Since we are in the NFL offseason and training camp is almost underway, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at past and present NFL athletes and where they are now.

This segment will be on former Steelers wide receiver Eli Rogers and just how productive he was during his short stint in Pittsburgh.

Quick Biography: 

Eli Rogers went to Northwestern High School in Miami, Florida and was under the leadership of legendary high school head coach Billy Rolle. He was a four-star prospect and was rated the number 35 wide receiver during his senior season. After playing with and even against a multitude of NFL talent the likes of Teddy Bridgewater, Amari Cooper, Artie Burns – just to name a few, Rogers took his talents to the University of Louisville where he had a productive college career.

During his time at Louisville from 2011-2014, Rogers registered 2,020 total receiving yards on 176 receptions and 12 touchdowns. As a junior and senior, he spent more time on special teams, but didn’t nearly make enough splash plays in regards to yardage and touchdowns.

Setting his eyes on an NFL career, Rogers went undrafted in 2015 and joined the Pittsburgh Steelers where he spent his entire rookie season on the injured reserve. Due to injuries to other Pittsburgh wide receivers, Rogers had a few opportunities during his second season and made them count.

He finished his first full year with 594 total yards on 48 receptions, a 12.4 yards per reception average, and three touchdowns. Rogers would go on to play just two more seasons in Pittsburgh before he was totally out of the NFL space.

School Details: 

• Northwestern High School Miami, Florida (2007-2011)
• University of Louisville (2011-2014)

NFL Statistics: 

2015: DID NOT PLAY DUE TO INJURY 

2016: Pittsburgh Steelers: 48 Receptions | 594 Receiving Yards | 12.4 Average | 3 TDs

2017: Pittsburgh Steelers: 18 Receptions | 149 Receiving Yards | 8.3 Average | 1 TD

2018: Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 Receptions | 79 Receiving Yards | 6.6 Average | 0 TDs

Where is he now? 

After finishing the 2018 season, Rogers signed a two-year contract extension with the Steelers but was released on August 31, 2019. He never played another down of football in the NFL but had other opportunities in other leagues to showcase his talents.

Toward the end of the 2019 year, Rogers was selected by the DC Defenders, an XFL football team during the 2020 XFL Supplemental Draft. He spent one season with the team before trying his hand with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. After that fizzled out, he was once against drafted in the 13th round by the Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League (USFL), but was placed on the injured reserve.

In 2023, Rogers was drafted for the third time in just three short years for the XFL Orlando Guardians but the team ended up folding when both the XFL and USFL merged to create the UFL.

Even though Rogers was a popular selection during the Spring League Football season, he has not played football at any level since 2023.

These days, Rogers spends his time on the social media platforms X and Instagram promoting his new hobby that helps young up-and-coming athletes work on their route running abilities in football. Rogers’ Instagram handle @theartofrouterunning, showcases many videos of him working with the younger generation on their foot work.

As we know during his few short seasons in Pittsburgh, Rogers was solid route runner. Now he is helping others improve their football craft and it is very nice to see.

Let me know in the comment section below which former Steelers player you would like a breakdown on next. Also, let me know your favorite Eli Rogers’ moment during his short time with the Steelers.

(Mine would have to be his clutch diving catch against the Ravens in the two-minute drill down by three with 56 seconds left to win the AFC North).