The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
JOHN HOLDER FROM BATAVIA, NY: With the regular season nearly over, which new players this year – rookies, free agents, etc., excluding Aaron Rodgers and Kenneth Gainwell – have impressed you?
ANSWER: I believe an overall case can be made that all of the veteran newcomers contributed to the strengthening of the overall roster, and given the number of injuries that have tested the team's depth, most of those acquisitions have had to come through when called upon. Just as an example, injuries in the secondary to DeShon Elliott and James Pierre found the team needing contributions from Kyle Dugger and Brandin Echols and Asante Samuel Jr. Staying with the defense, Jalen Ramsey is in the conversation to be voted Steelers MVP, in my opinion. WRs Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling have made contributions since being acquired; when Ramsey had to be moved from free safety to slot cornerback because of injuries, Chuck Clark stepped up and provided solid play as a safety alongside Dugger; Jabrill Peppers has been a valuable addition to special teams; Malik Harrison has helped in the firming up of the run defense; Jonnu Smith has been another offensive weapon down the stretch; and DK Metcalf has been the No. 1 wide receiver throughout the season. I understand this is something of a laundry list, but as Mike Tomlin has said, "The strength of the pack is in the pack." And in the case of the veteran newcomers, that's what has been needed from them.
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RON SNYDER FROM EMMAUS, PA: Without referring to stats, it is my humble opinion that we've not had as good a run game as we have had recently. To what would you credit this change? We are missing key offensive line starters. Jaylen Warren is the same back as last year. So is it that No. 8 guy under center, the new receivers demanding coverage not needed previously, the play schemes, the execution, some combination of all? I'm thrilled and hope it continues.
ANSWER: Let me start with this: Just because some of the same players have been involved doesn't mean those guys haven't improved and become better than they had been. The addition of Kenneth Gainwell cannot be understated, and Darnell Washington's emergence as a force from the tight end position, combined with Spencer Anderson's work as the guy who makes the jumbo package special have put extra pressure on opposing defenses. I also believe Arthur Smith has developed a rhythm and comfort level in calling running plays, and the overall team performance has kept the score of games in a place where the offense can continue to utilize the running game. In football, it rarely is just one thing that's responsible for success or failure, and I believe that's the case here.
JESSE HYDE FROM SHINGLEHOUSE, PA: I've seen a marked improvement with the Steelers tackling this year, which has been a source of frustration for me over many seasons. I haven't heard anyone commenting on this, and I'm wondering if you have noticed it as well?
ANSWER: During the present 3-game winning streak, I would agree with you totally, but I doubt you felt that way immediately after the game against Buffalo on Nov. 30. The tackling has been reliable and crisp on both defense and special teams lately, and it needs to continue at that level.
NICK MOSES FROM SIMI VALLEY, CA: Do you think the Steelers will use a first-round draft pick on a QB before they get a chance to see what they may have in Will Howard?
ANSWER: I don't know whether the Steelers will use a first-round draft pick on a QB before they get a chance to see what they may have in Will Howard, but I believe they will have to decide whether to use a first-round draft pick on a QB before they get a chance to see what they may have in Will Howard. That's because the 2026 NFL Draft will be in late April, and training camp and the preseason being three months later will be the earliest they will get a chance to really see what they may have in Will Howard.
OTIS JOHNSON FROM GERMANTOWN, MD: Can you help me with the call on the last play of the game vs. the Lions? My friend said that even though offensive pass interference was called, if there would have been more time left on the clock the Lions could have run another play. He said that the game can't end on a penalty, either on the offense or the defense. He's wrong. The game can end on an offensive penalty, right?
ANSWER: Yes. Your friend is wrong. A game can end on a penalty on the offense, but it cannot end on a penalty on the defense.
GLAUCIO CAFALCHIO FROM SÃO JOSÉ DOS CAMPOS, SP, BRAZIL: Of course it takes time for a new quarterback, a young offensive line, a new offensive coordinator, and new skill players to come together and run a consistently effective, championship-caliber offense. After 16 weeks, it seems the Steelers may be getting there, and the defense has also stepped up when it mattered the most. Do you think the team has already addressed the major issues that led to the losses against the Chargers, Bears, and Bills, in order to allow them a deep playoff run this season?
ANSWER: What I have learned over time is that "major issues" are always something of a work in progress, and if the work isn't continuous there is the chance those issues could crop up again. With "major issues" in real life, the marching orders often are stated as "one day at a time." In the NFL, that can be altered to "one game at a time."
DENNIS SLEEGER FROM YORK, PA: With the season winding down, do we know exactly what draft choices we have?
ANSWER: No. Compensatory draft picks typically are announced by the NFL in the latter part of March.
RON MITCHELL FROM PHOENIX, AZ: Does Jack Lambert ever participate in post pro football career honors?
ANSWER: For the most part, Jack Lambert has chosen to live his life after football in a private manner.
ROD KEEFER FROM EDMOND, OK: No question today, just wishes for a blessed and Merry Christmas to all, and a special thanks to you for giving us crazy, passionate, oft short-sighted followers a forum for our questions to be answered and our concerns be heard. Even when there's not much meat on the bone, as Coach Tomlin says.
ANSWER: All the best to you and yours as well.
WAYNE PHILLIPS FROM SPRING HILL, FL: This is kind of personal, but I was wondering if you are married? Is your wife also a Steelers fan, and how does she deal with all the time you spend on the organization and the fans? I have been a fan of the Steelers for over 65 years and a fan of you as long as you have been in your job. Keep up the awesome job you do.
ANSWER: When I met my wife, she was Dan Rooney's Executive Assistant, a job she held for over 10 years, and so she had a very good understanding of the NFL calendar and the demands it places on people who are in that business. And while she supports me in my career and has been in attendance at 4 Super Bowls with me – sitting in the stands while I worked from the press box – she never has been the kind of "fan" to complain to me about play-calls, or player performances, or strategy, or so many of the things that I face in this particular forum. That makes her perfect.
BILL BROSNICK FROM PINSON, AL: Not really a question, but we have a birthday coming up for one of the very good ex-players soon – Clendon Thomas. Hope he has a great birthday.
ANSWER: After a career at the University of Oklahoma where he played for Coach Bud Wilkinson, Clendon Thomas entered the NFL as a second-round pick (19th overall) of the Los Angeles Rams in the 1958 NFL Draft. After 4 seasons with the Rams, Thomas was traded to the Steelers where he spent the next 7 years of his career. During those seasons, Thomas played cornerback and safety on defense, and left end and right end (now called tight end) on offense. In 96 games with the Steelers, Thomas had 23 interceptions and 7 fumble recoveries (one of which he returned for a touchdown) on defense, and 42 receptions for 765 yards (18.2 average) and 2 touchdowns on offense. Thomas was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1963 after posting 8 interceptions for the Steelers. Born on Dec. 28, 1935, Thomas will celebrate his 90th birthday today.
