Steelers Central

On this episode of Steelers Central, it's the first official victory Monday for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they beat the Atlanta Falcons 20-13 in what was a sloppy offensive performance that they would not have won without a resurgent defensive performance from TJ Watt. We'll get into my takeaways from the game, what stood out to me, what disappointed me, and the narrative around that this is the same type of win as a Mike Tomlin team.

Then we'll get into the winners and losers from Sunday's game with great performances from the vets: Watt, Highsmith, and Heyward, a promising performance from a third year linebacker, newcomers Jaquan Brisker and Jamel Dean, and Pat Friermuth. There some struggles as well from DK Metcalf, the right side of the offensive line, special teams, and third down offense.

Lastly, the Joey Porter Jr. has taken a bad turn with him not playing Week One. Mike McCarthy took the heat saying it was his decision that he did not play. Why I buy that for one week, but not this week going forward. Also new contract rumors saying that spat is over guaranteed money with the Steelers reportedly only offering $33 million in total guarantees that is inexcusable if you're the Steelers. Hear what I predict what happens in this situation and how this is a situation that may not end well for either side.

0:00-24:00 Steelers vs. Falcons Breakdown

24:01-41:11 Winners and Losers

41:12-56:34 Boiling Point for JPJ Contract Spat

On this episode of Steelers Central, we begin by looking at the Steelers favorable Week One matchup vs. the Falcons. See why Pittsburgh could not have gotten a better opponent, and may be even facing a team without a starting QB.

Hear what I think the keys to victory are for both of these teams headed into their Week One tilt including winning the LOS, pressuring Rodgers, and who wins the TO battle.

Then we get into some of the key matchups and why the Steelers ILB must play discipline, who guards Drake London, and can Rodgers out with Jeff Ulbrich.

0:00-4:19 Steelers Falcons Preview

4:20-10:38 Keys to Victory

10:39-24:36 Matchups to Watch

24:36-28:26 Final Ruling

On this delayed episode of Steelers Central, I react to the inital 53-man roster, and the questionable decision to keep four QBS. I'll also get into what positions suffered as a result, and the Steelers keeping all 11 rookies.

Next, we'll get into some of the holes that remain on the roster including a playmaker on the outside, some depth at the tackle position, and help on the backend. We'll also get into the two trades that opened up one of these holes along with me sounding off on the surprising release of one Steelers fan favorite.

The Joey Porter Jr. saga continues with Christian Gonzalez getting a new deal, Joey Porter Jr. returning to practice and tip toeing around some questions while providing some insight about who has been giving him advice and counsel behind the scene as he continues his "ramp up" period for Week One.

Then it's time we get into the rookies that I think have the best and worst chance to start over some veterans. Tune into see some key position battles!

The AFC Playoff Chase should be a fun one with no real true contender in my opinion. See if I have the Steelers making the playoffs, and my finals record predictions, along with where I have the defending AFC Champs, if Patrick Mahomes gets the Chiefs back, who wins the AFC South, and who gets the number one seed!

0:00-13:50 53-Man Roster

13:51-20:20 Roster Holes Remaining

20:21-29:57 Two Trades and a Surprise Release

29:58-34:47 JPJ Update

34:48-40:15 Which Rookies Start?

40:16-50:15 AFC Playoff Predictions

50:16-57:52 Final Record Prediction

On this episode of Steelers Central, we break down the Steelers last preseason game, a loss to the Buffalo Bills, who proved themselves, and who left a little bit to be desired. Did Will Howard show enough to stay on the 53 man roster? Should Germie Bernard be WR 3? Is Max Iheanachor the best option at RT? Also did players like Robert Spears Jennings and Lew Nichols do enough to secure a roster spot?

Next, my take on the latest rumors in the Joey Porter Jr. saga, and why I am not surprised Jalen Ramsey took JPJ's side. The Steelers also have a troubling trend when waiting to pay their star players resulting in paying top dollar and putting themselves in bad situations, why that trend needs to change.

The depth at WR still is a concern to me outside the top three. Hear the names the team should be looking at including a recently released Browns WR, a veteran slot WR from Philadelphia, and a bubble guy who toasted the Steelers on the 49ers right now.

Lastly, the Steelers restructured DK Metcalf's contract, what that means, and if it 100% means a JPJ contract is coming.

0:00-16:13 Steelers vs Bills Breakdown

16:14-28:55 JPJ Scenarios

28:56-33:42 WR Depth Concerns

33:43-39:16 DK Metcalf Contract Restructure

On this episode of Steelers Central, we break down the Joey Porter Jr. contract situation, and why the Steelers need to get this figured out given their drafting track record. The winners and losers of Friday's preseason game against the Jets including a second year QB, a third year WR, a disappointing effort from the group up front, two veterans making key impacts on the defensive side of the ball, and one player who didn't even play securing a roster spot.

Then we'll talk about the coordinator's press conference where one emphasized execution, and the other talked about veteran players setting the tone for their side of the ball. I'll give my 53-man roster predictions like will the team keep four QBS? Who is RB4? How many players are kept on the defensive line? How deep is the WR room? What rookies will be kept on the fringe? What are some of the toughest moves they will have to make?

Lastly, which players need this last week of preseason the most? See why Will Howard, Kaleb Johnson, Roman Wilson, Broderick Jones, and one position battle all need to stand out for different reasons.

