The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
MAURICIO CRUZ FROM TLALPAN, MÉXICO: A recent Sports Illustrated article drew a similarity between Aaron Rodgers and Terry Bradsahw as Steeler QBs who had to deal with a fracture to their non-throwing hand. I've been a loyal Steelers' fan since their 1974 AFC Championship Game victory. My memory might be fading, but I'm sure I saw Bradshaw playing a 1977 regular season game with an injury to his throwing hand. Right or wrong?
ANSWER: A little of both. Terry Bradshaw broke his left wrist in the fourth game of the 1977 season, but he continued to play and ended up starting all 14 regular season games that year. In 1981, he broke his right hand on a Raiders' helmet. Bradshaw tried to stay in for one play after that but he couldn't hold onto the ball.
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TERENCE HALUPA FROM AIKEN, SC: I see that L.C. Greenwood is up for the Hall of Fame again via the Seniors Committee. Who is on the committee? What do you think his chances are of finally getting in?
ANSWER: The members of the Seniors Committee are not made known to the public, but there is a representative from each NFL city. I believe L.C. Greenwood is a Hall of Fame player, and if I had a vote I would vote for him.
MIKE FOSTER FROM EWA BEACH, HI: Who coaches and plays on the scout teams? Does the backup QB play QB for it? I know some teams only carry 2 QBs but the Steelers have had 3 for as long as I can remember. With first-team reps at such a premium, does Mason Rudolph or Will Howard run the scout team? Or is this a bad week to answer this since Aaron Rodgers is hurt and Rudolph is taking first-team reps?
ANSWER: Let me begin by making the point that the "scout team" is not a separate entity. It is not manned or coached by individuals who have that as a specific job. Typically, the backup QB will run the scout team offense, but this week as an example – because of the mobility of Bears QB Caleb Williams, John Rhys Plumlee was added to the practice squad so that he can use his athleticism to give the defense a good "look" for dealing with quarterback mobility.
LARS RASMUSSEN FROM COPENHAGEN, DENMARK: Are there times during a game where you momentarily forget that you are an editor/journalist and just become a fan?
ANSWER: I have been in the press box for 4 Super Bowls, and I always have kept my emotions in check – from the agony of Neil O'Donnell's interceptions in Super Bowl XXX to the elation of James Harrison's 100-yard pick-6 in Super Bowl XLIII. It's the job.
ANTHONY BENAVIDEZ FROM WEST SACRAMENTO, CA: With the news of Cory Trice season being officially over, are we going to move on from him? He reminds me of Senquez Golson, in terms of being talent that is unavailable. Would investing in the secondary through the draft become more of a necessity?
ANSWER: Because Cory Trice has had such a history with injuries, and significant ones at that going all the way back to his time in college, I don't know that the Steelers ever were counting on him to the degree you seem to be suggesting in your question. I'm sure they had hopes for him based on his measurables and potential, but I doubt it ever rose to the level of an expectation for him moving forward. Whether the Steelers decide to spend 2026 draft capital on the cornerback position has nothing to do with Trice's availability, in my opinion.
ROBERT JACKSON FROM PITTSBURGH, PA: Adam Schefter reported that the suspension of Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase would cost Chase $507,156. But when Chase signed his major contract, it was reported to be $40 million per season. My question is why would his suspension not be closer to $2.35 million, or 1/17th of his annual salary?
ANSWER: When contracts are reported as being worth $40 million a season, that refers to the average per year based on total dollars divided by the number of years in the contract. That does not mean Ja'Marr Chase gets paid $40 million a year. Adam Schefter's arithmetic is correct, because Chase's 2025 base salary is $8.07 million, and players receive 18 game-checks over the course of a season; and Chase also is due an in-season roster bonus of $1 million total. The 1/18th of his base pay is $448,333, and the 1/17th of his in-season roster bonus is $58,823. That comes to $507,156.
JASON GODFREY FROM ENOREE, SC: To Larry Gasior from South Park, Pa., who asked about pulling the starters: If T.J. Watt and the other starters were NOT on the field and, the Bengals popped two TDs quick, how many MORE people would complain the other way?
ANSWER: Exactly.
PAUL MIDLER FROM AVELLA, PA: With all the talk about the Pitt Panthers playing at Acrisure Stadium, would it be possible to adapt PNC Park for college football? Being smaller it would be easier for fans to fill it.
ANSWER: The Pirates season extends through September, and so the same kind of conflict would exist in terms of two teams playing on one grass surface, and the complications for the configuration to football from baseball and then back again are considerable.
BOB BRILL FROM WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA: Has there been any talk about having Darnell Washington be the goal line or short yardage (1-3 yards) running back? It seems he'd be almost unstoppable. What lineman wants to see a 6-foot-7, 300-pound running back coming at them. I think they'd rather face a tush-push than Washington. By the way I don't expect you to answer me. You never have and probably never will, but I keep trying. Am I on a short list of "never answer this guy's questions?"
ANSWER: There is no such list. And my opinion is the idea of a 6-foot-7 man running into a stacked front from a standing start in the NFL is absurd.
KEVIN KARASINSKI FROM ALIQUIPPA, PA: Are you guys going to use Darnell Washington more because of his performance during the Bengals game, and why don't you guys use Darnell Washington as the ball carrier when the Steelers do the tush-push?
ANSWER: During the summer, he was supposed to be moved to offensive tackle. Did I miss a meeting? Was that "idea" scrapped?
DAVID POWELL FROM ALBUQUERQUE, NM: Loved watching Darnell Washington blast his way thru the Cincinnati defensive backfield like they were high schoolers. Have you ever seen a tight-end like him (combination of size, speed, catching ability, bulldozing defenders, blocking)? I haven't.
ANSWER: Go to YouTube.com, and in the search box type: John Mackey Baltimore Colts. Watch a couple of those videos, and you will see the "original." Hall of Fame, Class of 1992. President of the NFL Players Association, 1970-73.
CHRIS PARRILL FROM PORT SAINT LUCIE, FL: How do fans get the word to those who make rules changes to do away with the requirement of announced your intent to attempt an onside kick? The best part of the play was when it was unexpected. There is no other time you give away an advantage to the other team letting them know the play you intend to run. Do you think this can be changed back?
ANSWER: All aspects of the kickoff have been changed, and the reasons had to do with player-safety. That initiative is not going to change, or go back to the way it was.
JAMES IVERS FROM LIBERTY, ILL: Depending of course how the next few weeks unfold, but should they give Will Howard some snaps to see what they have? I know things change but right now, they project the top 3 college QBs to go in the first 5 picks of the 2026 Draft.
ANSWER: This is the regular season. The Steelers business model is to play every game to win. There is no "seeing what they have." The guys who play are the ones they believe give the team the best chance to win that game. That's just the way it always has been, and I cannot imagine it ever changing.
