Tag Archives: Preston Smith

Steelers 2025 Draft Class – Khan and Tomlin Play the Long Game

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It took 7 picks, 3 days 2 trades but the Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 Draft Class is now complete.

For the record, the Steelers made 5 defensive picks and two offensive picks, but reading between the lines, it is more likely the case that they made 3 defensive picks, 2 offensive picks, and two special teams picks.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 Draft Class

Via Steelers.com

As always, Steel Curtain Rising will ignore the rush to affix a grade to the Steelers 2025 Draft Class, although we’ve already learned something important:

  • Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin are playing the long game.

We’ll get into that in a moment, but first, let’s take a look at the newest members of the Pittsburgh Steelers

First Round: Derrick Harmon, Defensive Tackle, Oregon
Third Round: Kaleb Johnson, Running Back, Iowa
Fourth Round: Jack Sawyer, Outside Linebacker, Ohio State
Fifth Round: Yaha Black, Defensive Tackle, Iowa
Sixth Round: Will Howard, Quarterback, Ohio State
Seventh Round: Carson Bruener, Inside Linebacker, Washington
Seventh Round: Donte Kent, Cornerback/Punt Returner, Central Michigan

As Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin have been quick to point out, although he’s not a member of the Steelers 2025 Draft Class strictly speaking, D.K. Metcalf came to Pittsburgh by way of their 2nd round pick. And he certainly figures to make an immediate impact.

What the Steelers 2025 Draft Class Already Teaches Us

Same day draft grades are about as relevant as opening day batting averages. It will take years before we really how much value, or lack thereof this draft will deliver to the Steelers. (Case in point the Steelers 2016 and 1989 Draft classes both looked very good in January 2017 and 1989, but after that, not so much).

But there are a few lessons we can already take aways:

1. Khan and Tomlin Tune Out the Noise

Having been spurned by Justin Fields and having spurned Russell Wilson while waiting on Aaron Rodgers, quarterback was the Steelers biggest need heading into the draft.

But, reports to the contrary from both the national and local press, it is clear that the Steelers never considered addressing it in the first round.

Nor were they in a hurry to do so afterwards. Armed with a potential 4 compensatory picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, Khan could have dealt away a couple-of-three 4th, 3rd and 2nd round picks from next year to move up into the second round or earlier in the third round to get a quarterback. Not only did he not do that, but the Steelers waited until the 6th round to get their signal caller.

You don’t wait to draft a quarterback until the 6th round if you plan on playing him in the coming season. Both Mike Tomlin and Art Rooney II indicated they still expect Aaron Rodgers to sign, but the Steelers are perfectly content to address their long-term need at quarterback in 2026.

Meanwhile, they focused on adding value while preserving draft capital – the only trade the Khan artist made was to move back in the 5th get an extra 7th.

2. The Ridiculing from the Ravens Still Stings

While the Steelers are playing the long game, that doesn’t mean they’re being short-sighted. They drafted three players whose pedigree as run defenders is strong. Derrick Henry reduced the Steelers defense to road kill, and the Steelers brain trust has not reacted that sitting down.

This goes hand-in-hand with playing the long game.

With T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig, outside linebacker was anything but a Steelers draft need in 2025. Yet Kahn and Tomlin scooped up Jack Sawyer, an outside linebacker from Ohio State.

Sawyer’s specialty? Stopping the run. And if you’re questioning whether he can do that from so far down in the depth chart, keep in mind that Preston Smith played in 30% of the Steelers defensive snaps last season.

Its doubtful that the rookie will match that, but it does show that OLB No. 4 does have a role in this defense.

3. Art Rooney Sr.’s Wisdom Remains as Valid as Ever

After the 2008 NFL Draft, Gene Coillier wrote a piece grading the Steelers 2003 Draft class, harking back to Chuck Noll’s credo that it took 5 years to grade a draft. In it he quoted Art Rooney Sr., who’d told him, “Everyone’s a winner on draft day.”

  • The Steelers were wise to beef up their run defense in this draft.
  • Harmon, Sawyer and Black should strengthen the front seven
  • Collectively, making an immediate difference is plausible

But as Steelers rival Bum Philips would remind us, “It ain’t bragging if you can do it, but just saying it don’t make it so.” You can address all of the potential problems you want to in the draft, but the players must deliver on the field.

Think back to where the Steelers were ten years ago. Turnovers had been in short supply in the Steelers 2014 season and really, since Super Bowl XLV. So the Steelers 2015 Draft Class saw them add Senquez Golson, Doran Grant and Gerod Holliman. The trio brought a collective total of 39 collegiate interceptions to Pittsburgh, with 29 of those coming in their final year in college.

  • Those college numbers impress.
  • These professional numbers depress: 3, 1 and 17

That’s 3 NFL games, 1 defensive snap and 17 special teams snaps, which make up the trios’ combined NFL stat line. All of these came from Doran Grant, as Holliman got cut in camp, while Senquez Golson saw his NFL career destroyed by injuries before it ever started.

The story of the Steelers 2015 draft class isn’t intended as buzz kill, but rather as a reminder that the watch word coming out of the draft should be patience.

Hopes are high now – as they should be – but more often than not, it takes time to realize those. Troy Polamalu looked lost his rookie year, by 2004 he was flashing Hall of Fame potential. Going into his third season, more than a few fans were ready to hang the “B” word around Cam Heyward’s neck; well, we know how that turned out.

