NFL Notebook, April 17th: Roethlisberger Update, NFL Draft Approaches

The Steelers Notebook is your go-to source for all the latest news and notes surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers and NFL.

(UPDATE: 12:54 p.m.)

We have interviews with over 30+ NFL prospects from the combine including plenty of possible Steelers targets like Michael Pittman, Jr., Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Josh Uche, Jalen Reagor, Colton McKivitz and many more.

(UPDATE: 12:02 p.m.) The Athletic ran a big survey of Steeler fans on a variety of interesting questions. Here are the (semi-surprising) results.

(UPDATE: 12:00 p.m.) Kiya Tomlin is putting in work.

.@KiyaTomlin says she's been putting in hours like her husband — @CoachTomlin — throughout this COVID-19 pandemic.

Kiya has worked to turn her fashion business into a washable/-re-useable face mask operation. #LunchTalkNBCSN // @Steelers pic.twitter.com/K5ICxCTI3f

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) April 16, 2020

(UPDATE: 10:11 a.m.) The Steelers rank 15th in PFF’s too-early power rankings for 2020.

(UPDATE: 9:35 a.m.) In case you need a reminder about when the Steelers are drafting:

👀 where we're picking in the #NFLDraft!#SteelersDraft pic.twitter.com/DVn0v8UKeu

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 17, 2020

From Thursday, April 16th

Steelers partial owner Thomas Tull donated $4.2 million dollars to local hospitals. The dollar amount was to honor Jackie Robinson’s jersey number.

Ben Roethlisberger appeared on the Sirius XM Blitz with Bruce Murray and ex-Steelers teammate Bruce Gradkowski, talking about the possibility of the team drafting another quarterback, and what it was like to sit out nearly an entire season.

“It put a little fire into me — this is not the end for me. This is not how I’m going out. I’m going to bust my butt to just give myself a chance to come back and try to be better than ever. I know that sounds kinda crazy; as you get older in life to get better. Your physical attributes might fall off, you might not be as fast or as big or whatever. But you still can be as sharp because you can be mentally sharp and maybe hone your skills differently. I’ve been doing it for a long time, but I still feel like I’ve got gas in the tank and I’m excited.”

On the Steelers draft plans:

“We’ve got some quarterbacks on the roster but if they feel like there’s a better one out there then they got to go get him. And that’s their prerogative. That’s why they’re the owners, the GMs and the coaches and we just play. It’s not going to change my mindset, my mentality, my motivation.”

The Steelers also signed three former XFL players:

Steelers Add Former XFL, Western Michigan OL John Keenoy

Steelers Sign Former XFL, Oregon CB Arrion Springs

Steelers Sign Former XFL, Fordham OL Anthony Coyle

And signed a free agent cornerback:

Steelers Sign Free Agent CB Breon Borders

Broncos star Von Miller has contracted the coronavirus according to Ian Rapoport:

NFL star and Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller has a confirmed case of COVID-19, his agent @JobyBranion of @VanguardSG tells me. The #Broncos star is at home resting and in good spirits. He plans to speak publicly tomorrow.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 16, 2020

According to NBC Sports Pro Football Talk, the Steelers are at the bottom of the NFL in draft capital, which may explain some of the XFL signings.