Hines

Ward

Ward, 46, is a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers and won Super Bowl MVP in 2005. After his playing days were through in 2011, Ward started dabbling in coaching and was a Jets offensive assistant in 2019-2020 before going to Florida Atlantic as WRs coach last season. He landed an interview for the Texans’ head-coaching job this offseason. Where Ward will coach remains to be announced, as the rebooted XFL has yet to reveal cities and team names. The other seven head coaches are Wade Phillips, Bob Stoops, Rod Woodson, Jim Haslett, Anthony Becht, Terrell Buckley, and Reggie Barlow.

The Texans confirmed their interview with Ward in a subsequent Twitter post. It would be an out-of-nowhere hire if Ward -- who spent 14 years with the Steelers -- landed Houston’s head coaching gig. 45-year-old Ward’s coaching résumé is essentially nonexistent. The Jets hired Ward as an offensive assistant in 2019; in 2021, Ward was hired by Florida Atlantic as a special teams assistant. For a franchise that stunned the NFL world with its 2021 hire of now-fired head coach David Culley, hiring Ward would be business as usual.

He’s got a blister on his foot. It shouldn’t be a major concern.

He has a blister on his foot, but is good to go this weekend.

The Steelers are running team and it’s obviously hurting Ward. Ben Roethlisberger has played very smart - and conservative. Ward actually catches a higher percentage of his team’s passes than the rest of the league leaders. Look for Pittsburgh to open it up a bit this week at Jacksonville.

Ward’s contract runs out at the end of 2005, but he chirped loudly this offseason about how underpaid he was. It’s going to be difficult for the Steelers to re-do Ward’s contract and re-sign Burress, a free agent to be.

Another reason to end fantasy playoffs before week 17. Teams like Jacksonville and Denver can’t be happy that Buffalo may get a free pass in their final game.

No surprise here. Both receivers want more money, but aren’t going to get it this summer. Expect them to show up to training camp on time.

There was some speculation in the Pittsburgh media that Ward would hold out. He’s one of the most underpaid receivers in the league, but the Steelers are unlikely to change that this offseason. Both Ward and summer “holdout” Plaxico Burress should be on time.

Ward can line up in the slot, in his normal position of flanker, in the backfield, and can be put in motion. Ward used to be a more one-dimensional flanker, but defenses now key on the three-time Pro Bowler. Because of his consistency and TD capability, we see Ward as a top six WR.