The point is, if by the time the leaves are changing color and Halloween decorations are going up and Derrick Harmon isn’t dominating or Kaleb Johnson isn’t looking his name should be Franco Bettis, don’t panic.

4. Everyone IS a winner on draft day, and that’s good.

Art Rooney Sr. was right – everyone IS a winner on draft day, and that’s a good thing. The NFL draft is about hope. Hope for franchises. Hope for the scouts and coaches. Hope for the fans.

  • And most importantly, hope for the players.

Last week Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin made a dream come true for 7 young men, giving them something they’ve aspired to since they first put their hands on a Nerf football and barked out a bogus snap count as kids.

The moment is theirs – for Derrick Harmon it certainly is bittersweet – but as a draft class I hope they enjoy it.

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Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 Free Agent Tracker

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Free Agency started on Monday March 10th at noon.

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered free agency with as much as much to lose as they do have to gain.

The Steelers have 17 players set to become free agents. Omar Khan has over 60 million dollars in salary cap money to spend, with the ability to increase that quickly and easily with restructures and extensions. Yet, the team has been cautious.

  • If anyone is panicking over the Steelers lack of a quarterback, they’re not on the South Side.

Beyond that, the Steelers have seen far more free agents depart for greener patures than they have extended the welcome mat to.

steelers press conference,

Is Omar Khan stockpiling compensatory picks? That may not be his intent, but thus far that’s the end-product of his approach to free agency as the legal tampering period comes to an end.

Steelers 2024 Pickups During Free Agency

Jaylen Warren, Running Back
Extended 2nd round Restricted Free Agent Tender
Ryan McCollum, Center
Extended an Exclusive Rights Free Agent tender
D.K. Metcalf
Traded their 2nd round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft for D.K. Metcalf who signed a 4 year extension
Kenneth Gainwell, running back
Signed the former Philadelphia Eagles running back to a 1 year deal.
Malik Harrison, Inside Linebacker
Signs a 2-year, 10 million dollar contract to leave the Baltimore Ravens.
Brandin Echols, Cornerback
Signs with Steelers from the New York Jets, terms undisclosed.
Darius Slay, Cornerback
Signs 1-year, 10 million dollar contract after getting cut from Philadelphia Eagles.
Mason Rudolph, Quarterback
Signs 2-year, 8 million dollar contract.
Scotty Miller, Wide Receiver
Signs 1-year deal, presumptively at the veteran minimum.
Ben Skowronek, Wide Receiver
Signs 2-year deal, 4.5 million dollar contract.
Daniel Ekuale, Defensive End
Signs with Steelers from the New England Patriots
Juan Thornhill, Safety
Signs 1-year deal from the Cleveland Browns
Isaiahh Loudermilk, Defensive line
Signs 1-year deal, presumptively at the veteran minimum.
Esezi Otomewo, defensive lineman
Signs 1-year contract, presumptively at the veteran minimum, from the Jacksonville Jaguars

Steelers 2024 Free Agent Losses


Justin Fields, Quarterback
Signed 2 year, 40 million dollar deal with the New York Jets
Donte Jackson, Cornerback
Signed 2 year, 13 million dollar contract with San Die er um Los Angeles Chargers
Dan Moore, Offensive Tackle
Signed 4 year, 82 million dollar contract with Tennessee Titans
Najee Harris, Running Back
Signs 1 year, 9.25 million dollar contract with Los Angeles Chargers
Elandon Roberts, Inside Linebacker
Signs 1 year, 3 million dollar contract with Las Vegas Raiders
James Daniels, Guard
Signs 3 year 24 million dollar contract with Miami Dolphins
Van Jefferson, Wide Receiver
Signs 1 year, 2.5 million dollar contract with Tennessee Titans
Mike Williams, Wide Receiver
Signs 1 year, 7 million dollar contract to return to the Los Angeles Chargers
Nate Herbig, Guard/Center
Signs 1 year deal with Washington Commanders

Steelers 2024 Remaining Unrestricted Free Agents

Russell Wilson, Quarterback
Cam Sutton, Cornerback
MyCole Pruitt, Tight End
Kyle Allen, Quarterback
Tyler Matakevich, Inside Linebacker/Special Teams
Damontae Kazee, Safety

Exclusive Rights Free Agents

Jeremiah Moon, Outside Linebacker

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Steelers Report Card for the Season-Ending Loss to the Bengals

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Taken from the grade book of a teacher disillusioned four times over, here is the Pittsburgh Steelers Report Card for the 2024 season-ending loss to the Bengals at Acrisure.

