New QBs take O-line to dinner
If the old saying that the best way to a man’s heart is his stomach is true, consider the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive linemen smitten with their new quarterbacks.
Russell Wilson and Justin Fields foot the bill for an outing involving the men who block for them early during organized team activities.
“You know as offensive linemen, we’ve got to eat,” left tackle Dan Moore said. “They took us out and wined and dined us a little bit.”
Said center/guard Nate Herbig: “I feel like it goes back to high school, the quarterback takes out your o-line. They always love you a little more. That’s always the way to a big man’s heart.”
The group gathered at an upscale steakhouse downtown. The total check wasn’t revealed. But lineman Spencer Anderson said he was sitting next to Wilson when it was presented.
“It was a lot,” Anderson said, eyes wide.
Whatever it was, safe to say Wilson and Fields can afford it. According to Spotrac.com, Wilson will have banked $306,572,520 and Fields $18,871,956 in salary by the end of this season. Each was acquired in March along with Kyle Allen, replacing the 2023 QB group of Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph.
“It’s been cool,” said the 35-year-old Wilson, who’s entering his 13th NFL season and on his third team. “These (linemen) are so focused, they work their butts off in the weight room, on the field and in the film room, but we’re trying to be able to share life experiences with one another as much as we can.
“It’s been hectic, the schedule has been busy, but the more time we can spend together the better. That was a good dinner, for sure.”
Miller time
Six seasons into a career that’s featured more than 1,000 receiving yards, a touchdown in an NFL championship game and a Super Bowl ring Scotty Miller has joined his third NFL team.
Soon to be 27 years old and coming off a lone season in Atlanta where he was part of the offensive gameplan for all 17 games under play-caller Arthur Smith (now the Steelers’ offensive coordinator), Miller believes he can help answer the Steelers needs for reliable WR2/WR3.
“I feel like I can do everything — X, Z, outside, inside,” Miller said after the Steelers’ organized team activities session Wednesday. “And in college I played a ton of slot, option routes, and I feel I’m really good at that. That suits my strengths, but also have the vertical speed I can play.
“It can be a little tougher as the smaller guy (5 feet 9) with big corners, but I can use my speed and quickness, so whatever they want me to do or ask me to do I am willing to do it.”
Miller, Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins joined the Steelers on one-year deals as they look to replace the traded Diontae Johnson as the starter opposite George Pickens. Rookie Roman Wilson also figures to play a role.
Tight end signed
The Steelers made another addition to their tight ends position room, signing Izaiah Gathings.
Gathings was on the Chiefs’ practice squad during their run to the Super Bowl championship last season. Undrafted, he’d initially signed with the New York Jets off a tryout at rookie minicamp in May 2023.
The 6-foot-4, 222-pound Gathings is listed on the Steelers’ website as a wide receiver, the position he played in college at Middle Tennessee State. He was released by Kansas City earlier this month.
The Steelers’ roster is now at the NFL maximum 90.
