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Saturday Night Open Thread Offseason Week 14: Let me check my Schedule

2025 NFL Scouting Combine

Defensive line coach Karl Dunbar of the Pittsburgh Steelers leads a drill at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, | Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

Come and join this merry band of Steelers’ faithful for some lively debate about our Steelers, good food, music, and the merits of the odd cold beverage.

Live from Delaware, it’s Saturday Night! I, NAS204PSU, am here to bring you this Saturday Night Open Thread (aka SNOT).

Well, the schedule is out and the dates are set. Only thing left is to actually play the games.

This 6 pack of questions is here to get the conversation going is below, also let us know what you’re eating/drinking!

  1. Are you planning to go to any preseason or regular season games this year?
  2. How badly did the NFL screw the Steelers with the schedule?
    a. Like the chiefs we got a lot of favorable calls(nice schedule)
    b. It’s like Tomlins worst season (meh schedule)
    c. It’s like getting drafted by the Stains (just awful)

3. Why do you think Aaron Rodger’s hasn’t made a decision about the 2025 season?

4. Brock Purdy is reportedly signing a 5YR $265M deal. Do you think he earned it? What would Brock have to do for the deal to be ““worth it” for the 49ers?

5. Lots of bad weather rolled through my area the last few days, including lots of lightning . Do you have a lightning strike story to share?

6. Much has been made about prices/inflation/tariffs in the news. What is something that seems so expensive now that it bothers you because it was so cheap when you were a kid?

BONUS SOTN: Money for nothing - Dire Straits

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...ad-offseason-week-14-let-me-check-my-schedule
 
Which Steelers are entering a contract year in 2025?

T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on November 21, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

Are any Steelers due for extensions this offseason?

Steelers OTAs are just around the corner, meaning football is getting closer — as is another staple of the season: contract drama.

A whopping 44 Steelers — around half of the team’s current roster — are entering the last year of their respective contracts entering the new season. Of course, a good number of those players are one-year signings on the roster bubble, but the list of 2026 free agents is headlined by none other than one of the top defenders in the NFL: outside linebacker T.J. Watt.

There’s a chance the Steelers will sign a name or two to an extension ahead of the regular season, much like the Cam Heyward and Pat Freiermuth situations last year. The remaining players who make the roster will be hoping for healthy, productive seasons on their contract year.

Player statuses via Spotrac.

Steelers 2026 unrestricted free agents​

T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Per NFL.com: Any player with four or more accrued seasons and an expired contract; free to negotiate and sign with any team.
  • OLB T.J. Watt
  • G Isaac Seumalo
  • WR Calvin Austin III
  • RB Jaylen Warren
  • S Miles Killebrew
  • S DeShon Elliott
  • CB Darius Slay
  • LB Cole Holcomb
  • RB Cordarrelle Patterson
  • P Corliss Waitman
  • TE Connor Heyward
  • ILB Mark Robinson
  • DT Daniel Ekuale
  • DE Dean Lowry
  • WR Robert Woods
  • RB Kenneth Gainwell
  • CB James Pierre
  • DE Isaiahh Loudermilk
  • WR Scotty Miller
  • G Max Scharping
  • DE DeMarvin Leal
  • RB Jonathan Ward
  • TE Donald Parham
  • QB Skylar Thompson
  • WR Brandon Johnson
  • RB Trey Sermon

Steelers 2026 restricted free agents​

Pittsburgh Steelers center Ryan McCollum (62) walks off the field after a NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers a d the Las Vegas Raiders on October 13, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV.
Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Per NFL.com: A player with three accrued seasons and an expired contract. RFAs are free to negotiate and sign with any team, but their original team can offer them one of various qualifying offers (“tenders”) that come with the Right of First Refusal and/or draft-pick compensation. If the tender is withdrawn by a team, the RFA becomes an unrestricted free agent.
  • C Ryan McCollum
  • OLB Jeremiah Moon
  • OLB Eku Leota
  • DE Esezi Otomewo
  • G Lecitus Smith
  • ILB Devin Harper

Steelers 2026 exclusive rights free agents​

Dylan Cook #60 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lines up before a play during an NFL preseason football game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
Per NFL.com: Any player with fewer than three accrued seasons and an expired contract. If his original team offers him a one-year contract at the league minimum (based on his credited seasons), the player cannot negotiate with other teams.
  • OT Dylan Cook
  • LT Doug Nester
  • DT Jacob Slade
  • OLB Julius Welschof
  • S Joshuah Bledsoe
  • RB Evan Hull
  • CB D’Shawn Jamison
  • WR Lance McCutcheon
  • DT Domenique Davis
  • G Steven Jones
  • CB Kyler McMichael
  • CB Cameron McCutcheon

Who should the Steelers extend ahead of the 2025 season?​

DeShon Elliott #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action against the New York Giants on October 28, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

T.J. Watt is the obvious name here. The veteran pass-rusher will be on the wrong side of 30 in 2026 and is coming off a 2024 season where he recorded “only” 11.5 sacks, but he’s a foundational player on defense and still among the best at his position. While his sack numbers were low by his standards last season, Watt still finished second in the league in tackles for loss and first in forced fumbles.

A five-time team MVP, Watt is a key cog on the Pittsburgh defense.

An extension won’t be cheap. But the Steelers aren’t paying a franchise quarterback and have $109.8 million in cap space waiting in 2026, per Spotrac.

Watt could ask for a deal close to Myles Garrett’s league-leading $40 million average for a defender, which would certainly hold up negotiations. But this feels like a deal the Steelers should, and will, figure out ahead of the regular season.

Outside of Watt, the list of 2025 extension candidates gets much thinner. Players slated to be RFAs or ERFAs aren’t a priority for an early payday. There aren’t many among the upcoming unrestricted free agents, either.

Guard Isaac Seumalo is 31 years old. If anything, the Steelers might want to get younger at the position next offseason. The same could be said of 32-year-old special teams ace Miles Killebrew.

Young offensive weapons Jaylen Warren and Calvin Austin III could be candidates for cheap extensions hoping to get ahead of career-best performances in 2025. However, with the Steelers’ running back and receiver rooms changing so much over the offseason, it might be best for Pittsburgh to remain in wait-and-see mode until next year when it comes to new contracts.

The top name to extend in 2025 besides Watt might be safety DeShon Elliott, who was a big surprise on defense last year for Pittsburgh, now entering the last season of his two-year, $6 million deal. Elliott was a difference-maker near the line of scrimmage, with his box safety play being among the best in the league.

Holes in Elliott’s coverage ability did become apparent as the season went on, but in the right role, he was a star in the Pittsburgh defense. Depending on the price, Elliott could be a worthwhile name to lock up for future seasons.

Outside of Watt, there aren’t many names the Steelers need to prioritize extending ahead of the 2025 regular season. For now, the team looks like it will see how the upcoming year plays out ahead of what appears to be an important offseason in 2026.

Should the Steelers extend any players in 2025? Join the BTSC community and share your thoughts in the comments below!

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...rfa-tj-watt-deshon-elliott-offseason-contract
 
Aaron Rodgers’ biographer expects him to join Steelers soon

NFL: New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers

Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The four-time MVP is expected to join Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been connected to Aaron Rodgers since the start of the new league year. As soon as Justin Fields signed with the New York Jets, Pittsburgh seemingly shifted all of its focus toward the four-time MVP, who was widely expected to be let go by the Jets.

