The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
PAUL SASSO FROM HAWTHORNE, NJ: With the addition of Elandon Roberts, do you think it's possible the Steelers could part ways with Patrick Queen in order for them to free up the necessary cap space to sign Joey Porter Jr. to a contract extension?
ANSWER: Patrick Queen is an important part of the 2026 Steelers, not some spare part. My personal opinion has been that the play of the inside linebackers is tied directly to the job the defensive linemen do on a consistent basis, and with the recent upgrades there – Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, and Sebastian Joseph-Day to go along with holdovers Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton – is going to make all of the inside linebackers more effective. And besides, Omar Khan has a plan in place to create/have sufficient cap space for a contract extension for Joey Porter Jr., and he always has had a plan.
KEN MAULDIN FROM CLYDE, TX: It is starting to look like the signing of Asante Samuel Jr. was a real steal. I think he has even surprised the Steelers somewhat with how well he has played in camp and in the first preseason game. Based on his contract being a 1-year deal, is there any chance the Steelers extend that offer before the season? I am concerned that if we lose Samuel and Joey Porter Jr. to unrestricted free agency after this season, we will be very thin on quality cornerbacks again. Are my fears for real?
ANSWER: I'm not going to tell you what you should fear, but I will suggest that in this particular situation your fears are premature. Lots of football to be played between now and March 2027.
MIKE POWELL FROM UNIVERSAL CITY, TX: I'm seeing numerous references to "Franco moments." Could you explain what that signifies?
ANSWER: One of the staples of Coach Mike McCarthy's training camps at his previous stops were "mojo moments," which was what he called drills that stressed how the offense and defense should react/respond to situations of sudden-change during a game. A turnover is an example of a sudden-change situation, and McCarthy would randomly stop a practice and declare a turnover had taken place at a certain spot on the field and in a certain situation in the game. Then, the offense and defense each have to respond to the situation. What once were called "mojo moments" now are called "Franco moments" to acknowledge the Immaculate Reception, recognized as the greatest play in NFL history.
Brian Batko wrote about it recently for Steelers.com:
"When it comes to what it means at practice, it's simulating the sort of scenario that can play out if there's a turnover — for either side of the ball — and the need to get up, get out on the field and get going. McCarthy acknowledged that it tends to be one of the more intense periods of practice, and they've already had to consult the video afterward to see if it was an offensive or defensive win."
JEREMY SCHWARTZ FROM DILLARD, GA: In the Super Bowl era, have the Steelers ever started the season with a primary/first backup QB who had no regular season NFL experience?
ANSWER: Yes, and it has happened a bunch of times. Here are 2 of the more famous examples.
• In 1976, the 2-time defending Super Bowl Champion Steelers entered the regular season with rookie Mike Kruczek – a No. 2 pick (47th overall) from Boston College – as Terry Bradshaw's backup. After Bradshaw was injured, Kruczek started 6 games in 1976 and posted a 6-0 record to help the Steelers finish 10-4 and win the AFC Central Division.
• In 2004, the Steelers began the season with rookie Ben Roethlisberger – a No. 1 pick (11th overall) from Miami (Ohio) – as Tommy Maddox's backup. After Maddox was injured, Roethlisberger started 13 games in 2004 and posted a 13-0 record to help the Steelers finish 15-1 and win the AFC North Division.
SAM BISHOP FROM ENID, OK: Is Troy Fautanu doing all right with his adjustment to left tackle? I thought I read that he was making some mistakes at his new position. That being the case, is there a possibility that Dylan Cook would be the best option at left tackle with Troy moving back to right tackle?
ANSWER: Troy Fautanu is a first-round NFL talent who played left tackle during his final two years at the University of Washington. He is still acclimating to the change from right tackle, but trust me when I tell you he is best suited to be the Steelers starting left tackle in 2026.
CHRIS WELBURN FROM GLASTONBURY, CT: Would you draw any conclusions or insights into the number of plays Broderick Jones played? I would hope it would be perceived as extremely positive?
ANSWER: It was a positive to me. Against the Packers in the preseason opener, Broderick Jones played 49 offensive snaps to lead the Steelers, and I was impressed with his level of football conditioning coming after an offseason when he needed cervical spinal fusion surgery to repair a neck injury. That rehabilitation had to disrupt his normal offseason program, and I was frankly surprised he didn't have to begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list. I am in no way qualified to evaluate Jones' play since camp opened back in late July, but I cannot remember him missing any practices, and it seems to me his arrow is pointed up.
