Steelers' players will take the field this weekend for the team's rookie minicamp, the first time the new draft class and undrafted free agents will be together. The team will also be joined by some first-year players, as well as rookies who are there on a tryout basis. The Steelers will hold five practices over the three days, including two on Friday, two on Saturday and one on Sunday.<doc-sep>It was sure great seeing No. 84 back on the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. Oh wait, is this a dream? Was the whole Antonio Brown trade a dream? Of course not. Brown is off the Oakland but the Steelers aren’t going to let that No. 84 jersey sitting around doing nothing. NFL Network reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala shared a little video of rookie tight end Milan Richard at the team’s rookie minicamp wearing Brown’s old number in drills. Technically speaking, the Steelers have only retired two numbers in franchise history. No. 70 worn by Ernie Stautner and No. 75 worn by Joe Greene. Nevertheless, there are multiple jersey numbers which are unofficially off limits like No. 36 formerly worn by Jerome Bettis and No. 47 formerly worn by Mel Blount. But despite being perhaps the best wide receiver in franchise history, it’s highly unlikely the Steelers ever give the same honor to Brown. The ugly breakup between Brown and the Steelers, which was created by Brown isn’t going to be a moment in history the franchise will want to reward despite what Brown did on the field. Well, it didn’t take long to hand out that no. 84 jersey. It’s a mite bigger this year… #Steelers #rookieminicamp pic.twitter.com/zrFNkQxqDY — Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) May 10, 2019 Gallery 2019 Steelers: Ranking the Top 10 defensive players View 10 photos<doc-sep>When a new player is about to put on the black and yellow in Pittsburgh, there are a few numbers that are clearly off limits. You want number 75? Can’t have it. Number 43? Better think twice. Number 12? No, sir. Number 58? Try again. But ask for number 84, and you shall receive. According to a tweet from Steelers Director of Communications, Burt Lauten, that number was recently given to undrafted free agent tight end, Milan Richard. #Steelers 2019 Rookie Minicamp (May 10-12) numerical roster is attached. Jersey numbers for rookies at minicamp are subject to change (at a later date). *Devin Bush (#55) is the only confirmed number for the team’s rookie class. pic.twitter.com/vNUZjQgNTS — Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) May 10, 2019 Antonio Brown was one of the most prolific wide receivers in Steelers’ lustrous history. He is coming off his 6th straight season of at least 100 catches, 1,250 yards, and 8 touchdown. During his time in Pittsburgh, Antonio Brown registered 837 receptions for 11,207 yards and 74 touchdowns. It’s true that Brown was one of the most accomplished receivers the Steelers have ever had, and was considered one of the best receivers in the league for at least 6 years now. However, as you already know, Brown and the Steelers had a major falling out this past year. As annoying behaviors from Antonio Brown continued to mount, AB pushed the limits of what Pittsburgh would tolerate from one of their best players. Brown walked out on his team in the darkest hour – a time that the Steelers were desperate for a win against the Bengals to give them a shot at the playoffs. The Steelers had enough. They tried trading Brown to the Buffalo Bills, but AB apparently wouldn’t have it. Eventually Pittsburgh settled for 3rd and 5th round draft choices from Oakland, just to remove him from their sight. The Steelers have a lucrative history of great players. Troy Polamalu represented himself in a respectable way off the field and embodied what it meant to be a Steeler. Even after Pittsburgh basically forced his hand into an early retirement, they wouldn’t dare give that historic number 43 away after what Polamalu sacrificed for the team. Antonio Brown had a chance to earn that same eternal respect from the city of Pittsburgh, but he his selfish personality and cancerous behavior made the Steelers trade one of the NFL’s best receivers for very little return. Regardless of whether or not Brown ever hears his name called in Canton, one thing is for sure: that number 84 jersey isn’t going to be retired in Pittsburgh any time soon.<doc-sep>The second wave of free agency is set to begin in the NFL and this also means teams will need to start making roster moves internally to adjust for roster size and salary cap. This can mean teams work trades to get veterans and their contracts off the books. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s been an incredibly productive and active offseason. They have added multiple players in free agency and had a very aggressive draft. This means they could be in a position to make some trades to jettison veterans. Here are three potential candidates who could be put on the block. Bud Dupree, EDGE The Steelers opted to pick up Dupree’s fifth-year option, paying his more than $9 million this season. Dupree isn’t a bust on the level of Jarvis Jones, but he certainly hasn’t lived up to expectations. With all the young pass rushers on the roster now, it might be time to move on from Dupree and give a guy like Ola Adeniyi a shot.<doc-sep>
Poll: Who will emerge as the Steelers number two wide receiver? Poll: Who will emerge as the Steelers number two wide receiver? by Tommy Jaggi Rookies and first year players hit the practice field yesterday at Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp. It always seems like the start of a new era when we are able to see the newest draft class suit up in those yellow and white practice jerseys for the very first time. Burt Lauten – the Pittsburgh Steelers director of Communications – recently tweeted out a list of each jersey number the 2019 rookies will be wearing (at least temporarily) for the Steelers this year: #Steelers 2019 Rookie Minicamp (May 10-12) numerical roster is attached. Jersey numbers for rookies at minicamp are subject to change (at a later date). *Devin Bush (#55) is the only confirmed number for the team’s rookie class. pic.twitter.com/vNUZjQgNTS — Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) May 10, 2019 Steelers 10th overall pick, Devin Bush (55), was reportedly leading the charge already in camp. The 20-year old was said to have been calling the plays on defense yesterday. Here is a link to 114 rookie minicamp photo’s from yesterday at Steelers.com. Notes: Photo 49: Not that he ever did to begin with, but Northern Illinois edge rusher, Sutton Smith, looks 100 percent like a linebacker now. Photos 90, 103, 104: 2019 7th round draft choice, Derwin Gray, looks significantly trimmer than he did in college. Photo 99: Running back, Benny Snell, teased the number 26 on social media shortly after he was selected. He’s currently wearing 24, though. Photos 108, 112: The Steelers gave away Antonio Brown’s number 84 to Undrafted rookie tight end, Milan Richard. Schedule: Rookie minicamp: The Steelers will continue offseason workouts at rookie minicamp through May, 13th. OTAs: Pittsburgh will begin offseason training activities (OTAs) on May 21st and run all the way to June 6th. There is no live contact during OTAs. All-player minicamp: The Steelers will conclude offseason activities with a three-day minicamp for all players that runs from June 11th to the 13th.