Beanie Bishop, Patrick Queen, Beanie Bishop interception Bengals, Steelers vs Bengals

Beanie Bishop intercepts a pass just before the half. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

Quarterback
Russell Wilson was 17 of 31 for 148 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Wilson played well on the Steelers two touchdown drives. But his decision to tuck it and run on the final drive cost the team precious seconds. Likewise, his missed Pickens who was open on the sideline. Wilson doesn’t deserve to be scapegoated for those two plays, but they reveal that the Steelers needed more. Grade: DSteelers, Report Card, grades,

Running Backs
No one will fault Arthur Smith for shying away from “pounding the rock.” But against the Bengals it was also like pounding a head against a brick wall. Najee Harris totaled 36 yards, Jaylen Warren 21 yards and Cordarrelle Patterson 1. The running backs might not have gotten any help from the offensive line, but they neither did themselves, nor the team any favors. Grade: F

Tight Ends
Pat Freiermuth was easily the team’s only viable receiving threat with 8 catches on 11 targets for 85 yards and a touchdown, although he did let Wilson’s final pass slip through his fingers. Darnell Washington drew a crucial pass interference penalty on 3rd down in the end zone that set up the first touchdown. Grade: C

Wide Receivers
Mike Williams made a highlight reel worthy toe tap catch to convert the team’s first 3rd down.  Van Jefferson and 3 catches for 18 yards, but had another 3rd down conversion batted away. Calvin Austin also dropped a pass on a possession down. George Pickens had 6 targets and 1 catch for zero yards and at least three drops. Grade: F

Offensive Line
Regardless of what decisions Mike Tomlin (or Art Rooney II) make about the coaching staff a week from now, the Steelers had better hope that the regression we’re seeing from the line is due more to the proverbial “rookie wall.” Because the offensive line has been regressing since midseason. The Steelers want to be a team that imposes its will. Yet it can’t earn a yard when given two tries. Nor can it protect Russell Wilson. Wilson was sacked 4 times and hit another 8 times. Grade: F

Defensive Line
Cam Heyward battled down 3 pass. Put in other terms, he accounted for 25% of Joe Burrow’s incompletions. Keeanu Benton had a tackle for a loss and recorded his first sack of the season when it was urgently needed. Grade: B

Linebackers
T.J. Watt did not register a tackle, but he did have a strip sack negated by a penalty, and he did pressure Joe Burrow. Patrick Queen, Nick Herbig and Preston Smith all had sacks at critical moments. Payton Wilson led the linebackers in tackles, with Alex Highsmith coming in second. Grade: B+

Secondary
Beanie Bishop made an incredible heads up play to secure an interception before the half. Cory Trice got thrown into the fire, but held up through the night. Joey Porter Jr. had a passed defense. Joe Burrow’s ability to complete “rhythm” passes helped secure their lopsided time of possession advantage. A big part of that’s on the secondary. However, the Bengals never saw the end zone outside of the first quarter and went 1 of 4 in the red zone. That is to the secondary’s credit. Grade: C+

Connor Heyward, Steelers vs Bengals

Connor Heyward recovers a muffed punt. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Special Teams
Chris Boswell hit on his only field goal attempt and was perfect on PATs. Calvin Austin fumbled a punt, but Connor Heyward recovered a muffed Bengals punt. The Steelers did give up more than you’d like to see on kick and punt coverage. Grade: C-

Coaching
Was George Pickens as bad in practice during the week as he was in the game? One would like to think so. Did Arthur Smith over-think things, speculating that “OK, Russell Wilson passed for near-career high yardage last time, so this time we’re gonna surprise them by pounding the rock.” Again, that would be comforting.

The Steelers couldn’t run and couldn’t pass unless the intended receiver was Pat Freiermuth.

Clearly the Steelers Junior Varsity offense has some talent/some talent that needs to mature issues. However, one month ago, Arthur Smith appeared to be putting things together.

  • A month later, they’ve completely fallen apart.

Worse yet, there’s zero indication that Humpty Dumpty can be put back together before the playoffs.

A week ago the Kansas City Chiefs offense humiliated Teryl Austin’s defense. The Steelers looked like frauds. Joe Burrow and the Bengals don’t quite have KC’s pedigree, but they did finish the year as the NFL’s hottest units. And the Steelers defense played them well enough to win.

The loss to the Bengals extends the Steelers losing streak to 4 games, which marks the longest-season ending losing streak since the 1998 Steelers lost their last 5. As head coach Mike Tomlin’s job is to short-circuit these streaks before they occur. He’s failing at that before our very eyes. Grade: F

Unsung Hero Award
Because of him Cincinnati’s first play from scrimmage went for no gain. He helped force a field goal by limiting a pass to no gain. He also had another tackle for a loss on another drive that reached the Red Zone and ended in a field goal. As he has all year long, DeShon Elliott came through with bread and butter plays when the Steelers needed them the most, and for that he wins the Unsung Hero Award for the Steelers season-ending defeat to the Bengals a Acrisure.

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Steelers Lose 19-17 to Bengals as Pittsburgh Suffers from Junior Varsity Offense

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The Pittsburgh Steelers lost 19-17 to the Cincinnati Bengals, closing their 2024 season on a four-game losing streak and setting themselves up for yet another “one and done” trip to the playoffs.

There’s nothing mystical about why the Steelers lost this one. Their defense played well. Their special teams played above the line. But they have a junior varsity offense.

George Pickens, George Pickens drop, Steelers vs Bengals

George Pickens with one of various drops. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

#ICYMI Steelers Defense Rebounded

When Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati offense took the opening kick off and moved down the field with methodical precision to score a touchdown after a six minute drive, it looked like we were in for a long night.

And when Burrow, after a 3-play negative 6-yard drive by the Steelers offense stitched together another 11 play six minute drive that reached the Steelers 26 things were looking grim.

  • But Patrick Queen delivered a sack on third down, and forced the Bengals to settle for a field goal.