GARY RICHARDSON FROM WINTERSVILLE, OH: Do you think that if the Steelers were to put Mason Rudolph on the practice squad that someone would grab him right away?
ANSWER: As a vested veteran, Mason Rudolph would not be subjected to waivers and would become a free agent if he is released as part of the roster cut to 53 players on Aug. 30. Because of that, I don't believe Rudolph even gets to the practice squad to be "grabbed" by another team.
PAT FLYNN FROM OAKDALE, PA: If a player doesn't make the 53-man roster, can that player be signed directly to the Steelers practice squad or do they have to go through waivers first? Is that player free to sign with any team's practice squad where they may have a better opportunity of making the 53-man roster later in the season?
ANSWER: Players with fewer than 4 seasons of accrued time in the NFL are subjected to the waiver system if they do not make a 53-man roster coming out of training camp. Waivers last 24 hours, and teams have claiming priorities based on their record from the previous year (much like the order in which the draft is conducted). If a player is claimed on waivers, he is required to report to that team, or he doesn't play. If a player then is not claimed on waivers after the 24 hour period expires, he becomes a free agent and can sign with any team, and that includes the practice squad. Players with 4 or more seasons of accrued time in the NFL are not subject to waivers and are released, which means they become free agents immediately and can sign with any team, and that includes the practice squad. For all players – both those who are waived and those who are released – signing with a practice squad is his choice.
ROB FORTIN FROM MANSFIELD, SD: Long-time Steelers fan from South Dakota. Wondering if you think the Steelers will sign Jaquan Brisker to contract extension?
ANSWER: Since Jacquan Brisker has yet to play a single snap in a Steelers uniform since being signed as an unrestricted free agent in March, I would say it's premature to be pondering a contract extension.
SCOTT RANDALL FROM CONWAY, SC: This is the first time in a long time that I feel the roster is deep in a few places, which is great. Do you think the team will be trading multiple players if the call/price is right or just shopping a QB?
ANSWER: Trades are a big part of speculation at this time of the year, but when all is said and done there just are not a lot of them consummated.
MICHAEL WILLIAMS FROM CINCINNATI, OH: In a recent Asked and Answered, you confidently stated that in lieu of issuing new uniforms for each game, players' football uniforms are washed/recycled from game to game throughout the season. If true, please explain what uniform Joe Greene wore in his next game in 1979, after he iconically threw his jersey to a young fan, proclaiming, "Hey kid, catch!"
ANSWER: If true? First of all, that Coca-Cola commercial was not taped in between games during an NFL season. The "kid" was Tommy Okon, and later in life he said in an interview that he was not permitted to keep the jersey that Joe Greene tossed to him during the filming. But he also said that he received a personalized, autographed jersey from Greene as a Christmas present one year.
JEFFREY MILLER FROM HERMON, ME: So I'm beginning to worry about defensive secondary and lack of playing time together as a "locked in" unit. There is no substitute for hands-on practice, and we certainly have an elite group that I'd like to see get some serious time together. What are the timelines for the DBs' return?
ANSWER: Jalen Ramsey and Joey Porter Jr. remain on the physically unable to perform list, and there has been no specific return-to-play date given for Brandin Echols and Jaquan Brisker. At this point, I don't know that you're going to see any of them on the field during the preseason, and the regular season opens on Sept. 13.
LARRY HEMINGER SAN DIEGO, CA: Not a question but a big shout-out to Mike Prisuta and Max Starks on a great Training Camp Live series. I enjoy getting excited for the season watching that show. Nice job to all of Steelers media.
ANSWER: Thanks for the kind words. I can tell you Mike Prisuta and Max Starks very much enjoy doing that show.
GARY HOPKINS FROM CINCINNATI, OH: About that submission from Don Wenning after the Packers game saying that Aaron Rodgers should fear for his roster spot? Are you completely stupid? Took particular notice that you made no response to it. This guy really needs to take a breath of the reality balloon. Seriously. C'mon, man.
ANSWER: Don Wenning began his submission with an attempt at absurdist humor, and then followed immediately with, "But seriously …" It. Was. A. Joke. And the fact that I used the submission and didn't respond to that part of it should've let you know I got the joke. To quote an Aaron Rodgers line from some years ago: R-E-L-A-X. C'mon, yourself.