It’s the wide consensus that Rodgers will join the Steelers, but not just by the media - someone close to Rodgers, as well. Rodgers’ biographer, Ian O’Connor joined 93.7 The Fan and gave his thoughts on why Rodgers hasn’t signed with the Steelers yet.

“I just think verbally behind the scenes, not that he guaranteed it, but he’s told them, ‘Listen, I’m gonna play for you. I just don’t want to go there and then miss part of mandatory minicamp because of my personal issues. I’m pretty sure they’re gonna be solved by the end of May, at least in my satisfaction where I can give you my all.’ So that’s where I think he is,” O’Connor said.

O’Connor added that he thinks Pittsburgh is the “perfect place” for Rodgers to end his career.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk pointed out a similar thought, saying Rodgers chose the “lesser of two distractions,” staying unsigned until he was completely ready rather than signing, missing team activities, and causing a media firestorm because of it. Should that be the case, it does make sense, even if the constant speculation got under the skin of fans.

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...steelers-soon-nfl-justin-fields-new-york-jets
 
Mason Rudolph: ‘The Steelers know what I can do’

Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

The Steelers quarterback is confident and ready for 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers are approaching mantadory minicamp with every passing day, and are roughly two months away from training camp, where they will begin their trek back to the postseason to try and get a playoff win.

For the second straight season, the Steelers will have an entirely new quarterback room, but with one familiar face. Mason Rudolph signed with the team back in March after a year in Tennessee with the Titans. He joined “Kaboly and Mack” and gave his thoughts on what he is bringing back to the Steelers in his second stint in Pittsburgh.

“I think [the Steelers] know what I can do,” Rudolph said. “What we were able to do there towards the end of 2023, they’re confident in me. They know I can play well when asked of me [and] when my number is called.

Rudolph added that he’s not worried about any other quarterbacks coming in, nor would he be blindsided by it.

“I assumed they were going to sign people and add to the roster. They always go to training camp with four quarterbacks, so I knew that going in.”

The Steelers drafted Ohio State quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft and are widely expected to sign four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. Even so, the Oklahoma State product knows what he brings to the table, and so do the Steelers if and when they call upon him.

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...w-what-i-can-do-nfl-aaron-rodgers-will-howard
 
Two NFL rule proposals are at stake in upcoming owners’ meeting

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scores on a sneak play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. 

Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The NFL playoffs could look different under this proposed rule change.

NFL rules might look a bit different following upcoming league owners’ meetings scheduled for May 20-21.

Per reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, owners will vote on two rule-change proposals: banning the “tush push” play, and re-seeding the NFL Playoffs by record after the Wild Card round.


NFL owners also expected to vote on the Lions’ proposal to reseed teams based on record after the first-round of the playoffs. https://t.co/wa7owXUmuP

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 19, 2025

The NFL’s team owners previously discussed the changes in their annual Palm Beach, Florida meetings from March 30 to April 2, but tabled the discussion.

At the time, the Steelers were one of the teams that supported banning the tush push, per team president Art Rooney II.


Super Bowl tush push tuddy has arrived ‼️ #FlyEaglesFly

: #SBLIX on FOX
: Tubi + NFL app pic.twitter.com/PA4G79M9uY

— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025

If it’s banned, the team affected the most would be the Philadelphia Eagles, although the updated language would ban all pushing or pulling of ball-carriers by the offense, anywhere on the field. The Steelers have run variations of the play in the past, but with Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph expected under center in 2025 instead of Justin Fields, don’t expect Pittsburgh to be a quarterback-run-heavy team.

If rookie quarterback Will Howard gets any snaps in the regular season, it could be a slightly different story. The 6’5, 235-pound quarterback rushed 105 times in his 2024 season with Ohio State.

The playoff re-seeding rule, proposed by the Lions, is modified from how it was originally presented at the Palm Beach meetings. Before, the proposal called for all playoff seeding to be determined by record. Now, the division winners would still get a guaranteed home game in the Wild Card games, with re-seeding only happening after the first round.

If those rule proposals pass, they won’t be the only changes to the NFL this year.

At the Palm Beach meetings earlier this spring, a proposal from the Steelers to allow teams to talk directly to players and make travel plans during the legal tampering period of free agency was voted in on a one-year trial basis with parameters.

Previously, teams had only been permitted to communicate with agents during the legal tampering period.

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...yoffs-steelers-seeding-qb-sneak-art-rooney-ii
 
Will Howard would ‘love’ if Steelers signed Aaron Rodgers

2025 CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T- Ohio State v Notre Dame

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

The Steelers’ rookie would welcome Aaron Rodgers with open arms

Pittsburgh Steelers fans continue to wait for the news that Aaron Rodgers has signed with Pittsburgh, and are equally ready for the wait itself to mercifully end. That said, at least one Steelers player is excited about the possibility of Rodgers in a Steelers uniform.

Rookie quarterback Will Howard joined Kay Adams at the Rookie Premiere and said he would love to have the four-time MVP in the quarterback room with him.

“I idolized him growing up,” Howard said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, who knows? That’s all over my head, but I’d love to be in a room and learn from him.”


Aaron Rodgers becoming a Steeler is still up in the air, but rookie QB Will Howard is open to the possibility.

"I'd love to be in a room and learn from him."@heykayadams | @whoward_ | @PaniniAmerica pic.twitter.com/2yiinm1de4

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) May 20, 2025

The Steelers have reinforcements in case Rodgers surprisingly decides he doesn’t want to go to Pittsburgh. They brought back Mason Rudolph after a year in Tennessee with the Titans. Rudolph joined “Kaboly and Mack” to say what he’s bringing back to Pittsburgh.

“I think [the Steelers] know what I can do,” Rudolph said. “What we were able to do there towards the end of 2023, they’re confident in me. They know I can play well when asked of me [and] when my number is called.”

Unless something unforeseen happens, though, everyone seems to believe Rodgers will join the Steelers, giving them a room of the multiple-time MVP, Rudolph, and Howard, which is a very deep room that Pittsburgh can feel comfortable with.

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...ned-aaron-rodgers-mason-rudolph-nfl-kay-adams
 
Mason Rudolph on George Pickens trade: ‘I loved George’

Cincinnati Bengals v Pittsburgh Steelers

Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images

The Steelers’ quarterback was sad to see his wide receiver go

The Pittsburgh Steelers made the polarizing decision to trade wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Everyone has their own thoughts on the move. Some say a trade makes sense, considering it was almost certain Pittsburgh wasn’t going to pay him after paying DK Metcalf. Others say it didn’t make sense due to the Steelers lacking depth at the position.

Joining “Kaboly and Mack,” Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph gave his thoughts on the Pickens trade, saying he loved his former teammate.

“I loved George,” Rudolph said. “And I enjoyed going to work with him. He [has] a fun personality. I tried to feed him as much as we could when we played because good things tended to happen when you did. But I understand the way things go.”

Rudolph and Pickens had a tremendous run at the end of the 2023 season, specifically in the team’s Week 16 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Both had career games, with Rudolph throwing for 290 yards and Pickens catching four passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns.


George Pickens has 2 TD’s and 195 yards!

Mason Rudolph drops a dime! Wow!#Steelers HAVE SCORED 31 POINTS!

