Steelers Central

On this episode of Steelers Central, I discuss what free agent I think will be the most impactful to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Will it be Jamel Dean in the CB room, Rico Dowdle to the RB room, or Michael Pittman to the WR room? Take a listen to find out!

Next, the Steelers have one of the best defensive line rooms in the NFL, but yet their run defense has struggled to live up to the talent on paper, see why I think that will not be the case this year in part because of the addition to Sebastian Joseph Day.

Lastly, with two 2023 draft picks signed and secured under long term deals, people are wondering when the Steelers will sign their star corners with deep Pittsburgh ties who had a top 10 season this past year. I'll tell you why you should not start to worry yet with around a month until training camp.

0:00-13:00 Steelers Most Impactful Free Agent

13:01-24:47 Will the Run Defense Improve?

24:48-34:50 Joey Porter Jr. Contract Situation

On this episode of Steelers Central, we talk a lot of looming questions that will be coming during the end of the 2026 season. We'll start with the decision about which edge rusher the team will be keeping next year between TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith after Nick Herbig's contract. Why I think Alex Highsmith will be the odd man out and a hot commodity at this year's trade deadline.

Next is the Brendan Sorsby debate, and what the cost would be to get a QB with his current situation in the supplemental draft. It would be interesting to see what or if the Steelers would give up to get him, and why their current QB situation may hold them off another year. Listen to my complete thought on this whole situation in the second segment.

This leads us to the 2027 NFL Draft where the Steelers will have multiple positions to fill. With a stacked QB class, and no Aaron Rodgers returning, that should be priority one with the amount of names on that list and that talent that could go in this year's draft. Their situation will also be much better allowing for a QB to grow and develop instead of having to be great right away. See what could be their other positions of needs though.

Next, the team added to huge pieces to a WR room that looks to be much better, versatile, and on the field more often in 2026. Listen why I think a DK Metcalf resurgence is due, Michael Pittman becomes Aaron Rodgers favorite target, Germie Bernard provides instant impact out of the slot, and even an expanded role for Roman Wilson. Also the team needs another veteran WR to round out the room in case of injury.

Lastly, the CB room is the deepest it has been in years, and see why I think this will translate to more than just on the field production: it will establish an identity. The Steelers are now big, long, and physical on the outside with Asante Samuel Jr. giving them a curveball, and Daylen Everette providing some youth and raw talent that could lead him to contribute earlier than most people think. Hear my one issue with this room in the last segment that people are overlooking from last year even with Jalen Ramsey expecting to have a more refined role this year.

0:00-13:00 2027 EDGE Room Questions

13:01-24:40 Brendan Sorsby Situation

24:41-40:20 Taking Another Stab at QB

40:21-55:05 Positional Outlook: WR

55:06-65:30 Positional Outlook: CB

On this episode of Steelers Central, we discuss the extensions given to Nick Herbig and Darnell Washington set them up nicely with key pieces of their future now locked up. Also I'll explain why the team has a decision looming at OLB in 2027, and why Darnell Washington's contract will be the new norm for players of his skillset.

Then it's time to discuss the looming positional battles that will shape training camp including QB2, RG, RT, and slot WR, also here why the TE3 position could be an area to watch the Steelers signing a former GB Packer, and why one Steelers 3rd round pick could be an essential part of their secondary moving forward after opening some eyes.

More Positional Outlooks as we discuss the TE room, and why there will be more production from Friermuth and Washington with a more modern approach, and could Riley Nowakowski make a name for himself fitting into Connor Heyward's role.

At the OLB position things will yet again be pretty cut and dry with Watt, Highsmith, Herbig, and Sawyer. This will yet against be one of the more dynamic and consistent edge rushing trios in the NFL, and why Patrick Graham's approach will make things more balanced and fresh. I'll give you my one area of concern with this group going forward though, and why that could make it hard to keep these guys fresh.

0:00-19:45 Positional Battles Looming

19:46-29:03 Big Time Extensions

29:04-36:56 Positional Outlook: TE

36:57-44:29 Positional Outlook: OLB

On this episode of Steelers Central, it's time to talk about some extension-worthy players ahead of the new year from Omar Khan's draft class, see which contracts I think are most likely to get done, and which are least likely. Also, hear my thoughts on why Keeanu Benton's contract negotiation might be the most interesting.

Next, I'll give my take on the biggest remaining questions on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Hint: It is not the QB Position.

Lastly, we continue our positional breakdowns by analyzing both the RB and safety positions. Hear why I think the Steelers will have a tough time deciding who to keep outside of Warren and Dowdle, and why one injury to the safety room could lead to some problems with the team running split safeties.

0:00-18:32 Steelers Extension Decisions

18:33-29:00 Steelers Biggest Questionmarks

29:01-38:24 Positional Outlook: RB

38:25-47:15 Positional Outlook: Safeties

On this episode of Steelers Central, we break down the 2026 Steelers Schedule, which stretches of the season the team needs to capitalize on, and which they may struggle in. We'll also predict the Steelers record and why their .500 record may be in jeopardy, but may benefit from a weak AFC and NFC South.

Next, with OTAs starting, there were some things of note already to start the process. The QB2 battle, rookies being tested early on, offensive line shuffling, and new defensive safety placement on the backend.

The team's positional outlook continues with the QBs on both sides of the ball. I'll explain the importance of the Rudolph and Howard QB 2 battle, and why there should be more concern in the ILB room despite a solid depth chart.

