Pittsburgh Steelers News & Rumors

RBs Omarion Hampton, Kaleb Johnson To Visit Bears

The Bears were recently reported to be among the teams which view Ashton Jeanty in high regard. The Heisman runner-up is thus a prospect to watch in the event he slides to No. 10 in the first-round order, but Chicago is also showing interest in other running backs.

Omarion Hampton is set to visit Chicago today, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports. In addition, a pre-draft visit has been lined up with Kaleb Johnson, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Hampton is considered by many to be a first-round prospect, as Schultz confirms, while Johnson is one of several Day 2 candidates at the position.

2024 marked the first season with D’Andre Swift handling lead back duties for Chicago. He notched a new career high in scrimmage yards (1,345) while logging a full campaign for the first time in his career. Two seasons remain on the 26-year-old’s contract, and his base salary for 2025 ($7.39MM) is guaranteed in full. Swift will be counted on to handle RB1 duties for at least one more year as a result, but a rookie could be joining him in the backfield soon.

Hampton has already met with the Cowboys, Steelers and Giants – teams which are spread across the first-round order. While Jeanty is expected to hear his name called early on the draft’s opening night (perhaps by the Raiders at No. 6), a longer wait could be in store for Hampton. The North Carolina product’s stock is still high, but it remains to be seen if he will wind up being a top-20 pick. The Bears would represent a more suitable landing spot in the event of a trade down the order.

Johnson starred during his three-year run at Iowa, earning several accolades along the way. The junior was the Big Ten’s top running back in 2024, and he was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award (given to the best RB in the country). He could very well be the third running back in this year’s draft as a result. The No. 45 prospect on Daniel Jeremiah’s big board, Johnson could be an option for Chicago in the second round. The team owns the 39th and 41st selections as things stand.

Adding along both sides of the line of scrimmage has been a priority this offseason for the Bears, and defensive tackle is viewed as a key remaining need in the lead-in to the draft. Chicago will have plenty of options to choose from at that position throughout the draft, but the team’s work at the top of the running back board makes a move at that spot something to watch for.

CB Patrick Peterson Retires

APRIL 14: Peterson’s retirement ceremony has indeed taken place Monday, as scheduled. During his speech, he said a meeting after the Super Bowl with owner Michael Bidwill paved the way for today’s announcement occurring at the team’s facility. Peterson noted (via ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss) he feels he could still play in the NFL but prefers to turn his attention to his post-playing days.

APRIL 11: A week after Julio Jonesretirement, the player chosen one spot ahead of him in a loaded 2011 draft is walking away as well. Like Jones, Patrick Peterson did not play in 2024. And the decorated cornerback is planning to retire with the Cardinals on Monday, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports.

The former No. 5 overall pick did his best work in Arizona, which selected him in a first round that included Jones, J.J. Watt, Von Miller, Tyron Smith, Cameron Heyward, Cameron Jordan and several other standouts. Several Hall of Famers will come from that first round, and Peterson is likely among them.

Twice a first-team All-Pro as a cornerback and once as a return man, Peterson started his career with eight straight Pro Bowls. The first of those came for return-game work, but among DBs in NFL history, only a handful (Ronnie Lott, Champ Bailey, Steve Atwater, Jalen Ramsey) of post-merger cover men join Peterson as being named to seven Pro Bowls over eight seasons to start a career. Although a 2019 PED suspension brought a step back for Peterson, he did well to rebound upon leaving Arizona for Minnesota in 2021.

A lockdown boundary corner who would follow receivers more than his top peers of the period did, Peterson also displayed durability with the Cardinals. He did not miss a game due to injury in Arizona, going until his first Vikings season — which featured four absences — before seeing a health issue keep him off the field. Peterson helped the Cardinals to two playoff brackets, including a run to the 2015 NFC championship game, and was part of a 2010s defensive crew that featured fellow Pro Bowlers Calais Campbell, Tyrann Mathieu and Chandler Jones. That group splintered near the decade’s end, leaving Peterson as one of the stalwarts on a retooling team.