In fact, that first touchdown was the only one the Bengals would score all night. If you had known going into the game that the Bengals would achieve a 16-minute time of possession advantage, you’d have probably thought Burrow and Company would have put well over 30 points on the board.

Conversely, if you knew going into the game that the Steelers were going to limit the Bengals to 19 points you’d have probably thought that indicated a Pittsburgh victory. The truth is that the Steelers defense stepped up multiple times throughout the night:

  • Cam Heyward batted back 3 passes and should have been credited with a half sack
  • Cory Trice  DeShon Elliott and Payton Wilson all made key stops for losses
  • Keeanu Benton, Preston Smith and Nick Herbig all came up with sacks at critical moments
  • Patrick Queen and Beanie Bishop killed a drive with a pass-deflection, interception combo
  • Joey Porter Jr. deflected a pass to Jamar Chase late in the game

By any measure, the Steelers defense played well enough against the Bengals to win.

Unfortunately, they needed the offense to do its share. The offense wasn’t up to it, as two critical series at the end of both halves reveal.

Defense Delivers, Offense Does Not, First Half

With 3:36 left in the first half, Preston Smith sack Burrow, forcing a Cincinnati punt. Calvin Austin was in route to a decent return, when he put the ball on the ground, with the Bengals recovering and Pittsburgh’s 33.

That seemed to gift-wrap at least 3 if not 7 points for the Bengals. And the Bengals did make it all the way to Pittsburgh’s 21, but there Queen and Bishop combined to pick off the ball, giving Russell Wilson a minute and 10 seconds to get into scoring range.

Wilson hit Pat Freiermuth twice to get things going, but after Replay assist turned a 10 yard gain into a 9-yard gain, the Steelers faced a third and 1. Mike Tomlin chose to be aggressive.

After the game he defended his decision making this way, “If you can’t get a yard you don’t deserve to win.”

  • The Steelers tried a sneak with Russell Wilson on third. It failed.
  • They ran it to Jaylen Warren on 4th down. He failed.

That gave the Bengals the ball at the 37 with 0:48 seconds remaining and allowed the Bengals to kick a 3 point field goal what would ultimately be a two point game.

Special Teams, Defense Deliver, Offense Does Not, Second Half

With 5:25 remaining Corliss Waitman took to the field to punt after yet another three and out. But the ball bounced off of a Bengal’s shoe, and Connor Heyward made the heads up play to recover it.

  • Once again, the Steelers had secured a turnover when they needed it most.

Yet the Steelers offense could only manage 2 yards on 6 plays, thanks to sacks and penalties, and instead of a go-ahead touchdown, the Steelers had to settle for a Chris Boswell field goal.

But the Steelers defense followed with might have been its best effort all night. Joe Burrow only needed to burn 2:29 off the clock on a night when the Bengals already had a 15 minute time of possession advantage.

Burrow only added 29 seconds to that advantage thanks to stout run stuffing by Alex Highsmith, smart pass defense by Corey Thrice and Patrick Queen and Keeanu Benton getting his first sack of the season on third down.

  • The Steelers had a full two minutes to get into field goal range.
  • They managed to run 7 plays during that span.
  • Wilson completed two passes
  • He was sacked once and took off on an ill-advised run on another occasion
  • He missed an open George Pickens

Pat Freiermuth also let a pass slip through his hands on 4th down although it is doubtful that the Steelers would have had time to line up for a field goal had he caught it.

Junior Varsity Offense, Plain and Simple

Seventeen games and four straight losses have revealed a harsh reality about the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers: They have a junior varsity offense.

  • It is as simple as that.

On Steel City Insider, Jim Wexell began arguing at mid-season that “The Steelers have a run-focused offense that lacks a running game.”

In The Athletic Mike DeFabo argues that while the Steelers want their identity to be one as a physical team that pounds the rock, “There’s a serious disconnect between what the Steelers want to be … and what they actually are.”

Both reporters are right, and their comment expose the roots of why the Steelers lost to the Bengals.

And while it is easy to look at how well the Steelers threw against the Bengals just one month ago, Pat Freiermuth Pittsburgh’s only reliable receiving threat when the Bengals visited Acrisure. To wit, on the Steelers last two drives, they tried to air it out instead of “pounding the rock” (the inane pitch to Cordarrelle Patterson notwithstanding) and came up short.

  • Are the Steelers offensive woes rooted in deficiencies of talent or coaching?

That’s a question for Art Rooney II must begin answering next Sunday morning — unless Mike Tomlin can figure out a way to out score “Mr. Jackson” and “Mr. Henry” with a Junior Varsity offense.

Yeah, maybe Art better start thinking long and hard about this question right now.

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Trip to Philadelphia = Unique Measuring Stick for 2024 Steelers

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The 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers might have started 10-3 with the AFC North lead, but as everyone knows, they face a brutal stretch against the Eagles and Ravens on the road followed by the Chiefs at Acrisure on Christmas.

As starting safety DeShon Elliott explained, “It’s just going to show us how good we can be.”

Elliott is right. And perhaps the game against the Eagles at Philadelphia offers the most unique measuring stick. The Steelers haven’t won in Philadelphia since 1965, when Lyndon Johnson was President and man on the moon was science fiction.

