The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
SAMUEL HARTMAN FROM KEYSER, WV: Any Steelers fan knows Ben Roethlisberger was famous for his fourth-quarter game-winning drives with less than 2 minutes left on the clock. Do you know if there is a stat that shows how many he actually won?
ANSWER: Here are some of the statistics compiled by the Steelers PR Department:
BIG BEN, BIG COMEBACKS
• Roethlisberger rallied the Steelers from a tie or deficit in the fourth quarter 53 times in his regular-season career, which is the most in franchise history and tied for the second-most in NFL history.
• Only Peyton Manning (54) had rallied a team from a tie or deficit in the fourth quarter more often. Tom Brady and Drew Brees also registered 53.
• Roethlisberger rallied the Steelers from a tie or deficit in the fourth quarter seven times in 2021, which was the most in the NFL and tied for the second-most in single-season NFL history.
• He led the Steelers to an offensive scoring drive in the fourth quarter with the team trailing by one score to either tie or take the lead 40 times in his regular-season career, which is the most in franchise history and third-most in NFL history.
• Roethlisberger registered 59 regular-season victories in games decided by six points or less with him under center, which is the most in NFL history.
• He recorded six victories in games decided by six points or less with him under center in 2021, which were tied for the most in the NFL.
• Roethlisberger registered a regular season record of 59-33-1 (.640) in games decided by six points or less with him under center.
• His .640 regular season win percentage in games decided by six points or less is the second highest in NFL history.
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ALEX CARRIE FROM STATE COLLEGE, PA: I am hearing a lot of rumors about the Steelers interest in Carson Beck. Why would he be better than Drew Allar?
ANSWER: In an attempt to answer your question, I would point to how Carson Beck played better in big games against quality opposition than Drew Allar played in big games against quality opposition. To me, the question isn't necessarily as much about Carson Beck vs. Drew Allar, but whether either of them is a better prospect than Will Howard.
JAMES GRACE FROM KING GEORGE, VA: Officiating hasn't been great to say the least, and now I'm hearing the NFL may use replacement officials this season which probably won't help the situation. I've heard media talk about the "NFL admitting the call was wrong" several times last year (notably when the Ravens receiver couldn't hold onto the ball in the end zone), but is there an actual mechanism for teams to challenge results after the game ends? If so, what type of recourse could there be?
ANSWER: When you write "challenge results," if you're referring to changing the outcome of a game or forcing a do-over, there is absolutely no mechanism. None.
PERCEVAL SONDAG FROM FLEMINGTON, NJ: I'm both delighted and very puzzled by the Michael Pittman Jr. trade. How was it possible to get him for as cheap as we did? I know the Colts were in a salary cap bind, but were there zero other teams interested in a solid WR2?
ANSWER: I cannot speak specifically to the Michael Pittman Jr. transaction, but there can be a situation where the team wants to do right by a respected veteran player who had to be moved for cap purposes. The Colts didn't get a lot out of it in terms of draft capital, but they sent a loyal player to a team that immediately rewarded the guy with a $59 million contract extension. Maybe the Colts thought that was the right thing to do.
MARK RICE FROM LAS VEGAS, NV: Did I read or hear correctly that this year during the 2026 Draft, they are shortening the amount of time for teams to make a draft selection? If so, what is the reasoning behind shortening the time?
ANSWER: The NFL made the decision to shorten the time between picks in the first round only, from 10 minutes to 8 minutes. I cannot imagine a realistic situation where that becomes a competitive disadvantage.
LOU MANN FROM ASHKELON, ISRAEL: I see that Kaleb Johnson is only 22 years old. I don't see a lot of information about him other than a few people thinking he's a bust, which is ridiculous. Do the Steelers like him?
ANSWER: The point I have made repeatedly about these kinds of questions is that there is a new head coach, a new offensive system, and a new play-caller (who happens to be the aforementioned new head coach) this year, and so players are largely starting over. I am confident Kaleb Johnson will be brought to training camp. Then it will be up to him.
RON MITCHELL FROM PHOENIX, AZ: I am thrilled that the Steelers did not bring in Kyler Murray. That being my personal opinion, who was the shortest quarterback ever on the Steelers game day roster?