No second-team All-Pro honors are on Peterson’s resume, which is a bit unusual for a player with his reputation. He earned first-team All-Pro acclaim as a corner in 2013 and 2015. The first of those seasons helped Peterson score a monster extension (five years, $70.1MM) during the 2014 offseason, . The second came as Arizona journeyed to the NFC title game in a season that brought the most wins (13) in a season in the franchise’s 105-year history. Peterson joined Richard Sherman, Chris Harris and Hall of Famer Darrelle Revis on the 2010s’ All-Decade team at corner.

The Cardinals opted not to hand Peterson a second extension, having drafted Byron Murphy 33rd overall in 2019. This came during an early-2020s period that featured a host of quality defenders (Peterson, Jones, Watt, Murphy, Zach Allen) depart. The Vikings gave the LSU alum a one-year, $8MM deal. The 6-foot-1 corner stayed in Minnesota, despite the team changing HCs and GMs in 2022, but did so on a one-year, $4MM pact. Agreeing to a 50% pay cut, Peterson still intercepted five passes in 2022 — including a game-sealing theft of Josh Allen in a shootout win in Buffalo — and helped the team to a 13-4 season. Minnesota did not retain Peterson for his age-33 season, leading to a Pittsburgh one-off. The Steelers, who experimented with Peterson at safety in 2023, released him in 2024.

Peterson aimed to play a 14th season, but corners approaching their mid-30s have trouble landing deals. Peterson may well have received offers, but they clearly did not move the needle financially. He did quite well for himself there, amassing a career-earnings ledger of nearly $114MM. A lucrative rookie contract — the first in the rookie-scale era — and playing out that $70.1MM extension represented the lead drivers of Peterson’s earnings sheet.

The Cardinals cooled Peterson’s punt-return usage after the 2015 season, but he delivered one of this era’s premier seasons by returning four punts for TDs as a rookie. The former shutdown corner will retire with 36 career interceptions — including seven during a breakout 2012 season — and two pick-sixes. Peterson added a postseason INT but only wound up playing in five career playoff tilts. Nevertheless, the former top prospect will retire as one of his era’s top defensive contributors.

Browns Bring Back QB Joe Flacco

10:50pm: Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports the Flacco deal will pay out $6MM if he operates as the Browns’ starter and the team does not reach the playoffs. A starting gig which does produce a postseason berth, meanwhile, will see him earn $8MM. Flacco would need to earn first-team All-Pro honors to achieve the maximum $13MM, an entirely unrealistic scenario for the zero-time Pro Bowler. If he can duplicate the success of his first Cleveland stint, though, Flacco can notably add to his career earnings.

8:02am: Joe Flacco will return to Cleveland for 2025. The 40-year-old quarterback has an agreement in place with the Browns, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move is now official.

This will be a one-year deal with a base value of $4MM, per Flacco’s agency. The pact can be worth up to $13MM thanks to incentives. After taking over starting duties late in the 2023 campaign, the former Super Bowl MVP will now return to the Browns as they continue to sort out their quarterback situation.

Deshaun Watson‘s second Achilles tear threatens to keep him sidelined for the entire 2025 campaign. As a result, the Browns have been active in pursuing veteran help under center, trading for former Steelers first-rounder Kenny Pickett earlier this offseason. More moves were expected, although signs pointed against the No. 2 pick in this month’s draft being devoted to a signal-caller. This deal represents another indication that will be the case.

Flacco’s time atop the depth chart with the Ravens ended with a knee injury midway through the 2018 campaign. Then-rookie Lamar Jackson replaced him in the lineup and has remained the starter ever since. After the season, Flacco was dealt to the Broncos, although his one-and-done Denver campaign did not go according to plan. The former first-rounder then saw time with the Jets and Eagles, making nine starts between 2020-22.

