Tag Archives: Spencer Anderson

Pittsburgh Steelers Report Card for Win Over Falcons: New Era Edition

Posted on by Standard Reply

Taken from the grade book of a teacher excited to welcome both new students and a new era, here is the Report Card for the 2026 Steelers season-opening win over the Falcons at Acrisure Stadium.

Darnell Washington stiff arms Xavier Watts.

Darnell Washington lets Xavier Watts know who is boss. Photo Credit: Jordan Perez, Steelers.com

Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers went 24 of 40 for 221 yards and one touchdown. Rodgers looked comfortable and in command of the offense, made good decisions and suffered too many drops. Grade: BSteelers, Report Card, grades,

Running Backs
Jaylen Warren carried 10 times for 46 yards but coughed up the ball setting up Atlanta’s only touchdown. Warren also caught 5 passes for 27 yards. Rico Dowdle carried 8 times for 15 yards and caught 2 passes for 6 yards. The Steelers running backs didn’t keep any Fantasy Football owners happy but Warren did move the chains late in the game. Grade: C-

Tight Ends
Pat Freiermuth had a solid afternoon catching 5 passes for 46 yards for the team’s only touchdown. He also blocked well. Darnell Washington only caught 2 passes for 18 yards and it is tempting to give the group an “A” just for his 15 yard catch (see the lead photo.) We won’t go that far, but the tight ends were easily the strongest unit on the offense. Grade: B+

Wide Receivers
D.K. Metcalf caught 4 passes on 10 targets. He was robbed of a long gain by a non-pass interference call, but dropped a highly catchable ball that he could have taken to the house. Roman Wilson caught 3 passes on 6 targets but gave up a combat catch in the end zone. Michael Pittman Jr. had the best day of the trio, catching 3 for 58, and brings the group grade up. Grade: D

Offensive Line
This was an area of worry going into the game, but the line was OK. Aaron Rodgers only gave up two sacks and had more time to pass than he did a year ago. Dylan Cook still looks uneasy a right tackle and Spencer Anderson also had some difficult moments, but the center and the left of the line had a solid afternoon. Grade: C

Defensive Line
Is there anything that Cam Heyward can’t do? He stuffed  Bijan Robinson on a number of occasions and batted down 3 passes. The Steelers defensive line didn’t put up gaudy statistics, but they contained Robinson, which was critical to the success of the rest of the defense. Grade: B+

Linebackers
Payton Wilson led the group with 13 tackles including 2 for losses and was all over the field. Patrick Queen was next with 7. Nick Herbig was on the field for 60% of the snaps making 2 tackles and one QB hit. Alex Highsmith ended the Falcons opening and closing drives with sacks. The real star was T.J. Watt who was in Hall of Fame form with 2 tackles, 2 for losses, 1 pass batted down, 2 sacks and 1 pick six. Grade: A

Secondary
A brand new secondary started for the Steelers compared to what was on the field the last time they opened a season vs the Falcons in 2024. And the new unit played well. Neither Jamel Dean’s nor Asante Samuel Jr.’s name was heard much and for both cornerbacks that was a good thing. Jalen Ramsey was likely out of position on one of Robinson’s long gains, but he did step up with a critical pass defense. And Pittsburgh native Jaquan Brisker hauled in an interception that set up the first TD. Grade: A-

Special Teams
Jim Wexell quoted the legendary Bill Nunn as saying that Danny Smith was the most well-organized special teams coach he’d ever seen. After watching the Steelers special teams’ first game without Smith since 2013, that’s easy to believe.

Eli Heidenreich and Kaden Wetjen had solid though not spectacular debuts as return men. But the Steelers coverage units gave up more than you’d like to see, and had a long gain against them reversed by a penalty. Chris Boswell went 2-3 missing a makeable field goal, and the entire unit lost another with a “what was that?” moment. Clearly, Danny Crossman has work to do. Grade: D

Coaching
The last time someone other than Mike Tomlin coached the Steelers, MySpace dominated social media, Twitter was in its infancy and if you wanted to rent a movie, you drove to Blockbuster.

Outside of a handful of exceptions, this was an end-to-end overhaul of the Steelers coaching staff, and by and large new head coach Mike McCarthy and his coaches did well in their first game with Pittsburgh.

For all of the criticism of the new Steelers offense looking the same as the old offense, Mike McCarthy and Brian Angelichio’s play design and play calling choices differed greatly from what Pittsburgh has seen. And with just a little better execution, the score would have been very different.

Patrick Graham has no shortage of weapons to use on defense, and he deployed them wisely. This allowed several key players to step up at critical moments and this was the difference in the game.

September football is synonymous with sloppy football. The Steelers were no exception. But Pittsburgh was better prepared than Atlanta as the final score indicates. Grade: B

Derrick Harmon, Jack Sawyer and Payton Wilson gang tackle Brian Robinson during the Steelers win over the Falcons.