0:00-14:03 Why Steelers need JPJ

14:04-25:15 Steelers vs Jets Winners and Losers

25:16-38:33 Coordinator Talk

38:34-52:13 Steelers 53-Man Roster Final

52:14-60:38 Prove it Preseason Game

On this episode of Steelers Central, we break down the team's first preseason game and discuss some of the winners and losers from the team's opening victory. The young gun slingers balled out, the rookie wideouts shined, while the defensive line flashed their depth. On the other end, both tackles struggled, the STs and discipline were a mess, and Kaleb Johnson disappeared from the rotation.

Next, we talk about the most impressive group for the Steelers thus far, and that's the men in the trenches on the defensive line. They have been a group that has been hyped up in the last couple of years, but see why this is the year they break out.

The backend is a little different though with major pieces missing time due to injury. See why I am getting a little worried about the cohesiveness going forward, and what pieces have been stepping up with the stars on the sideline.

The linebacker room just got a familiar thumper back in the room with Elandon Roberts. Listen to what makes this such a great addition, and why Roberts is just what this room and defense needed in the middle.

Lastly, Keeanu Benton received a four year $72 million extension keeping him in Pittsburgh. Despite some mixed reactions for the fan bases, I am buying into the upside and thinking that went into a forward thinking move in a defense that will feature his strengths a lot more allowing him to blossom.

0:00-17:10 Preseason Week One: Winners and Losers

17:11-23:21 Steelers Strongest Group

23:22-30:42 Secondary Depth Concerns

30:43-35:39 Elandon Roberts Signing

35:40-42:16 Banking on Upside with Benton

On this episode of Steelers Central, I break down Saturday's festivities from the morning coordinator's press conferences to the now Saturday Night Lights instead of Friday Night Lights. I'll give my thought on what the coordinators said as a whole, and some standouts in a second consecutive sloppy performance from the offense.

Next, I'll give my takeaways from the week as whole including three standouts on the offensive line as rookie Max Iheanachor was breaking out right before his injury as well as the emergence of some young players along the defensive line. See which WR has caught my eyes as well throughout this process.

Then it's time to give a brief update on the QB room including why Mason Rudolph looks to continue to be in pole position for the QB 2 spot. The young guys are still working on consistency to impress the coaching stuff as Drew Allar goes through the ebbs and flows and Will Howards struggles to find his showing despite an impressive performance at Saturday Night Lights.

I'll also tell you what rookies have been impressing including Mad Max, Daylen Everette, and Gabe Rubio?? Some guys have also disappointed me in the process including Gennings Dunker, Kaden Wetjen, and some undefined roles for Eli Heidenreich and Riley Nowakowski.

Lastly, why I think the Steelers need to make a move for a free safety in what has been a revolving door in the backup safety spots from Robert Spears-Jennings to UDFAs Jack Henderson and Sebastian Castro to vets Rayshawn Jenkins and the recently-cut Darnell Savage.

0:00-23:55: Coordinators/SNL Talk

23:56-33:56 : Padded Practice Standouts

33:57-39:52: Rudolph Leading the Way

39:53-55:28: Rookie Report Card

55:29-61:59: Safety Conundrum

On this episode of Steelers Central, it's time for training camp! I'll give you my takes on what I am most excited to see on both sides of the ball as the team starts it's three week journey.

Joey Porter Jr. is not practicing right now due to a supposed back injury so we'll analyze the importance of getting him back healthy in the midst of a contract hold up where he reportedly wants near $30 million a year. Here why I think both sides need to come to an agreement soon especially with Jalen Ramsey out with a knee injury for a couple weeks.

Then I'll give my takeaways on the pre training camp press conferences that included no tackling, an update on Broderick Jones health, moving around on both sides of the ball with WRs and OLB, team chemistry, and booming stock in the WR Room.

Lastly, I'll go through the first four days of training camp and give my thoughts on the team's surprising best player, early indications on key positional battles, key contributors in the passing game, and who is winning the backup QB battles through the first four practices.

0:00-14:27 What I'm Most Looking Forward to in Training Camp

14:28-22:15 JPJ Contract Situation

22:16-33:40 Press Conference Takeaways

33:41-40:47 PUP List

40:48-66:05 First Week of Camp

On this episode of Steelers Central, we'll get into the players that I think have the most pressure heading into this training camp as they could be cut due to competition, or just not being versatile enough. These include a second-year RB, a third-year WR, a fourth-year OT, and the whole LB core .

The addition of Patrick Graham also brings some new defensive wrinkles and less base defense for this year's Steelers. Despite the nickel defense drawing a lot of ire from fans, the team still ranked in the top 10 in YPC while in that formation. See why I think Pittsburgh has the personnel to be really successful with this group again this year.

Lastly, I predict what I think the Pittsburgh Steelers 53-man roster will look like pre-training camp with some tough cuts at the RB and LB position. Listen to hear my early thoughts on this roster.

0:00-17:30 Players entering Training Camp under most pressure

17:31-24:12 Steelers Nickel Defense

24:12-51:06 53-Man Roster Predictions

On this episode of Steelers Central, we'll react to the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers draft picks one year later, and what they must improve on headed into year two. I have flip-flopped on two picks that Pittsburgh made last year as well with both players career paths headed in different direction, and one of them having more of an impact then I thought he would.

Lastly, with Pittsburgh paying some key players from the 2023 Draft Class, and a couple more expected in Zach Frazier and Troy Fautanu, see which players I think could be left out including one player from that 2023 Draft Class, and an offensive lineman that could be the odd men out.

0:00-18:05 2025 Steelers Draft Class One Year Later

18:06-35:16 Enough Money to go Around?