Uncertainty loomed over Flacco’s NFL future, but the Browns represented an opportunity to continue his career once Watson went down in 2023. The Delaware product was initially brought in as veteran insurance, but he quickly locked down the QB1 gig and helped lead Cleveland to the playoffs. Flacco averaged 323 yards per game and threw 13 touchdown passes in five regular season games, but interceptions proved to be a problem then and in the team’s wild-card loss to the Texans.

Flacco preferred to remain with the Browns for 2024, but he wound up taking a one-year Colts deal after Indianapolis was priced out of Gardner Minshew‘s market. Anthony Richardson began the season atop the depth chart, but the former No. 4 pick was benched at one point and again missed time due to injury. That allowed Flacco to made six starts, bringing his career total to 191. That figure could rise even further in 2025.

Pickett is now joined by Flacco as a healthy Browns quarterback option. Cleveland has been linked to a pursuit of Kirk Cousins, who is seeking a fresh start after being demoted to backup by the Falcons. A trade after the draft is still possible at this point since Atlanta is open to entertaining it, but especially if the Browns add a developmental passer sometime during the draft the market for Cousins will be quite limited. In any case, Flacco – who posted a 90.5 passer rating in 2024 – will be a familiar option for head coach Kevin Stefanski and Co.

Interestingly, Schefter adds Flacco also spoke with the Steelers and Vikings prior to making his Cleveland return. Pittsburgh is of course still linked to Aaron Rodgers as the team seeks a short-term starter; Rodgers’ preferred destination, meanwhile is Minnesota. The Vikings (barring a Rodgers deal) are set to hand the reins over to J.J. McCarthy in 2025, but they are clearly on the lookout for a veteran. Flacco could have fulfilled that role, but instead he will compete for playing time in Cleveland.

Draft Rumors: Dolphins, Johnson, Harmon

The Dolphins are reportedly doing some homework on high-ranked tight end prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft. Though, at No. 13 overall, Miami may be out of range of top tight end prospect Tyler Warren of Penn State, the team took a look at two options that could be around for their second-round pick.

According to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, LSU’s Mason Taylor was onsite yesterday. Taylor is the son of Dolphins legend Jason Taylor. The younger Taylor is projected to be a fringe first-round prospect, but with tight ends, the ranges can certainly be wider. Taylor did a top-30 visit with the Browns on Monday and has also visited the Seahawks and Chargers.

Earlier this week, the Dolphins also hosted local tight prospect Elijah Arroyo out of Miami (FL), per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Arroyo had a breakout season for the Hurricanes this year and caught lots of attention at the Senior Bowl. After visiting Miami on Monday, Arroyo met with the Browns on Tuesday and Giants on Wednesday. Mike Cugno of CBS Sports adds that teammates Xavier Restrepo and Arroyo have both spent plenty of time around the Dolphins facility in the last couple of days.

Miami saw veteran Jonnu Smith rival Tyreek Hill in the receiving game for the Dolphins last year, but Smith’s contract expires after this season, so Taylor or Arroyo may be viewed as strong TE2 options or potential tight ends of the future.

Here are a few other draft visits we’ve seen reported in recent days:

  • All-American running back Kaleb Johnson has been making the rounds lately. After visiting the Steelers last weekend, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 adds that Johnson has visited the Titans, Broncos, Texans, and Bengals. Johnson is widely considered the third-best running back prospect in the class behind Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton. Based on interest from the Titans, Johnson could go anywhere from the early-second to early-third round.
  • Per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon visited the Jets yesterday. He hasn’t often been mocked in range of the Jets‘ No. 7 overall pick so far, but he could certainly be a candidate to find New York early in the second round or perhaps in the late-first, should the Jets opt to trade back up. Garafolo notes that Harmon has also visited the Browns and Steelers this week.

AFC North Draft Rumors: Browns, Bengals, Steelers, Ravens

Recently, we saw the Browns host a few probable Day 2 quarterback prospects, and it made us think that Cleveland is less likely to select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and more likely to take his teammate Travis Hunter or Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter then pick a quarterback at the top of the second round. During an interview on ESPN’s The Daily Grossi, Tony Grossi seemed to support this notion.

