Kevin Colbert Talks NFL Draft, Steelers Legends, and Penguins Playoff Energy on Larry & the Big Man
Former Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert joined Larry Richert and Jay Caufield for a special edition of Larry & the Big Man, bringing decades of front office experience, Pittsburgh pride, and great stories from inside the world of professional sports.
From the NFL Draft taking over the North Shore to unforgettable Steelers draft picks, Colbert gave a rare behind-the-scenes look at how championship teams are built. The conversation also touched on the Penguins’ playoff push, Sidney Crosby’s greatness, and what makes Pittsburgh such a special sports town.
Pittsburgh Shines During the NFL Draft
The episode opened with Kevin reflecting on the NFL Draft being hosted in Pittsburgh. For someone who spent more than 40 years around the draft process, Colbert said seeing the event become such a massive fan experience was incredible.
He remembered when the draft was a much smaller event, often held in New York, with far less attention from fans. Now, it has become a major celebration for every NFL city and every fan base. Pittsburgh’s ability to host the event successfully showed off the city, the Steelers, and the passion of football fans from all over the country.
Colbert, Larry, and Jay all agreed that the atmosphere downtown was special. Fans from rival teams walked together, the city felt alive, and Pittsburgh proved it could handle one of the biggest events on the NFL calendar.
Inside the Steelers Draft Room
One of the most interesting parts of the conversation came when Colbert explained how the Steelers handled draft decisions during his time as general manager.
He said people often asked who had the “final say,” but inside the Steelers draft room, the goal was always full agreement. If ownership, the head coach, and the personnel staff were not on the same page, they kept talking until they reached a consensus.
That approach helped create stability and trust. Once a pick was made, everyone owned the decision together. Colbert made it clear that the real work happened long before draft night, through scouting, meetings, arguments, discussions, and preparation.
What Teams Expect From Draft Picks
Colbert also broke down how teams view different rounds of the draft. First, second, and third-round picks are expected to become starters. Fourth and fifth-rounders are usually viewed as quality backups or special teams contributors. Sixth and seventh-round picks often have to fight just to make the roster or practice squad.
But Colbert offered an honest and refreshing perspective on late-round steals. When players like Brett Keisel, Kelvin Beachum, or Antonio Brown became major contributors, he said they did not prove the team right — they proved the team wrong because they were better than where they were drafted.
That humility is part of what made Colbert such a respected executive. He gave the players credit for turning opportunity into success.
James Harrison, Willie Parker, and Proving People Wrong
The conversation naturally turned to some of the Steelers’ great underdog stories, including James Harrison and Willie Parker. Both went undrafted, yet both produced two of the most iconic plays in Super Bowl history.
Harrison’s 100-yard interception return remains one of the greatest moments in NFL history, and Parker still owns the longest run from scrimmage in Super Bowl history. Colbert explained that those players deserve the credit because if teams truly knew how good they were going to be, they would have been drafted much earlier.
Larry also shared a funny James Harrison story from a charity event, showing a side of Harrison many fans may not know. While Harrison had an intimidating on-field reputation, Colbert described him as a quality person with a sharp sense of humor.
The Troy Polamalu Draft Story
One of the best stories of the episode centered on Troy Polamalu. Jay asked Colbert if there was one draft pick that stood above the rest, and Colbert pointed to Troy.
Colbert explained that the Steelers nearly went in a different direction after reaching an agreement with free agent safety Dexter Jackson. But when that deal fell through, Polamalu came back into focus. After hearing glowing reports from Troy’s pro day, Colbert and Bill Cowher knew they would have to trade up to get him.
The Steelers eventually moved up and selected Polamalu, a decision that helped shape a championship defense and brought one of the most unique players in NFL history to Pittsburgh.
Scouting Beyond the Numbers
Colbert also talked about the balance between analytics and the eye test. While he acknowledged that analytics have a role in modern sports, he emphasized that numbers cannot measure everything.
For Colbert, the biggest challenge is evaluating the intangibles: heart, intelligence, toughness, character, and how a player responds to coaching or adversity. He said he always paid attention to how players acted on the sideline, how they interacted with teammates, and how they handled corrections from coaches.
That human side of scouting matters because great players are not built by numbers alone.
Penguins Playoff Momentum
The conversation shifted from football to hockey as Colbert talked about attending Penguins vs. Flyers Game 5 at PPG Paints Arena. Sitting close to the ice, he could feel the intensity of the matchup and the momentum swings that make playoff hockey so exciting.
Colbert said the Penguins showed more desperation and intensity as the game went on. He also praised Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang for their ability to rise in big moments.
Jay added that playoff momentum in hockey can shift faster than in any other sport. Once the Penguins found their game, the pressure moved back onto Philadelphia.
Appreciating Sidney Crosby
Colbert and Jay both took time to appreciate Sidney Crosby’s brilliance. Jay talked about Crosby’s strength, balance, and ability to always stay in an athletic position, whether he is battling along the boards, protecting the puck, or creating a scoring chance.
Colbert pointed to Crosby’s ability to make one play that changes everything. Even when he is quiet for part of a game, he can suddenly flip the switch and take over.
For Pittsburgh fans, it was another reminder not to take Crosby’s greatness for granted.
Helping Former Players After the Game
Toward the end of the episode, Larry highlighted Colbert’s continued work helping former players adjust to life after football. Colbert discussed the program Lend a Hand, which supports players as they transition into the next phase of life.
He explained that many athletes have spent their entire lives focused on one sport. When that ends, they often need guidance with finances, health, family, education, or simply figuring out what comes next.
Jay, speaking from the perspective of a former athlete, added that the transition can be difficult if players expect the attention and treatment from their playing days to continue forever. Colbert’s work helps former players prepare for reality after the spotlight fades.
A True Pittsburgh Sports Conversation
This episode of Larry & the Big Man was more than a football interview. It was a Pittsburgh sports conversation through and through.
Kevin Colbert brought stories from the Steelers draft room, reflections on championship players, insight into scouting, and a genuine love for the city’s sports scene. Larry Richert and Jay Caufield added humor, hockey perspective, and their own Pittsburgh memories, creating a wide-ranging conversation that Steelers, Penguins, and Pittsburgh sports fans will enjoy.
From Troy Polamalu to Sidney Crosby, from the NFL Draft to playoff hockey, this episode captures what makes Pittsburgh sports special: passion, toughness, loyalty, and unforgettable stories.