It isn’t just that the Steelers have lost in Philly, it how they’ve lost:

  • In 1979 the Eagles dealt the defending and future Super Bowl Champions their first loss
  • In 1997, the Steelers only lost by 3, but they also lost Greg Lloyd for good
  • In 2008, the Steelers only lost 15 to 6 but Ben Roethlisberger took 9 sacks
  • In 2016, the Steelers lost 34 to 3 and were lucky to get that field goal
  • In 2022, the Steelers lost 35 to 13 bringing the Steelers to 2-6 at the bye

That 2022 loss adds extra relevance to this Sunday’s match up. The final score doesn’t indicate just how lopsided that game was. Neither does the fact that the Steelers were “only” down 21-10 at the half.

Kenny Pickett, Haason Reddick, Steelers vs Eagles

Haason Reddick hits Kenny Pickett. Photo Credit: John Geibeiler, Eagles.com

That 2022 loss to the Eagles was the worst ass-kicking the Steelers have suffered in the post-Roethlisberger era. Philadelphia played like a team headed to the Super Bowl – as it was. The Steelers played like a team positioning itself a top 5 draft pick, which they weren’t.

Shortly after the game Steel City Insider’s Jim Wexell took time out to assure citizens of Steelers Nation that there was a bright side. He drew attention to Jalen Hurts’ journey with the Eagles from a 4-11-1 team in ‘20, to an 9-8 team in ’21 to the then-undefeated that finished the season playing for a Lombardi.

The focus of Wexell’s article was to draw a potential parallel between Hurt’s and Kenny Pickett’s development. Obviously Kenny Pickett will be on the Eagles sideline this week, but at the team-level the metaphor still holds.

Just glance at the Pro Football Reference box score from that game, and you’ll see just how much has changed.

  • The Eagles sacked Pickett six times that day
  • A.J. Brown torched the Steelers for 3 TDs of 27 yards plus
  • Miles Sanders gashed the Steelers for 78 yards and an 8.6 yards-per-carry average
  • T.J. Watt missed this game – Malik Reed and Ryan Anderson took his place
  • The Steelers only touchdown came on a Chase Claypool to Derek Watt pass

The Steelers will bring a changed roster to Philadelphia and the points you see above fuel the reasons why they made many of those changes:

Nick Herbig, T.J. Watt, Steelers vs Jaguars

Nick Herbig and T.J. Watt. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

Not only will T.J. Watt will play but the Steelers will get Nick Herbig and Preston Smith on the field alongside Watt and Alex Highsmith not because they need to, but because they want to.

The Eagles have made their own changes. The biggest one involves Saquon Barkley a running back so good he literally leaps past defenders while running backwards.

The biggest change is the one we haven’t discussed yet – Russell Wilson will be the Steelers signal caller. Wilson not sports a Super Bowl ring but also a 4-0 record playing in Philadelphia, including a playoff win.

No matter how you slice it, the Steelers have improved their roster since that ugly beating suffered on Halloween Eve just over two years ago. Has Pittsburgh beefed up enough to break a 59 year losing streak against an almost certain Conference Championship participant?

It is time to find out.

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Defense, Chris Boswell Lift Steelers to 18-16 Win Over Ravens

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The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 18-16 at Acrisure Stadium to improve their record to 8-2 and claim sole ownership of the AFC North lead

  • The Steelers and Ravens rivalry has lived up to the lore surrounding it.

Yet going into this game many felt this one might be different. Behind the future hall of fame combo of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, the Ravens have fielded the NFL’s most dominant this season. And with Russell Wilson at the helm Pittsburgh’s offense has become potent in its own right.

  • Could this installment of the Steelers vs. the Ravens be a shoot out?
  • No, that was not to be. Not on this afternoon at Acrisure.

This was the Steelers vs the Ravens at its best. Twice, two players from each side drew unsportsmanlike conduct flags. For 60 minutes, two defenses slugged it out. Steelers emerged victorious because they mustered a forceful, focused team-encompassing effort the very beginning of the game to the tail end.

Joey Porter Jr. Lamar Jackson, T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Steelers vs Ravens

Joey Porter Jr. stops a 2 point conversion. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

Wait. Is It Going to Be THIS Kind of Game?

You have to wonder if Mike Tomlin doesn’t put in a little extra preparation prior to Ravens game to punish himself for picking Terrell Edmunds over Lamar Jackson in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Whether that’s the case or not, it is no secret the Steelers have had some success containing two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. Yet, the Steelers have never had to face a Ravens backfield featuring Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.

If the Ravens could get Henry going, that would allow Jackson unleash a torrent of RPOs and play action passes on the Steelers defense.

So the Ravens opened with a run to Henry.  Keeanu Benton stopped him at just 3 years, but Baltimore’s intent was clear. They gave it to Henry again. This time Henry made it 4 yards, but Nick Herbig punched out the ball and DeShon Elliott recovered.

Less than a minute had elapsed, and here were the Steelers with the ball at Baltimore’s 32 yard line. Could it really be THIS easy? Was it really going to be THIS kind of game?

No. Its Going to Be THAT Kind of Game

Word to the wise to Steelers-Ravens newbies, if it looks too easy and it feels too easy – for either team – then it certainly is too easy.

Such was the case with the Steelers first possession. A few passes and runs to Najee Harris and George Pickens brought Pittsburgh to reach Baltimore’s 16. Then, with the Ravens secondary blanketing the Steelers wide receivers, Russell Wilson threw it away twice, bringing on Chris Boswell for field goal try. The Steelers defense had secured a turnover, given the offense prime field position, but had to try a field goal.

