May 2022 - Pittsburgh Steelers Wiretap
Antonio Brown has said that he wants to retire as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In response, Mike Tomlin has dismissed the idea of Brown returning to the Steelers as an active player.
"Y'all know that ain't happening," Tomlin said. "In terms of putting a helmet on and running out of the tunnel and playing ball and stuff like that, man. You know he's moved on, and we've moved on. We can sit around and chop that up like it's a realistic conversation, but we know that's not realistic."
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed Larry Ogunjobi to a one-year deal.
The defensive tackle will now have played for three of the four AFC North teams, having suited up for the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals previously.
Ogunjobi had also visited the New York Jets since his three-year, $40.5 million deal with the Chicago Bears fell apart after he failed his physical on March 18.
Chase Claypool has plenty of confidence entering his third NFL season.
"I'm going to say, my second year, I was a better player than I was my first year," Claypool said. "The plays just didn't work out, right? Some of the plays just didn't go my way. I didn't make some plays I need to make. But as a football player, understanding the game, knowing what to do, knowing where to be, I was better. So I'm going to be better this year.
"And just like you said, understanding I'm not normal -- I feel that way when I'm on the field. I know for a fact I am not like the rest of the guys in the NFL. I know I'm a top-five receiver. I know I'm a top-three receiver."
After recording 62 catches for 873 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie, Claypool had 59 receptions for 860 yards and two scores in 2021.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed Minkah Fitzpatrick to a four-year contract extension that will pay him more than $18.4 million per year.
The deal makes Fitzpatrick the NFL's highest-paid safety.
Fitzpatrick was also given $36 million guaranteed at signing.
"I am very excited," he said. "I am still kind of in shock right now. It's a blessing. I am really excited. It's just the beginning. I am appreciative. I am thankful. Now I just want to keep on chopping."
JuJu Smith-Schuster signed with the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason after spending the first five seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During an appearance in Pittsburgh, the wide receiver said he could definitely see himself back with the franchise in the future.
"I could see myself back here. Even today, this shows a lot, that I still have fans out here coming out to support me," Smith-Schuster said while at a charity fundraiser.
"It was just very important. It was huge to come back," Smith-Schuster added. "I spent five years here, to come back to the city where I started my career. When you sign and go to a new team, you move so fast, that I literally picked up all my stuff and moved. I didn’t have time to say bye to the fans. What we’re doing today is really cool."
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Najee Harris has discussed lowering the running back's workload as he enters his second NFL season.
Harris led all NFL running backs in offensive snaps and offensive touches last year.
The conversation has centered on Harris coming off the field on "certain downs" in order to make sure he's rested enough to continue playing at a high level.
"I am taking time off," Harris said. "I will not be on the field for certain plays. We're still going to talk about that, though. I do want to play. A lot. . . . Any time I can. But at the same time, it's all about being smart. So I understand where [the Steelers] are coming from."
Aaron Donald's new contract essentially guarantees he'll remain with the Los Angeles Rams for the next two seasons, but things could change after that.
The structure of the contract ties Donald to the Rams through 2023 with a total payout of $65 million. At that point, he could retire without any financial consequences.
If he retires following the 2023 season, the next move could be to try to return with a new team.
At that point, Donald could try to leverage a deal closer to his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers.