0:00-30:00 2026 Steelers Schedule Predictions

30:01-45:27 OTA Takeaways

45:28-54:30 Steelers Positional Outlook: QB

54:31-61:38 Steelers Positional Outlook: ILB

On this episode of Steelers Central, we begin our positional outlook heading into OTAs with most position groups being set. We'll start with the two of the strongest units on both sides of the ball, the offensive and defensive lines. See why despite some reshuffling, the offensive line could be even better than last year, while the defensive line got deeper and added an impact versatile player.

Then we'll get into how rookie minicamp went, some early takeaways, and discuss why Will Howard should start the season on the unlikely chance that Rodgers never shows up instead of Drew Allar.

A new extension for arguably one of the team's MVPs the last couple of seasons, as Chris Boswell ties the highest paid value for a kicker, and why he deserves every penny of that deal.

Lastly, with the schedule being released I'll give you my top five matchups of the season for the Steelers, and why one divisional classic tops that list.

0:00-21:57 Steelers Positional Outlook: Offensive Line

21:58-28:01 Steelers Positional Outlook: Defensive Line

28:02-34:02 Who to Start: Allar or Howard

34:03-37:25 Rookie Minicamp Takeaways

37:26-41:10 Boswell Extension

41:11-56:15 Top 5 Matchups

On this episode of Steelers Central, we break down the Steelers 2026 Draft Class. Hear my thoughts on the team's first round drama, where does this draft rank among Omar Khan's Draft Class, and did the team did get appropriate value overall, or did they reach for some of their selections.

Next, I discuss what holes still remain on the team's roster including one defensive position that the team did a lot of pre draft work on, but chose to pass up with some contracts ending in the next two years. Also, a room that was depth-heavy last year will need some receiving juice this year.

The Rodgers dilemma continues as the team placed a UFA Tender on the veteran QB giving the team some security and draft compensation on the rare scenario he leaves. Honestly I'd rather him leave and the Steelers try out the alternate options and secure a top draft pick.

Lastly, as expected, Broderick Jones fifth-year option will not be picked up as a mix of poor play, and a neck injury factored into the Steelers drafting a first round tackle for the third time in four years sealing his fate. Why I think the team failed him, and this could similar to a Mekhi Becton situation from a couple years ago that got him a pay day.

0:00-33:00 Steelers 2026 Draft Breakdown

33:01-38:41 Steelers Remaining Holes

38:42-48:35 UFA Rodgers

48:36-56:11 Declining Jones' Fifth-Year Option

On this episode of Steelers Central, it is finally mock draft time with the draft just one day away, and the Steelers picking at 21. I'll give you my prediction on what the Steelers will do throughout the weekend, what they prioritize, and all while not trading picks. WR in Round 1 and Guard Round 2? Does the team take a QB, and just how much offensive line depth does the team go with?

Then we'll get into some my bold predictions on what the Steelers do in this draft. Tune in to see what how aggressive the team moves up to get their guys, and just how many WRs does the team take in this draft!

Lastly, I'll give my takeaways on what Mike McCarthy talked about on Tuesday regarding his plans for implementing his offense, and why I think it is a good shakeup from having a defensive minded coach the way he is doing it.

0:00-24:04 Steelers 2026 Mock Draft (No Trades)

24:05-31:32 Steelers 2026 Draft Bold Predictions

31:33-37:35 Mike McCarthy Pre-Draft Presser Takeaways

On this episode of Steelers we begin by evaluating some of the top QBS in this draft class starting with a a first-year mental processor from Alabama, then a potential Top-10 pick hampered by injuries in his final season at LSU, and a four-year battle tested veteran from the runner-up Miami Hurricanes. Then we get to the physical specimens: the most gifted thrower of this class when he is right from Penn State, the most-athletically gifted QB of this generation, and a one-year FCS starter with an intriguing NFL skillset.

Then we'll get into what the Steelers new coordinators said about what the offense and defense might look like headed into the 2025 season including some talk about multiple personnel on both sides of the ball, the QB situation, how they plan to develop plans on both sides of the ball, and lastly could we see some Dick LeBeau type defensive schemes from Patrick Graham.

0:00-12:16 Alabama QB Ty Simpson

12:17-20:48 LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier

20:49-28:20 Miami QB Carson Beck

28:21-37:57 PSU QB Drew Allar

37:58-46:46 Arkansas QB Taylen Green

46:47-54:10 NDSU QB Cole Payton

54:11-70:13 Coordinator Takeaways

With the NFL Draft just under two weeks away, we begin to scout a safety room with some intriguing depth. We start with the do-it-all chess piece who transferred to Oregon his senior year. Then, another transfer known for his heavy hitting and ball skills at LSU, a sleeper transfer from USC with exceptional coverage ability despite a slight frame, a surprisingly effective coverage, hair-on-fire type player who brings some pop with a smaller frame from TCU. Lastly, a well-built Penn State safety who bet on himself and improved his coverage ability, and a BIG 12 player with exceptional coverage skills, but run commitment concerns.

Then it's time to see why I think this is about as unpredictable a draft in recent memory for a number of reasons.

0:00-12:07 Oregon S Dillion Thieneman

12:08-17:40 LSU S AJ Haulcy

17:41-24:56 USC S Kamari Ramsey

24:57-31:47 TCU S Bud Clark

31:48-40:02 PSU S Zakee Wheatley

40:03-45:47 Arizona S Genesis Smith

45:48-51:08 Unpredictable Draft