Steelers 31 #Bengals 8#HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/kF9asdG3Es

— Obviously (Not) Tomlin (@Tomlin_Sense) December 23, 2023

Time will tell if Rudolph will develop the same chemistry with DK Metcalf. The rest of the Steelers’ receiving corps will have to step up, as well. Roman Wilson will be expected to live up to his third-round pick status, while Calvin Austin will need to replicate the year he had in 2024. The Steelers will also likely bring in another boundary receiver to be the No. 2, and it’s also expected that Aaron Rodgers will be arriving sooner rather than later.

Regardless, Rudolph has proven himself as a capable plug-and-play backup who can come in and produce. The Steelers will be in good hands if he has to play significant time.

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...tsburgh-steelers-aaron-rodgers-dk-metcalf-nfl
 
Steelers sign former Texans guard

Nick Broeker #64 of the Houston Texans runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears during a football game at NRG Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Houston, Texas.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

The Steelers add to their offensive line depth

The Steelers have added some offensive line depth Wednesday. Per a team announcement, Pittsburgh has signed offensive guard Nick Broeker to a one-year deal.

The details of the contract have yet to be announced.


We have signed G Nick Broeker to a one-year contract. @BordasLaw

: https://t.co/Vj5Ncivj22 pic.twitter.com/hgydfnPwM2

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 21, 2025

Broeker was drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. He’s spent most of his career with the Houston Texans, appearing in 12 career games.

Broeker played college football at Ole Miss.

After releasing offensive guard Lecitus Smith on Tuesday, the Steelers didn’t waste much time filling the vacant roster spot on the offensive line.

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...roster-news-nick-broeker-bills-offensive-line
 
Can you guess this Steelers QB in today’s in-5 trivia game?

btsc_social.0.png


Think you can figure out which Steelers player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Hey Steelers fans! We’re back for another day of the Behind the Steel Curtain in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Behind the Steel Curtain in-5 game​


If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​


Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Monday, May 19, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​


NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Behind the Steel Curtain in-5 instructions​


The goal of the game is to guess the correct Steelers player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2025/5/22/24435053/sb-nation-steelers-daily-trivia-in-5
 
Art Rooney provides update on potential Aaron Rodgers signing

Miami Dolphins v New York Jets

Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images

The Steelers continue to wait on the four-time MVP

Pittsburgh Steelers Team President Art Rooney II said during the NFL Draft that he expects Aaron Rodgers to join the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“We’re still kind of getting the same signals that we’ve been getting recently,” Rooney said. “He does want to come here, so I do think we may get word soon.”

Rooney also said back at the beginning of April that the franchise would not “wait forever” for Rodgers to make his decision. And now, Rooney seems to think this could be coming to an end soon. Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Rooney said that the team will continue to wait, but the wait won’t be much longer.

“A little while longer,” Rooney said. I’ll say the same thing.”


#Steelers president Art Rooney II -- who said April 1 that the Steelers will wait "not forever, but a little while longer" for Aaron Rodgers -- delivered a similar line on his way out of Wednesday's owners meetings.

“A little while longer. I’ll say the same thing," he said.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 22, 2025

Rodgers went on The Joe Rogan Experience, where he revealed that multiple people close to him were battling cancer, which would explain the “personal reasons” he discussed on The Pat McAfee Show earlier in the spring.

For the time being, the Steelers continue to wait, as do the fans, for an announcement that Rodgers is Pittsburgh-bound.

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...aaron-rodgers-signing-pittsburgh-steelers-nfl
 
Looking back at the Steelers’ biggest 2024 offseason moves

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens

Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

How did the Steelers’ biggest moves from 2024 pan out?

Let’s take a quick break from talking about the impending quarterback arrival for the Pittsburgh Steelers and reflect on the list of moves that took place last spring and summer.

The Steelers were one of the talks of the NFL in 2024 after the several trades and signings they made, specifically at the quarterback position. At the time, many praised the Steelers for the moves they made, myself included. However, things are much easier to judge with hindsight. With that said, let’s look back at the five biggest moves the Steelers made in 2024.

5. Diontae Johnson Trade​

Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The Steelers began the offseason by sending their No. 1 wide receiver to the Carolina Panthers. There had been some rumored behind the scenes with Diontae Johnson, who had a two-year stretch where he had 107 and 86 catches, respectively, in 2021 and 2022, so the Steelers sent him to the Panthers in exchange for a sixth-round pick and cornerback Donte Jackson.

The Steelers ended up being the clear winner here. Jackson had five interceptions and had a really good start to the season (admittedly before falling off at the tail end of the campaign) and Johnson played for three teams in 2024. He was traded again before the trade deadline from Carolina to the Baltimore Ravens before they released him after reported internal disputes. He then signed with the Houston Texans for a quick and unremarkable stay. Now, he is with the Cleveland Browns, hoping to get things back on track.

GRADE: B+

4. Kenny Pickett Trade​

AFC Wild Card Playoffs - Pittsburgh Steelers v Buffalo Bills
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Not to pat myself on the back too hard, but I said in January of 2024 that Pickett had played his last game as a Steeler.


I sincerely don’t see Kenny Pickett in Pittsburgh next season.

— Jarrett Bailey (@JBaileyNFL) January 1, 2024

Now, I was very outspoken about how bad of a quarterback Kenny Pickett was (and still is), so imagine my excitement when the Schefter notification hit my phone saying he had been traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Steelers got a third-round pick in 2024 and two 2025 seventh-round picks in exchange for Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round pick. The Steelers used the third-round pick in 2024 to take Payton Wilson and used one of the seventh-round picks to trade for DK Metcalf. They used the other seventh-round pick on Central Michigan cornerback Donte Kent. They also saved themselves from starting one of the worst quarterbacks in football for a third year.

GRADE: A+

Signing Russell Wilson​

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

The Denver Broncos paid Russell Wilson over $80 million to not be on the team, which was obviously eye-opening in terms of what was going on during his time in Mile High. But for a good while, the Steelers looked like geniuses for starting Wilson once he was 100 percent healthy. Pittsburgh went 4-0 in his first four games as a starter, including a fourth-quarter comeback on the road against the Washington Commanders that featured a trademark moon-ball touchdown to Mike Williams. After that, though, the Steelers went 2-6 the rest of the way, including the wild card loss to Baltimore, and Wilson struggled immensely. The Steelers got to the playoffs, but a switch should have been made back to Justin Fields at the end of the season.

GRADE: B

Justin Fields Trade​

Pittsburgh Steelers v Cleveland Browns
Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

The Steelers traded a 2025 sixth-round pick for Justin Fields, which Chicago in turn traded to the Los Angeles Rams for guard Jonah Jackson. Pittsburgh went 4-2 in the games Fields started where he totaled 10 touchdowns and one interception. Mike Tomlin made the choice to switch to Russell Wilson after those first six games and didn’t go back to Fields when Wilson was struggling, which certainly lowers the grade.

GRADE: B-

In a year’s time, we’ll be able to reflect on the biggest moves of this offseason, specifically the George Pickens trade and the (potential) signing of Aaron Rodgers.

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...es-russell-wilson-kenny-pickett-justin-fields
 
Your daily Steelers trivia game, Saturday edition

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Think you can figure out which Steelers player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Hey Steelers fans! We’re back for another day of the Behind the Steel Curtain in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Behind the Steel Curtain in-5 game​


If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​


Friday, May 23, 2025
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​


NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Behind the Steel Curtain in-5 instructions​


The goal of the game is to guess the correct Steelers player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2025/5/24/24436344/sb-nation-steelers-daily-trivia-in-5
 
Saturday Night Open Thread Offseason Week 15: Remember to Never Forget

2011 AFC Championship: New York Jets v Pittsburgh Steelers

Former Steelers Franco Harris #32 and Rocky Blier #20 celebrate after a win against the New York Jets during the AFC Championship Game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Steelers beat the Jets, 24-19, to advance to the Super Bowl. | Photo by Al Pereira/New York Jets/Getty Images

Come and join this merry band of Steelers’ faithful for some lively debate about our Steelers, good food, music, and the merits of the odd cold beverage.

