Tag Archives: Kyle Dugger

Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Free Agency Tracker

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NFL free agency is almost upon us, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been quiet thus far.

Sure, Mike McCarthy and Omar Khan seem set on dropping Will Howard’s name whenever the opportunity arises, and trampling down any Pat Freiermuth trade rumors, but the Steelers have not made any roster moves aside from signing players to “futures” contracts.

Omar Khan, Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan

Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan, Photo Credit: Nola.com

All of which promises to make the next 2-3 weeks interesting because the Steelers have one of the largest free agent classes in recent memory, ample salary cap space and an estimated 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

One way or another, things look set to get busy in the Steel City very, very soon.

Here is a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers unrestricted and restricted free agents.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Unrestricted Free Agents

Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback
Calvin Austin III, Wide Receiver
Kenneth Gainwell, Running Back
James Pierre, Cornerback
Isaac Seumalo, Guard
Connor Heyward, Tight End
Miles Killebrew, Special Teams (Strong Safety)
Scotty Miller, Wide Receiver
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Wide Receiver
Skylar Thompson, Quarterback
Asante Samuel Jr., Cornerback
Kyle Dugger, Strong Safety
Chuck Clark, Strong Safety,
Jabrill Peppers, Strong Safety,
Cole Holcomb, Inside Linebacker
Isaiahh Loudermilk, Defensive End
Jack Driscoll, Offensive Tackle
Daniel Ekuale, Defensive Tackle
Dean Lowry, Defensive End
Donald Parham, Tight End
Andrus Peat, Offensive Line
Max Scharping, Guard
Adam Thielen, Wide Receiver

Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Restricted Free Agents

OL Ryan McCollum
LB Jeremiah Moon
DE Esezi Otomewo
P Corliss Waitman

Check back as we’ll link to player profiles and include updates on signings and departures as they become available.

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Wasted Effort: Steelers Fall to Bears 31-28 as Pittsburgh Can’t Pass

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The Pittsburgh Steelers visited Soldier Field and dropped a 31-28 decision to the Chicago Bears.

  • You want to know what hurts the worst about this one?

Unlike some of this season’s other losses, the Bears was as close as the final score suggests. And that’s particularly poignant for Pittsburgh, because this game showcased both some excellent individual exploits and brilliant strategy moves.

But the Steelers came up short in Chicago because when it counted, Pittsburgh couldn’t put it all together.

D.K. Metcalf, Nashon Wright, Mason Rudolph interception, Steelers vs Bears

Nashon Wright intercepts Mason Rudolph’s first pass. Photo Credit: Mike Dinovo, Imagn Images via SI.com

Every Element Matters

You can summarize the Steelers philosophy in the post-Roethlisberger era with just 14 words: Match stout defense with an offense that throws to score and runs to win. It is simple. There’s zero Sean McVey or Kyle Shanahan sexiness behind it.

  • But it can be effective. IF executed correctly.

To execute correctly, every element matters. Let one fail and the rest fall like dominoes.

The opening two series illustrate that reality perfectly. The Bears came out and ran and Jalen Ramsey and Joey Porter limited them to a yard. They tried again and Derrick Harmon and Keeanu Benton limited them to 3 yards. On third down Kyle Dugger helped prevent a completion, forcing a Bears punt.

  • So far so good.

The Steelers began with Mason Rudolph handing to Kenneth Gainwell, and Gainwell got 9 yards. Perfect. Just what the doctor ordered. One of the core principles of Arthur Smith’s offense is that build the foundation for big plays in the air by winning in the trenches on the ground.

  • So the instinct to look deep downfield on the very next play was a wise one.

But Mason Rudolph failed to deliver.

He badly underthrew D.K. Metcalf allowing Nahshon Wright to intercept. Eight plays and four minutes later, the Bears were on the board with a touchdown.

They didn’t hold their lead for long, however. The Steelers answered with a touchdown drive of their own. The drive itself was a masterpiece in ball control offense, made up of 13 plays and stretching 95 yards. That felt like it fit perfectly at the moment.

But, as we shall see, when all was said and done, this was actually part of the problem.

The Turnover Giveth, the Turnover Taketh Away

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense has feasted on turnovers in 2025. Just ask Derek Maye and the New England Patriots. In the loss to the Bears, the back stories behind the turnovers, or lack thereof, tell the tale of this latest loss.

  • The Steelers first turnover effectively negated an outstanding opening effort by the defense.

The Steelers used the game’s next turnover to establish a one touchdown lead when Caleb Williams foolishly allowed T.J. Watt to pressure him into the end zone and then strip sack him allowing Nick Herbig to cover the ball for a touchdown.

  • Yet the next two turnovers followed by the next non-turnover proved to be critical.

Yahya Black ended Chicago’s next possession after just 5 plays. Yet the Steelers could only manage 5 plays of their own, as Connor Heyward failed for the first time on Pittsburgh’s version of the tush push. (Yeah, the replays look like he may have gotten it, but that happens.)

  • The Bears transformed that turnover on downs into a touchdown.