Grossi seemed to confirm that the Browns like Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe “a lot” and that they could easily select him near the second round after addressing another position at No. 2 overall. I say “near the second round” because it’s likely that Cleveland could trade up a short distance back into the first round to secure a fifth-round option for a young passer.

This fits well with Milroe’s projected draft range, which Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports puts anywhere from pick No. 20 overall to pick No. 50. Cleveland holds the first pick of the second round (No. 33 overall).

Here are a few other draft rumors coming out of the AFC North division:

  • After spending most of their offseason so far (and a huge portion of their salary cap) on the wide receiver position, the Bengals are expected to use most of their six draft picks on defense, according to Jordan Reid of ESPN. With the team so far failing to reach a new agreement with defensive end Trey Hendrickson and potentially even including him in a Draft Day trade deal, defensive end could be an obvious target in the first round. Tony Pauline of sportskeeda predicts that if Cincinatti does go pass rusher, assuming Carter and Georgia’s Mykel Williams are already off the table, it could trigger a run of pass rushers instead of allowing them to continue to slide later and later into the first round.
  • While the Steelers are expected to spend one of their two picks in the first three rounds of the draft on a quarterback, Reid claims that they could use the other on a defensive tackle or wide receiver. The team has done plenty of research on both positions, notably checking out defensive tackles Joshua Farmer from Florida State and JJ Pegues from Ole Miss and wide receivers Matthew Golden from Texas and Savion Williams from TCU.
  • Lastly, ESPN’s Jamison Hensley predicts that the most likely first-round scenario sees the Ravens bolstering their defensive line. Kyle Van Noy returns after giving the team 21.5 sacks in the last two years, and Odafe Oweh finally broke out with a 10.0-sack performance in 2024, but David Ojabo and Adisa Isaac — both drafted in the top three rounds of their respective drafts — have yet to make an impact. With Michael Pierce retiring and Travis Jones entering a contract year, defensive tackle could make a lot of sense. The first round is extremely deep at the position with players like Michigan’s Kenneth Grant, Ole Miss’s Walter Nolen, and Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams all projected to be selected somewhere around Baltimore’s 27th overall pick. More likely, though, the Ravens tend to let the draft fall to them and select the best player available regardless of position. With few true holes on the roster, this should give them a bevy of options.

Steelers’ T.J. Watt Extension Could Be More Expensive Than Anticipated?

T.J. Watt is one of several edge rushers still in line for a new contract this offseason. The position’s market has jumped thanks to Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett working out raises with their respective teams, and that could push the value Watt’s next Steelers pact upward.

One season remains on the former Defensive Player of the Year’s deal, one which carries a 2025 cap charge of $31.42MM. That figure could be lowered with an extension, although a third Pittsburgh contract will require a raise in annual average value. Watt’s existing pact is worth an average of just over $28MM per season, whereas Garrett’s has an AAV of $40MM.

Resetting the market once again may not be necessary, but a sign indicating talks have not gone well to date emerged on Wednesday. An Instagram post from Watt which shows him holding up the peace sign while walking off the field has led to speculation about his desire to remain in Pittsburgh moving forward. Such developments rarely prove to be particularly relevant during contract talks, but Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show notes this situation remains worth watching closely.

Watt, 30, has expressed a desire to remain with the Steelers, and general manager Omar Khan recently confirmed the team’s goal of ensuring he finishes his career in Pittsburgh. Kaboly predicts this situation will still likely end with an extension agreement, although he adds the price of doing so may prove to be higher than initially thought. The Steelers already have high price tags (with respect to cap charges) to deal with in the form of Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cameron Heyward and Patrick Queen.

Adding further to the team’s commitments on defense could prove to be challenging, but as a seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time NFL sack leader Watt certainly has a case to receive another major pay day. Alex Highsmith is on the books as a strong complementary option along the edge, though Watt would of course be expected to remain a foundational presence on defense if he were to remain in the fold for 2025 and beyond.