Live from Delaware, it’s Saturday Night! I, NAS204PSU, am here to bring you this Saturday Night Open Thread (aka SNOT).

It is only because of those who fought and bled for America that we are able to bleed black and gold. The steel nerves of the US military on the battle field has enabled a country where the top physical specimens could be paid millions to do battle on the sports field.

Thank you to all who have served for their country, and my sincere condolences to those with loved ones who never returned home. I wish everyone a peaceful, reflective Memorial Day.

This 6 pack of questions is here to get the conversation going is below, also let us know what you’re eating/drinking.

  1. Seems like there’s a lot of articles about the same unresolved topics these days, but I don’t think that’s a new thing. Can you remember from years past (say before 2020) a topic that was constant throughout a Steeler offseason news cycle?
  2. Which former Steeler is your favorite military veteran?

A. Alejandro Villanueva (Army ranger)
B. Rocky Bleier (Army-Vietnam)
C. Chuck Noll (Army Reserve)
D. OTHER-answer in comments

3. The Tush Push got just enough to keep going, surviving the vote to ban the play by 2 votes. Should the Steelers consider doing a Tush-Push package? Why/why not?

4. With the unofficial start of summer, it’s grilling season. What is your favorite BBQ sauce/rub/seasoning? Bonus points for recipe/ ingredients/ cooking tips.

5. What is a song that is the quintessential patriotic song to you?

6. In honor of veterans who have fallen, share with us if one of your loved ones served and were lost.

Bonus: If you want to share about a loved one who passed away (veteran or not) tell us about them and their life.

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...ad-offseason-week-15-remember-to-never-forget
 
Can you guess this Steelers receiver in today’s in-5 trivia game?

btsc_social.0.png


Think you can figure out which Steelers player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Hey Steelers fans! We’re back for another day of the Behind the Steel Curtain in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Behind the Steel Curtain in-5 game​


If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​


Saturday, May 24, 2025
Friday, May 23, 2025
Thursday, May 22, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​


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Behind the Steel Curtain in-5 instructions​


The goal of the game is to guess the correct Steelers player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2025/5/25/24436816/sb-nation-steelers-daily-trivia-in-5
 
Steelers analyst ranks top 10 players on roster

Pittsburgh Steelers v Cleveland Browns

Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

Who are the 10 best players on the Steelers’ roster?

As we get closer to the 2025 NFL season (The Hall of Fame Game is just 66 days away), just about every roster around the NFL is close to complete. Of course, rosters will be trimmed from over 80 guys down to 53 before the season kicks off in September, but the high-end players for just about every team are cemented.

With that in mind, Derrick Bell of Steelers Now ranked who he believes to be the 10 best players on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster and they are as follows:

10. EDGE Nick Herbig
9. TE Pat Freiermuth
8. CB Joey Porter Jr
7. EDGE Alex Highsmith
6. LB Patrick Queen
5. WR DK Metcalf
4. S Minkah Fitzpatrick
3. C Zach Frazier
2. DT Cam Heyward
1. EDGE T.J. Watt


Do you agree with @Steelers_DB’s top 10 Steelers players going into 2025? pic.twitter.com/7BTJovWTht

— Steelers Now (@PghSteelersNow) May 24, 2025

Who are the Steelers’ best players?​


There will be some disagreements with every ranking. For starters, I would be perfectly fine swapping Alex Highsmith for DeShon Elliott. Herbig, in my opinion, is the second-best edge rusher on the team. Highsmith may be a better run defender, but Herbig also isn’t a slouch when it comes to defending the run.

I would also swap out Pat Freiermuth for Jaylen Warren. Frankly speaking, we need to see more from Freiermuth. The other Pat on the list, Patrick Queen, was also far too inconsistent for me to put him that high.

Top 10 Steelers in 2025​


For my personal list, these are the guys I would pick.

10. LB Patrick Queen
9. RB Jaylen Warren
8. EDGE Nick Herbig
7. S DeShon Elliott
6. S Minkah Fitzpatrick
5. CB Joey Porter Jr
4. WR DK Metcalf
3. C Zach Frazier
2. DT Cam Heyward
1. EDGE T.J. Watt

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...-watt-patrick-queen-nick-herbig-jaylen-warren
 
Can you guess this Steelers d-lineman in today’s in-5 trivia game?

btsc_social.0.png


Think you can figure out which Steelers player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Hey Steelers fans! We’re back for another day of the Behind the Steel Curtain in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Behind the Steel Curtain in-5 game​


If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​


Sunday, May 25, 2025
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Friday, May 23, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​


NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Behind the Steel Curtain in-5 instructions​


The goal of the game is to guess the correct Steelers player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2025/5/26/24437298/sb-nation-steelers-daily-trivia-in-5
 
Sights and sounds from the Steelers’ first OTA

Jaylen Warren #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the Pittsburgh Steelers OTA offseason workout at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 6 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images

What you missed from Day 1 of Steelers OTAs.

The first day of Steelers OTAs is in the books.

While there wasn’t any tackling and stars such as T.J. Watt were not present, offseason team activities still serve as the first real look the 2025 roster.

As a result, I scoured the internet (more specifically, X/Twitter) to find all of the interview and practice clips I could find. There isn’t a lot to take away from the first day of OTAs, but it is a temporary fix if you’ve been missing the Pittsburgh Steelers over the offseason.

Sights and sounds of Steelers OTAs:​


quarterbacks throwing footballs pic.twitter.com/kwjc82piqZ

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) May 27, 2025

Cameron Heyward on the prevailing thought that Derrick Harmon is the heir apparent as the next Cameron Heyward pic.twitter.com/zNNDjLUHbd

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) May 27, 2025

Pat Freiermuth is unconcerned about the purported lack of depth of the Steelers’ current WR corps pic.twitter.com/qQSPIgMn8u

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) May 27, 2025

Roman Wilson comes into Year 2 highly motivated.

Wilson worked on route indicators, his body level, his blocking technique, and maintaining his burst in and out of breaks.

"I think with everything I've said, there's some urgency to it. You gotta get going. I'm ready for it."

