Steelers To Talk Extension With Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger says he wants to play for at least three more seasons and the Steelers are on board with that. On Wednesday, team president Art Rooney II told a small group of reporters that he will eventually have a conversation with Big Ben about extending his deal beyond 2019. 
[RELATED: Le’Veon Bell Discusses Contract Situation]
“We haven’t had a long conversation about that other than him saying he is interested in playing beyond his contract,” Rooney said (via ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler). “That’s good news to me, and certainly his play this year makes you feel like he does have a few years left. All that is great in terms of the contract. We’ll address that at the right time. But bottom line is we’re excited that’s the way he feels and we’ll continue to work with him and hopefully get a couple more rings with him.”
Roethlisberger turns 36 in March and has flirted with retirement in the past, but he is still playing football at a high level and wants to add a third ring to his collection. In 2017, Roethlisberger had a 64.2% completion rate with 28 touchdowns and a 92.4 quarterback rating. He finished stronger than he started with 348 yards and three touchdowns per contest over his final seven games.
Since entering the league in 2004, Roethlisberger owns a career 135-63 record in the regular season.
Steelers Hire Offensive Assistant
- The Steelers announced that they’ve hired Blaine Stewart as an offensive assistant. Stewart is the son of former West Virginia coach Bill Stewart, who gave Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin his first coaching assignment at VMI in 1995.
Hines Ward Wanted Steelers' WR Coach Gig
- Former Steelers great Hines Ward was hoping to be considered for the team’s wide receivers coach job before it went to Darryl Drake, Marvez writes. Ward, who currently works as a contributor for CNN Sports, remains interested in coaching. “There was some interest, but I can’t hire myself,” Ward said. “If the opportunity presents itself, it’s something where I’d have to sit down and seriously think about it.“
[SOURCE LINK]
Updated 2018 NFL Draft Order
With the Super Bowl in the books, we now know the draft order for the entire first round of the 2018 draft. Here’s the rundown:
1. Cleveland Browns (0-16)
2. New York Giants (3-13)
3. Indianapolis Colts (4-12)
4. Cleveland Browns (via the 4-12 Houston Texans)
5. Denver Broncos (5-11)
6. New York Jets (5-11)
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11)
8. Chicago Bears (5-11)
T-9. Oakland Raiders (6-10)
T-9. San Francisco 49ers (6-10) (Note: The Raiders and 49ers have identical records and the same strength of schedule. The tie will be broken by a coin flip with the winner getting pick No. 9 and the other club receiving the No. 10 pick.)
11. Miami Dolphins (6-10)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (7-9)
13. Washington Redskins (7-9)
14. Green Bay Packers (7-9)
15. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)
16. Baltimore Ravens (9-7)
17. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7)
18. Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
19. Dallas Cowboys (9-7)
20. Detroit Lions (9-7)
21. Buffalo Bills (9-7)
22. Buffalo Bills (via the 10-6 Kansas City Chiefs)
23. Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
24. Carolina Panthers (11-5)
25. Tennessee Titans (9-7)
26. Atlanta Falcons (10-6)
27. New Orleans Saints (11-5)
28. Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6)
30. Minnesota Vikings (13-3)
31. New England Patriots (13-3)
32. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
Ryan Shazier Not Walking Without Aid
- Earlier Sunday, a report surfaced regarding Ryan Shazier‘s progress. While Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reported Shazier has a regular walking routine, the Steelers linebacker wanted to clarify that. Michele Tafoya of NBC Sports tweets Shazier is not walking on his own and needs the assistance of others or a walker at this juncture of his rehab process.
Ryan Shazier Making "Incredible Progress"
- Steelers LB Ryan Shazier has regained movement in his legs and is engaging in a regular walking routine, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. One source familiar with Shazier’s recovery said that Shazier is making “incredible progress.”
