2016 Pittsburgh Steelers season

2016 Pittsburgh Steelers season
Head coach	Mike Tomlin
General manager	Kevin Colbert
Owner	The Rooney Family
Home field	Heinz Field
Results
Record	6–5
Division place	2nd AFC North
Uniform

The 2016 Pittsburgh Steelers season is the franchise's 84th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League (NFL). It will also mark the 17th season under leadership of general manager Kevin Colbert and the tenth under head coach Mike Tomlin. For the first time since 2004, tight end Heath Miller will not be on the opening day roster, as he announced his retirement on February 19.

The Steelers are the first team since the 2011 Green Bay Packers to play on both Christmas Day and Thanksgiving.

All the games on their schedule take place in the Eastern time zone.

Draft

2016 Pittsburgh Steelers Draft

Round	Selection	Player	Position	College
1	25	Artie Burns	CB	Miami (Fla.)
2	58	Sean Davis	S	Maryland
3	89	Javon Hargrave	DT	S.C. State
4	123	Jerald Hawkins	OT	LSU
6	220	Travis Feeney	OLB	Washington
7	229	Demarcus Ayers	WR	Houston
7	246	Tyler Matakevich	ILB	Temple

Notes

• The Steelers traded a conditional fifth-round selection (#164 overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for cornerback Brandon Boykin — contingent upon Boykin playing 60% of the snaps with the Steelers during the 2015 season.
• The Steelers traded their original sixth-round selection (#201 overall) to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for placekicker Josh Scobee.
• The Steelers acquired a sixth-round compensatory selection (#220 overall) as a result of the departure of Brice McCain during the 2015 free agency period.
• The Steelers acquired an additional seventh-round selection (#229 overall) in a trade that sent punter Brad Wing to the New York Giants.

Undrafted free agents

All undrafted free agents were signed after the 2016 NFL draft concluded on April 30 unless otherwise noted.

Position	Player	College	Notes
DT	Johnny Maxey	Mars Hill
OLB	Tyriq McCord	Miami (Fla.)
P	Will Monday	Duke
DE	Giorgio Newberry	Florida State
RB	Christian Powell	Colorado
TE	D.J. Reeves	Duke
TE	Jay Rome	Georgia
C	Quinton Schooley	N.C. State
WR	Canaan Severin	Virginia
DE	Devaunte Sigler	Jacksonville State

Staff

Pittsburgh Steelers staff
	Front Office Chairman – Dan Rooney President – Art Rooney II Vice President – Art Rooney Jr. Vice President & General Manager – Kevin Colbert Vice President of Football and Business Administration – Omar Khan Football Administration Coordinator – Samir Suleiman Player Personnel Coordinator – Dan Rooney Jr. College Scouting Coordinator – Phil Kreidler Senior Assistant, College Scouting – Rick Reiprish Pro Personnel Coordinator – Brandon Hunt Analytics and Football Research Coordinator – Karim Kassam Head Coaches Head Coach – Mike Tomlin Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line – John Mitchell Offensive Coaches Offensive Coordinator – Todd Haley Quarterbacks – Randy Fichtner Running Backs – James Saxon Wide Receivers – Richard Mann Tight Ends – James Daniel Offensive Line – Mike Munchak Offensive Assistant – Shaun Sarrett			Defensive Coaches Defensive Coordinator – Keith Butler Inside Linebackers – Jerry Olsavsky Outside Linebackers – Joey Porter Defensive Backs – Carnell Lake Defensive Assistant – Steve Meyer Special Teams Coaches Special Teams Coordinator – Danny Smith Strength and Conditioning Strength and Conditioning – Garrett Giemont Conditioning Assistant – Marcel Pastoor → Coaching Staff → Management → More NFL staffs
AFC East BUF MIA NE NYJ North BAL CIN CLE PIT South HOU IND JAX TEN West DEN KC OAK SD NFC East DAL NYG PHI WAS North CHI DET GB MIN South ATL CAR NO TB West ARI LA SF SEA

