2009 Pittsburgh Steelers

The 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 77th season in the National Football League (NFL). They were coming off a season in which they compiled a 12–4 regular season record and capped the season by winning the franchise's record sixth Super Bowl. The team's coaching staff remained the same for the third consecutive year.

As the defending champions, the Steelers opened the season by hosting the NFL Kickoff Game on Thursday, September 10, 2009, which was an overtime victory against the Tennessee Titans. The team compiled a 6–2 record over the season's first half, but then began a five-game losing streak which included losses to all three division opponents. Three late wins led to a 9–7 record, but the team failed to qualify for the playoffs. This was the third straight time the team has missed the playoffs following a Super Bowl victory; 1980 and 2006 being the previous two.

Personnel

Staff

Training camp

Roster

Off season activity

The front office's major goals coming into the off-season were to retain the bulk of the team's own free agents and to look to add talent primarily through the draft rather than free agent acquisitions. This has been the team's primary philosophy since Chuck Noll took over as head coach in 1969. The other major item on the team's agenda was to extend the contracts of a few of the players who were coming into the final year of their contracts – chief among these were linebacker and 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, James Harrison, tight end Heath Miller, and tackle Max Starks.

Management completed the highest-priority item on its off-season checklist by reaching agreement with Harrison on a six-year, $51.175 million contract, which includes $20 million in guaranteed money. The team was also successful in extending the contracts of Starks (four years, $26.3 million) and Miller (six years, $35.3 million) both of whom were potential free agents after the season. Additionally, contract extension were completed with receiver Hines Ward (five years, $22.1 million), guard Chris Kemoeatu (five years, $20 million), center Justin Hartwig (4 years, $10 million) and defensive end Brett Keisel (5 years, $18.885 million).

The team's primary needs coming into the 2009 season were considered to be shoring up the offensive line and improving performance on special teams, primarily at kick returner. In addition, they were forced to address the loss through free agency of two key contributors: starting cornerback Bryant McFadden and number three wide receiver Nate Washington. The front office and coaching staff also had to focus on uncovering for eventual replacements for some aging cogs: defensive end Aaron Smith and cornerback Deshea Townsend, who were 33 and 34 respectively at the start of the season. ESPN's Matt Williamson ranked the team's pre-draft needs as (in order), defensive end, offensive tackle, wide receiver and cornerback.

Free agents signed

''Players from the 2008 team who have signed new contracts with the Steelers:''
* OT Max Starks – signed $26.3 million, four-year contract,
* G Chris Kemoeatu – signed five year, $20+ million contract
* OT Willie Colon – signed one year, $2.198 million restricted free agent tender
* OT Trai Essex – signed two year, $1.92 million contract
* LB Keyaron Fox – signed two year, $1.8 million contract
* FB/TE Sean McHugh – signed three year, $2.57 million contract, expected to be starting FB – placed on Injured Reserve on September 5, 2009
* QB Charlie Batch – signed one year, $795,000 contract
* LB Andre Frazier – signed two year, $1.375 million contract
* FB Carey Davis – signed exclusive rights free agent tender, which amounts to a one-year, $460,000 contract
* LB Arnold Harrison – signed one year, $460,000 contract

''Players not with the 2008 team who have been signed for 2009''
* CB Keiwan Ratliff – from Indianapolis Colts; Ike Taylor's contract was restructured to clear cap space
* RB Stefan Logan – from CFL's BC Lions
* WR Shaun McDonald – spent 2007 & 2008 with Detroit Lions

''Players who signed with the team in 2009, but did not make the 53-man roster''
* K Piotr Czech – attended training camp with the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 – released on September 5, 2009, in final cut-down to 53-man roster
* WR Martin Nance – 2008 Steelers practice squad player; signed two year, $705,000 contract – released on August 31, 2009, in cut-down to 75-man roster
* P Dirk Johnson – released by the Washington Redskins in 2009 – released June 12, 2009
* FB Ryan Powdrell – spent a week on the Bucs practice squad in 2008 – released June 18, 2009
* WR/KR Jayson Foster – spent 2008 on Steelers' and Denver Broncos' practice squads – released June 18, 2009
* WR Brandon Williams – released by Rams

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