It would be Boswell first successful six field goal attempts.

So was going to be THAT kind of game.

First Half – Value of Executing the Ordinary

The first half of this game saw both teams combined for 7 punts and 6 three and outs, much to the disappointment of Fantasy Football owners banking on a bonanza of offensive fireworks. But for Reality Football enthusiasts the first half reinforced to fundamental truths about the game:

  • Doing an extraordinary job of executing the ordinary can be priceless
  • Sometimes there’s a fine line that separates reward from risk

Justin Tucker is the most accurate kicker in NFL history. The fact that he can stake that claim and reside in the AFC North, and in a dome or bleached-blond sunbelt city makes his achievement all the more remarkable.

Yet, late in the 1st quarter he missed a 50 yard field goal that could have tied the game. Yes, 50 yards is long particularly at Acrisure, but for Tucker these kicks should be more or less automatic.

But, it didn’t seem to matter. The Steelers could only muster 9 yards, and rather than squander field position, Mike Tomlin went for it. Kyle Hamilton stopped Najee Harris cold on 4th down.

  • Six plays and 14 yards later, the Ravens next drive stalled.
  • Out trotted Justin Tucker again, this time trying for 47 yards.
  • And again he missed.
  • Mike Tomlin’s risk didn’t yield a reward, but Pittsburgh didn’t pay much of a price

The Steelers managed to get another field goal two series, later, but the Ravens found the end zone with 1:16 left in the half. Yet, the Steelers could only manage 5 yard and with 46 seconds remaining, John Harbaugh, playing for all the marbles, took a time out.

Patrick Queen, Steelers vs Ravens, Isaiah Likely

Patrick Queen forces a fumble. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

From own 9 yard line, Lamar Jackson hit Isaiah Likely on a 4-yard sideline route, only to have Patrick Queen force and then recover a fumble.

The best the Steelers could manage was a 5-yard pass to Pat Freiermuth. But Chris Boswell was money on his 32-yard field goal.

And so it was that the Steelers took a 2-point lead into the locker room by doing the ordinary things well and reaping the rewards from the Ravens unsuccessful risks.

“Play Hard, Fast and Together”

A lot will be written this week about how the Steelers schemed to slow the Ravens juggernaut offense. Yet, as he often does Mike Tomlin boiled it down to its base elements explaining, “Forget the minutia of what it is you do. You better play hard, fast, and together or you have no shot.”

Tomlin hit the nail on the head.

  • Looking at the stat sheet, its hard to find a single player that stood out.

Instead, everyone had their hand in the pile. Patrick Queen may have forced a fumble and lead the team in tackles, but Larry Ogunjobi, Elandon Roberts, Cam Heyward, and Minkah Fitzpatrick all came up with big stops. Dean Lowery didn’t even play 1/3 of the snaps yet, he deflected a pass and sacked Lamar Jackson.

Even T.J. Watt’s sack came on a play where he, Preston Smith and Nick Herbig corralled Jackson out of bounds and they were able to do so because the Steelers secondary had blanketed the Ravens receivers.

  • That synergy extended to both sides of the ball.

The Steelers offense blew a chance to go up two scores at the beginning of the 4th quarter when Russell Wilson got flushed from the pocket and threw an ill-advised pass to Darnell Washington in the end zone that Marion Humphrey easily picked off.

Lamarr Jackson ripped off a 25 yard run to start the next series. Derrick Henry caught a 15-yard pass. Next, Lamar Jackson looked deep for Justice Hill. Rookie Payton Wilson was on coverage.

 

As Mike Tomlin explained after the game, the Steelers knew the Ravens would target the rookie, prepared him for it, and Wilson clearly did not blink.

Holding Lamar in Check @ the Goal Line

Again the Steelers offense took advantage of Baltimore’s turnover, but again they had to settle for 3 instead of 7. That left the Ravens in the game. And as you’d expect, Lamar Jackson led his team to the end zone, finding Zay Flowers with a minute 6 remaining.

  • But the Ravens needed the two-point conversion just to tie the game.

Baltimore sent its offense out. Mike Tomlin called time out. The Ravens, he felt had tipped their hand, so he adjusted the Steelers play call, flooding the strong side and forcing Lamar Jackson to run to his left, where he’s less effective.

  • Jackson had plenty of time to throw, but no one was open.

Joey Porter Jr. brought him down as Jackson flug the ball skyward. The Steelers held their 2 point lead.

With just over a minue left, the Steelers needed a first down, as Baltimore had all of its time outs. Justin Fields came in could have gotten the first down, but he began his slide a second too soon.

On third and one Najee Harris ran it behind Zach Frazier and Isaac Seumalo. Malik Harrison stopped him, but only after Harris after he got the yard he needed.

Out came the victory formation and up went the Steelers record to 8-2, alone atop the AFC North.

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Pittsburgh Stands Poised as Steelers Defeat Commanders 28-27

Posted on by Standard 2

The Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland and defeated the Washington Commanders 28-27 and improved their record to 7-2 and maintained their lead on the AFC North. As the score suggests, this one was not for the faint of heart:

  • The lead changed hands 5 times
  • The Steelers were -1 in turnovers, and only completed 50% of their passes
  • T.J. Watt didn’t have a tackle, let alone a sack
  • The men in Black and Gold played from behind for all but 2:22 of the final 30 minutes

Yet Pittsburgh prevailed for a simple reason: When the going got tough, the Steelers played with poise while Washington couldn’t keep command of their emotions.