Current roster

Pittsburgh Steelers roster
Quarterbacks  3 Landry Jones 18 Zach Mettenberger  7 Ben Roethlisberger Running backs 26 Le'Veon Bell 45 Roosevelt Nix FB 38 Daryl Richardson 33 Fitzgerald Toussaint KR 34 DeAngelo Williams Wide receivers 84 Antonio Brown PR 14 Sammie Coates 83 Cobi Hamilton 88 Darrius Heyward-Bey 17 Eli Rogers Tight ends 89 Ladarius Green 85 Xavier Grimble 81 Jesse James 82 David Johnson		Offensive linemen 66 David DeCastro G 67 B. J. Finney C/G 73 Ramon Foster G 77 Marcus Gilbert T 74 Chris Hubbard T 69 Brian Mihalik T 53 Maurkice Pouncey C 78 Alejandro Villanueva T Defensive linemen 79 Javon Hargrave NT 90 Ricardo Mathews DE 93 Daniel McCullers NT 91 Stephon Tuitt DE 96 Leterrius Walton DE		Linebackers 56 Anthony Chickillo OLB 48 Bud Dupree OLB 54 L. J. Fort ILB 92 James Harrison OLB 95 Jarvis Jones OLB 44 Tyler Matakevich ILB 55 Arthur Moats OLB 50 Ryan Shazier ILB 94 Lawrence Timmons ILB 98 Vince Williams ILB Defensive backs 25 Artie Burns CB 31 Ross Cockrell CB 37 Jordan Dangerfield FS/SS 28 Sean Davis FS 22 William Gay CB 24 Justin Gilbert CB 21 Robert Golden SS 23 Mike Mitchell FS 29 Shamarko Thomas SS Special teams  4 Jordan Berry P  9 Chris Boswell K  2 Randy Bullock K 60 Greg Warren LS				Reserve lists 57 Kevin Anderson OLB (IR) 10 Martavis Bryant WR (Susp.) 27 Senquez Golson CB (IR) 68 Ryan Harris T (IR) 65 Jerald Hawkins T (IR) 97 Cameron Heyward DE (IR) 51 Steven Johnson ILB (IR) 64 Cole Manhart G (IR) 83 Canaan Severin WR (IR) 61 Valerian Ume-Ezeoke C (IR) 72 Cody Wallace C/G (IR) 11 Markus Wheaton WR (IR) 30 Karlos Williams RB (Susp.) Practice squad 15 Demarcus Ayers WR 40 Brandon Brown-Dukes RB 41 Travis Feeney OLB 71 Matt Feiler T 42 Jacob Hagen FS 99 Caushaud Lyons DE 62 Johnny Maxey NT 76 Keavon Milton T 39 Dreamius Smith RB 16 Marcus Tucker WR Rookies in italics Roster updated December 3, 2016 Depth Chart • Transactions 53 Active, 13 Inactive, 10 Practice Squad → AFC rosters → NFC rosters
AFC East BUF MIA NE NYJ North BAL CIN CLE PIT South HOU IND JAX TEN West DEN KC OAK SD NFC East DAL NYG PHI WAS North CHI DET GB MIN South ATL CAR NO TB West ARI LA SF SEA

Schedule

Preseason

The Steelers' preseason opponents and schedule was announced on April 7. Dates and times were announced on April 14.

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Game site	NFL.com recap
1	August 12	Detroit Lions	L 17–30	0–1	Heinz Field	Recap
2	August 18	Philadelphia Eagles	L 0–17	0–2	Heinz Field	Recap
3	August 26	at New Orleans Saints	W 27–14	1–2	Mercedes-Benz Superdome	Recap
4	September 1	at Carolina Panthers	L 6–18	1–3	Bank of America Stadium	Recap

Regular season

The Steelers' regular season schedule was announced on April 14.

Week	Date	Kickoff (ET)	Opponent	Result	Record	Game site	TV	NFL.com recap
1	September 12	7:10 p.m.	at Washington Redskins	W 38–16	1–0	FedEx Field	ESPN	Recap
2	September 18	1:00 p.m.	Cincinnati Bengals	W 24–16	2–0	Heinz Field	CBS	Recap
3	September 25	4:25 p.m.	at Philadelphia Eagles	L 3–34	2–1	Lincoln Financial Field	CBS	Recap
4	October 2	8:30 p.m.	Kansas City Chiefs	W 43–14	3–1	Heinz Field	NBC	Recap
5	October 9	1:00 p.m.	New York Jets	W 31–13	4–1	Heinz Field	CBS	Recap
6	October 16	1:00 p.m.	at Miami Dolphins	L 15–30	4–2	Hard Rock Stadium	CBS	Recap
7	October 23	4:25 p.m.	New England Patriots	L 16–27	4–3	Heinz Field	CBS	Recap
8	Bye
9	November 6	1:00 p.m.	at Baltimore Ravens	L 14–21	4–4	M&T Bank Stadium	CBS	Recap
10	November 13	4:25 p.m.	Dallas Cowboys	L 30–35	4–5	Heinz Field	Fox	Recap
11	November 20	1:00 p.m.	at Cleveland Browns	W 24–9	5–5	FirstEnergy Stadium	CBS	Recap
12	November 24	8:30 p.m.	at Indianapolis Colts	W 28–7	6–5	Lucas Oil Stadium	NBC	Recap
13	December 4	4:25 p.m.	New York Giants			Heinz Field	Fox
14	December 11	1:00 p.m.	at Buffalo Bills			New Era Field	CBS
15	December 18	8:30 p.m.	at Cincinnati Bengals			Paul Brown Stadium	NBC
16	December 25	4:30 p.m.	Baltimore Ravens			Heinz Field	NFLN
17	January 1	1:00 p.m.	Cleveland Browns			Heinz Field	CBS