ANSWER: "Ever" is a word that encompasses a lot of franchise history, and relying on team-listed heights is a crapshoot. What I can tell you is that I walked right past Russell Wilson in the second floor lobby of the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, and he was no taller than me. I am 5-foot-10.
STEVE LETTIE FROM MORRISTOWN, NJ: Can you shed some light/thoughts on the Steelers letting the team MVP, RB Kenneth Gainwell, sign with the Bucs for $14 million and then signing Rico Dowdle for $12.65 million? Gainwell was a phenomenal tag team with Jaylen Warren. I can't imagine that the difference in money was the significant factor for Pittsburgh to not re-sign him?
ANSWER: Maybe the significant factor is that Kenneth Gainwell considered Tampa Bay a better move for him at this time in his career. Maybe Gainwell just decided as an unrestricted free agent he wanted to pick his next team, and his decision was the Buccaneers. Fans seem to forget free agency is free for the players, too.
ED HUFF FROM SUMMERVILLE, SC: I haven't seen an announcement that Darnell Savage has officially signed a contract to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Is there a reason for the delay, and is there a deadline for the agreement to be made official?
ANSWER: I have seen it reported that Darnell Savage agreed to terms on a contract with the Steelers, but the team doesn't recognize anything until the papers have been signed. And since there is no deal until the contract is signed, there can be no deadline for any announcement.
DALE MACK FROM BRUNSWICK, OH: With free agency, how do teams and players reach out to each other? Is it the teams that contact the agent or the agent that contacts the team? Or do players contact the teams?
ANSWER: In these kinds of situations, teams deal with agents during free agency, and the first contact can be made by either side. Teams have part of their scouting department dedicated to pro personnel, and agents develop some idea of which teams might be looking for help at different positions.
EUGENE WATERMAN FROM ERIE, PA: Do you have the dates when the Steelers will be in Latrobe or had that not been released yet? And do you know if it's free for fans to come watch or is there a fee? I have never been to camp and I plan to go this summer, so I just wanna be prepared.
ANSWER: Steelers training camp will be at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, and admission and parking are free for fans. While there is no charge, fans are required to reserve their free tickets on the day they wish to attend. How to reserve tickets, as well as all the other information needed to enjoy your day at training camp will be posted on Steelers.com and the team's media platforms once the dates are determined. You can expect that sometime in late June.
OWEN O'CEALLAIGH FROM CORK, IRELAND: Did a Maxx Crosby situation (I'm off to the Ravens … Actually, no I'm not) ever happen with a Steelers player?
ANSWER: In 1978, the Steelers sent wide receiver Frank Lewis, a former No. 1 pick who started in Super Bowl IX and was an extra WR in Super Bowl X, to Buffalo in exchange for blocking tight end Paul Seymour. When Seymour arrived in Pittsburgh, the Steelers failed him on his physical after learning he had recent surgery on the arches on his feet. Seymour was returned to the Bills, and after reviewing the situation the NFL allowed the Bills to keep Lewis, who posted 2 1,000-yard seasons in Buffalo and was voted to one Pro Bowl. Seymour never played another down in the NFL.
JAMES MELVIN FROM SAVANNAH, GA: In 1973 or so, my grandparents moved into a townhouse in Pittsburgh. My grandma has always said that since some Steelers players were also living in the neighboring townhouses because it was close to either where they had training camp or maybe where they practiced, some of the players helped them move in. Do you know where those things were back around that time period?
ANSWER: The Steelers held training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, and in 1973 they were practicing at Three Rivers Stadium. Maybe your grandmother was living in the townhouses in the Mexican War Streets neighborhood of the North Side, which was close to the stadium.
AMOS MEYERS FROM ORO VALLEY, AZ: In reading about the Steelers possibly having no compensatory picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, is it technically possible to trade a 2026 pick to another team for a 2027 pick?
ANSWER: Yes.
JEREMY SCHWARTZ FROM DILLARD, GA: What determines a player's rookie year? With all the what-ifs surrounding the QBs, I was wondering about Will Howard.
ANSWER: To be recognized as a rookie in the NFL, a player has to be in his first season of professional football and never having signed a prior NFL contract. He also can never have been on an NFL team's 53-man roster for a regular season game or a postseason game. Since Will Howard was on the 53-man roster during the end of the 2025 regular season and for the team's Wild Card Round Game vs. Houston, he is not considered a rookie.
