Welcome to our new Steelers Live Wire, a round-the-clock feature that offers news that's fast, friendly to use and fun. The previous week's entry is right here.
As they say, here we go ...
STEELERS EXPECTED
TO ELEVATE CANADA
3 p.m. Saturday: According to numerous reports, the Steelers are expected to elevate quarterbacks coach Matt Canada to their offensive coordinator position. If it's being reported by multiple national reporters, you can bet it's coming from the agent circle, so that is likely the case.
It is curious, however, the Steelers didn't simply announce that when Randy Fichtner was fired earlier this week. Canada was sending out some feelers with the Dolphins and there was some smoke coming back the he could be in the running for that job in Miami, but nothing has come of it.
Canada has just one season on the Steelers' staff on his resume. That's also his only year on a staff at the professional level. The Steelers implemented some of Canada's pre-snap motion offense and jet sweeps into their package early in the season, but because they hadn't had a whole offseason to work on it, once teams caught on, it was largely scrapped.
Ben Roethlisberger also isn't the best at making it work given his relative lack of mobility at this stage of his career. But good coaches work with what they have, not trying to pound square pegs into round holes. With an entire offseason, it will be interesting to if this hire goes down exactly what Canada's offense would look like in 2021. -- Lolley
MORE ON BEN RETURNING
ROETHLISBERGER BACK
2 p.m. Saturday: There are more indications today that the Steelers expect Ben Roethlisberger to return in 2021 the latest coming from Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. This, of course, falls into line with everything I've heard, as well.
Now, those conversations haven't necessarily taken the salary cap into consideration, but the Steelers -- and the rest of the NFL -- expect the cap to come in much higher than the $175 million floor that was negotiated before the season began as I wrote about in this week's Insider.
It also means the Steelers will likely work out some kind of extension with Roethlisberger that includes plenty of salary in future years, but little signing bonus. Remember, the Steelers have $171 million in cap space available in 2022. They can afford to push some salary into those seasons.
But, part of Garafolo's report also said Roethlisberger would like JuJu Smith-Schuster back, as well. That also is what he's stated over the course of the season, so this isn't necessarily news.
Given, however, that the Steelers just jettisoned Roethlisberger's hand-picked offensive coordinator, that decision might not be up to the quarterback. The Steelers also realize that Roethlisberger isn't with them for the long term, so allowing him to have a say in any long-term decisions might not be in the cards. -- Lolley
AUSTIN A CANDIDATE
FOR DC WITH JAGUARS
4 p.m. Friday: Not only is Steelers defensive assistant Teryl Austin a candidate for defensive coordinator with the Titans, he's also on new Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer's short list to be defensive coordinator in Jacksonville, as well, according to the NFL Network.
With the Steelers letting Tom Bradley go as secondary coach, the idea was surely that Austin, who has specialized in that facet of the Steelers' defense, would continue in that role. But it might not be possible with Austin getting so much interest around the league.
One thing the Steelers could do would be to give Austin a bump up in title to keep him. They could make him their defensive coordinator, or -- and this might be more likely -- they could name him assistant head coach.
John Mitchell currently holds that title, but Mitchell effectively retired two years ago, staying on in a consulting role and working with players on on-field stuff. -- Lolley
BUTLER RETURNING
AS DC IN 2021
7 p.m. Thursday: At this time the Steelers are planning on having Keith Butler returning in 2021. But it will be on a year-to-year basis with Butler, who turns 65 later this year. Typically, coordinators sign three-year deals.
Butler also serves as the Steelers outside linebackers coach, though Mike Tomlin makes many of the defensive calls in game. That's not uncommon around the NFL. For example, Andy Reid calls the Chiefs offensive plays in game, not offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy.
The Steelers have led the league in sacks four consecutive seasons and were second in forced turnovers in 2020 after leading the league in that statistic in 2019. -- Lolley
AUSTIN INTERVIEWING WITH
TITANS FOR DC JOB
5:36 p.m. Thursday: Steelers assistant defensive secondary coach Teryl Austin is a candidate for the defensive coordinator job with the Titans. That would be a blow to the Steelers, who earlier in the day let secondary coach Tom Bradley go by not renewing his contract. Austin has been with the Steelers the past two seasons. -- Lolley
CANADA ATTEMPTING TO
JUMP TO DOLPHINS?
3:02 p.m. Thursday: Despite the news that Steelers offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner won't be back in 2021, quarterbacks coach Matt Canada doesn't appear to be a candidate to replace him.
In fact, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Canada is angling for the coordinator job in Miami.
Dolphins are believed to be taking a hard look at Steelers QBs coach Matt Canada for OC. Canada consulted with Miami last year, acquitted himself well in Pittsburgh.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 14, 2021
That would kind of fit Canada's MO. He seems to jump jobs every year or two.
I break down some potential Fichtner replacements here. -- Lolley
TIGHT ENDS COACH
JAMES DANIEL RETIRES
2:30 p.m. Thursday: Another coaching change for the Steelers comes with the announcement of tight ends coach James Daniel retiring from the NFL. Daniel had been the tight ends coach for the Steelers since 2004 when he was hired by Bill Cowher and remained in that job when Mike Tomlin took over.