The Steelers offense responded, perhaps a little too well. Facing a 4th and 1 at their own 44 with 1:32 remaining, Arthur Smith threw the Bears for a curve with the tush push, as Connor Heyward flipped the ball to Kenneth Gainwell, Darnell Washington delivered a hellacious block on the outside, and Gainwell ran for 55 yards.

  • One play later and Jaylen Warren was in the end zone to put the Steelers up by 7.

By any measure it was a brilliant piece of coaching strategy that the players executed to perfection.

Alas, it left 1:19 on the clock. The Steelers special teams gave up a longish return. Long enough to allow Williams and the Bears offense to nickle-and-dime their way into field goal range to tack-on three more points to end the half.

We saw the Steelers use the final minute of the first half to tack on field goals, many times during the Roethlisberger era. The final score in Chicago reminds us why that’s always a wise move.

Too Much of a Good Thing

IF I’d told you going into the game that…

  • D.K. Metcalf would have 5 catches
  • Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren would average 9.2 and 3.8 yards per carry
  • Ben Skowronek would set up a TD by flipping the field with a 21-yard catch
  • That Mason Rudolph would lead touchdown drives clocking in at 7:58 and 7:47 minutes|
  • The Steelers would win the TOP battle to the tune of 33:09 to 26:51

…You’d have concluded that the Steelers beat the Bears in Chicago. But of course the opposite happened.

Ben Skowronek, Kevin Byard III, Steelers vs Bears

Ben Skowronek makes a catch for 21 yards. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

The fact that Ben Skowronek’s 21 yard catch was the longest by a Steelers receiver is the first yellow flag (Wanna call it a red flag? No argument — I tagged Skowronek as an off season sleeper and I’m sticking to my story.) But blood red flag comes from the fact that Skowronek’s yardage total of 21 for one catch amounts to one yard less than Metcalf’s combined yardage total for 5 catches.

All season long the Steelers have struggled to establish the type of ball-control attack needed for both offense and the defense to succeed. A week ago, against the Bengals, they make a step in that direction. Against the Bears, the made a leap.

  • But the leap came at the cost of a complete inability to pass downfield.

Rudolph’s first attempt got picked off. He tried again on the first 3rd down situation of the 2nd half, and had Roman Wilson been a DB, we’d be tripping ourselves over his pass break up skills. On two other occasions, Rudolph looked deep and misfired.

Roman Wislon, Nashon Wright, Steelers vs Bears

Roman Wilson shows off his DB skills. Photo Credit: Mike Dinovo, Imagn Images, via SI.com

To be sure the defense’s inability to prevent scores after Rudolph’s interception and his fumble combined with special teams penalties contributed to the loss. But the Bears had the ball twice in the last 6 minutes in the fourth quarter, and the defense forced twin three and outs.

But on those two ensuring possessions the Steelers failed to complete a pass of longer than 14 yards, and Rudolph’s final two completions went for two yards a piece when they only needed 15 or so to get into Chris Boswell’s range.

Every element counts, and the Steelers inability to consistently complete even intermediate passes proved to be their downfall in this game.

Historic Tendencies and This Year’s Story

Given the unending pace of change in the NFL, overarching franchise statistics often make for interesting story copy that actually means very little.

  • But with a historic franchise like the Pittsburgh Steelers, sometimes true trends emerge.

The Steelers haven’t won in Philadelphia since Lyndon Johnson was president. The Colts struggle when playing in Pittsburgh, whether they arrive from Baltimore or Indianapolis. The Steelers only win against the Bears came in 1995. That win helped steel their run that ended in Super Bowl XXX.

Mike Tomlin’s challenge is to ensure that this latest loss to the Bears in Chicago doesn’t upend the rest of their 2025 season.

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Steeler Report Card for Win over Bengals: Substitute Students Edition

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From the gradebook of a teacher pleased to see his substitute students shine here is the Pittsburgh Steelers Report Card for the win over the Bengals at Acrisure.

Jalen Ramsey, Steelers vs Bengals

Jalen Ramsey lays in the wood. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers was 3-3 on the opening drive including his touchdown pass. On the afternoon he finished 9-15-116 yards and no picks. He also had an impressive 8 yard sprint that extended a drive that ended with a field goal. Mason Rudolph entered the game in the 2nd half and looked sharp, going 12 of 16 for 127 yards an a touchdown. Both quarterbacks managed to lead drives that point 10 points on the board. Grade: ASteelers, Report Card, grades,

Running Backs
Jaylen Warren started out looking like a back who might take over the game. And it seemed like the coaches might let him try, as he ran 62 yards on 10 carries before leaving with an injury. Kenneth Gainwell only managed 24 yards on nine carries in relief of Warren, but did catch 7 passes for 81 yards, including 2 touchdowns. Kaleb Johnson 5 carries for 15 yards which doesn’t include and impressive run that was called back by a penalty. Connor Heyward converted 2 first downs via the tush push. Grade: B

Tight Ends
Darnell Washington’s 4 catches for 67 yards might not impress on paper, but he was a force, barreling through reluctant defenders. Pat Freiermuth had one catch for 19 yards. Washington was also a force in the blocking game. Grade: B+