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) May 27, 2025

Nick Herbig in T.J. Watt’s spot to start #Steelers OTAs. pic.twitter.com/f58det2Hh0

— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) May 27, 2025

Mike Tomlin watching the Steelers RBs pic.twitter.com/MBdM5lFTMG

— Noah Strackbein (@NoahStrackbein) May 27, 2025

PQ6️⃣ @Patrickqueen_ pic.twitter.com/qOrypLokSr

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 27, 2025

#Steelers tackles Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu settling in at their new spots for the first OTA session. pic.twitter.com/6UDECHurl3

— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) May 27, 2025

Alex Highsmith leading the linebackers at OTAs with TJ Watt absent for the voluntary session. pic.twitter.com/VkThvndF6Y

— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) May 27, 2025

Calvin Austin III leading WR drills with GP gone and DK Metcalf absent at voluntary OTAs. pic.twitter.com/Atp448H4ZV

— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) May 27, 2025

Steelers QBs working on the first day of OTAs pic.twitter.com/TeJ5sYPZ4z

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) May 27, 2025

Steelers WR DK Metcalf wasn’t among the receivers at the first day of OTAs (video of those here below), but Pat Freiermuth said Metcalf has been around frequently during the early offseason phases. pic.twitter.com/IiRN8qtbVO

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) May 27, 2025

Broderick Jones working at left tackle pic.twitter.com/fTYNcayEdZ

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) May 27, 2025

Some RB drill work pic.twitter.com/D1buDBNFVQ

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) May 27, 2025

Jaylen Warren @KDKA pic.twitter.com/siIeDAKjux

— Cassidy Wood (@CassidyWoodTV) May 27, 2025

Troy Fautanu back @KDKA pic.twitter.com/aVUKhgzDNj

— Cassidy Wood (@CassidyWoodTV) May 27, 2025

When the helmets come out pic.twitter.com/WL7GQT5Kpw

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 27, 2025

QB1 pic.twitter.com/MC0G2oFC4B

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) May 27, 2025

Beanie Bishop NB1 pic.twitter.com/hO5TU38SAD

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) May 27, 2025

Broderick Jones looking quick pic.twitter.com/wPEGZwUjES

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) May 27, 2025

Calvin Austin III leading the WR line today. They grow up so fast… pic.twitter.com/AYGpyjGreo

— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) May 27, 2025

Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig leading the Steelers outside linebackers today at OTAs… pic.twitter.com/BX1x3sNeT1

— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) May 27, 2025

Kaleb Johnson already looking like a leader as a rook ⁦@KDKApic.twitter.com/0aRNdT5asf

— Cassidy Wood (@CassidyWoodTV) May 27, 2025

Roman Wilson runnin routes ⁦@KDKApic.twitter.com/50y623trUE

— Cassidy Wood (@CassidyWoodTV) May 27, 2025

Steelers WR Calvin Austin III says he has 'no clue' if an extension is coming before the season.

"I haven’t even thought about that.”

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) May 27, 2025

Troy Fautanu confirms the #Steelers plan for him and Broderick Jones at OT:

"From what I've been told, I'm playing right tackle."

— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) May 27, 2025

Mason Rudolph ⁦@KDKApic.twitter.com/WVxrqnDNG1

— Cassidy Wood (@CassidyWoodTV) May 27, 2025

The receivers ⁦@KDKApic.twitter.com/HJowqLNiIm

— Cassidy Wood (@CassidyWoodTV) May 27, 2025

Steelers rookie QB Will Howard drilling his movements within the pocket. pic.twitter.com/dMx0KEkv0f

— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) May 27, 2025

RBs at work pic.twitter.com/ElH9kOurR7

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 27, 2025

Troy Fautanu on the right side to start OTAs pic.twitter.com/QmY02tNjXM

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) May 27, 2025

As always, make sure to stay tuned to Behind the Steel Curtain for offseason and OTA content in the upcoming weeks. Steelers OTAs run May 27 through June 5, with veteran mandatory minicamp running June 10-12.

What are your thoughts on the first day of Pittsburgh Steelers OTAs? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments.

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...s-takeaways-news-pittsburgh-mason-rudolph-nfl
 
Terry Bradshaw doesn’t want Aaron Rodgers anywhere near Steelers

Miami Dolphins v New York Jets

Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

The Steelers’ legend doesn’t want to see Rodgers in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Steelers fans aren’t the only ones tired of playing the waiting game when it comes to Aaron Rodgers - former players are, too.

Joining The Buzz’s Morning Mayhem Show, the four-time Super Bowl champion was very critical of the four-time MVP keeping the Steelers in limbo.

“That’s a joke,” Bradshaw said. “That to me is just a joke. What are you going to do? Bring him in for one year? Are you kidding me... That guy needs to stay in California. Go somewhere and chew on bark. Whisper to the gods out there.”


Here is audio of Terry Bradshaw going off on the Steelers considering Aaron Rodgers on 103.7 The Buzz's Morning Mayhem Show ️ #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/j2YdPryRCP

— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) May 27, 2025

It’s very clear that Bradshaw doesn’t want to see Rodgers don the Black and Gold in 2025, and this isn’t the first time that he has been outspoken about Rodgers. Back in the 2021 season, when COVID-19 was still a factor in the NFL season, the Hall of Fame quarterback criticized Rodgers for not being completely open about his vaccination status.

“I’d give Aaron Rodgers some advice,” Bradshaw said on Fox NFL Sunday live from the Naval Academy. “It would have been nice if he’d just come to the Naval Academy and learned how to be honest. Learned not to lie. Because that’s what you did, Aaron. You lied to everyone. Unfortunately, we’ve got players that pretty much think about themselves, and I’m extremely disappointed in the actions of Aaron Rodgers.”


The discussion on FOX about the Rodgers situation

Jimmy: "I'm disappointed in his selfish actions."

Howie: "Possibly putting your teammates in jeopardy is selfish."

Terry: "Let me give Rodgers some advice, it be nice if he came to the Navel academy and learn how to be honest." pic.twitter.com/O9rT6kDNXm

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 7, 2021

Needless to say Bradshaw won’t be giving anyone any blessings to dust off his No. 12 to give to Rodgers anytime soon.

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...want-aaron-rodgers-anywhere-near-steelers-nfl
 
Steelers Read & React: Payton Wilson in review and 2025 roster top-10 draft

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

This week’s Read & React looks back at linebacker Payton Wilson’s 2024 season, then drafts the 10 best players on the roster.

OTAs are here as the NFL season inches closer. This week, Read & React will be taking a look at a young defender who could be stepping into a bigger role in 2025. Plus, we’ll be ranking the top 10 players on the Steelers roster — draft-style! What are the biggest strengths on the team this season?

Steelers in review: LB Payton Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers v Cincinnati Bengals
Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images

As always, we’ll be divvying up our review and analysis. Ryland will focus on Payton’s work against the run, and Ryan will examine how Payton fared in pass coverage.

RB: Per usual, I’ll start with a TL;DR of Wilson’s status at this point in the offseason.

Drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Wilson, the reigning Butkus Award winner as college football’s best linebacker, was seen as a bit of a steal (and a surprise pick) for Pittsburgh. The team hadn’t exactly telegraphed a need at inside linebacker, but it proved to be a worthwhile selection as Wilson logged 45% of the team’s defensive snaps his rookie year as Cole Holcomb never saw the field due to injury.

How exactly did Wilson, an elite college linebacker with a 9.89 RAS and an absurd 4.43-second 40-yard dash fall all the way to the third round? Multiple shoulder and ACL injuries, including a report (that Wilson later refuted) that he was missing the ligament in his right knee.

Wilson played primarily on passing downs his rookie year, showing encouraging durability with appearances in every game on the Steelers’ schedule. His first NFL season had some ups and downs, but the overwhelming consensus is that the Steelers got a future stud at inside linebacker.

Wilson logged 78 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one interception, and two passes defensed in 2024.

I’ll start off by taking a look at the rookie’s run defense:

Listed at 6’4, 242 pounds on the Steelers website, Wilson has a lean, lanky frame for an NFL inside linebacker. His athleticism is excellent, but there were concerns regarding how he’d hold up against the run game at the NFL level.

