The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
ROGER SORIANO FROM ANNAPOLIS, MD: In a previous Asked and Answered you wrote that starting in 1970 the Steelers began wearing black jerseys for home games. I think they had white jerseys with white pants in 1970 and 1971 for home games. Correct me if I'm wrong.
ANSWER: You are wrong. The photo collage that brought you into this edition of Asked and Answered is from Nov. 2, 1970, which was the first-ever Steelers-Bengals game played at Three Rivers Stadium. As you can see, the Steelers are wearing black jerseys.
GLENN JOHNSON FROM CARROLLTON, OH: Will the upcoming Monday night game against the Houston Texans at home be viewed as the Steelers putting their 23-game Monday Night Football home winning streak on the line?
ANSWER: I imagine it will be viewed as part of the Monday Night Football series that began in 1970, because it will be played in the typical MNF time slot with the regular broadcast crew of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, and Laura Rutledge calling the game, and it will be broadcast on ESPN/ABC, which is the network for the MNF franchise.
- Download and listen to the Asked & Answered Podcast here: Apple Podcast | Spotify
CJ McMUNN FROM FRANKLIN, TN: I've heard multiple outlets say there was a "blown coverage" on Calvin Austin's go-ahead touchdown catch against the Ravens in Week 18. Maybe I'm missing something but after watching a replay, it looks like Calvin absolutely cooked the cornerback with a double move. Not blown coverage, right?
ANSWER: After the game, Aaron Rodgers was asked about that play, and he said, "Multiple times in the huddle I'm asking Calvin on various plays, 'What do you want on the backside, what do you want on the backside?' He wouldn't give me a straight answer. And on this particular huddle conversation I said. 'What do you want, Cal?' And somebody to my right, I don't know if it was (Mason) McCormick or Pat (Freiermuth) said, 'Just go cook 'em.' I said, 'All right, Cal, you run a hitch-and-go there.' I was really thinking the front side three-man combination that we worked and had success with most of the night was my first thought. I peeked back to the left and saw No. 3 (CB Chidobe Awuzie) slip, and that's a gimme touchdown. I'm proud of Calvin and the line really gave me a lot of time all day."
SHAWN BITTNER FROM JACKSONVILLE, FL: The 17th game for the Steelers in 2026 is against the Eagles. I know those games are always against the NFC, but is there a logic or reasoning behind who plays who, or is it completely up to the league to decide?
ANSWER: From Operations.nfl.com: "The 17th game is an additional game against a non-conference opponent from a division that the team is not scheduled to play. Matchups are based on division ranking from the previous season." There is a rotation of the divisions used, and in 2026 the applicable division for the AFC North is the NFC East, and since the Steelers finished in first place in their division they are matched with the first-place team from the NFC East, which is the Eagles.
STEPHEN IOVINO FROM LITITZ, PA: The Houston Texans are a relatively new NFL franchise, established in 2002 as an expansion team after the city's previous team, the Oilers, moved to Tennessee. During the late 1970s the Steelers dominated the Houston Oilers with victories in back-to-back AFC Championship Games. Did their coach, Bum Phillips vow to "knock down the door" in Pittsburgh to get to the Super Bowl?
ANSWER: After his Oilers lost those back-to-back AFC Championship Games in Pittsburgh, Bum Phillips said, "One year we knocked on the door, the next year we beat on the door. And next year we're gonna kick the son of a b*h in!"
JEFF BANKOVICH FROM ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP, PA: Now that the playoffs are here, how are the players compensated? For the 2 teams that received the first-round bye, do they receive anything?
ANSWER: In the Wild Card Round, the players on the teams that won the division receive $58,500, and the players on the wild card teams and the teams that had a bye receive $53,500. In the Divisional Round, all players on the participating teams receive $58,500. In the Conference Championship Round, all players on the participating teams receive, $81,000. The players on the team that wins the Super Bowl receive $178,000; and the players on the losing team receive $103,000.
STEPHEN DEVLIN FROM BATON ROUGE, LA: I am aware of the Steelers record at home on MNF, but something seems out of place. On Dec. 7, 2020, the Steelers lost at home to Washington. This game was not on the original list of MNF games. I haven't found and don't remember the reason why the game was on Monday but presume it was a part of the reconstructed COVID d schedule after the Baltimore postponement.
ANSWER: You are correct. Pittsburgh-Washington was not a regularly scheduled Monday Night Football telecast, but the game was moved to a Monday because Steelers-Baltimore had to be played on the previous Wednesday due to Ravens players testing positive for COVID.
JOE SCHMAELING FROM PITTSBURGH, PA: It's been an interesting season so far and I am thrilled to be in the playoffs. Cautiously optimistic. We've seen DK Metcalf, Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell all make some big plays. I don't think we have seen all three have big games at the same time. If they can put together a game like that, do you think we can play with anyone?
ANSWER: What I believe is that now that the playoffs have begun, the Steelers are going to need "big games" from all of their significant players, and that includes offense, defense, and special teams. All hands on deck.
STEVE MASSARO FROM MARTINSBURG, PA: Would you consider Aaron Rodgers to be a difference maker or a game manager for the Steelers? Or could he be a combination of both at times throughout the season? By the way, I don't consider either one of those choices to be a bad thing
ANSWER: I'm not sure I have a firm grasp on what a "game manager" is, or how that term is commonly defined. But from what I have seen throughout this regular season is that Aaron Rodgers can be a difference maker in the way he manages the game from the quarterback position. Audibles, utilizing cadence as an advantage, catching the opposition with too many men on the field, using pace as a weapon.
GRANT SPELLERBERG FROM CUTLER BAY, FL: Though I am a Steelers fan, I was saddened to hear that Ravens Coach John Harbaugh was fired. He is an excellent coach and I think the Ravens will suffer greatly from his loss. Do you think the intensity of the Steelers-Ravens rivalry will be lessened due to this decision?
ANSWER: Steelers-Ravens started with the coaching matchup being Bill Cowher vs. Ted Maerchibroda; then it became Bill Cowher vs. Brian Billick; then for 1 year it was Mike Tomlin vs. Brian Billick; and starting in 2008, it was Mike Tomlin vs. John Harbaugh. With all good NFL rivalries, it's more about the players than the coaches. And Steelers-Ravens right now is the NFL's best rivalry, in my opinion.
BRADLEY COLLINS FROM PROVIDENCE, RI: I love the fact that the team has had one owning family for its entire existence. I attribute much of their success to that and the family philosophy. Is there a Rooney in waiting who is being prepped to take over? I remember seeing Art II around Dan for many years, and the transition made sense. I hope Art II is around a long, long time, but I was just curious.
ANSWER: Team President Art Rooney II's son, Dan Rooney, currently is the Steelers' Vice President of Business Development & Strategy.
TREVOR BENNETT FROM PEARISBURG, VA: No one seems to mention that when T.J. Watt tied what was then the NFL's single-season sack record, he only played in 15 games that year. Do I remember correctly that he didn't even play a full 15 games that season?
ANSWER: In 2021 when he finished with 22.5 sacks, T.J. Watt was inactive for 2 of the Steelers 17 regular season games. He did not play against Cincinnati on Sept. 26, and he did not play against the Chargers on Nov. 21. The Steelers lost both of those games, finished 9-8, and missed the playoffs.
JOE ASHER FROM TAMPA, FL: When the team is this late in the season, how much of game film is dedicated to last week (our performance) versus next week (their performance)?
ANSWER: Coach Mike Tomlin is pretty consistent in his approach throughout the entire regular season. One day is spent reviewing the previous performance, and then the focus turns to preparing for the upcoming opponent.