Wide Receivers
D.K. Metcalf had 5 catches for 49 yards several of which were drive extenders. Roman Wilson caught 1 pass for 17 yards converting a third down on the Steelers opening drive in the second half. Calvin Austin caught one pass for 5 yards and drew another pass interference penalty. Grade: B-

Offensive Line
The Steelers only gave up one sack and 3 other quarterback hits. The line also opened excellent holes for Jaylen Warren although Gainwell did not fair as well. Grade: B

Defensive Line
Cam Heyward led the unit in tackles, and overall performance of the unit was strong. If you take the one long run the Bengals had, the Steelers limited them to a respectable average. Grade: B

Linebackers
Patrick Queen led the team in tackles, Malik Harrison helped shore up the run defense, and Nick Herbig had a sack that not only cost the Bengals 7 yards but rattled Joe Flacco enough to cause a delay of game penalty helping force a field goal when it was still an 11 point game. Grade: B+

Secondary
Kyle Dugger’s pick six came at the end of the third quarter and transformed a 5 point lead into a 11 point lead. James Pierre’s fumble return for a touchdown slammed the door shut on even a theoretical Bengals comeback. But those are not the two most impressive stats from this game.
Kenneth Gainwell had more catches and only 12 yards less than Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Combined. It looked like a completely different Steelers secondary in this match up. Grade: A

Special Teams
Chris Boswell was 2-2 on field goals and 4-4 on extra points. Corliss Waitman had a strong afternoon punting, pinning the Bengals down inside the 20 on two of his three punts. Kick coverage was good and the returns were respectable. Grade: B

Coaching
Arthur Smith clearly has a knack for game planning going into contests, as the Steelers improved success in scoring on their first drives demonstrates. However, in the first half his unit struggled to sustain that, with their final scoring drive in that period should be characterized as “heavily penalty-aided.”

Still, it was a solid outing for the Steelers offense. Not only did they finally manage to win the time of possession battle, the offense executed a 12-play, 6-minute drive in the fourth quarter to turn an 11 point lead into an 18 point lead. This was a welcome sight.

This didn’t just look like a different Steelers secondary against potent Bengals offense, it looked like an entirely different defense. Since Joe Flacco’s arrival, Cincinnati’s offense has been a Fantasy Football owner’s dream.

By leaning into Reality Football — hard hitting and smart playing — Teryl Austin’s defense made it a nightmare afternoon for he Bengals.

Pittsburgh Steelers have been run hot and cold during the 2025 season, but after a rough outing on national TV, Mike Tomlin has his team ready, willing and able to play winning football. Grade: A-

T.J. Watt, Joe Flacco, Steelers vs Bengals

T.J. Watt hits Joe Flacco. Photo Credit: T.O. Steelers.com

Unsung Hero Award
The stat sheet says he only had one tackle, albeit for a loss, 2 tipped passes and one quarterback hit. But that hit was hard. His tipped pass helped set up a third down and on that third down his pressure helped force a pick six, and for that T.J. Watt wins the Unsung Hero Award for the Steelers win over the Bengals at Acrisure.

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Hard Depth: Steelers Beat Bengals 34-12 as Mason Rudolph Rallies Offense, Defense Hits Hard

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The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 34-12 in a wild afternoon at Acrisure.

Exactly 31 days separated the two AFC North rivals from their last meeting, with the Bengals dominating the Steelers in their first encounter in ways which the 33-31 final score could not reveal.

  • The results were quite different this time.

When why, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin coyly explained, “I don’t know that we changed anything of any significance. I just thought we were more solid today.”

Fair enough. Tomlin would not and should not tip his hand on the schematic changes he and his staff made. But he betrays his coyness with his use of the word “solid,” because the Steelers turned the tables on the Bengals for two reasons: They hit harder and their depth delivered.

Mason Rudolph, Steelers vs Bengals

Mason Rudolph stands tall in the pocket. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

When You’re Down, Hit Harder

What everyone remembers from the first fiasco against the Bengals was that, starting in the middle of the second quarter, Joe Flacco started firing at will against the Steelers defense. And it’s true that Pittsburgh’s defensive backs looked hopeless covering Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

  • But what everyone forgets is that their tackling was just as terrible that night.

The Bengals won the toss and although they were on offense, the Steelers came out hitting. D.K. Metcalf led with a 4-yard catch, Jaylen Warren followed with a 5 yard run, and Connor Heyward with a determined second effort, got 1 yard in Pittsburgh’s Tush Push Lite.

Two plays later, Warren ripped off a 35 yard run, where he broke tackles at the first level and again in the second level. Two plays later, the Kenneth Gainwell took and 11 yard pass into the end zone and Pittsburgh had sent a message – they were going to be physical.

  • Physicality didn’t simply extend to the Steelers ground game.

The Steelers hit Darnell Washington 4 times, and on each occasion barreled through Cincinnati’s secondary, almost daring Bengals defenders to hit him.

Darnell Washington, Barrett Carter, Steelers vs Bengals

Darnell Washington dumps Barrett Carter. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

The Steelers defense of course, laid in the most important hits of game.