Jack Sawyer helps gang tackle Brian Robinson. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

Unsung Hero Award
Sometimes less is more. T.J. Watt played well all day, but he exploded in the last 18 minutes. We’ve seen that before but not for a while. Over the past 3 seasons, Watt has played over 80% of the defensive snaps. Against the Falcons it was in the low 60s. And he was able to do that because a young, second-year defender was able to come in and spell him, and for that Jack Sawyer wins the Unsung Hero Award for the Steelers 2026 opening-day win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Please lend a hand by sharing this on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp etc... Thanks.

No More Keeping Up with The Joneses: Steelers Trade Broderick Jones to Dallas Cowboys

Posted on by Standard Reply

The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded Broderick Jones to the Dallas Cowboys, making their first critical roster decision with the NFL’s final 53 man roster cut down deadline looms.

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the  Steelers are sending Jones along with their 2027 4th round pick to Dallas, and getting the Cowboys’ 2027 3rd and 6th round picks.

Broderick Jones

Broderick Jones decked out in color rush. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

Broderick Jones was the first, first-round draft pick of the Omar Khan Andy Weidl era, whom Khan traded up for in the 2023 NFL Draft. When the Steelers drafted Jones, the decision was almost universally praised.

Writing in Steel City Insider, analyst Matt C. Steel lauded the class of 2023 as a “near-perfect draft.” He praised Jones for his “athleticism and physicality [that] are unique.” Steel further explained his enthusiasm for Jones:

Jones might struggle with pass protection early; however, with his strength and movement skills Jones’ impact on the run game should be significant. Couple that with the knowledge that [Christian] Gonzalez’s interviews were said to be uninspiring, moving up to get Jones was the best choice the Steelers could have made with their draft position.

Talk about a draft analyst being prophetic. The Steelers drafted Jones on measurables rather than experience, as Jones had not been a long-term starter in college and was seen as somewhat of a project.

While the Steelers didn’t start Jones on opening day 2023, he did crack the starting lineup in the middle of the season against Tennessee after Chukwuma Okorafor got benched. And with that move the Steelers running game finally began getting some traction.

  • However, Jones’ “sophomore” year was shaky at best.

As Steel predicted, he struggled in pass blocking and the Steelers running game got a slow start – although that was a trademark of Pat Meyer’s offensive lines. Left tackle had always been seen as Jones’ natural position and he played on the right during the Steelers 2024 season, in large part because Dan Moore could not make the switch from left tackle to right tackle.

The hope was that by shifting Jones would begin to fully realize his potential during the Steelers 2025 season. Nonetheless, outside of Pittsburgh Jim Wexell reported from the 2025 NFL scouting combine that Jones was perceived as a “coach killer.”

  • The reality is that results were mixed.

While Broderick Jones might not have been an early-season outright liability at left tackle, the Steelers pass protection left a lot to be desired.

Arthur Smith needed to tailor play calling sequences to ensure Aaron Rodgers got rid of the ball quickly. Smith also generously used his “Jumbo Package” bringing in reserve offensive lineman Spencer Anderson as a tight end.

Still, while no one would confuse him with a modern-day John Jackson or Marvel Smith, Jones did seem to improve as the season wore on. Unfortunately, he suffered a neck stinger in the Steelers loss to Chicago, ending his season.

  • Word was the Steelers would have issued Jones a 5th year tender had it not been for his neck injury.

Not only did they not do that, but they used their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on offensive tackle Max Iheanachor. With 2024’s first round pick Troy Fautanu already on the team, Jones’ days with the Steelers appeared to be limited.

  • The expectation was that he would begin training camp and the season on the PUP list.

Surprisingly, Jones was active through training camp, and got extensive work in all three of the Steelers 2026 preseason contests.

And that sealed his fate with the team, as Jones struggled in pass protection in all three contests, most notably getting beaten badly in the 4th quarter in the shutout loss to the Jets.

Although the Steelers deemed Jones physically fit to participate and play in camp, he was visibly smaller following his injury. So, there’s certainly a chance that his recovery can continue and that he can salvage something of his career.

But he won’t be doing it in a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform, and Omar Khan has likely recouped more value with this trade than he could have hoped to get as a compensatory pick had he kept Jones in the Steel City.

Khan Continues to Embrace the “Fail Fast” Principle

Dispatching Jones to Dallas marks the second time that Omar Khan has dealt away a first-round draft pick who is playing on a rookie contract. The first time came when he sent Kenny Pickett down the Turnpike in 2024.

  • Clearly, Khan is not averse to embracing the “Fail Fast” principle.

Although Jones clearly qualifies as a disappointment, the Steelers 2023 Draft Class is shaping up to be a strong group. Nick Herbig, Darnell Washington and Keeanu Benton have already signed second contracts with Joey Porter Jr., hopefully, soon to get his. Spencer Anderson will also begin the year as a starter.

 

Please lend a hand by sharing this on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp etc... Thanks.

