2006 Pittsburgh Steelers season
| 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers season | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Head coach | Bill Cowher |
| General manager | Kevin Colbert |
| Owner | The Rooney Family |
| Home field | Heinz Field |
| Results | |
| Record | 8–8 |
| Division place | 3rd in AFC North |
| Playoff finish | did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers |
4
|
| AP All-Pros | Alan Faneca (1st team) |
| Team MVP | Willie Parker |
| Team ROY | Santonio Holmes |
The 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 74th season in the National Football League (NFL).
The team was attempting to improve on their 11–5 record from 2005 and also attempting to defend their Super Bowl XL championship. Instead, they finished the season with 8 wins and 8 losses in an unsuccessful attempt to make the playoffs.
It was Bill Cowher's 15th and final year coaching the team and he retired on January 5, 2007.
Notable additions include Santonio Holmes, Ryan Clark and Willie Colon
On March 3, 2006, backup quarterback Tommy Maddox and cornerback Willie Williams (a member of the Super Bowl XL Steelers team) were released for salary cap reasons. Later on, the team lost wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen, and free safety Chris Hope to free agency, but picked up safety Ryan Clark from the Washington Redskins.
The team used the 2006 NFL draft to fill in the remaining holes on the depth chart. In the first round, Pittsburgh traded up to select Ohio St. wide receiver Santonio Holmes. Then, they used their next pick (acquired from the Vikings) on Syracuse Safety Anthony Smith. The rest of their picks included Florida St. wide receiver Willie Reid, Hofstra guard Willie Colon, Miami University (Fl.) defensive end Orien Harris, Bowling Green quarterback Omar Jacobs, Purdue tight end Charles Davis, California center Marvin Philip, and Virginia Tech running back Cedric Humes.
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