About midway through the first half, a Flacco pass flew towards Ja’Marr Chase and just barley missed the target. Jalen Ramsey didn’t hold back and laid in the wood just the same. The play didn’t draw a flag, but it could have, and I thought back to a anonymous quote Jim Wexell shared about the team’s plans to stop Tom Brady in the 2016 AFC Championship game – “We’re going to hit him whenever we can and take the 15 if necessary.”

The thought flashed through my mind a few plays later when T.J. Watt got flagged for a late hit on Flacco – their plan is to make him pay (no, Watt didn’t deserve the flag – that’s called a make up call boys and girls.)

The ease with which the Bengals scored their first touchdown revealed the defense still has its vulnerabilities. But the Steelers responded by proving it retains its ability to hit hard, and that’s why the Bengals never saw the end zone again.

Back Ups Answer the Call

While it’s not the way the NFL’s marketing arm would like to tell the story, winning in pro football oftentimes comes down to who weathers the battle of attrition better (see the Killer Bees’ penchant playoff injuries.)

The Steelers came into the game missing Darius Slay and Alex Highsmith. During the game they’d lose Ke’Shawn Williams, Aaron Rodgers and Jaylen Warren.

  • Mason Rudolph responded by completing 75% of his passes, a touchdown and 127 yards
  • Kenneth Gainwell and Kaleb Johnson only added 39 yards on the ground, but Gainwell had 81 through the air
  • Nick Herbig sacked Flacco at Pittsburgh’s 18, pushing him back 7 yards

Flacco was so frazzled, he took a delay of game penalty and threw and incompletion and the Bengals settled for a field goal.

Substitutes Rewrite New End Script

The Steelers biggest wins this season, against Minnesota in Dublin and two weeks ago against the Colts against Acrisure had a common thread: The both got close, at least cosmetically, at the end.

Two substitute Steelers saw to it that Pittsburgh wrote a new ending to that script against the Bengals.

When the Steelers made their final roster cut down to on August 26th, James Pierre got a visit from “The Turk” while Kyle Dugger was a member of the New England Patriots. If the hard hits of the Steelers defense kept Pittsburgh ahead the entire afternoon, Dugger and Pierre’s big plays muzzled any hint of a Bengals comeback.

While the offense had looked good under Mason Rudolph during the second half, the only points it had managed by the end of the third quarter were a Chris Boswell field goal. The Bengals were maneuvering into Pittsburgh territory when, on third down with the pressure getting to Flacco, Kyle Dugger was in robber coverage and picked of Flacco’s pass, taking it to the house for 73 yards.

Kyle Dugger, Steelers vs Bengals

Kyle Dugger takes it to the house. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

The Bengals responded with a field goal, and the Steelers answered with a long, clock-consuming drive that ended in Gianwell’s second touchdown.

Only 3:40 remained and the Steelers held a 27-12 lead, but we’ve seen this team ensure that games remain interesting to the very end. That didn’t happen this time. On the first play after the Gainwell’s touchdown, Flacco hit Noah Faint for 5 yards. Brandon Echols forced a fumble, which James Pierre returned for a 34-yard touchdown.

Pittsburgh Keeps Pace in the AFC North

The win improved the Steelers record to 6-4, giving them a crucial AFC North win and allowing them to keep pace ahead of the Baltimore Ravens, who extended their winning streak to 4.

Next week brings them to Chicago against the Bears, with tough games against the Lions, Bills and of course the Ravens awaiting them. As the weather turns colder the Steelers would do well to lean into the lesson learned against the Bengals: When in doubt, hit harder.

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Steelers Report Card for Loss to Chargers: Pessimistic Teacher Edition

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Taken from the notebook of an increasingly pessimistic teacher, here is the Pittsburgh Steelers Report Card for the loss to the 2025 Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football.

Ladd McConky, Jalen Ramsey, Steelers vs Chargers, Steelers vs Chargers. SNF

Jalen Ramsey can’t stop Ladd McConky. Photo Credit: IMAGN Images, via Tribune-Review

Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers had a bad night. His overall numbers of 16-31-1-2 for 161 are pretty putrid to begin with – and that’s with garbage time glory included. Rodgers was off all night. When he wasn’t overthrowing open receivers and or underthrowing covered receivers he was throwing passes that were too high or too low. Grade: FSteelers, Report Card, grades,

Running Backs
Jaylen Warren had 70 yards on 14 carries adding 21 yards on two catches from the air. Kaleb Johnson had 3 yards on two carries. Steelers running backs were OK when they needed them to be special. Grade: C

Tight Ends
Pat Freiermuth had 3 catches, Darnell Washington had 1 and Jonnu Smith and one more plus another that was reverted on replay. Its no coincidence that the one drive where the Steelers feigned a smidgen of rhythm two tight ends caught passes. Still, the Steelers deployed the Jumbo Package and the blocking wasn’t quite there. Grade: C-

Wide Receivers
D.K. Metcalf had 3 catches for 35 yards and two end zone targets – one that was a gimmie touchdown and another on a ball he had next to no chance of catching. Roman Wilson had 3 catches including another garbage time touchdown. Calvin Anderson had 2 catches for 14 yards, but he also let an easy catch bounce off his hands for an interception that effectively killed any chance for a comeback. Rodgers was off target early and often, but it is also clear that this group of receivers struggles to “get open.” Grade: D