Steelers-Packers Preseason Priorities: Focus on the Offensive Line and Defensive Spine

Posted on by Standard Reply

When the Steelers begin their 2026 preseason campaign at Acrisure Stadium tonight against the Packers, all eyes will be on the two extremes of the offense, with the focus on answering two questions:

Mike McCarthy and his staff must gain clarity on both questions during preseason.

Finding out whether Howard and/or Allar has legit long-term potential as a starting quarterback is essential. And if the Steelers 2024 and 2025 seasons taught us anything, it is that a varsity offense requires varsity wide receivers.

Keeanu Benton, Steelers vs Packers

Kennau Benton tackles Aaron Jones. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

But if you really want to understand what will define the Steelers’ ability to not only reach but compete in the playoffs this year, you should keep your focus on the front and center.

  • The “front” being the offensive line, and the “center” being the middle of the defense.

To understand why, let’s look back the Steelers playoff debacle against the Texans and then peer further back into the bowels of Pittsburgh’s famed 3-4 defense.

The Offensive Line’s Eyesore Performance vs. the Texans

Watching the Steelers-Texans game in the cold at outside of Hibernia Bar in Manhattan, my gut reaction was simple:

  • This offensive line just isn’t ready.

The game reminded me of the 2014 playoff loss to the Ravens at Heinz Field. During the 2014 regular season Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin’s commitment to rebuilding the offensive line, after years of “plug and patch,” began to pay dividends.

That year, under Mike Munchak’s tutelage, the offensive line had transformed itself into an asset. But in the playoffs, the Ravens defense revealed that Pittsburgh’s offensive line still needed to mature more.

And so it was in 2025.

The Steelers line started the season a little shaky, and while they never dominated, they clearly improved as the year progressed. But in the playoffs they withered under the Texans’ pass rush, showing that more maturity was needed.

  • With the unit returning four out of five starters everyone expects improvement. But there’s a “but.”

Of the four returning starters, only Zach Frazier will play in the same spot. Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick will move to the left side, Dylan Cook will move to the right and Spencer Anderson, who played primarily on the left, also moves to the right.

Steelers reserve center Ryan McCollum with Aaron Rodgers during the Steelers 2025 win over the Colts.

Ryan McCollum and Aaron Rodgers. Photo Credit: Ed Thompson, SteelersNow

That may not be the opening-day lineup, particularly with Broderick Jones back in the mix, but the coaching staff has established a clear pecking order.

Mike McCarthy, Brian Angelichio and James Campen have enthusiastically moved around the pieces. While nothing about the performance against the Texans screamed, “This isn’t broken, don’t fix it,” moving so many players into new positions still carries a bit of risk.

  • But it also carries potential upside.

My friend and Steel City Insider analyst Matt C. Steel has written extensively about the disservice that NFL coaches can do by moving offensive linemen away from their natural positions, pointing to neuroscience and citing Kevin Dotson as an example, who is playing much better at right guard in Los Angeles than he played on the left in Pittsburgh. (It should be noted that Alan Faneca switched sides in the pros, and his a Hall of Famer.)

But if reshuffling the offensive line deck is what allows the unit to take the next step forward, this decision will pay dividends both this season and beyond. Tonight against the Packers we’ll get our first taste of what’s to come.|

Steelers Piss-Poor Run Defense Hiding in Plain Sight

The ugly nature of the 30-6 home playoff loss to the Texans made it easy to forget an interesting factoid: the Steelers were still within one point early in the 4th quarter until Houston hustled the game away with two defensive scores.

The Steelers defense kept the team in the game while their offense didn’t look like it belonged on the field.

  • But there’s an unpleasant surprise hiding in the stat sheet.

Yes, the Steelers defense earned their stripes, keeping Pittsburgh in the game with turnovers by Brandin Echols, T.J. Watt, and Yahya Black. Sacks by Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton and Jack Sawyer made C.J. Stroud look lost.

  • But one player who found a groove was rookie Texas running back Woody Marks.

Marks ran for 112 yards – his previous best had been 69 yards. Nick Chubb added another 48 yards on 10 carries.

This is important, because Mike McCarthy made no bones about sticking with the 3-4 upon his return to Pittsburgh.

And to understand how alarming those run defense stats are, we need to go back to something former defensive coordinator Tim Lewis once told Jim Wexell: The strength of the Steelers 3-4 defense runs through its spine.

To visualize that, simply remember the days of Casey Hampton, James Farrior and Troy Polamalu and the (6) Super Bowl rings they own.

And the Steelers have questions to answer across the spine of their defense.

  • Can Benton, in a new system, show he’s a true run-stopping nose tackle?
  • If not, is Yahya Black that man, or perhaps even Gabriel Rubio?
  • Are Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson strong enough to man the middle?
  • And who will emerge at safety?

This last question is perhaps the most critical, because Omar Khan has already made several moves at safety.

