The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
WAYNE EPPEHIMER FROM JAMESTOWN, NY: I've seen the hype about the new throwback uniforms, and I'm looking forward to seeing them in that Sunday night game against Green Bay. Do you know when the team will wear the color rush uniforms this season?
ANSWER: During an interview I did with Steelers President Art Rooney II on May 14 about the NFL's release of the 2025 regular season schedule, he said the team will wear its color rush uniforms for the game against Miami on Monday, Dec. 15 at Acrisure Stadium. Because the Hall of Honor Induction Dinner will be held the night before, the members of the Class of 2025 will be on hand at that game to be recognized by the fans in attendance.
SCOTT RANDALL FROM CONWAY, SC: Do you think if Will Howard plays well with the time he gets in the preseason that can he wind up the as the No. 2 QB on the depth chart?
ANSWER: I don't believe the Steelers signed Mason Rudolph during the offseason with the notion that he would be the No. 3 quarterback during the 2025 season. Rudolph is a veteran with experience both in the NFL in general and with the Steelers in particular, and I believe that if something would happen in a game where Aaron Rodgers was injured, Coach Mike Tomlin would choose to go to Rudolph instead of a rookie. Remember, during Ben Roethlisbeger's rookie season, it was a training camp injury to veteran Charlie Batch that enabled him to move up to No. 2 on the depth chart behind Tommy Maddox.
MICHAEL STEFFEN FROM MARYVILLE, MO: Is Will Howard the long-term plan at quarterback or will they move on and pick a quarterback early on in the draft?
ANSWER: Allow me to remind you that this is the first day of practice in pads as this team prepares for the 2025 season. There is no specific "plan" in place for the 2026 NFL Draft in terms of who the Steelers will be picking next April. As Coach Mike Tomlin said on the day the team reported to Saint Vincent College, "I'm worried about 2025, and so I'm excited about the talent we've acquired and about getting about the business of getting them individually and collectively prepared for this season. Our intentions are 2025."
RON BLACKSTONE FROM NEW LEXINGTON, OH: With the depth in the Steelers QB room, is it pretty much a sure thing that Aaron Rodgers is going to be the starting QB for the 2025 season? I had read an article about Rodgers mentioning this will most likely be his final year playing in the NFL. Given that information, how do you think Coach Tomlin will introduce Will Howard to playing time during the regular season?
ANSWER: As we sit here at Saint Vincent College today, I would guess the plan at quarterback for 2025 is to have Aaron Rodgers as the starter, Mason Rudolph serve as the veteran backup, and whomever wins the No. 3 spot – Will Howard or Skylar Thompson – will spend the regular season on the inactive list.
MARK RICE FROM LAS VEGAS, NV: During training camp, how many hours of the day are actually spent outside practicing? Is there anything in the Collective Bargaining Agreement stating that teams have to abide by an agreed upon time? Or is the time spent out on the field practicing actually up to the head coach and what he feels is appropriate?
ANSWER: I'm not going to get into the specifics of the time restrictions outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, but there are guidelines teams must follow when it comes to length of practices and the length of the players' work days.
WAYNE JONES FROM DAYTONA BEACH, FL: When the Steelers are in Latrobe, if their practice is cut short or cancelled from the weather, do they get to make it up?
ANSWER: As mentioned in the above answer, there are regulations within the CBA regarding the number of practices and length of practices. As a result, "cancelling" a practice very rarely happens. If the weather is especially uncooperative, moving the session into the campus gym would be the last resort.
ANDY BALDONADO FROM ANNA, OH: Besides Ben Skowronek and Aaron Rodgers, are there other current Steelers players to have been part of a Super Bowl winning team?
ANSWER: Those players are Darius Slay, Kenneth Gainwell, Jalen Ramsey, Isaac Seumalo, Scotty Miller, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Juan Thornhill.
JIM MULDOWNEY FROM HOLLY SPRINGS, NC: Could you please explain the short-term (this season) and long-term quarterback strategy of the Steelers? I am reading a lot about it, but I am sorry to say that I am confused.
ANSWER: The quarterback plan for this season is that Aaron Rodgers is the starter, Mason Rudolph is the backup, and either Will Howard or Skylar Thompson will be the No. 3 quarterback based on how the rest of training camp and the preseason unfolds. Beyond that, the player personnel department will continue the work it does every year in terms of scouting and doing its due diligence for 2026, and then the Steelers will see where they are when the time comes. Any long-term quarterback strategy you're reading about is not coming from the Steelers.
DENNIS DRENNEN FROM CHARLOTTE, NC: I was really amazed to see that Mel Blount and Donnie Shell had over 100 interceptions between them. What about the other players in that era of Super Bowl success? How many did the Steelers have and will you break it down by player.
ANSWER: In 1974, the Steelers finished the regular season with 25 interceptions, with Glen Edwards, J.T. Thomas, and Jack Ham tied for the team lead with 5 apiece; in 1975, the Steelers finished the regular season with 27 interceptions, with Mel Blount leading the team with 11; in 1976, the Steelers finished the regular season with 22 interceptions, with Edwards and Blount tied for the team lead with 6 apiece; in 1977, the Steelers finished the regular season with 31 interceptions, with Blount leading the team with 6; and in 1978, the Steelers finished the regular season with 27 interceptions, with Tony Dungy leading the team with 6; and in 1979, the Steelers finished the regular season with 27 interceptions, with Jack Lambert leading the team with 6.
THELMA PELCZARSKI FROM EDGAR, WI: Are the Steelers playing the Packers this season?
ANSWER: The Steelers will host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Oct. 26 at Acrisure Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m.
KEN MAULDIN FROM CLYDE, TX: Who do you expect to line up as our slot CB in Week 1? Can Darius Slay play that position?
ANSWER: After listening to Coach Mike Tomlin during his press briefings and then watching every practice so far at training camp, I don't believe that when it comes to the secondary there will be a specific player lined up in a specific spot from week-to-week. And yes, Darius Slay can play in the slot, and if he lines up there for the first defensive snap of the opener against the New York Jets I'm not sure he will be in that spot throughout the rest of that game. And even if he does, that wouldn't mean he would be there again the following week vs. Seattle. I believe the Steelers are looking at the possibility of Slay, Joey Porter Jr., and Jalen Ramsey being versatile, interchangeable parts of a coverage scheme that's evolving and subject to change week-to-week, and even series-to-series based on the particular opponent.
JERRY LUTZ FROM RED DEER, ALBERTA, CANADA: I'm sure you'll find this to be a curious question. I moved from Pittsburgh back in 1998 but have visited as frequently as possible. Since becoming a father, every year that my family flew into Pittsburgh International Airport we would take a family photo in front of Franco Harris' Immaculate Reception statue, a tradition that began in 2008. The past two times we've visited – in 2023 and 2025 – the Franco statue hasn't been in its traditional place. Would you happen to have any information on when (or even if) it's going to be returned to its airport position? I'm hoping to continue on with my family's tradition of taking the family photo upon arrival in Pittsburgh.
ANSWER: According to KDKA's website, "The airport has moved Franco's statue to the landside terminal outside the primary TSA checkpoint. The statue is located near the information desk along with the statues of George Washington and Journalist Nellie Bly. The airport says they'll remain in this spot until the new terminal opens in 2025."
RON WILLIAMS FROM ASTORIA, OR: Congratulations to Max Starks regarding his new position as color commentator in the booth with play-by-play man Rob King. I would imagine that Craig Wolfley is smiling and is all in on the move.
ANSWER: Keeping it in the offensive line family, so to speak.