Offensive Line
It is starting to look like Isaac Seumalo is the critical member of this unti, as it was not the same without him. Run blocking was OK at times, but the Steelers needed it to be exceptional. More worrisome was the pass blocking. Rodgers was hit 5 times and sacked three times including one for a safety. And Broderick Jones looked bewildered and jinxed all night. Grade: F

Defensive Line
Keeanu Benton with 7 tackles, a sack and another for a loss. Cam Heyward had 6 a tackle for a loss, and a deflected pass. Kimani Vidal actually had a respectable night for the Chargers, but he never came close to disrupting the game the way other running backs have. Grade: B

Linebackers
Two weeks after plenty of talking heads wanted him traded or at least benched Alex Highsmith posted his second consecutive 2 sack game. Patrick Queen led the team and the group with 12 tackles. Malik Harrison had a tackle for a loss and was a force in stopping the run. Nick Herbig had a sack, tackle for a loss and 2 QB hit. T.J. Watt “only” a sack, tackle for a loss, deflected a pass and 3 QB hits. The linebackers played well enough to win. Grade: B+

Secondary
Justin Herbert is one of the better young quarterbacks in the game, yet the Steelers limited him to 220 yards per game, despite Herbert enjoying an overwhelming time of possession advantage. Moving Jalen Ramsey to safety appears to be helping and Kyle Dugger is playing well. Still, Joey Porter Jr. let an interception slip through his hands and the secondary did give up a long run after Rodgers’ first interception. The Steelers needed spectacular secondary play, not good* performance. Grade: B-

Special Teams
We forgot this now, but T.J. Watt actually answered Donte Jackson’s interception with a punt-forcing sack 3 plays later. Unfortunately, Ke’Shawn Williams when the Steelers theoretically could have still made a comeback. Chris Boswell knocked in a 59 yarder only to miss a 45er. Yeah, it was that kinda night. Grade: F

Coaching
A week ago Teryl Austin’s unit shut down a Colts offense that had been galloping through other NFL defenses. They did it with a heavy dose of turnovers. Against the Chargers they went out against one of the league’s rising young quarterbacks and, although they did give up a long play, they played well enough to win, albeit while leaving turnovers on the field. So far so good.

  • Alas, Arthur Smith’s offense is a mess.

Throughout the season his unit hasn’t been effective in establishing a rhythm, has faltered too much on possession downs and their time of possession has been atrocious. Despite that Smith has more often than not found ways to make it work.

Steelers offense for example has capitalized on turnovers, converted the Red Zone and otherwise gotten far enough into opponent’s territory to allow Chris Boswell to knock in enough field goals so that the Steelers score when they need to.

It is clear after watching the Chargers game that the key component to this was Aaron Rodgers making just enough of the critical throws make all this happen.

Rodgers failed to do this against the Chargers and, in tandem, rest of the offense failed to pick up the slack.

How much of that is due to scheme and how much of that is tied to personnel decisions remains an open question. But as  Mike Tomlin has a clear voice in both, he shoulders the blame. Grade: D

James Pierre, Derius Davis, Steelers vs Chargers

Body Slam! Photo Credit: NFL.com

Unsung Hero Award
He was a former starter who got benched, was allowed to leave in free agency, got cut by his new team, returned, was resigned, then cut, then signed to the practice squad then quickly activated. A concussion thrust him into the starting role and batted away two passes while delivering a WWF (or WWE) style body slam tackle, and for that James Pierre wins the Unsung Hero Award for the Steelers loss to the Chargers at SoFi Stadium.

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Steelers Report Card for Win Over Colts: Sustain Good Study Habits Edition

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taken from the gradebook of a teacher hoping his students can sustain the good study habits learned in the last week, here is the Pittsburgh Steelers Report Card for the 2025 win over the Colts at Acrisure.

Pat Freiermuth, Mekhi Blackmon, Steelers vs Colts

Pat Freiermuth with the go ahead touchdown. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers was 25 of 35 for 203 yards, with one touchdown and zero interceptions. At times Rodgers seemed frustrated with his receivers, which isn’t good. However, he did not force any balls the way he had in the previous two weeks. Grade: BSteelers, Report Card, grades,

Running Backs
Jaylen Warren scored two touchdowns, but he only managed 31 yards on 16 carries. Kenneth Gainwell had 3 carries for negative 1 yards. Kaleb Johnston had 1 carry for 4 yards, while Connor Heyward managed 4 yards on his tush push. Both Gainwell and Johnson made drive-sustaining catches. Grade: C-

Tight Ends
Once again tight ends absorbed the majority of the targets, with Darnell Washington bringing in 4 of 6 balls thrown his way for 43 yards, Pat Freiermuth caught 3 of 5 thrown for 27 yards his way including a touchdown. Jonnu Smith caught 3 of 5 for 25 yards. Grade: B+