After watching Kenny Pickett and Company look All World just three Augusts ago, Steelers fans need no reminder that preseason can be deceiving.

But preseason can still offer decent looks at individual position groups. And against the Packers, my focus will be on the spine of the Steelers defense.

Please lend a hand by sharing this on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp etc... Thanks.

To the Trenches: Steelers Draft Gennings Dunker, Iowa Guard, in 3rd Round of 2026 NFL Draft

Posted on by Standard 2

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Gennings Dunker, guard from Iowa, with their third and final third round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. To get Gennings, Omar Khan had to trade the Steelers 6th round compensatory pick, moving up three spots.

Dunker was the last of the Pittsburgh’s premium picks, as the Steelers had 5 picks in the top 3 rounds and in taking him Khan and Mike McCarthy continued to stick to the Steelers 2026 Draft Needs Matrix, which rated guard as teams 6th most urgent need to fill.

Gennings Dunker playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Steelers 3rd round pick Gennings Dunker,while still at Iowa. Photo Credit: Silver and Black Pride

Although Dunker played tackle at Iowa, Steelers Offensive Line coach James Campen confirms that he will start at guard for the Steelers.

Over the past three seasons, Gennings Dunker started 37 games as the Hawkeyes right tackle, before moving to guard at the Senior Bowl. As Campen explained, “They’re so well coached at Iowa. When they come out they have established pad level and footwork.”

Steel City Insider’s Roy Countryman ranked Dunker as 2nd on his 3rd round value board for offensive lineman.

Watch Gennings Dunker Highlights: Steelers 3rd Round Guard

Offensive lineman need to move people, and Gennings Dunker’s tape from Iowa proves he’s got that ability:

Gennings Dunker’s Arrival Sets Up 3-Way Battle at Left Guard

In his pre-draft press conference, Mike McCarthy praised his starting guards, expressing satisfaction with Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman, whom he knows from his time in Dallas.

Going into the 2026 NFL Draft, Anderson and Hoffman were expected to battle for the starting job at left guard as Mason McCormick, is entrenched as the starter at right guard.

As a third round pick Dunker will make the final roster, but he’s going to have to show that he’s worthy of earning a helmet on game day. But, by the same token the Steelers clearly aren’t convinced that either Anderson or Hoffman is the long-term answer at guard, because you expect third rounders to develop into starters.

  • Dunker will get the chance to prove he can do that this summer at St. Vincents.

Welcome to Steelers Nation Gennings Dunker.

Please lend a hand by sharing this on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp etc... Thanks.

Steelers 2026 NFL Draft Needs at Guard and Center: Stability Meets Uncertainty

Posted on by Standard Reply

Omar Khan and Andy Weidl’s first major personnel move with the Steelers was to sign Isaac Seumalo.

Isaac Seumalo was their first building block in their end-to-end makeover of the Steelers’ offensive line. The process began in 2023 and by 2025 it was complete, as Khan and Weidl has replaced the entire starting offensive line.

But the Steelers let Semalo walk in free agency, so does that mean that Khan and Weidl need to address guard in the 2026 NFL Draft?

Spencer Anderson lines up at Acrisure Stadium

Spencer Anderson in 2024. Photo Credit: Times Observer.

The Steelers Center and Guard Depth Charts Entering the 2026 NFL Draft – The Starters

The Steelers interior offensive line is anchored by Zach Frazier, whom Khan and Weidl drafted in the 2nd round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Going into the draft there was speculation the Steelers might draft the West Virginia native first, and based on his play over two years we can see why.

Frazier still needs to improve to before we begin mentioning with names like “Mansfield,” “Webster,” “Dawson,” “Hartings“and “Pouncey“, but everything he has shown thus far indicates he can become that person.

Playing to the Fraizer’s right is Mason McCormick, whom Pittsburgh picked in the 4th round of the 2025 NFL Draft. McCormick got thrown into the starting line up earlier than expected due to injuries to Seumalo and then James Daniels, but has played well and the right side of the Steelers offensive line is shaping up to be a strength.

The Steelers Center and Guard Depth Chart Entering the 2026 NFL Draft – The Backups

Just how versatile is Spencer Anderson? Well, unlike any of the other players on the offensive line he has caught a pass from Aaron Rodgers. He can also play tackle and guard and that’s what makes the Steelers decision at guard, and also offensive tackle so interesting.

The Steelers drafted Spencer Anderson in the 7th round of the 2023 NFL Draft and today could be penciled in at guard right now. Or perhaps he could be in the mix at tackle. Or the Steelers could value his versatility as swing tackle third tight end for the team’s “Jumbo Package” assuming Mike McCarthy continues to use that.

Either way he gives the team options, but the decision McCarthy and his staff must make is whether Spencer can be a long-term starter at guard.

Behind Anderson and Fraizer, the Steelers have Brock Hoffman and Ryan McCollum, two interior lineman who can play both guard and center. The Steelers list Steven Jones, Sataoa Laumea, and Aiden Williams listed as guards. They also have Doug Nester and Lorenzo Thompson listed as offensive lineman.