Le’Veon Bell Discusses Contract Situation
Le’Veon Bell sounds confident that he will remain in Pittsburgh. The impending free agent sat down with NFL Network’s Super Bowl LIVE yesterday and discussed his contract situation. Notably, Bell told the hosts that he believes his contract is a priority for the organization, and he noted that the two sides are closer to a deal than last year.
“Yeah, a lot of it is about the guarantees,” he said (via Kevin Patra NFL.com). “That’s what a long-term deal really is, you know? You want that security. That’s why I said I’ll play on the tag. All that’s going to be guaranteed. You want to tag me again, OK, all that’s going to be guaranteed. That’s how I kind of look at it because I don’t want sign a long-term deal and everybody says I signed for $70 million but only the first year is guaranteed. So the first $17 million that you make in that year that’s the only year that’s guaranteed…”
Specifically, Bell said he’d “absolutely” accept a contract that included $50MM in guaranteed money, but he didn’t commit when asked about $30MM. As Patra points out, Bell previously turned down an offer that would have guaranteed him $30MM through the first two seasons of the contract.
The Steelers could slap Bell with another franchise tag, which would pay him $14.5MM next season. Bell sat out training camp and preseason this past season after being tagged, but he noted that he’s not planning on another holdout.
The 25-year-old had another productive season in 2017. He ultimately compiled 1,291 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on a career-high 321 carries. He also added another 85 receptions for 655 yards and two scores.
Latest On Steelers' Ryan Shazier
- Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier was officially released from the rehabilitation clinic two months after having spinal stabilization surgery, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) details. Shazier will now begin outpatient rehabilitation and still has a long road ahead of him, but it’s a very positive step forward for the 25-year-old.
Steelers Sign Jordan Berry To Extension
The Steelers and Jordan Berry have agreed to an extension. The new deal will keep the punter in place through the 2018 season. 
[RELATED: Le’Veon Bell Not Interested In Jets?]
“It’s pretty exciting to get it all finished, get it all sorted out, and get it done early,” said Berry in a press release. “I love being in Pittsburgh so I am excited to have it done. I don’t have to think about it. I can just focus on training and getting ready for next season, which is the most important part of everything.”
Last year, Berry averaged 43.2 yards per punt, with a net of 39.8 yards. He also had 26 punts inside of the 20-yard line. It was a solid showing for Berry, who credits special teams coordinator Danny Smith for his continued improvement.
“It’s a combination of him being on top of me, making sure I am putting the work in, as well as me having a few years of experience under my belt,” said Berry. “The combination has helped me improve in the time I have been here. Danny is there daily making sure we are doing the small things we need to do to get better. He has been coaching for a long time, so to have that experience helping us, myself, Kameron (Canaday) and (Chris Boswell), it’s beneficial.”
Re-signing Berry wasn’t necessarily priority No. 1 for Pittsburgh, but it does take an item off of the Steelers’ checklist this offseason.
Le’Veon Bell Not Interested In Jets?
Le’Veon Bell, technically, is scheduled for free agency. Should he reach the open market without any restrictions, it doesn’t sound like he’ll be joining the Jets. When asked by a fan on Twitter if he would sign with the Jets for $60MM “cash,” the running back replied, “That ain’t enough to come run with the Jets.” 
Of course, it’s considered unlikely that Bell will be an unrestricted free agent in March. The Steelers have the ability to franchise tag him for a second consecutive season and they are expected to do so if they cannot sign him to a long-term deal. Even if he is allowed to test the open waters, the Jets have bigger fish to fry than finding a running back (though we did list RB as one of the team’s top three needs this offseason).
If the Jets make a major expenditure in free agency, they are much more likely to push those funds in the direction of Kirk Cousins. Signing both may be possible in the literal sense, but it wouldn’t show great cap management on the part of GM Mike Maccagnan to dedicate upwards of $44M to two players.
For what it’s worth, the Steelers and Bell are closer in long-term contract negotiations than they were last year, according to the running back.