Wide Receivers
Calvin Austin led receivers with 5 catches for 56 yards with the Steelers scoring on each drive he caught a pass on. D.K. Metcalf caught 2 passes for 6 yards. Roman Wilson only had one catch which should have ended the game, but unfortunately he fumbled. Grade: B-

Offensive Line
Aaron Rodgers was sacked 3 times, but generally had good time to throw. The Steelers running game never go into gear. How much of this is due to Isaac Seumalo’s injury and how much of it is the Colts scheming to prevent the Steelers from playing a ball control offense is unknown. Either way the Steelers will need better line play down the stretch. Grade: C-

Defensive Line
Cam Heyward tipped two passes and made 4 tackles. Keeanu Benton had 5 tackles and a sack. Derrick Harmon helped stuff Jonathan Taylor, helped run down Tyler Warren from behind, and on the very next play recovered a fumble. Grade: A-

Linebackers
How good were the linebackers? Alex Highsmith dropped Taylor for a loss on his first carry, knocked away a would-be first down pass, sacked Daniel Jones, and then strip sacked him in the 4th quarter. Not bad for a guy many wanted to bench a week ago. T.J. Watt’s strip sack shifted the course of the game. Rookie Jack Sawyer intercepted a batted pass.

But you know what? The best linebacker on the field was Payton Wilson who was all over the field with 13 tackles, two deflected passes and an interception which set up the go ahead touchdown. Grade: A

Alex Highsmith, Daniel Jones, Alex Highsmith strip sack Daniel Jones, Steelers vs Colts

Alex Highsmith strip-sacks Daniel Jones. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Secondary
Jalen Ramsey’s move to free safety provided critical stability for an ailing unit. His hard hitting also set the tone for the entire defense. Joey Porter Jr. batted away four balls, made a sack, and caught an interception, but his pass interference penalties continue. Darius Slay had a solid game after two very shaky weeks. Brandon Echols played well. Grade: B+

Special Teams
Corliss Waitman had 5 punts averaging 50 yards, but with no touchbacks and two landing inside the 20. Ke’Shawn Williams hasn’t broken a kick or punt return yet, but he’s flashing that ability. Chris Boswell was perfect. The Steelers special teams did however, get caught with their pants down on a fake punt. Grade: B-

Coaching
At first glance, Arthur Smith’s offense’s stats look rather anemic. Except perhaps for the score.

By a lot of measure’s, Smith’s offense had a tough day. Mike Tomlin described it as “running on the beach.” While the difficulty the Steelers had in rushing the ball is cause for concern, Smith’s unit did what a competent offense is supposed to do: Turn turnovers into touchdowns.

As he did at times last year, Smith found a way to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts.

Teryl Austin may not have taken the brunt of the heat for the defensive collapses against the Bengals and Packers, but the criticism he weathered was blistering. In the face of that, and missing 3 of five safeties he started the season with, Austin put together a game plan that, when executed shackled the league’s most potent offense.

Jonathan Taylor looked nothing like the player that the NFL had been watching revived the concept of Franchise Running back in real time. Along the way, Austin’s defense secured 5 turnovers against a team that had given up 6 all season long.

Last December, the late, great Craig Wolfey worried that the Christmas loss would be a “cheese grater game” for the Steelers. Wofley was right. The twin losses to the Bengals and Packers carried that same “cheese grater potential.”

  • Mike Tomlin made sure that did not happen.

The Steelers arrived at Acisure with as much focus as fight. Penalties were a non-factor. Even as the Steelers gave up three 4th down conversions, one a quick touchdown, and failed at their own 4th and goal situation, it never felt like they were losing control of the game.

Tomlin needs to ensure his men can maintain that focus in the weeks to come, but he’s make a good start. Grade: A

Kyle Dugger, T.J. Watt, Jonathan Taylor, Steelers vs Colts

You Shall Not Pass! Kyler Dugger & T.J. Watt stuff Jonathan Taylor for no gain. Photo Credit: Taylor Oallson, Steelers.com

Unsung Hero Award
One week ago this man was under the employ of the New England Patriots. He didn’t put on a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform until Thursday, which is when the Steelers found out they were going to need him. Kyle Dugger came in on 3 days practice and helped stabilize an ailing secondary and for that he win the Unsung Hero Award for the Steelers 2025 win over the Colts at Acrisure.

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Rebound! Steelers Defeat Colts 27-20 with 6 Turnovers

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Reeling from successive, humiliating losses, the Pittsburgh Steelers rebounded to defeat the Indianapolis Colts 27-20 at Acisure Stadium. And folks, the game wasn’t as close as that final score suggests.

  • Now raise your hand if you DIDN’T see that coming. [Mine’s raised.]

Winning this one was about more than just getting back into the W column for the Steelers. The Indianapolis Colts have been the class of the NFL this season. They’ve haven’t simply been good. They’ve been unstoppable. For the last two weeks, the Steelers defense hasn’t stopped anyone.

The 6 turnovers that the Steelers secured will hog the headlines for this win. And yes, those turnovers were critical. But it was the focused, sound fundamental football the Steelers played that laid the foundation for those turnovers and the victory.