Pittsburgh seemingly didn’t entirely trust Wilson in that phase of the game either (it didn’t help that every-down linebacker Patrick Queen has a similar block-shedding weakness), with Elandon Roberts taking most of the run-down workload opposite Queen at inside linebacker last season. And it seems the newly-signed Malik Harrison will be filling that role to some extent in 2025.

However, when watching every Wilson run defense snap in his last handful of games of the season, I came away impressed with how impactful he was. It’s a small sample size — he averaged around 10 plays agains the run per game — but to me, he played his way to a bigger role next season.

We can get the bad out of the way first. Some of Wilson’s draft profile weaknesses did show up late in the season. He’s a mixed bag taking on blocks, with the athleticism and solid hand usage to disengage when coming from an angle, but not head-on. He can play upright at times and even get occasionally pushed around by tight ends, which isn’t the best sign.

If he wants to take the next step as an NFL linebacker, he’ll have to get stronger at the point of attack.


Still some reps where he got pushed around pic.twitter.com/NsUQn7Mysj

— Ryland Bickley (@_Ryland_B) May 28, 2025

There are also a few missed tackles on his tape — nothing that shows a worrying trend, but Wilson can be a bit of a lunging missile with over-aggressive angles at times who doesn’t always finish the play.


Not a point of concern, but a few lunging misses pic.twitter.com/vYhpDHbob9

— Ryland Bickley (@_Ryland_B) May 28, 2025

He’s more of a free-flowing playmaker right now rather than a Elandon Roberts-esque brick wall run-stuffer. Sometimes his playing style is more box safety than linebacker. But that isn’t to say Wilson isn’t a physical player. He still had his share of stops in 2024 fighting through blockers.


But a handful of good plays through contact, as well pic.twitter.com/QPDosO1VaW

— Ryland Bickley (@_Ryland_B) May 28, 2025

Wilson’s rare athleticism also let him knife through the defense rather than having to fight through blocks, which often yielded good results. He’s a twitchy athlete with good closing speed that will only improve as he continues to become more comfortable in the Steelers defense.


Navigating through traffic pic.twitter.com/rGCUjhjiAp

— Ryland Bickley (@_Ryland_B) May 28, 2025

And his range, as the cliche goes, is truly sideline-to-sideline. Wilson is a high-effort player with special acceleration for a linebacker. There are some excellent reps on his 2024 tape.


Watching Payton Wilson vs. the run. Really impressed with his range. Bright future for the #Steelers linebacker pic.twitter.com/mxHZbPqyGh

— Ryland Bickley (@_Ryland_B) May 28, 2025

Linebacker is a tough position to learn as a rookie, and although Wilson wasn’t tasked with being an every-down run defender, I came away largely impressed with his ability to react to defenses and make plays.

I’d still like to see a bit more consistency and play strength when runs come right at him, but there is every reason to be optimistic about Wilson becoming a more complete NFL starter over his career. If he stays healthy, the future seems bright for the Steelers linebacker.

RP: After doing a handful of these season reviews, it feels like I’ve taken on the role of bad cop. Bickley started with the bad and then washed it down with a spoonful of sugar and positive elements of Wilson in the run game. I’ll be doing the exact opposite with the passing game.

I’ll provide this disclaimer at the top: two things can be true at the same time. On the one hand, I do think pass coverage is the strongest element of Wilson’s game thus far in his career, and I do have high hopes for his future development. PFF graded Wilson as the fifth-best linebacker in coverage in all of football last year, after all. That’s right, not among rookies, but among all linebackers with enough snaps to qualify. That’s outstanding.

That said, looking at his rookie season objectively, while he may have been ahead of the curve compared to most rookie linebackers, there are still plenty of blemishes and moments of hesitation in his game that will need ironing out if he wants to consistently be considered among the league’s best.

Let’s start with the positives. Wilson can flat move. That trait helps him recover from the occasional misstep, and it allows the Steelers to deploy zone schemes they might otherwise not be able to.


THE highlight of Wilson's rookie season.

He takes a bit of a bad angle at first when pursuing the RB's route, but has the athleticism to make up for it. Heady play to get his arms up, the INT is a bit flukey, but still a hell of a play pic.twitter.com/M03dZsnalK

— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) May 28, 2025

In our first clip, Raven’s running back Justice Hill had Wilson dead to rights after Wilson’s initial pursuit angle got cooked by the wheel route. However, Wilson was able to showcase his recovery speed and his spatial awareness to throw his arm up to disrupt the pass was rewarded with an awkward exchange resulting in Wilson's sole interception of the season.


Later in the season. Not targeted on this route, but watch him bail from the A gap at the LOS and take away the in-breaking route from Chase pic.twitter.com/U1fvb8J8VU

— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) May 28, 2025

Wilson’s speed is also on display in the clips above and below. In the first clip, the Steelers line Wilson up in the A gap — a formation they loved to have him in — and then ask him to bail out to the deep middle of the field. Wilson executes it perfectly, not allowing Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase enough time to let the in-breaking route develop.

In the second clip, Wilson lines up further back, but the Steelers are still asking him to cover a lot of ground to get from the far right hash and undercut the route on the boundary. Wilson pulls it off and Burrow has to look elsewhere on the play. Could you imagine, say, Elandon Roberts being asked to make that play?


Wilson needed to be on his horse for this one, but he and the corner successfully bracket the TE on the outside as Wilson covers the ground to cut underneath him. This coverage clearly makes Burrow hold the ball and retreat into improv mode pic.twitter.com/mz0VCHWKj5

— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) May 28, 2025

That speed and fluid movement skills also should allow Wilson to develop into the player who can finally solve the issues the Steelers have long had with tight ends running in the seam.


He wasn't used this way as often as you'd expect, but watch him take the TE in the seam here after motion by the offense changed up his assignment, no target pic.twitter.com/jll1cMYSh6

— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) May 28, 2025

Understandably, Wilson was most comfortable as a rookie handling routes near the line of scrimmage. In the three games where I watched every coverage snap (Baltimore, Kansas City, Cincinnati) the majority of Wilson’s time was spent covering running backs and tight ends. When Wilson was at his best, he was able to take away the route or quickly rally for the tackle.


As a LB, the majority of Wilson's time will be spent taking away routes from TEs and RBs, and he seemed most comfortable with these routes nearer the LOS.

Here he's not targeted w/ tight coverage on the hook route from the TE pic.twitter.com/bjQERD35p4

— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) May 28, 2025

You won't be able to prevent every quick throw, so it's good to see Wilson is able to rally and tackle more often than not (tho more on the "nots" later...) pic.twitter.com/PO5cP6QQm3

— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) May 28, 2025

Wilson wasn’t perfect, however. There were plenty of times where a bad angle, poor tackling form, or moments of confusion and/or hesitation impacted a play negatively.

Take the following plays for example:


So there are a lot of positives to Wilson's game. However, he still suffered rookie growing pains.

Take this bad angle/overpursuit on Travis Kelce. Prime Kelce woulda turned that into an explosive play pic.twitter.com/or8VYM7jFb

— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) May 28, 2025

Kelce gets the better of him again on this play, where Wilson is clearly having some pre-snap communication issues. His head is turned, looking behind him at the snap pic.twitter.com/azY09UnsUn

— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) May 28, 2025

Asking Wilson to keep up with Xavier Worthy isn't fair, especially with KC getting creative and sending him through the B gap.