Notes

• Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
• Networks and times for Weeks 15 and 17 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Washington Redskins

The Steelers opened their 2016 season on the road against the Redskins. In the first quarter, the Skins got on the board jumping out to a 6–0 lead with two field goals kicked by Dustin Hopkins from 31 and 40 yards out. In the second quarter it was all Steelers as they jumped out to leads of 7–6 and 14–6 at halftime when Ben Roethlisberger found Antonio Brown and Eli Rogers on 29-yard and 3-yard touchdown passes. After the break, the Steelers moved ahead 24–6 when Chris Boswell nailed a 46-yard field goal while Roethlisberger found Brown on a 26-yard touchdown pass. The Skins tried to rally later on in the quarter, but could only get away with a 34-yard field goal from Hopkins making the score 24–9. Though in the fourth quarter, they would eventually pull within 8 when Chris Thompson ran for a 1-yard touchdown making the score 24–16. Later on in the quarter, the Steelers sealed the game when DeAngelo Williams ran for two touchdowns from 15 and 6 yards out to make the final score 38–16.

With the win, the Steelers started their season 1–0.

Week 2: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The Steelers played their first home game of the year against the division rival Bengals in a rematch of the 2015 AFC Wild Card game. In the first quarter, the Steelers struck first when Ben Roethlisberger found Xavier Grimble on a 20-yard touchdown pass for a 7–0 lead. The Bengals came within 4 later on in the quarter when Mike Nugent kicked a 25-yard field goal for a 7–3 game. In the second quarter, the Steelers moved back into the lead when Chris Boswell kicked a 49-yard field goal to make it 10–3. The Bengals came within 4 again when Nugent kicked a 33-yard field goal to make it 10–6 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Steelers moved ahead by double digits when Roethlisberger found Jesse James on a 9-yard touchdown pass to make it 17–6. The Bengals reduced the lead when Nugent kicked another field goal from 21 yards out to make it 17–9. In the fourth quarter, the Steelers pulled away as Roethlisberger found De'Angelo Williams on a 4-yard touchdown pass to make it 24–9. Though the Bengals wrapped up the scoring of the game when Andy Dalton found Giovani Bernard on a 25-yard touchdown pass to make the final score 24–16.

With the win, the Steelers started 2–0 for the first time since 2010.

Week 3: at Philadelphia Eagles

The Steelers traveled across the state to take on their in-state rival Eagles. In the first quarter, the Eagles drew first blood when Caleb Sturgis kicked a 29-yard field goal for a 3–0 lead. In the second quarter, they increased their lead when Carson Wentz found Jordan Matthews on a 12-yard touchdown pass to increase their lead to 10–0. Chris Boswell then got the Steelers on the board when he kicked a 40-yard field goal making the score 10–3. Sturgis wrapped up the first half scoring with another field goal from 38 yards out to make it 13–3 at halftime. After the break, the Eagles got back to work in the third quarter as Wentz found Darren Sproles on a 73-yard touchdown pass to make it 20–3. This would be followed by 2 touchdowns: Wendell Smallwood ran for a 1-yard touchdown while Kenjon Barner ran for an 8-yard touchdown to make the score 27–3 and 34–3. With a scoreless fourth quarter, that would turn out to be the final score of the game.

With the loss, the Steelers fell to 2–1 and second place in the AFC North. Roethlisberger's record also fell to 0–2 in Philadelphia and 2–2 against the Eagles. Tomlin's record fell to 1–2 against the Eagles. The team was also held without a touchdown in a game since their 26–6 loss against the Ravens during Week 2 in 2014.

