The 2010 season was the Pittsburgh Steelers' 78th in the National Football League (NFL), their 11th under general manager Kevin Colbert and their fourth under head coach Mike Tomlin.
They reached Super Bowl XLV for the franchise's eighth Super Bowl appearance, but lost to the Green Bay Packers 31–25. Since then, Pittsburgh has failed to reach the Super Bowl.
The Steelers allowed the fewest points in the NFL in 2010, with 232 (14.5 points per game).Pro-Football-Reference.com: 2010 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics
Off-season In 2009, the Steelers had finished with a 9–7 record in a tie for second place in the AFC North, falling short of the playoffs. The Steelers played all of their home games at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The off-season was marked by the trade of Santonio Holmes, and the six-game suspension (then reduced to four games) of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for off-the-field issues.
The team did not re-sign free agent running back Willie Parker, who had been with the team since 2004. They added receiver Antwaan Randle El and linebacker Larry Foote, who were both with the team for their Super Bowl XL victory.
Coaching staff and front-office changes Coaching staff turnover The disappointing outcome of the 2009 season brought about the first significant changes in the team's coaching staff since the hiring of Mike Tomlin in 2007. Offensive line coach Larry Zierlein and special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky were dismissed on January 6, 2010. Additionally, quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson announced his retirement on January 5, 2010. All three men had served in the same roles for the three years since Tomlin assembled his initial staff.
Defensive quality control coach Lou Spanos left to become the linebackers coach for the Washington Redskins. Spanos had been on the defensive coaching staff since 1995. Jerry Olsavsky was hired to replace Spanos. Olsavsky had coached linebackers at Youngstown State University for the previous seven seasons following a ten-year NFL career as a linebacker, primarily with the Steelers.
Sean Kugler was hired to replace Zierlein as the offensive line coach. Kugler had until recently served in a similar capacity with the Buffalo Bills.By Jason La Canfora. "Official Blog of the National Football League." NFLcom Blogs RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2016.
Al Everest filled the vacancy as special teams coordinator left by Ligashesky's dismissal. Everest has nearly 40 years of professional and college coaching experience, including the last fourteen coaching special teams for three NFL clubs. He served most recently as the special teams coach of the San Francisco 49ers. In Everest was named the NFL's Special Teams Coach of the Year for his work with the New Orleans Saints.
Randy Fichtner stepped into the quarterbacks coach post vacated by Anderson's retirement. Fichtner had coached the team's wide receivers since Tomlin's arrival in 2007 and Bruce Arians' promotion from that position to offensive coordinator. Scottie Montgomery was hired as the new wide receivers coach. Montgomery had coached receivers at his alma mater, Duke University, for the past four seasons, following an NFL and Arena Football playing career.
Front office changes The team lost pro scouting coordinator Doug Whaley who left to become the assistant general manager of the Buffalo Bills. Whaley had been in his position with the Steelers since 1999. Brandon Hunt was hired as Whaley's replacement in a return to the Steelers – Hunt had served as a scouting intern with the club in 2005 and 2006. He spent the previous two seasons as a scout with the Houston Texans.
Roethlisberger suspension NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced in April that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be suspended for up to six games for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. The commissioner also ordered Roethlisberger to undergo a behavioral analysis. On September 3, Goodell reduced the suspension to four games based on the results of the analysis and Roethlisberger's behavior in the interim period.Roethlisberger's suspension cut to four games by NFL Roethlisberger had been accused of sexual assault in two separate incidents in 2009 and 2010, though criminal charges were not brought against him in either case.
Practice jersey sponsor Communications giant Comcast, the largest cable television provider in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area (as well as Pittsburgh Tri-State), signed on to place ads for its Xfinity bundled service on the Steelers' practice jerseys. (The NFL had previously allowed teams to sell ad space on the practice jerseys in 2009.) Comcast has been an official team sponsor since 2002, when Comcast entered the Pittsburgh market through its acquisition of AT&T Broadband.
Roster changes
Departed players Unrestricted free agents (UFAs) signed by other teams RB Willie Parker – signed a 1-year contract with the Washington Redskins WR Joey Galloway – signed a 1-year contract with the Washington Redskins CB Deshea Townsend – signed a 1-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts G Darnell Stapleton – signed with the Florida Tuskers of the UFL S Tyrone Carter – signed with the Washington Redskins FB Carey Davis – signed with the Washington Redskins LB Rocky Boiman – signed with the Detroit Lions
Exclusive rights free agents LB Patrick Bailey – re-signed by Steelers; released after final pre-season game in cut-down to 53-man roster; claimed off waivers by Tennessee Titans
Players remaining unsigned DE Travis Kirschke
New players Unrestricted free agents signed from other teams S Will Allen – played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009 WR Arnaz Battle – played for the San Francisco 49ers in 2009 ILB Larry Foote – played for the Detroit Lions in 2009 WR Antwaan Randle El – played for the Washington Redskins in 2009 OL Jonathan Scott – played for the Buffalo Bills in 2009 LB Renauld Williams – played for the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2009; released after final pre-season game in cut-down to 53-man roster
Retained players Unrestricted free agents re-signed QB Charlie Batch S Ryan Clark DE Nick Eason DT Casey Hampton PK Jeff Reed
Restricted free agents re-signed Steelers made qualifying offers (tenders) which were accepted by these players, and the players were not signed by another team before the end of the restricted free agency period on April 15. These players are therefore retained by the Steelers. RT Willie Colon CB William Gay P Daniel Sepulveda TE Matt Spaeth
Trades Players traded away WR Santonio Holmes – traded to the New York Jets for 5th round selection (#155 overall) in the 2010 NFL draft
Players added via trade QB Byron Leftwich – acquired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 7th round draft selection (#225 overall) in the 2010 NFL draft CB Bryant McFadden – acquired from the Arizona Cardinals along with a 6th round selection (#195 overall) for a 5th round selection (#155 overall) in the 2010 NFL draft
2010 draft class
The Steelers selected ten players in the 2010 NFL draft which took place over three days in late April. The selections consisted of two offensive linemen, one defensive end, three linebackers, two wide receivers, a cornerback and a running back. All of the team's draftees attended the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine. The first round selection, Pouncey, and the wide receivers Sanders and Brown were the only selections from among the thirty players the team had brought in for pre-draft visits.