Steelers 2026 Draft Needs at Center and Guard

If the Steelers situation at interior offensive line is complicate, center is simple. With Zach Frazier on board center is one of the areas where the Steelers can afford to pass on a blue-chip prospect in favor of drafting a different player at an area of need. So Steelers draft needs at center are borderline Negligible.

The Pittsburgh Steelers draft needs scale

Guard is a different story on its own, and the plot takes an even bigger twist when you consider the situation at offensive tackle.

Spencer Anderson is a capable player, but if the next Alan Faneca or even the next David DeCastro falls to the Steelers they can’t afford to let him walk. With that said, Pittsburgh does have more depth at guard than they do at tackle, so the Steelers need at guard going into the 2026 NFL Draft should be considered Moderate.

Please lend a hand by sharing this on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp etc... Thanks.

Fortifying the Interior: Steelers Sign Brock Hoffman, Re-Sign Ryan McCollum

Posted on by Standard Reply

The Pittsburgh Steelers started free agency with a bang, remained quiet for several days, and then re-entered the market to strengthen their interior offensive line. First they re-signed back-up center Ryan McCollum, and then signed free agent center/guard Brock Hoffman from the Dallas Cowboys.

  • In doing so, Omar Khan is taking steps to shore up depth at both center and guard.

Ryan McCollum arrived in Pittsburgh in the 2022 season after playing with the Lions in 2021. McCollum spent the entire 2022 and 2023 seasons on the Steelers practice squad before making the final roster in 2024.

Russell Wilson stands in the shotgun behind Ryan McCollum in Steelers 2024 game vs the Jets.

Ryan McCollum starting in place of Zach Fraizer. Photo Credit: Kylee Surike, via PennLive.com

In 2024 and started 2 games for injured Zach Frazier and appeared in all 17 games in 2025 but did not start another game in 2025. McCollum had been a restricted free agent, but Omar Kahn opted not to make him a qualifying tender.

McCollum would have been free to sign with any NFL team, but has decided to remain in Pittsburgh.

Similarly, Jerry Jones and Brian Schottenheimer could have kept Hoffman in Dallas as he was also a restricted free agent. However, the duo opted not to tender their “dual threat” interior offensive lineman, making him free to sign with any NFL team.

News that the Steelers might be signing off Hoffman began as soon as Dallas made him a free agent. Yet the days passed and no signing without the announcement of a signing.

Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly announced the signing last week, but no official report confirmed it. Indeed, the Steelers still haven’t announced the Hoffman signing, however his agent posted a picture of him signing his contract.

Brock Hoffman brings 16 games of starting experience to the Pittsburgh Steelers, having made starts at center as well as both right and left guard.

Hoffman’s signing is similar to one the Steelers made when they brought Nate Herbig to Pittsburgh in 2023, who 17 starts to his name, and was thought of as someone who could play either center or guard, although Nate Herbig had limited experience at center.

With Isaac Seumalo’s departure in free agency, guard was arguably the Steelers weakest position, with Spencer Anderson becoming the nominal starter with scant little behind him. Neither Hoffman nor McCollum looks to push for a starting role, but both provide valuable depth.

Please lend a hand by sharing this on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp etc... Thanks.

On Paper: Steelers Look Stronger After Week 1 of Free Agency

Posted on by Standard Reply

The Pittsburgh Steelers were busy during the first week of 2026’s free agency. As expected, Steelers Nation said goodbye to several familiar faces while welcoming newcomers to Pittsburgh.

Here’s an overview of what’s happened so far:

The James Pierre, Kenneth Gainwell left Pittsburgh almost immediately and were followed by Isaac Seumalo, Calvin Austin III, Connor Heyward, Miles Killebrew and Corliss Waitman.

The Steelers welcomed back Cameron Johnston, extended Cam Heyward’s contract, resigned Asante Samuel Jr. Cole Holcomb, Esezi Otomewo and Jack Driscoll.

They also traded for Michael Pittman, signed Jamel Dean, Rico Dowdle, Sebastian Joseph-Day and Jaquan Brisker.

  • Question: So, how has Omar Khan done?
  • Answer: We’ll know when the games start.

Thank about it: A year ago the Steelers secondary looked stronger on paper with Darius Slay’s signing. Sure he was old, but he’d just started on a team that had won the Super Bowl with dominating defense.

  • The Steelers cut Slay, just as they were entering the home stretch.

In contrast, Kenneth Gainwell was seen as more of a “nice to have,” as relief for Jaylen Warren. Gainwell ended up leading the team in receptions and winning MVP honors.

So instead of trying to make pronouncements, let’s look at how each move has impacted their respective areas on the depth chart – on paper.

Michael Pittman Jr. signs his contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on the South Side in the March of 2026.