Week 4: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

After a horrifying road loss, the Steelers returned home for a Sunday Night duel against the Chiefs. Through the first half, it was all Steelers starting in the first quarter when Ben Roethlisberger found Darrius Heyward-Bey on a 31-yard touchdown pass with a successful 2-point conversion to make it 8–0. This was followed up with Roethlisberger finding Antonio Brown on 2 consecutive touchdown passes: from 4 and 38 yards out to make the score 22–0. In the second quarter, they made the halftime score 29–0 when Roethlisberger found Jesse James on a 9-yard touchdown pass. In the third quarter, Markus Wheaton caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to make the score 36–0. In the fourth quarter, the Chiefs finally got on the board when Alex Smith found Tyreek Hill on a 10-yard touchdown pass to make it 36–7. Though the Steelers pretty much sealed the game when De'Angelo Williams ran for a 2-yard touchdown to make it 43–7. The Chiefs then wrapped up the scoring of the game when Smith found Travis Kelce on a 3-yard touchdown pass to make the final score 43–14.

With the win, the Steelers improved to 3–1. With the Ravens' loss to the Raiders earlier in the day, they move into a tie at the top of the AFC North.

The Steelers set a franchise record with 22 total points scored in the first quarter. The team also snapped their streak of consecutive games with at least a giveaway.

Roethlisberger who had thrown 6 touchdown passes and 4 interceptions through the first 3 games had thrown 5 touchdown passes and no interceptions in this game alone.

Week 5: vs. New York Jets

The Steelers stayed home for a game against the Jets. In the first quarter, the Jets took an early 3–0 lead when Nick Folk kicked a 30-yard field goal. Later on, the Steelers took the lead when Ben Roethlisberger found Sammie Coates for a 72-yard touchdown pass to make it 7–3. The Jets scored 10 straight points in the second quarter: Folk kicked a 48-yard field goal to come within a point, 7–6. This would be followed by Ryan Fitzpatrick finding Brandon Marshall on a 15-yard touchdown pass to make it 13–7. The Steelers wrapped up the scoring of the half when Roethlisberger found Jesse James on a 1-yard touchdown pass to make it 14–13 at halftime. In the second half it was all Steelers. Starting in the third quarter, Chris Boswell put the team up by 4 with a 47-yard field goal to make it 17–13. In the fourth quarter, they would score 2 touchdowns: Roethlisberger found Antonio Brown on a 5-yard pass and then Coates on another 5-yard pass to make the score 24–13 and the eventual final score 31–13.

With the win, the Steelers improved to 4–1. With the Ravens' loss to the Redskins, the team is also now in outright first place in the AFC North.

This would be the final game the Steelers would wear their 1934 throwback uniforms.

Week 6: at Miami Dolphins

The Steelers traveled to Miami to take on the Dolphins. In the first quarter, the Phins struck first when Andrew Franks kicked a 30-yard field goal for a 3–0 lead. The Steelers got on the board later on in the quarter taking the lead when Darrius Heyward-Bey ran for a 60-yard touchdown (with a successful 2-point conversion) for an 8–3 game. In the second quarter, it was all Phins as they closed out the half by first coming within 2 when Franks kicked a 23-yard field goal to make the score 8–6. The Phins eventually took the lead back when Franks kicked another 30-yard field goal for an 9–8 game. They would move ahead by a touchdown when Damien Williams ran for one from a yard out to take a 16–8 lead at halftime. In the third quarter, the Phins got back to work when Jay Ajayi ran for a 1-yard touchdown to make the score 23–8 for the only score of the period. The Steelers tried to rally when Ben Roethlisberger found Cobi Hamilton on a 23-yard touchdown pass shortening their deficit to 8, 23–15. Though the Steelers' rush defense stalled with less than a minute left in the game and Ajayi ran for a 62-yard touchdown to seal the game with the final score 30–15.

With the loss, the Steelers fell to 4–2. Ben Roethlisberger would be knocked out of the game due to injury in the second quarter. Though he played in the second half.

The Steelers still remained in first place with the Ravens' loss to the Giants.

Week 7: vs. New England Patriots

The Steelers went back home for another showdown with the Patriots. This game is notable for being the very first game that QB Ben Roethlisberger would miss out on against the Patriots. In the first quarter, The Patriots scored first when Tom Brady found James White on a 19-yard touchdown pass for a 7–0 lead for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, they increased their lead when LaGarrette Blount ran for a 3-yard touchdown to make it 14–0. The Steelers got on the board later on in the quarter when Landry Jones found Darrius Heyward-Bey on a 14-yard touchdown pass for a 14–7 game. The Steelers closed out the scoring of the first half when Chris Boswell kicked a 32-yard field goal for a 14–10 game at halftime. In the third quarter, the Steelers went back to work as Boswell kicked another field goal to get his team within 1, 14–13 from 46 yards out. The Pats pulled away later on when Brady found Rob Gronkowski on a 36-yard touchdown pass (with a failed PAT) for a 20–13 game. In the fourth quarter, the Steelers came within 4 again when Boswell made a 44-yard field goal for a 20–16 game. But the Pats sealed the game after Blount ran for a 5-yard touchdown and the eventual final score of 27–16.