Russell Wilson, Steelers vs Commanders.

Russell Wilson launches a pass in the 4th quarter. Photo Credit: AP, Chaz Palla, via Tribune-Review

Shooting and Missing

The Washington Commanders have been the NFL’s surprise team this season. When the schedule came out, most Steelers fans probably looked at it and silently marked it as a “W.” But the Commanders brought a 7-2 record and were defending their own division lead with a hot rookie quarterback in Landover this Sunday.

  • Mike Tomlin and his team did not expect this to be easy.
  • And he called his plays accordingly.

With the Steelers holding a 7-0 lead, but facing a 4th and 13 a their own 16 yard line, Mike Tomlin called one of the most unconventional plays of his tenure – a fake punt.

Miles Killebrew took the short snap and hit gunner James Pierre perfectly who was side open well beyond the first down marker. But Pierre dropped it.

Washington pounced, and three plays later they were trying the game on a Austin Ekeler touchdown. Shooting and missing is costly in pro football, but they key is maintain focus so that you don’t miss your next shot.

Three series later when the Steelers were forced to punt, Olamide Zaccheaus called fair catch then proceed to muff it, and James Pierre and Ben Skowronek were there, with Skowronek.

Five plays later Russell Wilson was finding Pat Freiermuth to retake the lead. More importantly, this wasn’t the last time that we’d hear from James Pierre, nor was his example lost on anyone on the Steelers sidelines.

Pittsburgh Goes Down But Never Out for 2 Quarters

The Washington Commanders are a good football team. Dan Quinn is in the process of revitalizing a once-proud franchise and he’s doing it largely on the arm of his rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

The Commanders answered the Steelers touchdown with a field goal. Then, after James Pierre downed a punt at their own six, Jayden Daniels led his team on a masterful 15-play 94 yard drive that saw Washington take the lead with Austin Ekeler touchdown.

That gave them a 17 to 14 advantage going into the half – they quickly added to in the 2nd half after Terry McLaurin torched Joey Porter Jr. for a 54 yard gain to set up Jeremy McNichols one yard touchdown run.

  • Suddenly, the Steelers were down by 10 after controlling most of the first half.
Jaylen Warren, Steelers vs Commanders

Jaylen Warren runs. Photo Credit: AP, Chaz Palla, via Tribune-Review

But Pittsburgh did anything but panic. Najee Harris opened the next drive with an 11 yard run. On 3rd and 8, Russell Wilson evaded pressure and hit Jaylen Warren, who turned a check down pass into a 26 yard gain. Washington responded by sacking Wilson for a 10 yard loss on the very next play. Wilson shook it off by immediately hitting George Pickens for a 34 yard gain.

Four plays latter Najee Harris fought his way into the end zone to cut the lead to 3.

After exchanging punts, Washington lengthen their lead to 6. On the next series Najee Harris gained a yard, Russell Wilson lost 5 before throwing an interception to close the Steelers offensive action for the third quarter.

On the Ropes

Jayden Daniels answered Russell Wilson’s interception with a 26 yard strike to Terry McLaurin. Jeremy McNichols turned the scews a little tighter, following with a six-yard run.

Then Cam Heyward sacked Daniels for an 11 yard loss. Washington got cute, trying set up a trick play with a lateral/bubble screen to Noah Brown – new comer Preston Smith sniffed it out – dropping Smith for an 11-yard loss. Washington punted.

The Steelers took over at their 13 yard line with just after 14 minutes left. With the confidence of a “been there done that unit,” the offense proceeded to move down the field, on the legs of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren with a sprinkling of long passes to George Pickens.

The Steelers ran with determination, so much determination that they converted a 4th and 1 at their own 43. So much determination that after going 7 yards on 2nd and 7 Warren’s legs kept churning long enough for one of a about 8 Commanders gang tackling him forced the ball lose at the one, with Washington recovering.

The Steelers had closed the 3rd quarter with an interception, opened the 4th by forcing a punt, and spent the next 7 minutes driving down the field only to lose the ball at the one.

In football terms, they were on the ropes.

Which Team Can Keep Their Cool?

The Commanders have a hot offense, but no one likes being backed up at their own 1. The Commanders started with 4 yards, up the middle, they followed with another 6, but… a holding call pushed it back. A deep strike failed.

Then on third down, Alex Highsmith flushed Daniels and towards T.J. Watt who’d been quiet all day hurrying his throw, which fell incomplete. Washington punted.

Tress Way boomed it for 17 yards, but Calvin Austin answered with a 17 yards return.

Austin’s number would get called again, as Russell Wilson hit him for a tough, 13 yard catch on second down. The Steelers converted that next third down, but two plays later they were facing a 3rd an 9 at Washington’s 32.

Arthur Smith went for all the marbles, as Wilson targeted new arrival Mike Williams for a 32-yard moon ball down the weak of the end zone that put the Steelers up 28-27 with 2:22 remaining.