Michael Pittman Jr. signs his contract Steelers. Photo Credit: Alysa Rubin, Steelers.com

Wide Receivers – Stronger, on paper, But….

By trading for Michael Pittman Jr.  the Steelers have something on paper in their wide receiver corps that has eluded them for the last two years – 2 viable starting NFL wideouts. With Pittman playing alongside him, D.K. Metcalf now has someone to take attention away from defensive backs.

  • However, losing Calvin Austin was a blow to depth.

It leaves the Steelers without a viable Wr. No. 3 and a starter in waiting. Yes, Roman Wilson could still be that person, but that was the case this time last spring, and he finished the season on the bench.

Defensive Line – Stronger, on paper…

Cam Heyward might be turning 37 soon, but he put in another All Pro year adding another season to what should be a Hall of Fame resume.

Signing Sebastian Joseph-Day is the type of move the Steelers should have made last spring but didn’t, due to successful attempt to game the comp-pick system. Keeanu Benton, is a good player, and can pressure the passer. Yet, he’s had some good moments against the run, as well as some ugly ones.

Joseph-Day gives them an option there, and a chance to work Benton at end with an eye towards the day when Heyward begins his “Life’s Work.” Signing Esezi Otomewo also shores up depth.

Tight End – Slightly Weaker, on paper…

In truth, losing Connor Heyward isn’t dramatic, but the Steelers still have no one with experience behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. They’re doing to need to add a couple-of-three somebodies.

Darnell Washington, Barrett Carter, Steelers vs Bengals

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

Secondary – Stronger, on paper…

James Pierre was the kind of guy you want to keep. Losing Pierre hurt. But the Steelers didn’t see him as a viable long-term starter, and Jamel Dean, on paper, gives the Steelers the chance to field two shut down corners with Joey Porter Jr. yet to reach his prime.

  • Signing Asante Samuel Jr. over Pierre does come with more risk, but also offers a higher return.

The moves also signal Jalen Ramsey remaining at safety, but with DeShone Elliott returning and hopefully at full health, they still had no one behind them. Jaquan Brisker appears to be starter-capable and is a welcome addition.

Running Back – Neutral

You never want to lose your previous season’s MVP, but Rico Dowdle is a proven starter in this league and gives the Steelers an insurance policy with resepct to Kaleb Johnson.

Offensive Line – Weaker, on paper…

The Steelers like Spencer Anderson but Isaac Seumalo has been their best offensive lineman for the past three years. Jack Driscoll gives them depth at offensive tackle, where they need it.

Inside Linebacker – Neutral

Cole Holcomb’s return amounted to a minor surprise, but at this point this is nothing more than a depth signing, as Patrick Queen remains in Pittsburgh and doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere.

Holcomb’s a good guy to have coming off the bench.

Special Teams – Weaker

The decision to let Waitman go and replace him with Johnston, who is older and has had injury issues, is a head scratcher. Calvin Austin was a solid return man, and James Pierre, Connor Heyward were special teams demons and Miles Killebrew was their special team’s captain.

The Steelers should find replacements to fill these holes from the bottom of their roster, but they have created the need to do so.

Please lend a hand by sharing this on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp etc... Thanks.

Steelers Report Card for Loss to Chargers: Pessimistic Teacher Edition

Posted on by Standard Reply

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.

Please lend a hand by sharing this on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp etc... Thanks.

Aaron Rodgers Struggles, Steelers Lose 25-10 to Chargers on SNF

Posted on by Standard Reply

Once upon a time, the Pittsburgh Steelers owned the night.

While Thursday nights were always tricky, starting with the Cowher Era if you scheduled the Steelers for Sunday Night or Monday Night, Pittsburgh would probably win.

  • The Steelers lost 25-10 to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football.

The loss marked their third defeat in their last four games, with each losing effort coming at night.

In the first two nighttime losses, the Steelers defense was responsible for its demise. Against the Chargers the offense was the prime offender as the defense held its own, and the Steelers inability to get both units playing well at the same time threatens to become the story of the season.

Aaron Rodgers safety, Khalil Mack, Aaron Rodgers, Steelers vs Chargers, Steelers vs Chargers SNF,

Khalil Mack sacks Aaron Rogers for a safety. Photo Credit: IMAGN Images, via Tribune-Review

Deceptive Night for Steelers Defense

“Steelers vs the Chargers” conjures up images of Air Coryell vs. the Steel Curtain, shootouts and otherwise high-scoring affairs. That’s part of the tradition between these two franchises, but there’s more.

Through time both franchises have proved that they can hash it out in the trenches. There are several examples, but perhaps the 2008 Steelers 11-10 win over the Chargers serves best.

So, if I had told you going into the game that…

You’d have probably thought this game was a slugfest, where the story was found in the trenches.