The likes of Micah Parsons, Trey Hendrickson and Aidan Hutchinson could all have lucrative new deals in place soon. If the bar moves any higher in terms of EDGE compensation, Watt’s earning potential could increase even further. Whether or not his next contract will come from the Steelers will remain a talking point until and unless an agreement can be reached, though.

Steelers Host Derrick Harmon, Omarion Hampton On Top-30 Visits

The Steelers are continuing to assess options for their 2025 draft class by hosting Oregon defensive linemen Derrick Harmon and North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton on top-30 visits, per Ray Fittpaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Both Harmon and Hampton are projected to go in the first round of April’s draft in which the Steelers hold the 21st overall pick. Either player could contribute in Pittsburgh right away with the team needing to add long-term contributors at both positions.

The Steelers released Larry Ogunjobi in March, leaving behind a defensive line that only has one player – 2024 sixth-rounder Logan Lee – signed past the 2026 season. Keeanu Benton could be re-signed as a long-term starter, but Cameron Heyward will be 37 when his contract expires. DeMarvin LealDean Lowry, and Montravius Adams are all entering contract years, further heightening the need to add in the trenches.

Harmon, the 21st-ranked prospect on Daniel Jeremiah’s big board, could fit the bill. He is a three-year starter who posted career-highs of 5.0 sacks and 11 tackles for loss during his senior year at Oregon after spending his first three college seasons at Michigan State. He has the football I.Q. and competitiveness that defensive line coaches will covet, though he does not profile as an elite athlete compared to the rest of the draft class.

The Steelers will also need to add to their backfield after letting Najee Harris walk in free agency. Pittsburgh retained restricted free agent Jaylen Warren and signed Kenneth Gainwell, but Hampton offers a higher-long term ceiling with his size, athleticism, and three-down ability. He is Jeremiah’s 13th-ranked prospect after two outstanding seasons for the Tar Heels and an excellent showing at the NFL Combine.

Browns Host Several QB Prospects; Raiders To Meet With Jaxson Dart

Tuesday was a busy day in Cleveland, where the Browns hosted a number of quarterback prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft. According to a few different sources, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, and Louisville’s Tyler Shough all were on site for visits in Cleveland today.

Don’t be mistaken, despite recent buzz for Dart and Milroe as potential first-rounders, neither player is likely being considered a target at No. 2 overall. More likely, the Browns are exploring the possibility of utilizing their current first-round pick on one of either Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado athlete Travis Hunter then either taking a quarterback at the top of the second round or trading back into the first round for one.

Dart seems like the least likely to land in Cleveland. In order to draft Dart, it’s starting to look like the Browns would need to trade well into the first round. Dart has been noted as a player under consideration as the Saints (No. 9 overall pick) explore their options for a quarterback of the future. If Dart gets passed over in favor of a sliding Shedeur Sanders or some other prospect, the Steelers could move on the Ole Miss product to take over after Aaron Rodgers (or if Rodgers never signs). After visiting with the Browns today, Dart will visit next with the Raiders, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He’s also spent “considerable time” with the Giants and Rams.

If Dart does go to New Orleans or some other team early, the Steelers have also been linked to Milroe. Pittsburgh really likes Milroe due to his elite athleticism. The Alabama product has plenty of shortcomings as a quarterback prospect, but many believe that, if they can coach up some of those areas of concern, his athleticism will be too big of an asset to pass up. According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, Milroe had private workouts with both Cleveland and New Orleans that were described as “impressive.” Today’s top-30 visit with the Browns was reported by Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Cabot also reported Shough’s participation.

Shough has not really been the subject of many rumblings about the first round, but as a quarterback, he may just sneak in. Should Cam Ward, Sanders, Dart, and Milroe all come off the board after Pittsburgh is done selecting at No. 21 overall, the Browns may find it safe to trade up a pick or two into the first round to take Shough.

