Former Steelers tight end Eric Rowe tells fan he’s ‘trying’ to return to Pittsburgh

Late in the 2016 season, veteran Eric Rowe prevented the Pittsburgh Steelers from sinking. In light of Damontae Kazee’s suspension and the injuries to Minkah Fitzpatrick, Trenton Thompson, and Keanu Neal, he was activated from the practice squad to start the final three regular season games.

We must recognize the extent to which the ad hoc back end kept things together, even though quarterback Mason Rudolph deserves a great deal of credit for turning the Steelers around after a losing run. And Rowe, who was playing with Patrick Peterson, who isn’t sure, had a significant part in that.

He played more than 150 snaps in three games, earning 29 tackles, one interception, and a forced fumble. Rowe said that he began the Steelers’ postseason game. eight more tackles, one pass defensed.

After every game, head coach Mike Tomlin expressed his approval of his play in a consistent manner. Even towards the end of the season, he expressed his “definite interest” in carrying on business dealings with Rowe and ILB Myles Jack.

However, Rowe claims that in his situation, at least, the team is responsible. The Steelers have possession of the ball. He said, “I try to,” with a laughing emoji, in response to a fan’s tweet earlier this month inquiring whether he was joining the team again. Since the conclusion of the season, he has only posted once on social media. With the exception of a family-related Valentine’s Day Instagram post, that is the only one concerning football.

Rowe, a 2015 second-round selection of the Philadelphia Eagles, began For his

first eight seasons, he started 56 out of 100 games. While he was playing for the

Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2022, he was traded throughout the league.

Hired briefly by the Carolina Panthers, they released him from their practice squad on September 19th. He spent the next two months in the NFL before the Steelers signed him to their practice squad, where he remained for the rest of the season. However, they used four levels, including the playoffs, to allow him to start when they needed him.

His practice squad contract expired about two months ago, and he has been a free agent since then. So far, teams have shown little to no interest in the soon-to-be 32-year-old. At this point in his career, it’s hard for me to imagine he has much in the way of salary demands.

Rather, at least for now, the Steelers think they can wait to decide whether to bring him back. He probably comes back if they give him an offer of veteran salary benefits, but wait until after the draft? Maybe they just moved on.

The Steelers cut Keanu Neal after the season, and DeShon Elliott is expected to start in his place. Fitzpatrick, Kazee, Thompson, and Miles Killebrew from the previous season are still with them. Eric Rowe may not even make the squad if they decide to re-sign him. He appears eager to give it a try, though.