And if I’d showed you James Pierre’s would make this vintage WWF (or WWE of you prefer) body slam tackle:

James Pierre, Derius Davis, Steelers vs Chargers, Steelers vs Chargers SNF

James Pierre body slams Derius Davis. Photo Credit: Nick Smith, Steelers.com

…you’d certainly have concluded that that the Steelers defense turned in an ass-kicking performance that paved the way for a return to the franchise’s winning ways on night games.

  • Unfortunately, that didn’t quite happen.

The Steelers defense played a good game. Several Steelers defenders made multiple great plays. Ironically, they made too many of them. Had they made a few less, we might be calling this a great game for the defense.

Alas, time stole greatness away as the defense was on the field for nearly 15 minutes more than the offense was.

Don’t Let the Rest of the Offense Off the Hook…

The focus for the offense’s failure against the Chargers firmly falls on Aaron Rodgers. As it should.

But that doesn’t let the rest of the offense off the hook. Pass protection was poor, particularly early on, leading to a safety. Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson had some good runs during the early going, but the line never quite opened the holes needed to sustain drives. At other times penalties were at issue.

Arguably the Steelers smoothest drive outside of garbage time came at the end of the first quarter and beginning of the second, as Warren ran well, while Rodgers threw to D.K. Metcalf, Darnell Washington and  Pat Freiermuth only to have end with a missed Chris Boswell field goal.

One of the under the radar stories coming out of the Bengals and Packers debacles were that the Steelers running game seemed to be gaining steam. Its sputtering got lost in the glow of the win over Indianapolis.

Isaac Seumalo played hurt and then left the Colts game and missed the game against the Chargers. Arthur Smith started Andrus Peat in his place, allowing Spencer Anderson to play in the Jumbo Package.

Against the Chargers at least, the Jumbo package didn’t deliver the punch the Steelers needed it to.

Story of the Game Comes Down to Aaron Rodgers’ Struggles

Father time remains undefeated against athletes. His victory is inevitable.

  • Yet, how he gains his victory fascinates us.

Some athletes age gracefully – Jerome Bettis offers a perfect example. Other times the fall off happens fast. Had the Steelers won Super Bowl XLV, Hines Ward likely would have been the MVP. Yet, that next December Bruce Arians was scripting shovel passes to pull Ward across the 1000 catch mark.

  • Then there are the athletes who fall somewhere in between.

Going into the Chargers game, Aaron Rodgers had been everything the Steelers could have hoped for. NO, he wasn’t the Aaron Rodgers who beat them in the Super Bowl. But he sure was exponentially better than anyone else who’d played quarterback for the Steelers since Ben Roethlisberger retired.

  • Aaron Rodgers had a bad night in Los Angeles.

He had D.K. Metcalf wide open for an easy touchdown on Pittsburgh’s second possession – yet he over threw by a full stride. Later he tried to force it to Metcalf into double coverage in the end zone, but threw a poorly placed ball. Jonnu Smith needed every bit of his 38 inch vertical leap to get hands on Rodgers 19 yard pass to him at the 10 — and then he couldn’t hold on to it.

  • An ugly interception of his in the first half set up the Chargers first touchdown.

He didn’t always get a lot of help from his receivers – He hit Calvin Austin right in the numbers only to have Austin deflect the ball to Donte Jackson. But on so many other occasions, his passes were too short, too high, or just off target. Until deep into the 4th quarter, the Steelers were 0-9 on third downs – and several of those were quite manageable.

This doesn’t mean that Aaron Rodgers is done, although when you turn in a game like that in your 40’s, people will rush to that conclusion.

Nick Herbig, Justin Herbert, Steelers vs Chargers, Steelers vs Chargers SNF

Nick Herbig sacks Justin Herbert. Photo Credit: IMAGN Images, Steelers.com

But given how well the defense was playing, had Rodgers been able to perform at even an average level, the Steelers could have won.

Alas, Rodgers was far below average against the Chargers.

Looking Very Different in November

The Steelers opened October with a three game winning streak, a 4-1 record and a lengthy lead in the AFC North. Then their defense faltered in losses to the Bengals and Packers. It bounced back against the Colts in a big way, and continued to play above the line football against the Chargers, only to have the offense falter.

Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson is back and the Ravens have won three straight and word is that Joe Burrow has begun practicing.

Mike Tomlin needs to find away to get both his units playing their best ball at once. And Mike must do this fast.

 

Please lend a hand by sharing this on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp etc... Thanks.

Steelers Report Card for Win Over Browns: Struggling to Keep Up on a Short Week Edition

Posted on by Standard Reply

Taken from the grade book of a teacher who is next to certain that he’ll fail in his assignment to keep this short on a short week, here is the Pittsburgh Steelers Report Card for the 2025 win over the Browns at Acrisure.

