Steelers News: Stefen Wisniewski working hard as he waits to join his new teammates

It has been a one-of-a-kind offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. Unable to attend most player pro days and participating in the NFL’s first virtual draft, the Steelers keep pushing forward toward a return to football activities. Just because the Steelers are unable to hold their typical OTA’s doesn’t mean we stop providing you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over throughout the offseason!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at free agent signee Stefen Wisniewski as he patiently waits to get to know his fellow Steelers.

Let’s get to the news:

• Adjusting to a new team is extra difficult in 2020

Wisniewski is working while he waits

By: Teressa Varley, Steelers.com

A few months ago, when Stefen Wisniewski signed with the Steelers, one of his first thoughts was how he couldn’t wait to get to work with his hometown team, get to know his teammates and coaches.

Fast forward three months, and never in his wildest dreams would he have thought that wouldn’t have happened yet.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, offseason programs for NFL teams became virtual ones, filled with zoom calls for meetings and players working out on their own.

While he has adapted like others, it hasn’t been the situation he expected.

“This is definitely something weird and different because we have never done anything like this in football,” said Wisniewski. “It’s an adjustment. I am still learning the plays, going through the play install. I am learning the name of everything. I am learning the calls we make at the line. I am learning all of the lingo. It’s just weird because it’s not in person. I am not getting to know my teammates as well because it’s virtual and not in person.

“It’s definitely an advantage to be a veteran. It will be tough for rookies across the league to learn things virtually and then just show up and do it. I am sure there are still a few rookies who will be able to do it. It’s definitely a big advantage being a veteran. I have been in a lot of different offenses. I have had five or six offensive coordinators in nine years. At the end of the day we all run the same plays. It’s a matter of what you call it, how you do the little things differently. I am learning what the Steelers call it and I will be ready to go.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Looking at the Steeters mid-season matchups with the 2019 AFC North champions

Steelers 2020 Breakdown: Week 7 and 12, Ravens

By: Jeff Hartman, DK Pittsburgh Sports

When Steelers fans see division games on the schedule, each team invokes a different emotion. The Bengals and Browns often bring about a chuckle, but the Ravens are a different story. Regardless of location, fans know what will ensue when these two hated rivals collide. Most likely, it is a close game, coming down to the final play to decide the outcome. Time to break down the two meetings between the Steelers and Ravens in the regular season.

MATCHUP

Opponent: Ravens
2019 Record: 14-2
Overall History (W/L): 28-24 for Steelers
Last 4 Games: 3-1, for Ravens
Opening Line: Week 7: Ravens (-7) / Week 12: Ravens (-2.5)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 25 / Thursday, Nov. 26
Time: Week 7, 1:00 p.m. / Week 12, 8:20 p.m.
Location: Week 7, Baltimore / Week 12, Pittsburgh

OUTGOING PLAYERS/ FREE-AGENT LOSSES

DT Michael Pierce
WR Seth Roberts
ILB Patrick Onwuasor
ILB Josh Bynes

RETIREMENT

G Marshal Yanda

FREE-AGENT ADDITIONS

DE Derek Wolfe
G D.J. Fluker

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Owners of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils buy a small share of the Steelers

Steelers add 2 minority investors to ownership group

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Another group of minority investors has joined the Pittsburgh Steelers ownership group.

Wall Street financiers Josh Harris and David Blitzer, who also own the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, acquired a stake in the NFL franchise estimated at less than 5%.

The news was first reported by Bloomberg News.

“I am pleased that Josh Harris and David Blitzer have joined the Steelers ownership group,” team president Art Rooney II said in a statement. “Josh and David are successful sports business partners, and they are a welcomed addition to the Steelers family.”

With the Steelers being valued at $2.8 billion, according to the most recent Forbes estimate, a 5% share would equate to $140 million.

Harris and Blitzer are joining the Steelers as passive investors, according to the report, and they will have no say in day-to-day operations. The Steelers continued to be controlled by the Rooney family, led by Rooney II, grandson of franchise founder Art Rooney Sr.

It is the second time in a year that an ownership stake in the Steelers has changed hands. In 2019, David Tepper’s approximate 5% stake was purchased by Doug Lebda, NC Revocable Trust and Pittsburgh Steelers Sports, Inc., of which Art Rooney II is president.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• BTSC articles you may have missed

Opening drive woes plagued the Steelers in 2019

How big of a contract will T.J. Watt get when the time comes?

History shows Ben Roethlisberger has the advantage to win Comeback Player of the Year

Training camp at Heinz Field could be fun if fans are allowed to attend

Can Amara Darboh find his way back to the Steelers 53-man roster?

• Social Media Madness