While it would be a safe bet that Shough could fall to them at the top of the second round, moving up slightly likely wouldn’t cost Cleveland too much draft capital. Also, trading into the first round for any of the above prospects would provide Cleveland the luxury of a fifth-year option, giving them more time to develop whatever young passer they may acquire.

Shedeur Sanders To Visit Steelers

The Steelers are hosting Colorado quarterback prospect Shedeur Sanders on a top-30 visit, another indication that the team is considering using a first-round pick on a quarterback in April’s draft.

Sanders will visit Pittsburgh on Thursday, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Steelers currently hold the 21st overall pick, which is considered the floor for Sanders’ draft spot. They have also been linked with Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, who was invited to attend the first night of the draft in person, indicating that the league believes he will be a first-round pick.

The Steelers’ quarterback room currently consists of Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson, who were both acquired this offseason. Mike Tomlin has said he is comfortable entering the 2025 season with Rudolph as the team’s starter, though he doesn’t profile as a long-term franchise quarterback. Pittsburgh has been looking for such a player since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger in 2022.

Sanders could fit the bill. He is widely thought to be the second-best quarterback in his draft class behind Miami’s Cam Ward, who is expected to be drafted by the Titans with the No. 1 pick. However, Sanders could be taken in the first five picks after being frequently linked with the Browns and the Giants, so the Steelers may have to trade up if they want to bring him to Pittsburgh.

Teams also use top-30 visit to scout players they expect to face in the NFL. If the Browns take Sanders, the Steelers will have to play him twice a year for the foreseeable future, so their coaching staff will want as much information about his playing style and tendencies as possible.

Steelers Remain Optimistic About Aaron Rodgers Deal; Latest On Vikings’ Interest

During the recent league meetings, Steelers owner Art Rooney II confirmed signs continue to point to Aaron Rodgers signing with the team. The future Hall of Fame quarterback has yet to make a decision on his future, but Pittsburgh continues to loom as his likeliest destination.

[RELATED: Titans Did Not Pursue Rodgers]

The Giants are out of the running having signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winstonthe former operated as Pittsburgh’s starter for much of last season. Backup Justin Fields was known to be a priority for the Steelers, but early in free agency he took a two-year pact with the Jets. That led to a pivot on Pittsburgh’s part, and the team’s reunion with Mason Rudolph has him atop the QB depth chart for the time being.

The Steelers made an offer early in free agency, and with a clear lack of other suitors in play it has not yet been increased. Pittsburgh is prepared to wait for a unknown period of time, but the draft looms as a logical deadline for an agreement to be reached. As the NFL world continues to wait on this front, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports the Steelers are still “optimistic” about a Rodgers signing taking place (h/t Bleacher Report). He adds, though, that no movement has taken place since Rooney’s remarks pointed to a contract being on the horizon.

Retirement looms as a possibility for Rodgers, although the 41-year-old preferred to remain with the Jets for at least the 2025 campaign. Hanging up his cleats was mentioned as an option for the four-time MVP at the time the Vikings were a possible landing spot, something which technically remains the case at this point. Even though Rodgers made it known to the team Minnesota was his preferred destination, Fowler confirms the Vikings are out of the running unless the parties circle back to one another in the summer.

It was learned last week Rodgers reached out to Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell to relay his interest in playing for Minnesota. Several conversations took between the two, and Fowler’s colleague Kevin Seifert notes a number of players – including projected 2025 starter J.J. McCarthy – were made aware of those talks. O’Connell also spoke with the likes of wideout Justin Jefferson and right tackle Brian O’Neill about the prospect of signing Rodgers. Such a move had support from some in the organization, but it would now come as a surprise if it were to take place.

On the topic of retirement, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports it should be considered unlikely at this point (video link). He confirms no progress toward a Rodgers-Steelers agreement appears to have been made over the coming days, although Rodgers’ recent throwing session with trade acquisition D.K. Metcalf has continued to fuel the belief one will come into play at some point this offseason. If that proves to be the case, Pittsburgh’s short-term setup at the QB spot will be secure, while the Vikings will continue to be in the market for a veteran insurance option.