Payton Wilson, Segun Olubi, Steelers vs Colts

Payton Wilson intercepts Daniel Jones. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Strong Focus = Sound Fundamentals

Football is an emotional game.

Emotions carry teams to heights they never expected to reach. Emotions come with costs. As legendary Washington, DC sports radio journalist Ken Beatrice repeatedly reminded listeners, teams motivated primarily by emotions are subject to both “tremendous highs and tremendous lows.” (Think Jerry Glanville’s Oilers or Buddy Ryan’s Eagles.)

Cincinnati and Green Bay’s offenses had devastated Pittsburgh’s defense. It was Mike Tomlin’s duty to ensure devastation of defense didn’t debilitate the entire team.

  • A handful of early plays show how he was successful in doing that.

After forcing a Steelers three-and-out, the Colts offense went immediately to work, marching down the field reaching Pittsburgh’s 7 in just three minutes. Tight ends have tortured the Steelers defense this season, and on 3rd and 2, Daniel Jones targeted Colts tight end Tyler Warren.

Jalen Ramsey having none of that, Jalen Warren laid in the wood:

Jalen Ramsey, Tyler Warren, Steelers vs Colts

Jalen Ramsey lays in the wood on Tyler Warren. Photo Credit: Alysa Rubin, Steelers.com

Warren only got 1 of the 2 yards he needed.

22 plays, 11 minutes and 2 possessions later, a similar scene unfolded. On third and 8 Jones targeted wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Brandon Echols hit him immediately. Mitchell neither moved nor went down. Darius Slay joined him. Mitchell remained standing. Kyle Dugger hit him next. At that point it was clear that Mitchell was going down, but Patrick Queen added his push to make sure the pile fell backwards. It did.

Darius Slay, Brandon Echols, Kyle Dugger, Adonai, Patrick Queen, Steelers vs Colts

Darius Slay, Brandon Echols and Kyle Dugger gang tackle Adonai. Photo Credit: Alysia Rubin, Steelers.come

Mitchell only got 7 of the 8 yards he needed.

Context is critical here.

After Ramsey’s hit, the Colts converted a 4th down, ran several plays, then converted another 4th down to score. The Steelers offense sputtered (again), but Brandon Echols recovered a muffed punt. But the Steelers offense couldn’t punch it in on their own 4th down try.

  • None of that deterred the Steelers defense.

After the Echols, Slay, Dugger, Queen gang tackle, the Colts converted another 4th down. Nine plays later after the Colts had reached Pittsburgh’s 38, T.J. Watt strip-sacked Daniel Jones for the game’s second turnover.

This time and the Steelers offense hit pay dirt. Aaron Rodgers marched them down the field smartly, on a drive that included a Connor Heyward tush push and a finished with a one-yard Jaylen Warren touchdown.

The Steelers defense had given up an opening drive touchdown. Allowed 3 4th down conversions. The offense had punted twice. It had failed to convert a special teams turnover into a touchdown.

  • Yet, with 6 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, the Steelers had tied the game 7-7.

And there’s a reason why they’d never be behind again….

Teryl Austin’s Defense Tames Taylor

Jonathan Taylor has attacked the NFL this year like a franchise running back from yesteryear. “What’s a ‘Franchise Running Back’?” you ask? Google names like Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, or if you want to prioritize Pittsburgh Franco Harris or Jerome Bettis.

The concept of a “Franchise Running Back” has faded over the last 15 years as NFL teams and fantasy football fans have focused on the passing game. But as Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry did in 2024, Jonathan Taylor is threatening to revive the concept in 2025.

In just 9 games he’s scored 14 touchdowns, or 1 more than Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis scored in all of 2004. He’s also already rushed for 895 yards, just 45 fewer than Bettis rushed for in all of ’04.

But that 45 yard figures 45 carries a touch of irony, as that’s Taylor’s total yardage against the Steelers. Here’s how his first set of carries against the Steelers went:

  • Tackled for a 1-yard loss on 1st and 10 by Alex Highsmith
  • Tackled by Keeanu Benton after gaining 2 yards on 4th and 1
  • Gained 4 yards on 2nd and 5 only to be tackled by T.J. Watt

Down 10 to 7 at the half, the Colts wisely tried to begin the 2nd half by putting the game into Taylor’s hands. On their second play from scrimmage on 2nd and 2, they handed it to Taylor – Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton stopped him for a gain of one. The Colts immediately went back to him on 3rd and 1. Benton and Payton Wilson stopped him for no gain.

T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Jonathan Taylor, Steelers vs Colts

T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith tame Jonathan Taylor. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.come

Taylor’s best series came late in the third quarter. He pounded out 5 and 7 yard runs on successive carries. Then he got stopped for no gain. Daniel Jones threw and incomplete pass and then converted a 4th and 3 with a 16 yard pass. Taylor then ripped of a 9 yard run.

On the next play, Payton Wilson deflected a pass which rookie Jack Sawyer hauled in. Six plays later the offense was finding the end zone for a third time.

Yes, it was that kind of a day for the Indianapolis Colts.

Opportunistic Offense

Fantasy Football owners who focused on starting Pittsburgh Steelers this week likely came away disappointed.