With the loss, the Steelers went into their bye week at 4–3. Regardless, due to the Ravens' loss to the Jets, they still remain in first place in the AFC North. The team dropped to 0–1 on the season without Roethlisberger as a starter and their seven-game home winning streak was snapped.

Week 9: at Baltimore Ravens

Coming off of the bye week, the Steelers traveled to Baltimore to take on their division rival Ravens. The game received much hype in spite on QB Ben Roethlisberger returning from injury. Through the first half it was all Ravens when Joe Flacco found Mike Wallace on a 95-yard touchdown pass to move up 7–0 in the first quarter. This was followed by Justin Tucker's 49-yard field goal in the second to make it 10–0 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Ravens went back to work as Tucker went for a 42-yard field goal to make it 13–0. In the fourth quarter, Chris Moore blocked a punt and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown with a (successful 2-point conversion) to make it 21–0. Later on in the game, the Steelers finally got on the board as Roethlisberger found Antonio Brown on a 23-yard touchdown pass making the score 21–7. They wrapped up the scoring later on when Roethlisberger ran for a touchdown himself from 4 yards out making the final score 21–14.

With their third straight loss, the Steelers fell to 4–4 and move into a tie with the Ravens for the lead in the AFC North. The loss was also the Steelers' fourth straight loss to the Ravens.

Week 10: vs. Dallas Cowboys

The Steelers traveled home to take on the Cowboys. They would draw first blood in the first quarter when Ben Roethlisberger threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Le'Veon Bell (with a failed 2-point conversion) for a 6–0 lead. The Cowboys got on the board when Dan Bailey kicked a 37-yard field goal for a 6–3 game. The Steelers pulled away as Roethlisberger found Eli Rogers on a 3-yard touchdown pass for a 12–3 game. The Boys came within 2 as Dak Prescott found Ezekiel Elliott on an 83-yard touchdown pass to make the score 12–10. In the second quarter, the Boys took the lead as Bailey 53-yard field goal for a 13–12 game. The Steelers wrapped up the scoring of the first half when Chris Boswell kicked a 39-yard field goal taking a 15–13 halftime lead. After the break, the Steelers went back to work as Boswell nailed a 25-yard field goal to move ahead by 5, 18–13. The Boys then scored on 2 consecutive plays: Bailey nailed a 46-yard field goal followed up by Prescott finding Dez Bryant on a 50-yard touchdown pass to make the score 18–16 and retake the lead 23–18. The Steelers retook the lead in the fourth quarter when Bell ran for a 1-yard touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make the score 24–23. Though the Boys pushed back into the lead when Elliot ran for a 14-yard touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make the score 29–24. The Steelers moved back into the lead with Roethlisberger's 15-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown (with a failed 2-point conversion) for a 30–29 game. However, the Boys were able to complete the comeback when Elliott ran for a 32-yard touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make the final score 35–30.

With their fourth straight loss, the Steelers fell to 4–5 and second place in the AFC North.

Week 11: at Cleveland Browns

After a tough home game against the Cowboys, the Steelers traveled to Cleveland for Game 1 against the Browns. In the first half, it was all Steelers starting in the first quarter when Chris Boswell made a 32-yard field goal for a 3–0 lead. They would increase their lead in the second quarter when Boswell made a 33-yard field goal followed up by Le'Veon Bell running for a 1-yard touchdown with a successful 2-point conversion to make it 6–0 and then 14–0 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Browns finally got on the board as Cody Parkey made a 24-yard field goal to make the score 14–3. The Steelers however pulled away as Boswell kicked a 22-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Browns drew closer as backup QB Josh McCown threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Gary Barnidge (with a failed PAT) to make the score 17–9. However later on, the Steelers sealed the game when Javon Hargrave recovered a fumble in the end zone to make the final score 24–9.

With their four-game losing streak coming to a stop, the Steelers improved to 5–5. Also, they move back into a tie on top of the AFC North due to the Ravens' loss to the Cowboys.