The Steelers made one trade during the draft, re-acquiring cornerback Bryant McFadden from the Arizona Cardinals. The deal sent the fifth round selection (pick number 155) which the Steelers had acquired in the Santonio Holmes trade to the Cardinals in exchange for McFadden and a sixth round selection (pick number 195).
After the completion of the draft the team signed nine undrafted free agents.
+ 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers draft selections 1 18 C / G Florida Signed (5-year) 2 52 OLB Virginia Tech Signed (4-year) 3 82 WR SMU Signed (3-year) 4 116 OLB Ohio State Signed (3-year) 5 151 G Tennessee Signed (3-year); placed on reserve/PUP list at start of season 5 155 Traded to the Arizona Cardinals for CB Bryant McFadden and pick No. 195 (below) 5 164 CB Clemson Signed (3-year) 5 166 LB Utah Signed (3-year) 6 188 RB Georgia Tech Signed (3-year) 6 195 WR Central Michigan Signed (3-year) 7 225 Traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for QB Byron Leftwich 7 242 DE Ohio State Signed (3-year); released after final pre-season game in cut-down to 53-man roster; added to practice squad, then dropped from the practice squad one day later Notes:
from the NY Jets for Santonio Holmes compensatory selection from Arizona Cardinals with CB Bryant McFadden for pick No. 155 (24th pick of Round 6)
Undrafted free agents + 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers Undrafted Free Agents Player Position Height Weight College Status Ref. FB Virginia Tech Released in first week of training camp G James Madison Released after final pre-season game in cut-down to 53-man roster; added to practice squad S Kansas Released after final pre-season game in cut-down to 53-man roster S UTEP Released prior to training camp; re-signed after Tuff Harris injury; released again after final pre-season game in cut-down to 53-man roster; added to practice squad OT North Carolina Released after final pre-season game in cut-down to 53-man roster; added to practice squad DT Virginia Tech Released prior to training camp C / G Miami Released prior to training camp DE UConn Released prior to training camp C Vanderbilt Released prior to training camp
Camps and Organized Team Activities (OTAs) The Steelers official off-season training sessions were held on the following dates: ActivityDatesOTAApril 19–20Mini-campApril 30 – May 2OTAMay 18–20OTAJune 1–3OTAJune 8–10
Coaching staff Pittsburgh Steelers 2010 staff Front office Chairman emeritus – Dan Rooney President – Art Rooney II Vice president – Art Rooney, Jr. Director of football operations – Kevin Colbert College scouting coordinator – Ron Hughes Pro personnel coordinator – Brandon Hunt
Head coaches Head coach – Mike Tomlin Assistant head coach/defensive line – John Mitchell
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Bruce Arians Quarterbacks – Randy Fichtner Running backs – Kirby Wilson Wide receivers – Scottie Montgomery Tight ends – James Daniel Offensive line – Sean Kugler Offensive assistant – Harold Goodwin Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Dick LeBeau Linebackers – Keith Butler Defensive backs – Ray Horton Defensive assistant – Jerry Olsavsky
Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator – Al Everest Assistant special teams – Amos Jones
Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Garrett Giemont Conditioning assistant – Marcel Pastoor
Final roster
Preseason
Schedule The Steelers preseason schedule was announced on March 31, 2010.
Week Date Kickoff Opponent Result Record Game site Game TV NFL.comrecap 1 August 14 7:30 p.m. Detroit Lions W 23–7 1–0 Heinz Field KDKA Recap 2 August 21 7:00 p.m. at New York Giants W 24–17 2–0 New Meadowlands Stadium KDKA Recap 3 August 29 8:00 p.m. at Denver Broncos L 17–34 2–1 Invesco Field at Mile High FOX Recap 4 September 2 7:30 p.m. Carolina Panthers W 19–3 3–1 Heinz Field KDKA Recap
Regular season
Schedule Per the NFL's predetermined scheduling formula, the Steelers played every team in the AFC East and NFC South, the teams from the AFC South and West who finished in the same position as the Steelers in 2009 (third), and their usual AFC North division rivals.