"I wish James all the best in his retirement following a long, productive coaching career in the National Football League," said Tomlin in a statement. "I worked with JD for the past 14 years and he coached a bunch of great tight ends, not only here in Pittsburgh but also in Atlanta and New York. His experience provided our tight ends group and our coaching staff with invaluable lessons throughout his career. He has been a tremendous part of our staff from my first day and I wish nothing but continued success in his retirement." -- Carter
STEELERS MAKE COACHING CHANGES
FICHTNER, SARRETT, BRADLEY, ALL LET GO
11:30 a.m. Thursday: The Steelers announced coaching changes just a day after Mike Tomlin said that changes were coming. Randy Fichtner, Shaun Sarrett and Tom Bradley all will not have their contracts renewed. That means a new offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and either Teryl Austin taking full responsibility of the defensive backs, or a new coach there as well. Fichtner is the biggest announcement of course, after his offense ranked 6th, 27th and 12th in his three years at the position. Dale Lolley has his piece on the decisions, here. -- Carter
FITZPATRICK SAYS INJURIES
HURT EXECUTION
10:15 a.m. Thursday: The Steelers defense was a very good unit over the course of the 2020 season.
But that defense shows some holes here and there late in the season, culminated by the team's 48-37 loss to the Browns in the playoffs. Certainly the offense's five turnovers played a big part in that, but the defense didn't come up with stops in critical moments, as well.
All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick attributed that to some of the injuries with which the team was dealing, which in his opinion affected execution.
"I would say, we lacked execution overall," Fitzpatrick said. "We lacked execution in the pass game, the run game. We kind of got away from what we’re used to doing, executing in the run and pass game. It wasn’t like we were getting outsmarted or outphysicaled. We got out executed.
"Injuries contribute to the boil-over effect."
The Steelers were without inside linebacker Devin Bush, outside linebacker Bud Dupree and cornerback Joe Haden in that playoff loss.
They lost Bush six weeks into the season with a torn ACL, while Dupree went down with the same injury in Week 11. Haden missed the final two games of the season on the COVID-19 List.
The Steelers went 6-5 without Bush on the field. They went 1-5 without both Dupree and Bush out there. And they went 0-2 without Bush, Dupree and Haden available. -- Lolley
FITZPATRICK TO SPEAK
ON THURSDAY
10 a.m. Thursday: The Steelers are undertaking their exit interviews, and Minkah Fitzpatrick's among those expected to have his today. He'll speak to the media at 10 a.m. I'll have an update on what he has to say. -- Lolley
TOMLIN SAYS CHANGES
COMING IN 2021
12 p.m. Wednesday: Mike Tomlin wouldn't be specific, but he said changes are coming for the Steelers in 2021 after they were bounced from the playoffs in the first round of the playoffs last Sunday.
"I obviously didn’t anticipate being here in this position," Tomlin said. "I’m disappointed by it. We had better make some changes in what we do, schematics, personnel. I’m committed to that. I’m also committed to not being in this position again. I’m not going to maintain the status quo and hope that the results are different. That’s the definition of insanity."
That could include changes on his coaching staff, though those conversations have not taken place yet.
I asked Tomlin if he anticipates any changes on his staff.
"We haven’t had any of those discussions. Change is a part of our business," Tomlin said. "I’ll acknowledge the possibility for that. We are just beginning the process of having those types of meaty discussions that usually produce changes or non-changes. And so, it is that time of year. I anticipate those discussions happening and happening rather soon as we plot a course to move forward."
That won't come until after Tomlin holds player exit meetings, which will likely run through Friday because of the COVID-19 situation the Steelers had in their building earlier this week.
• In terms of Ben Roethlisberger, Tomlin said he was pleased with the quarterback in 2020.
"I can’t say enough about his performance this year," Tomlin said, noting that there was a lot of uncertainty how the quarterback would play given the lack of an offseason and preseason. There really was a high level of concern about his ability to perform. I was more than pleased from the performance of his health and ability to stay up. In terms of him responding to the challenges specifically that he had to face -- spectacular."
Asked if the organization wants Roethlisberger, who has a $41.25 million cap hit in 2021 -- back next season, Tomlin replied, "I think it's reasonable to assume there is a chance he's going to be back, certainly." -- Lolley
COLBERT UNLIKELY TO LEAVE
11:a.m. Wednesday: A report out of Detroit this morning claimed the Lions have made an offer to Kevin Colbert to be their next GM. Colbert, of course, is working year-to-year with the Steelers at his request as he approaches a potential retirement.
I asked one source if there is any chance that Colbert leaves the Steelers, and was told, "I'll believe it when it see it."
Colbert, of course, grew up in Pittsburgh and has been with the Steelers since 2000 as the head of the team's scouting department. He spent 10 years in Detroit's organization before that, but it's highly doubtful he's leaving to go back. If Colbert isn't the Steelers' GM in 2021, it will be because he retired, not because he's taken another job.