Week 12: at Indianapolis Colts

Thanksgiving Day game

After winning over the Browns, the Steelers traveled further west to take on the Colts in a rematch of 2015's 45–10 blowout win. The Steelers struck first in the first quarter when Le'Veon Bell ran for a 5-yard touchdown to take a 7–0 lead. This would be followed by Ben Roethlisberger finding Antonio Brown on a 25-yard touchdown pass later on in the quarter to make it 14–0. The Colts got on the board in the second quarter when QB Scott Tolzien, starting in place of the injured Andrew Luck, found Donte Moncrief on a 5-yard touchdown pass to make it 14–7. However, the Steelers pulled away as Roethlisberger found Brown again this time on a 33-yard touchdown pass for a 21–7 lead at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, the Steelers sealed the game with the only points in the second half when Roethlisberger found Brown again this time on a 22-yard touchdown pass and the eventual final score of 28–7.

With the win, the Steelers improved to 6–5. Roethlisberger's record as a starter improved to 1–1 on Thanksgiving Day.

Week 13: vs. New York Giants

The Pittsburgh Steelers will come back home to take on the Eli Manning-led Giants in America's Game of the Week.

Standings

Division

AFC North
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Baltimore Ravens	6	5	0	.545	4–0	6–2	218	201	W1
Pittsburgh Steelers	6	5	0	.545	2–1	5–3	266	222	W2
Cincinnati Bengals	3	7	1	.318	1–2	3–5	213	245	L3
Cleveland Browns †	0	12	0	.000	0–4	0–8	197	352	L12

Conference

AFC
#	Team	Division	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	SOS	SOV	STK
Division leaders
1[lower-alpha 1]	New England Patriots	East	9	2	0	.818	3–1	7–1	.414	.370	W2
2[lower-alpha 1]	Oakland Raiders	West	9	2	0	.818	2–1	6–1	.508	.470	W5
3[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3]	Baltimore Ravens	North	6	5	0	.545	4–0	6–2	.439	.257	W1
4[lower-alpha 2]	Houston Texans	South	6	5	0	.545	3–0	4–3	.541	.448	L1
Wild Cards
5	Kansas City Chiefs	West	8	3	0	.727	3–0	6–2	.479	.455	W1
6[lower-alpha 4]	Miami Dolphins	East	7	4	0	.636	2–1	5–3	.415	.321	W6
In the Hunt
7[lower-alpha 4]	Denver Broncos	West	7	4	0	.636	1–3	4–3	.525	.448	L1
8[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 5]	Pittsburgh Steelers	North	6	5	0	.545	2–1	5–3	.521	.388	W2
9[lower-alpha 5]	Buffalo Bills	East	6	5	0	.545	1–3	3–4	.467	.364	W2
10	Tennessee Titans	South	6	6	0	.500	1–3	3–5	.439	.333	W1
11[lower-alpha 6]	Indianapolis Colts	South	5	6	0	.455	2–2	3–5	.484	.411	L1
12[lower-alpha 6]	San Diego Chargers	West	5	6	0	.455	1–3	4–5	.566	.500	W1
13	Cincinnati Bengals	North	3	7	1	.350	1–2	3–5	.561	.294	L2
14	New York Jets	East	3	8	0	.273	1–2	3–5	.504	.353	L3
15	Jacksonville Jaguars	South	2	9	0	.182	1–2	1–7	.529	.318	L6
Eliminated from postseason contention
16	Cleveland Browns	North	0	12	0	.000	0–4	0–8	.576	.000	L12
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 7]
1 2 New England wins tie break over Oakland based on best win percentage in conference games. 1 2 Baltimore wins tie break over Houston based on best win percentage in conference games. 1 2 Baltimore wins tie break over Pittsburgh based on head-to-head win percentage. 1 2 Miami wins tie break over Denver based on best win percentage in conference games. 1 2 Pittsburgh wins tie break over Buffalo based on best win percentage in conference games. 1 2 Indianapolis wins tie break over San Diego based on head-to-head win percentage. ↑ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.
Legend
w — Clinched wild card
x — Clinched playoff berth
y — Clinched division
z — Clinched first-round bye
* — Clinched home-field advantage

Transactions

The Steelers have been involved in the following transactions during the 2016 season:

Trades

Player	Acquired from	Traded to	Date	Trade terms
CB Justin Gilbert	Cleveland Browns		September 3, 2015	2018 6th Rd. pick