Jaylen Warren, Steelers vs Browns

Jaylen Warren runs to daylight. Photo Credit: Alyissa Rubin, Steelers.com

Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers went 21-30-235 for 2 touchdowns. Keeping it real, Rodgers missed a few throws that contributed to a touchdownless first half. But he more than made up for it with laser strikes to the end zone in the 2nd half. And Rodgers deft management at the line of scrimmage has kept elite defensive coordinators rocking on their heels for 2 straight weeks. Grade: B+Steelers, Report Card, grades,

Running Backs
It was back to the future for Generation X Steelers fans as offense deliberately incorporated 3 running backs into the game plan. Jaylen Warren led the group with 52 yards on 11 carries, followed by Kenneth Gainwell who got 22 on 6 carries and Kaleb Johnson who got 15 on 6 tries. All of this came against the NFL’s best rushing defense. Warren and Gainwell added for 2 catches and each running back banged out at least one long run. Grade: B+

Tight Ends
Darnell Washington opened the game with a 36 yard pass and finished the day with 3 grabs for 62 yards. Pat Freiermuth had one catch for 11 yards, and Connor Heyward came up with another for 12 yards, and a touchdown. The tight ends blocking efforts were also critical to the success of the offense. Grade: A

Wide Receivers
D.K. Metcalf had 4 catches for 95 yards all of which were chunk plays, one of which was the decisive touchdown. The only other receiver to get a target was Roman Wilson, who caught 1 pass for 11 yards. That helped set up a score. Grade: B

Connor Heyward, Steelers vs Browns

Connor Heyward with the first touchdown of the day. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

Offensive Line
Aaron Rodgers was not sacked and the Cleveland Browns only touched him 3 times. 3 rushers had carries for double digit carries and another had a 9 yard run. Yes, the unit had help from the tight ends and Spencer Anderson again appeared in the Jumbo Package. No, the team couldn’t quite run out the clock. But this was a strong performance against a good defensive front. Grade: B+

Defensive Line
The individual stat sheet might look a little sparse outside of Derrick Harmon’s sack. But stat to focus on is Cleveland’s 3.8 yard-per-carry average. The Steelers needed to make the Browns one-dimensional. And they did. Oh, and Daniel Ekuale dropped into coverage Esezi Otomewo paving  the way for a Dick LeBeau style zone blitz sack. Grade: A-

Linebackers
T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith are all credited with parts of sacks by ESPN. Watt also tipped a pass to force a punt. Patrick Queen was laying in the wood while Payton Wilson and Cole Holcomb quietly put in good days. Grade: A

Secondary
Jalen Ramsey had two sacks his 4th and 5th out of 139 career games. No one got an interception, but DeShon Elliott, Daruis Slay, and Joey Porter all got their hands on passes, as did Juan Thornhill. Its been said that the Steelers 6 sacks were in large part due to Dillion Gabriel holding on to the ball too long – there’s a reason why they’re called coverage sacks. On a day when the Browns threw for over 50 passes, they didn’t cross the 50 until the end of the first half, and then didn’t reach the Red Zone until late in the 4th quarter – where they got shut down. Grade: A

Special Teams
Chris Boswell knocked in 3 field goals and missed another due to the turf. Corliss Waitman only punted twice, but one went for 20 yards. Ke’Shawn Williams opened with a phenomenal punt return that got called back for a penalty. Williams and Gainwell did well on kick returns and coverage was solid. Grade: B-

Coaching
Arthur Smith took a lot of heat last year for failing to turn a Steelers offense that had been stuck in schematic purgatory since the days of Matt Canada and Randy Fitchner. We saw glimpses of what he wanted to do last season, but desire failed to connect with results far too often.

The Browns may be 1-5, but they have what may be reguarded as the NFL’s best defense. Per Bob Labriola:

…the Browns came into the game ranked first in the NFL in total yards passing allowed, first in rushing yards per game allowed, and fourth in average gain per rush. They were fourth in sacks per pass attempt, and second in first downs allowed per game.

And Jim Schwartz is regarded as one of the best defensive minds in the game. Yet Arthur Smith’s offense took control of the game and never relinquished it.

The Browns offense, suffice to say, isn’t remotely in the same category as their defense. Nonetheless, Teryl Austin’s defense did what it was supposed to do against a weaker unit – force them to be one dimensional and keep them out of the end zone.

  • After six weeks, the Steelers stand at 4-1 and with a lead over the AFC North.

That’s good, but its not what’s encouraging about the Browns win. Its that the Steelers continue to get better each week, and Mike Tomlin deserves credit for that. Grade: A-

Jonnu Smith Denzel Ward, Steelers vs Browns

Jonnu Smith with 1 of his 3 catches. Photo Credit: Alyssa Rubin, Steelers.com

Unsung Hero Award
The Steelers wide receiver depth chart is thin. And they’re were down a man against the Browns. Such situations requires coaches to get creative. But to do that, they need players who are versatile. This player converted a first down with his first catch, started a scoring drive with his second, and ran for then yards sustaining the Steelers first touchdown drive and for that Jonnu Smith wins the Unsung Hero Award for the Steelers win over the Browns at Acrisure.

Please lend a hand by sharing this on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp etc... Thanks.