Wilson is able to get into trail fairly quickly, but he's behind just enough that he isn't able to make a sound tackle and Worthy YACs it up pic.twitter.com/rT7cQSQTcA

— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) May 28, 2025

Here, Wilson has trouble fighting through the traffic, and is essentially taken out of the play pic.twitter.com/Jcq9EfBU9g

— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) May 28, 2025

Another bad tackle attempt, this time in the RZ against the RB. Wilson tries to wrap the RB up around the shoulders and it does not work pic.twitter.com/RAgZuuATJ1

— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) May 28, 2025

So clearly, Wilson’s game isn’t without warts. Those were just a handful of negative plays from three games, so you can easily envision where Wilson still has room to grow. He’s not Fred Warner — the best coverage linebacker in the game right now — but he is a plus-player with room to grow.

I’ll end my analysis by taking a page out of Bickley’s first. Here are two plays from the Baltimore game that show Wilson’s ability to learn during the middle of a game. Imagine what another full offseason with the organization can do for him.


I'm still encouraged by Wilson's future, so we'll leave with this example of him learning. First clip: He gets picked by the route and actually collides with his teammate. Second clip: we see he's learned and adapted from his previous mistake later in the game pic.twitter.com/h9yXV94fbr

— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) May 28, 2025

Steelers 2025 Roster Top-10 Draft


In an effort to highlight who Read & React thinks the best players on the roster currently are, Ryan and Ryland will be drafting five players each. We’re not filling out any positions or categories, purely picking the players we think are the best at their jobs. We’re also excluding quarterbacks, currently rostered or otherwise, for this process.

It should be noted, rookies were not excluded, but none were selected. We share a mindset that a player needs to prove it on an NFL field first, even if we are excited about their potential, and the results reflect that.


1. TJ Watt, outside linebacker

Pittsburgh Steelers v Cleveland Browns
Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

RP: No surprises here with the first pick and what I assume to be a consensus pick for best Steeler on the roster. It should be telling about Watt’s talent that 2024 was considered a “down year” by his standards, yet he still managed 11.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 19 tackles for loss and 27 QB hits.

Since entering the league in 2017, Watt has been a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate. In that timespan, he leads the NFL with 108 sacks, with Cleveland’s Myles Garrett (102.5) offering the only real competition in a top-5 that is rounded out by retired Aaron Donald (83.0), Houston’s Danielle Hunter (81.0) and Kansas City’s Chris Jones (78.5). Watt’s 33 forced fumbles and 12 fumble recoveries during that time also far outpace the next closest defender, Khalil Mack, in both categories with 24 and 10, respectively.

While a decision about a contract extension looms over the Steelers and Watt this summer, Watt and the Steelers' track records suggest both sides will find a way to come together on a new deal before the first kickoff of the season. And he’s certainly a player his teammates hold in high regard.

2. Cam Heyward, defensive line

Pittsburgh Steelers v Philadelphia Eagles
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

RB: The crazy part about “drafting” the 36-year-old Heyward here is that no part of it was a legacy pick. Heyward’s history as a Steeler is absolutely something special, but this activity is about who is elite right now — and that’s a label that still applies to No. 97, even entering his 15th season.

It wasn’t always that obvious following Heyward’s injury-stricken 2023. Before he signed his extension last offseason, there were calls from the fanbase and media to take a pay cut or even retire. Father Time is undefeated, right?

Heyward signed a three-year, $45 million deal in September. Despite worries that it would be an overpay, the veteran D-lineman made it look like an outright bargain following his 2024 season, which included 71 total tackles, eight sacks, and a well-deserved first-team All-Pro nod. Heyward’s bull rush remains among the best in the league, and his run defense is still elite. Just an incredible player.

3. DK Metcalf, wide receiver

Seattle Seahawks v Arizona Cardinals
Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

RP: With the two leaders of the Black and Gold’s defense off the board, this is where the draft format gets interesting. While we’ve yet to see him officially suit up for a Steelers game, I’ll go ahead and pick DK Metcalf.

In 97 career games, Metcalf totaled 438 receptions for 6,324 yards and 48 touchdowns. Metcalf set several franchise records in Seattle, and his single-season highs of 90 receptions (14th), 1,303 yards (11th), and 12 touchdowns (T-3rd) would all rank as some of the best in Steelers history.

The Steelers are betting that Metcalf can continue that production for his new team, and they paid him handsomely to be just that. If you want a full breakdown of Metcalf’s strengths and limitations, I did a Film Room breakdown shortly after the news of his trade was announced.

4. Chris Boswell, kicker

NFL Pro Bowl Games
Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

RB: Boswell — a kicker — might seem like a mild surprise to take this early. But if you return to our criteria (“players we think are the best at their jobs”), I’d argue I got an absolute steal with the fourth pick here.

In fact, you could easily argue that no Steeler was better at their job than Boswell last season, who earned a first-team All-Pro nod as the league’s best kicker. His 41/44 record backs that up, including 13 makes of 50-plus yards and a perfect 35/35 on extra points. And Boswell scored all of the Steelers’ offensive points in two of the team’s wins last season, going six-for-six on both occasions.

Oh yeah, he came in clutch with a 43-yard emergency punt in Week 1, too.

Boswell’s 2024 should go down as one of the best, if not the best, single season for a kicker in team history. His consistency, as well as the pure volume of points he scored last year, should not be taken for granted.

5. Zach Frazier, center

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

RP: Outside of Watt and Heyward, it’d be hard to find a player Steelers fans agree on more than center Zach Frazier. Frazier, a four-year starter at nearby West Virginia, was practically a fan favorite before he was even selected by the Steelers. Pre-draft mocks frequently had the former Mountaineer headed to Pittsburgh, and Frazier wasted little time living up to the hype.

Frazier was named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie team as well as the recipient of the Steelers’ Joe Greene Great Performance Award, which is the organization’s award for the best-performing rookie.

Frazier started 15 games and was a stabilizing force on an offensive line that battled injuries all season and had to adjust to two different quarterbacks starting games. PFF had Frazier graded as the 6th overall center (77.9), and his grades in run blocking (80.5, 5th) and pass blocking 68.6, 10th) were both top-10 grades for a center, good enough for top marks in a relatively loaded draft class at his position. Frazier’s 2024 performance already has beat writers predicting he’ll earn his first All-Pro selection in year two.

Frazier’s future in Pittsburgh is bright.

6. Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety

Pittsburgh Steelers v Cleveland Browns
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

RB: Fitzpatrick has gradually slipped out of superstardom with only one interception over his last two seasons. He’s certainly not above criticism, but ask yourself: Just how many current Steelers would you draft over the three-time first-team All-Pro? The No. 6 pick feels fair.

Fitzpatrick isn’t as dynamic as he was during his incredible stretch of play from 2019-2022, but he’s still in his prime at 28 years old and playing at a high level.

Turnover production is notoriously inconsistent; it can’t be the only way we judge players. Fitzpatrick has been tasked with copious amounts of single-high safety play in recent years and has stood out as a reliable open-field tackler. He put up 96 combined tackles last season and has been a constant in a secondary that’s had a carousel of names in the starting lineup over the last several years.

Turn on the tape and you’ll see a safety who’s still well above average in man coverage and a very good zone defender. Fitzpatrick is without a doubt still one of the top players on the roster.

7. Joey Porter Jr., cornerback

Baltimore Ravens v Pittsburgh Steelers
Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

RP: While some labeled Porter’s 2024 season a disappointment, I still consider him one of the emerging young talents in the NFL. His 56.3 PFF coverage grade (92nd among qualified CBs) paints a bleak picture, but I don’t think Porter’s season was as bad as that makes it seem.