Free agents

Player	Acquired from	Lost to	Date	Contract terms
TE Ladarius Green	San Diego Chargers		March 9, 2016	4 years/$20 million
OT Kelvin Beachum		Jacksonville Jaguars	March 15, 2016	5 years/$39.5 million
OT Ryan Harris	Denver Broncos		March 15, 2016	2 years/$3.9 million
DT Steve McLendon		New York Jets	March 15, 2016	3 years/$10.5 million
LB Sean Spence		Tennessee Titans	March 16, 2016	1 year/$2.5 million
CB Antwon Blake		Tennessee Titans	March 17, 2016	1 year/$1.5 million
LB Terence Garvin		Washington Redskins	March 17, 2016	1 year/$750,000
RB Jordan Todman		Indianapolis Colts	March 18, 2016	1 year/$760,000
LB Steven Johnson	Tennessee Titans		March 25, 2016	1 year/$840,000
CB Brandon Boykin		Carolina Panthers	March 29, 2016	1 year/$840,000
DE Ricardo Mathews	San Diego Chargers		March 31, 2016	1 year/$760,000
FB Will Johnson		New York Giants	April 4, 2016	2 years/$2.3 million
OT Byron Stingily		New York Giants	April 11, 2016	1 year/$780,000
DT Cam Thomas		Los Angeles Rams	June 6, 2016	1 year/$760,000

Waivers

Player	Claimed from	Lost to	Date
QB Zach Mettenberger	San Diego Chargers		August 31, 2016

Signings

Player	Date	Contract terms
OG Chris Hubbard	January 19, 2016	1-year extension/$600,000
FB Roosevelt Nix	January 19, 2016	1-year extension/$525,000
S Jordan Dangerfield	January 19, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
OT Matt Feiler	January 19, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
C B. J. Finney	January 19, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
CB Isaiah Frey	January 19, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
TE Xavier Grimble	January 19, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
DE Caushaud Lyons	January 19, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
RB Rajion Neal	January 19, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
WR Shakim Phillips	January 19, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
RB Abou Toure	January 19, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
S Ray Vinpoal	January 19, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
FS Jacob Hagen	January 20, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
OT Brian Mihalik	January 20, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
K Ty Long	January 20, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
RB Daryl Richardson	January 20, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
CB Ross Cockrell	January 22, 2016	1-year extension/$600,000
QB Dustin Vaughan	January 22, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
WR Levi Norwood	February 2, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
WR Issac Blakeney	February 5, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
CB Montell Garner	February 5, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
WR Tobais Palmer	February 5, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
CB Al-Hajj Shabazz	February 5, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
OG Cole Manhart	February 9, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
LS Greg Warren	February 12, 2016	1-year extension/$1.06 million
LS Matt Dooley	February 16, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
DT Lavon Hooks	February 16, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
DE Roy Philon	February 22, 2016	(Reserve/Future)
FS Robert Golden	March 7, 2016	3-year extension/$5 million
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey	March 7, 2016	3-year extension/$3.8 million
CB William Gay	March 8, 2016	3-year extension/$7.5 million
OG Ramon Foster	March 9, 2016	3-year extension/$9.6 million
QB Bruce Gradkowski	May 2, 2016	1-year/$965,000
WR Demarcus Ayers	May 5, 2016	4-year/$2.42 million
ILB Tyler Matakevich	May 5, 2016	4-year/$2.4 million
OLB Travis Feeney	May 6, 2016	4-year/$2.44 million
RB Brandon Brown-Dukes	May 9, 2016	3-year/$1.62 million
RB Cameron Stingily	May 9, 2016	1-year/$450,000
WR Marcus Tucker	May 9, 2016	3-year/$1.62 million
CB Donald Washington	May 9, 2016	1-year/$675,000
TE David Johnson	May 17, 2016	1-year/$760,000
SS Sean Davis	May 20, 2016	4-year/$4.08 million
OT Jerald Hawkins	June 2, 2016	4-year/$2.87 million
LB Kevin Anderson	June 7, 2016	1-year/$450,000
TE Paul Lang	June 7, 2016	1-year/$450,000
LB Mike Reilly	June 8, 2016	1-year/$450,000
CB Artie Burns	June 8, 2016	4-year/$9.59 million
DT Javon Hargrave	June 10, 2016	4-year/$3.11 million
RB Brandon Johnson	June 24, 2016	1-year/$450,000
TE Mandel Dixon	July 21, 2016	1-year/$450,000
RB Christian Powell	August 1, 2016	3-year/$1.62 million
C Valerian Ume-Ezeoke	August 1, 2016	1-year/$450,000
TE Jake Phillips	August 3, 2016	1-year/$450,000
CB Kevin White	August 3, 2016	1-year/$450,000
TE Michael Cooper	August 5, 2016	1-year/$450,000
WR Cobi Hamilton	August 5, 2016	1-year/$450,000
OT Wade Hansen	August 14, 2016	1-year/$450,000
CB Julian Whigham	August 14, 2016	1-year/$450,000
LB Jermauria Rasco	August 15, 2016	2-year/$990,000
QB Bryn Renner	August 20, 2016	1-year/$450,000
G Antoine Everett	August 20, 2016	2-year/$990,000
ILB Vince Williams	August 23, 2016	3-year extension/$5.5 million
TE RaShaun Allen	September 4, 2016	Practice Squad
WR Demarcus Ayers	September 4, 2016	Practice Squad
RB Brandon Browns-Duke	September 4, 2016	Practice Squad
OLB Travis Feeney	September 4, 2016	Practice Squad
OT Matt Feiler	September 4, 2016	Practice Squad
WR Cobi Hamilton	September 4, 2016	Practice Squad
DE Caushaud Lyons	September 4, 2016	Practice Squad
DT Johnny Maxey	September 4, 2016	Practice Squad
CB Al-Hajj Shabazz	September 4, 2016	Practice Squad
RB Cameron Stingily	September 4, 2016	Practice Squad
LB Steven Johnson	September 4, 2016	1-year/$760,000
RB David Cobb	September 7, 2016	Practice Squad
OG David DeCastro	September 8, 2016	6-year extension/$58 million
FS Jacob Hagen	September 16, 2016	Practice Squad
RB Daryl Richardson	October 3, 2016	Practice Squad