Oh, and the Lions would be guilty of tampering right now for offering Colbert a contract without permission from the Steelers. And the Steelers have not been asked, nor have they granted, Detroit permission to speak to Colbert. -- Lolley
TOMLIN WEDNESDAY
Wednesday: Mike Tomlin will address the media today at noon for what could very well be the last time until the owner's meetings -- if there are such things this year. If not then, we might not hear from Tomlin again until draft week, as Kevin Colbert and Art Rooney II will be the only people in the organization talking between now and then. We'll see. I'll have the coverage today. -- Lolley
THE COMPLETE STEELERS
DRAFT SELECTION ORDER
10 p.m. Tuesday: We know the Steelers will have the 24th pick in the first round in this year's draft. But what about the rest of the draft?
It appears they'll have the 55th selection in the second round, pick No. 88 in the third and No. 119 overall in the fourth -- though that pick will be pushed back when compensatory picks are handed out. They're expected to get a compensatory selection in the fourth round for losing Javon Hargrave.
They don't have a fifth-round pick -- having sent that to Baltimore for Chris Wormley -- and they traded their pick in the sixth round as part of the Minkah Fitzpatrick deal, but they have Tampa Bay's sixth-round selection -- for Jerald Hawkins.
The Steelers have two seventh-round picks, one earlier in the round that belonged to Miami that they acquired in the Fitzpatrick deal and Baltimore's seventh-round pick as part of the Wormley deal. Their own pick went to Tampa Bay along with Hawkins, whom the Steelers re-signed this year after he was released by the Bucs.
The Steelers also are expected to get a sixth-round compensatory pick for losing B.J. Finney and a seventh-round selection for losing Nick Vannett. -- Lolley
TREY EDMUNDS WAIVED
4:30 p.m. Tuesday: The Steelers just waived running back Trey Edmunds, the older brother of safety Terrell Edmunds. The former had finished the season on injured reserve. -- Lolley
FORMER STEELERS FULLBBACK
LESTER DIES AT 52
4 p.m. Tuesday: Former Steelers fullback Tim Lester, who was nicknamed "The Bus Driver" by Myron Cope, has died. He was 52 years old.Lester spent 1995 through 1998 with the Steelers, helping pave the way for Jerome Bettis, his former teammate with the Rams. He finished his career in 1999 with the Cowboys. -- Lolley
STEELERS PLAYER TESTS
POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
2:30 p.m. Monday: The Steelers closed their facility today after a player tested positive for COVID-19, thus meaning the team can't have final meetings, clean out lockers, etc., until it gets league approval. There is no clarity on which player tested positive, but it will be interesting to see if contact tracing shows that player tested positive from outside contact or from contact with a Browns player the previous week. -- Lolley
STEELERS WILL HAVE
19 UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
3 a.m. Monday: The Steelers will have 19 unrestricted free agents the team will have when the new league year begins in mid-March.
That list includes linebackers Bud Dupree, Cassius Marsh and Jayrone Elliott, offensive tackles Alejandro Villanueva, Zach Banner and Jerald Hawkins, guards Matt Feiler and Danny Isidora, inside linebacker Avery Williamson, cornerbacks Mike Hilton and Cam Sutton, defensive linemen Tyson Alualu and Chris Wormley, punter Jordan Berry, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, running back James Conner, safeties Sean Davis and Jordan Dangerfield and quarterback Josh Dobbs.
The team also has three restricted free agents. Those are punt returner Ray-Ray McCloud, running back Trey Edmunds and outside linebacker Ola Adeniyi.
Linebackers Robert Spillane and Marcus Allen, and center J.C. Hassenauer are exclusive rights free agents -- Lolley
STEELERS HOLD 24TH
PICK IN NFL DRAFT
3 a.m. Monday: With their season now over, the Steelers will start preparing for the 2021 season. And that means getting ready for the draft and free agency.
The Steelers will hold the 24th pick in the draft and hold a pick in every round except the fifth. They traded that to the Ravens to acquire defensive lineman Chris Wormley. They also have two seventh-round draft picks and are expected to pick up at least one and possibly two compensatory selections.
HIGHSMITH SUFFERS
HIGH ANKLE SPRAIN
1 a.m. Monday: The only injury news coming out of Sunday's season-ending 48-37 loss by the Steelers to the Browns in the opening round of the playoffs was a high ankle sprain suffered by rookie linebacker Alex Highsmith in the first half of the game.
Highsmith attempted to return, but was unable. He was replaced by newcomer Cassius Marsh in the loss. -- Lolley
AFTER ALL THAT ...
DOBBS INACTIVE, ANYWAY
6:45 p.m. Sunday: Well, the fuss was fun while it lasted but, as I'd been calling all week, Josh Dobbs isn't even active here tonight. Mike Tomlin sees better use for the helmet than a third quarterback, and he's right. Also inactive are running back Anthony McFarland, safety Antoine Brooks, linebacker Jayrone Elliott, offensive lineman Danny Isidora and defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs. -- DK
GAME DAY!
2 a.m. Sunday: If you're new here, Live Wire takes a back seat on game days. Head on over to the live game file. Dale Lolley, Tom Reed and I will all be at Heinz Field, with our coverage beginning in earnest with the announcement of inactives at 6:45 p.m. Kickoff's at 8:15. -- DK