Ask around who some of the best young corners in the league are, and I wager the list would include names like:

2024 stats

  • Patrick Surtain II — 682 coverage snaps, 55 targets, 8% target rate, 72.7 Rec%, 396 yards, 2 TDs, 4 INTs, 5 PBUs
  • Sauce Gardner — 490 snaps, 47 targets, 9.5% target rate, 53.2 Rec%, 391 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 7 PBUs
  • Derek Stingley Jr. — 709 snaps, 95 targets, 13.3% target rate, 45.3 Rec%, 456 yards, 3 TDs, 7 INTs, 11 PBUs
  • Christian Gonzalez — 563 snaps, 84 targets, 14.9% target rate, 54.8 Rec%, 499 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 7 PBUs
  • Christian Benford — 653 snaps, 62 targets, 9.5% target rate, 62.9 Rec%, 415 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 6 PBUs
  • Jaylon Johnson — 575 snaps, 51 targets, 8.9% target rate, 62.7 Rec%, 424 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 4 PBUs
  • Garrett Williams — 514 snaps, 60 targets, 11.6% target rate, 58.3 Rec%, 343 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 6 PBUs
  • Cooper DeJean — 606 snaps, 97 targets, 16% target rate, 71.1 Rec%, 388 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT, 7 PBUs
  • Quinyon Mitchell — 764 snaps, 87 targets, 11.4% target rate, 56.3 Rec%, 502 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 10 PBUs
  • Trent McDuffie — 750 snaps, 102 targets, 13.6% target rate, 60.8 Rec%, 661 yards, 6 TDs, 2 INTs, 8 PBUs

Those players are among the league’s best. And yet I can’t help but feel like Porter’s production was not far off from his peers:

  • Joey Porter Jr — 646 snaps, 79 targets, 12.2% target rate, 67.1 Rec%, 653 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 5 PBUs

Porter’s ball skills have always been a question mark in his game, and he’s hot and cold as a tackler. Still, he’s the best young corner the team has brought on in years and is not that far off from his peers in many key metrics. Steelers fans should be happy to have him on the team.

8. DeShon Elliott, safety

Pittsburgh Steelers v Las Vegas Raiders
Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images

RB: This pick might feel a bit rich, but it’s hard to find many Steelers defenders who were more impactful than Elliott in 2024. He wasn’t a big-name free agent addition last season, but he sure played like one.

Look, Elliott had some struggles in man coverage last season, exacerbated by a particularly brutal showing in Week 18 against the Bengals, but he filled up the rest of the stat sheet: a career-best 108 total tackles, one interception, six passes defensed, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries over his debut year as a Steeler.

And in the box, he was a consistent playmaker, impressing as both a sure tackler and an aggressive enforcer near the line of scrimmage with an 87.8 run defense grade from PFF — elite for a defensive back. Tone-setters like Elliott are a necessity for turning good defenses into great ones.

9. Alex Highsmith, outside linebacker

Pittsburgh Steelers v Washington Commanders
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

RP: The 2024 season is one Highsmith would probably like to forget. Forced to miss six games due to injury, Highsmith played in less than 16 games for the first time in his career. He finished the year with a career-low 45 combined tackles, and his sacks (6.0) and QB hits (13) were at the lowest they’ve been since his rookie season.

With just one season of double-digit sacks to his name (14.5 in 2022), Highsmith may never be an elite pass rusher, but he’s still a pretty damn good one.

Among edge rushers, Highsmith finished right behind Watt for PFF’s seventh-highest pass rush grade — as a fun side note, Nick Herbig finished 4th. That high grade is in large part due to Highsmith’s 35 pressures (31st) and 17.5% pass rush win rate (19th), both ranking near the top of the league for an edge defender, despite all the missed time.

Highsmith’s contributions against the run are equally impactful. Once again, compared against all other edge rushers, Highsmith’s 78.3 PFF grade against the run (13th), 18 stops (T-19th), and 5.3% missed tackle rate (23rd) are all impressive reflections of his standing among the league’s best and most versatile edge defenders. He may be second-fiddle to Watt for Pittsburgh, but Highsmith would be the best player on a lot of NFL defenses.

10. Patrick Queen, linebacker

Baltimore Ravens v Pittsburgh Steelers
Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images

RB: I had a tough time deciding between Pat Freiermuth and Queen here, but ultimately I went with the Steeler who consistently logged 100% of defensive snaps each game and has a second-team All-Pro under his belt.

Queen got off to a slow start in 2024, not looking like the big-money linebacker the Steelers brought him in to be. But although the Pittsburgh defense had some struggles down the stretch, Queen found his footing as the season progressed.

He’s never going to be the most imposing presence as a run-stopper, with his size preventing him from consistently shedding blocks, but Queen’s range is as-advertised. He’s a hyper-athletic tackling machine who impressed with his fluidity in coverage in the all-22 I reviewed for this article.

Like Payton Wilson, I think Queen should look even better in 2025 behind a revamped Steelers defensive line. 2024 left a bad taste in everyone’s mouths, but if the Steelers defense stays healthy next season, it’s a group worth getting excited about.

Final Teams


Ryan

  • T.J. Watt
  • DK Metcalf
  • Zach Frazier
  • Joey Porter Jr.
  • Alex Highsmith

Ryland

  • Cam Heyward
  • Chris Boswell
  • Minkah Fitzpatrick
  • DeShon Elliott
  • Patrick Queen

Join in on Steelers R&R by sharing your takes on this week’s topics in the comments. How would you rank the players in our top 10? Do you think another player is more deserving? What are your expectations for Payton Wilson in his second season? Feel free to pitch future questions in the comment section or on Twitter/X: tag @_Ryland_B or @RyanParishMedia, or email us at [email protected]

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...tt-otas-payton-wilson-lb-film-room-read-react
 
The Steelers have a new No. 14 following the George Pickens trade

Kenneth Gainwell #14 of the Philadelphia Eagles smiles prior to Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Eagles defeated the Chiefs 40-22.

Kara Durrette/Getty Images

Kenneth Gainwell gets his old jersey number back.

The Steelers didn’t waste much time putting George Pickens’ old uniform number back in circulation.

After issuing the No. 14 to newly-signed rookie wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig on Tuesday, Steelers.com’s Dale Lolley reported early Wednesday that the number has changed hands again; this time to running back Kenneth Gainwell, a 2025 free agent signing.


Steelers RB Kenneth Gainwell has switched his number to 14 since it opened up. Had been wearing No. 21. Had worn 14 in Philadelphia.

— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) May 28, 2025

Gainwell previously wore the No. 14 during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles. He had previously been wearing the No. 21 with the Steelers, which now goes to Lemonious-Craig, per Lolley.

Wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, who the Steelers acquired via trade this offseason, also wore the No. 14 before his time in Pittsburgh. It appears he’ll be sticking with the No. 4 as a Steeler.

Gainwell is expected to be the Steelers’ RB3 behind Jaylen Warren and rookie Kaleb Johnson in 2025, even though he’ll see some competition from the veteran Cordarrelle Patterson.

Gainwell rushed for 290 yards and one touchdown last season with a 3.9-yard average. He added 22 receptions for 116 in the passing game, along with 18 kickoff returns.

Source: https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...-metcalf-jersey-number-no-14-uniform-otas-nfl
 
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