Cuts

Player	Date
TE Rob Blanchflower	February 16, 2016
OT Kelvin Palmer	February 16, 2016
OT Mitchell Van Dyk	February 16, 2016
OT Micah Hatchie	March 1, 2016
CB Cortez Allen	April 15, 2016
OT Mike Adams	May 5, 2016
K Ty Long	May 5, 2016
RB Abou Toure	May 5, 2016
CB Isaiah Frey	May 9, 2016
RB Rajion Neal	May 9, 2016
WR Tobais Palmer	May 9, 2016
RB Christian Powell	May 9, 2016
TE David Reese	May 17, 2016
LB Tyriq McCord	June 7, 2016
TE Jay Rome	June 7, 2016
TE Matt Spaeth	July 21, 2016
RB Brandon Johnson	August 1, 2016
C Quinton Schooley	August 1, 2016
TE Jake Phillips	August 5, 2016
OT Brian Mihalik	August 14, 2016
DT Roy Philon	August 14, 2016
LS Matt Dooley	August 15, 2016
RB Christian Powell	August 20, 2016
WR Isaac Blackeney	August 28, 2016
TE Michael Cooper	August 28, 2016
P Will Monday	August 28, 2016
DT Khoynin Mosley-Smith	August 28, 2016
DE Giorgio Newberry	August 28, 2016
WR Levi Norwood	August 28, 2016
LB Mike Reilly	August 28, 2016
CB Julian Whigham	August 28, 2016
LB Jordan Zumwalt	August 28, 2016
S Jacob Hagen	August 30, 2016
DT Devaunte Sigler	August 30, 2016
CB Kevin White	August 30, 2016
TE Mandel Dixon	September 2, 2016
OT Wade Hansen	September 2, 2016
QB Dustin Vaughan	September 2, 2016
WR Demarcus Ayers	September 3, 2016
RB Brandon Browns-Duke	September 3, 2016
OG Antoine Everett	September 3, 2016
OLB Travis Feeney	September 3, 2016
CB Montell Garner	September 3, 2016
CB Doran Grant	September 3, 2016
OLB Travis Feeney	September 3, 2016
OT Matt Feiler	September 3, 2016
WR Cobi Hamilton	September 3, 2016
DT Lavon Hooks	September 3, 2016
LB Steven Johnson	September 3, 2016
DE Caushaud Lyons	September 3, 2016
DE Johnny Maxey	September 3, 2016
OLB Jermauria Rasco	September 3, 2016
QB Bryn Renner	September 3, 2016
CB Al-Hajj Shabazz	September 3, 2016
RB Cameron Stingily	September 3, 2016
WR Marcus Tucker	September 3, 2016
SS Ray Vinopal	September 3, 2016
CB Donald Washington	September 3, 2016
RB Cameron Stingily	September 7, 2016
RB Brandon Brown-Dukes	September 16, 2016
RB Daryl Richardson	September 29, 2016
S Jacob Hagen	October 3, 2016

Other

Name	Date	Details
TE Heath Miller	February 19, 2016	Retired
K Shaun Suisham	June 24, 2016	Retired
Kevin Colbert	July 28, 2016	Promoted to team Vice President
Omar Khan	July 28, 2016	Promoted to Vice President of Football & Business Administration

Notes

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2016 Pittsburgh Steelers season.

• Official website