Jonathan Taylor actually out rushed the Steelers entire offense with 7 more yards, with Jaylen Warren getting 31 of those on 16 carries.

D.K. Metcalf had two catches for 6 yards. The only time the Steelers offense went the length of the field on its own was at the tail end of the first half, and on that drive they were forced to settle for a Chris Boswell Field goal.

But, as it so often does, winning in the NFL hinges on capitalizing on your opponent’s mistakes.

Calvin Austin, Steelers vs Colts

Calvin Austin hauls one in. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Steelers.com

And that’s something that Arthur Smith’s offense did with tremendous efficiency. The Steelers offense transformed 4 of Indianapolis’ 6 turnovers into points, three of which were touchdowns. IN truth, there were no superstars on offense for the Steelers.

Yet, Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, Darnell Washington, Calvin Austin, and Pat Freiermuth all came up with critical plays when their numbers were called.

Steelers Must Maintain Focus Moving Forward

The Pittsburgh Steelers needed this win. But it’s even more true that the defense needed this kind of win. The unit hadn’t just suffered figurative knockouts at the hands of the Bengals and Packers, the secondary was hemorrhaging safeties so badly that new arrival Kyle Dugger had to start.

But by focusing on fundamentals, the Steelers set themselves up to secure 5 turnovers and delivered a shut down performance against the NFL’s offensive juggernaut.

  • Credit last week’s whipping boys Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin for the turnaround.

Now they must see that the team sustains that. When asked if his team had turned a corner Mike Tomlin retorted:

“We keep writing that story. We responded today. See you next week.”

That’s exactly attitude the Steelers need to take away from the win over the Colts.

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Help!? Steelers Trade for Safety Kyle Dugger, Make More Roster Moves

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The 2nd half of the Steelers loss to Green Bay was a miserable affair. But credit Cris Collinsworth for working in a laugh. At some point during Jordan Love’s 20 consecutive passing streak, Collinsworth floated the idea that the Steelers might trade for a wide receiver.

  • My immediate reaction: “Wide receiver? What about defensive back?”

Omar Khan agrees apparently, as the Steelers have traded with the New England Patriots for safety Kyle Dugger. The Steelers will send a 6th round pick to New England and get a 7th rounder along with Dugger in back.

With DeShon Elliott injured and out for an indefinite period of time, the Steelers secondary is reeling.

The defense struggled mightily without Elliott in the season’s first three weeks, and the wheels came off of what had been a solid first-half defensive effort against the Packers as soon as they lost Elliott.

How much Dugger can contribute remains to be seen, but the stark reality is that the Steelers need bodies in the secondary, with Miles Killebrew, already on IR (not that you’d really want to see Killebrew suiting up at safety.)

Kyle Durgger, Pat Freiermuth, Steelers vs Patriots

Kyle Dugger tackles Pat Freiermuth. Photo Credit: Seth Wickerstien, Steelers.com

Kyle Dugger @ a Glance

The New England Patriots drafted Kyle Dugger in the 2nd round of the 2020 NFL Draft (12 picks before the Steelers too Chase Claypool) and Dugger appeared in 14 games as a rookie, starting 7 and then earned the starting role in 2021.

Dugger started though the 2024 season, hauling in 9 interceptions, 2 pick sixes, 24 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 3.5 sacks.

Like fellow Patriot safety cast-off Jabril Peppers, the word is that Dugger wasn’t a good fit for Mike Vrabel’s scheme. The Patriots have been looking to unload him since this summer given his salary.

Can Dugger Really Help?

Judging by his resume, Dugger appears to be “starter capable.” But given that New England only asked for a 6th and threw in a 7th it is fair to ask why the Patriots were so eager to part with him.

  • The Steelers success rate with trades made in training camp or during the season is mixed at best.

Levi Brown ever saw the field, nor did William Jackson. Felix Jones, Avery Williamson and Brandon Boykin were duds. Justin Gilbert was a good guy to take a flyer on, but thank God they only gave up a 6th for him instead of taking him in he first, as some thought they would.

The Steelers traded for Vannett in the middle of the 2019 season, started him immediately and he helped convert a critical 3rd down in his first game. And that was almost the last time we heard his name.

Mike Williams arrived in Pittsburgh in at the trade deadline last year, and entered the game against the Commanders making the go ahead catch. After that Williams sightings were scarce, even after George Pickens went down with injury.

With all that said, the Steelers needed to add someone, and they’ve brought in someone with 69 starts to his name.

Trice Practices, Steelers Make Other Moves

Cornerback Cory Trice who has been on injured reserve since the summer, has returned to practice. He remains on IR but could be activated as early as this week.

Trice missed his rookie season due to injury, and missed the first 11 games of 2024 on injured reserve as well.

Whether he can stay healthy is a critical question for the Steelers.

  • But if he can, he’ll be a welcome addition to a secondary screaming for a shot in the arm.

The Steelers have also signed veteran wide out Marquez Valdes-Scantling to their practice squad and will welcome back 2024 undrafted rookie free agent wide out-QB John Rhys Plumlee.

Finally, the Steelers added Jack Driscoll and Darrick Forrest to the practice squad.

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