups Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins will get a chance to compete for the job, but Tomlin did not rule out using free agency or the NFL draft. Tomlin did indicate offensive coordinator Matt Canada will return for a second year, but added that longtime defensive coordinator Keith Butler and general manager Kevin Colbert could both retire in the coming months.

Steelers face long-overdue reboot as Roethlisberger exits

Steelers face long-overdue reboot as Roethlisberger exits
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing an eventful offseason following a second straight first-round playoff exit. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to retire after 18 seasons. Who will replace him is one of several key questions Pittsburgh needs to answer in the coming months. The offensive and defensive lines need an influx of talent and staff changes could be in the works. First-year offensive coordinator Matt Canada struggled and longtime defensive coordinator Keith Butler’s future could be in doubt after the Steelers finished dead last in the NFL against the run.

Roethlisberger, Steelers in Playoffs After OT Win

(AP Photo)
Monday, January, 10, 2022 at 6:02 AM

By NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer
BALTIMORE (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger delayed his retirement a little longer, guiding Pittsburgh to a 16-13 overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens that left the Steelers on the verge of an improbable playoff berth. Then they had to sweat out a dramatic night game between the Chargers and Raiders. Any result other than a tie would put Pittsburgh in the postseason, but those two teams were indeed deadlocked until Las Vegas kicked a field goal at the end of overtime to win 35-32. Now Pittsburgh plays at Kansas City next weekend to open the playoffs.

Roethlisberger, Steelers Top Browns To Stay In Playoff Mix

(AP Photo)
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger threw for 123 yards and a touchdown in likely his final start at Heinz Field as the Pittsburgh Steelers beat Cleveland 26-14. Roethlisberger says he is leaning toward retirement. He improved to 26-3-1 against the Browns in his 18-year career. The Steelers also kept their slim playoff hopes alive. Pittsburgh needs a win in its regular-season finale against Baltimore and a loss by Indianapolis to Jacksonville to reach the postseason. Baker Mayfield threw for 185 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Browns.

Pro Bowler, Super Bowl Champ Demaryius Thomas Dies at 33 Years-Old

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) — Former NFL wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has died at the age of 33. Police in the Atlanta suburb of Roswell say Thomas was found dead in his home. His family believes he died from a seizure, and foul play is not suspected. Thomas was a Georgia native who earned five straight Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl ring during a prolific receiving career spent mostly with the Denver Broncos. His best seasons came when he teamed with Peyton Manning. Thomas played collegiately at Georgia Tech, managing to shine in a run-oriented offense. He last played in the NFL in 2019 and officially retired in June.

Steelers Turn Away Ravens 20-19 After Failed 2-point Attempt

Steelers turn away Ravens 20-19 after failed 2-point attempt
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers edged the Baltimore Ravens 20-19 after turning aside a 2-point try by Baltimore in the final seconds. The Ravens pulled within one with 12 seconds to go and opted for a 2-point conversion instead of forcing overtime with an extra point. Lamar Jackson’s flip to tight end Mark Andrews fell incomplete and the Steelers survived. Ben Roethlisberger passed for 236 yards and two second-half touchdowns to Diontae Johnson as the Steelers halted a three-game winless streak. Pittsburgh improved to 6-5-1 with the win. The Ravens fell to 8-4.

Steelers Come Back Bid Falls Short

Herbert throws for 382 yards, Chargers hold off Steelers
By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Justin Herbert threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams with 2:17 remaining and the Los Angeles Chargers held off the Pittsburgh Steelers 41-37 on Sunday night. Los Angeles (6-4) had a 27-10 lead going into the fourth quarter before the Steelers (5-4-1) rallied to take a 37-34 lead on Chris Boswell’s 45-yard field goal with 3:24 left. Los Angeles took over at the 25 and scored four plays later when Williams was wide open and went untouched up the left sideline. Herbert was 30 of 41 for 382 yards and three touchdowns. He had 90 yards rushing, which is the most by a Chargers quarterback in a game. Ben Roethlisberger passed for 273 yards and three touchdowns for Pittsburgh.