James Pierre, Noah Brown, Steelers vs Commanders

James Pierre deflects a 3rd down pass. Photo Credit: AP, Chaz Palla, Steelers vs Commanders

2:22 is a long time to give Jayden Daniels, especially when he has three time outs. Alex Highsmith pressured him on his first pass, but got injured on the play. James Pierre gave up a 14 yard catch, setting Washington up at their own 49 going into the 2 minute warning.

  • Daniels tried to sneak a draw on first down but Keeanu Benton stopped him at one yard
  • T.J. Watt deflected Daniels’ next pass
  • Daniels targeted Noah Brown next, but James Pierre knocked it away
  • On 4th and 9 he hit Zach Ertz, but Damontae Kazee and Minkah Fitzpatrick stopped him a yard short.

But more football, and a little chess, remained to be played. Washington had all of its time outs, so the Steelers would need a first down to kill the clock.

Two carries to Najee Harris brought up 3rd and 8. Cordarrelle Patterson got the call next and made 7 yards. The safe move here is to punt and try to pin your opponent down.

  • Mike Tomlin does not play it safe.

Out went Russell Wilson with the big boy package. A first down here and the Steelers win, otherwise the Steelers were almost stopping Washington a field goal.

All eyes lay on Wilson. The tension was palpable. Everyone was excited. Jer’Zhan Newton got a little too excited and entered the neutral zone. First down Steelers!

After the game, when asked if he’d really planned to go for it, Mike Tomlin answered with a shit-eating grin, “We’ll never know, will we?”

But we do know that with the game on the line, the Commanders lost control, and the Steelers returned to Pittsburgh with a one-point victory.

 

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Trading Places! Steelers Trade for WR Mike Williams and OLB Preston Smith

Posted on by Standard Reply

The NFL trading deadline arrived and as expected Omar Khan moved. Everyone expected his first move, but no one saw the second coming.

As had been rumored for weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded for Mike Williams of the New York Jets, sending their 5th round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft in exchange. However, they also traded for Preston Smith, and outside linebacker from the Packers, sending Green Bay a 7th round pick from 2025.

Let’s take a look at the moves.

Mike Williams, DeShon Elliot, Steelers vs Jets

Mike Williams makes a catch against his future team. Photo Credit: AP via Tribune-Review

Steelers Finally Add to their Wide Receiver Room

Rumors of a big move at wide receiver have been pending in Pittsburgh since the Steelers traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for Donte Jackson. The move never materialized, although the Steelers did come close to a deal for Brandon Aiyuk.

The Steelers were also interested in several other wide receivers, some of whom got traded to other teams, others got injured.

But for weeks Mike Williams has been the center of speculation, with reports that the Steelers were in active negotiations with the Jets that got put on hold before the Jets Sunday Night game against the Steelers.

Mike Williams stands at 6-foot-4, and weighs 218 pounds and his resume includes a tandem of 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and ’21, and has authored 13 100-yard games since being drafted as the 7th overall pick for the then San Diego Chargers in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Although Williams logged 309 catches for 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns with the Chargers, they let him go in free agency. The Steelers showed interest, but he opted to ink a one-year, $10 million contract with the Jets.

However, he is coming off of a torn ACL suffered in he 3rd week of in 2023 and he only managed to snag 12 catches for 166 yards from the Jets, which includes one catch on two targets for 15 yards during the Jets in a 37-15 loss to the Steelers.

In four career games against the Steelers, Mike Williams has 14 catches for 236 yards and one touchdown and is 2-2 against his new team.

Is Williams Worth the Price?

If a 5th round pick for a 9-game rental for a player that has just 12 catches sounds like a high price to pay for a wide receiver, that’s because it is.

  • But the cost was likely necessary.

George Pickens is playing well, and with Russell Wilson at quarterback, Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin have seen their roles in the offense increase. But no one should be fool: The Steelers are and have been an injury to George Pickens away from lining up Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and Connor Heyward in the Wishbone.

Now Mike Williams may not be “starter capable” at this point in his career/recovery, but with rookie Payton Wilson on injured reserve, the Steelers can’t realistically find help at wide receiver elsewhere.

Williams does give Wilson another target who is good at catching 50/50 balls, and that should help loosen up the offense for the other wide outs as well as Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington.

Preston Smith Unexpected, but Welcome

The Steelers decision to bring in an additional outside linebacker might strike you as a surprise, but perhaps it shouldn’t. If memory serves, it was late in the game vs the Giants, perhaps before he authored his game-sealing strip sack, cameras panned to show a obviously winded T.J. Watt on the sidelines.

Anyone who knows Watt understand that he would not be out at such a critical moment if he didn’t need to be. Watt has played over 91% of the snaps, in large part because both Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig have been injured for much of the year.

With DeMarvin Leal out, the Steelers were forced to start 5th string outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon in their absence.

While Highsmith returned to great effect against New York and Herbig is expected back this week, the Steelers are adding depth at a critical position and hopefully bringing in a player who can help T.J. Watt pace himself.

Preston Smith brings a resume with 138 career starts for both Washington and Green Bay to Pittsburgh, and he started every game in eight of his 10 seasons. Smith actually started all nine games for the Packers in 2024 and has recorded 2 1/2 sacks, landed four quarterback hits and made 19 tackles, including two tackles for losses.

To make room for the additions, the Steelers waived tight end and special teams standout Rodney Williams.

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