Steelers Daily News & Links: Romo Makes Franco Gaffe; Mahomes-Big Ben Connection

Steelers Daily News & Links: Your daily stop for all of the news and links from the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL and around the Sports Now Group.

? Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports has the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting Clemson inside linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. at 20th overall in his mock draft. Trotter is the son of former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Sr., who racked up nearly 1,000 tackles in his 11-year career.

“Injuries piled up at linebacker for the Steelers this season, but it’s a position that needs to be emphasized in the draft. Trotter will be in the running for the top linebacker in the class,” Trapasso wrote.

? The last time the AFC Championship Game didn’t feature Patrick Mahomes or Tom Brady the quarterback matchup was Mark Sanchez vs. Ben Roethlisberger in 2010. The Chiefs will play in the title game for the sixth consecutive year. The Patriots made the AFC Championship in an NFL record eight straight seasons (2011-2018).

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? Tony Romo confused Franco Harris and the Immaculate Reception for the Holy Roller play during Sunday’s Chiefs-Bills game. ‘That’s the old Franco Harris play…,” Romo said on a batted ball out of bounds by Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid.

The Holy Roller was a controversial game-winning play by the Oakland Raiders against the San Diego Chargers on September 10, 1978, at Jack Murphy Stadium. It was officially ruled as a forward fumble by Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler that was recovered by his teammate, tight end Dave Casper, in the end zone for a touchdown, giving Oakland the 21–20 win. However, there have been differing interpretations of how this play should have actually been ruled, and it has remained a controversial play for fans of both teams involved. The NFL amended its rules after the 1978 season to prevent a recurrence of the play. Chargers fans refer to the play as the Immaculate Deception.

? Sunday marked the 32nd anniversary of when the Steelers named Bill Cowher as their new head coach.

? On this day in 2007, the Steelers named Mike Tomlin as their new head coach. Tomlin is entering his 18th season as the head man for the Black and Gold. Steelers president Art Rooney II confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Tomlin is expected to have a contract extension done this offseason.

? Happy Birthday to former Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson, born on January 22, 1993 in Warner Robins, Georgia. Nelson had a great season with the Houston Texans in 2023, recording four interceptions and 12 passes defended. During the Wild Card game against the Cleveland Browns, Nelson had a 82-yard pick-six off Joe Flacco in the Texans’ 45–14 win. Nelson played for the Steelers from 2019-2020 before moving onto the Eagles for one season and then landing in Houston in 2022.

? On this day in 2006, Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers to the Super Bowl with an outstanding performance at Mile High.

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West Virginia Sports Now: Can WVU basketball use its upset of Kansas to turn its season around?

Nittany Sports Now: Former Penn State football has its first recruit of 2025 on the offensive line.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now: The Pittsburgh Riverhounds added two promising defenders.