Tuesday, August 19

Seeing his first action: Steelers fans will see cornerback Jalen Ramsey in action in black and gold for the first time on Thursday night in the preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers.

Ramsey, who was acquired via a trade with the Miami Dolphins, will play along with the rest of the secondary.

Coach Mike Tomlin was asked if he was eager or needed to see the secondary play as a unit, and his answer was 'both.'

"There's a fine line between eager and need," said Tomlin. "But there's the collective component, a communication component, a coordination component to what they do. And if you get an opportunity to get some snaps versus some really capable people in the stadium, we'd appreciate it."

That communication is something that was heavily talked about last season, and with newcomers like Ramsey, Darius Slay, Juan Thornhill and Brandin Echols in the secondary, joining Joey Porter Jr. and DeShon Elliott, making sure it's spot on is a key.

"It's part of the whole journey, part of the plan," said Ramsey. "Just continuing to work on all the aspects of our game."

There is much anticipation about seeing the secondary working together, a unit that Ramsey believes can be as good as they want to be.

"No ceiling," said Ramsey. "I think however we embrace the journey, however the amount of work we put in and how connected we are, hopefully it all shows on Sundays or Mondays or Thursdays, whatever days we play.

"We won't put a cap on it or a ceiling on it. We'll just let it be what it's going to be."

Ramsey is a player Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl referred to as 'vicious' recently.

"I think Jalen Ramsey, he is a vicious player," said Weidl. "You watch him hit; watch the mentality he plays with. He is aggressive. He's a violent hitter. That mindset becomes contagious.

"Guys like that, an elite talent like that, elite football IQ in the physicality that he plays with, that becomes contagious. I've seen it different places. We have a physical group to begin with and adding a guy like that is just great. I think it just becomes even more contagious to the room when you bring a guy with that mindset and that ability."

Ramsey acknowledged the comment, knowing that is what you have to be in this sport, and it's one of the things that he brings that overall is part of his game.

"We're playing football, so I would hope that's an accurate description for anybody," said Ramsey. "I think that I'm here for various reasons. I wouldn't just put myself in a box of being here for one thing or another.

"I hope it's contagious. I hope the way that I go out there and go about my business and play the game is contagious on my teammates in a positive way. But I think there's a bunch of guys out here on this team already who have that. Who have those intangibles anyway, and we're just trying to put it together and put a good product out on the field."

Ramsey, who is entering his 10th season in the NFL, is a three-time Associated Press All-Pro selection, earning first-team honors in 2017, 2020 and 2021. He is also a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, earning the honor from 2017-2023.

He has appeared in 135 games, starting 134 of them. He has 534 career tackles, 432 of them solo stops, 108 passes defensed, 27 tackles for a loss, 24 interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, three sacks, seven forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. His 108 passes defensed are ranked third among active players since entering the league in 2016, while his 24 interceptions rank fourth.

Ramsey has started 10 postseason games and was part of the Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI championship team.

Adjusting to a new defense has apparently been seamless for Ramsey.

"I think it's been going well," said Ramsey. "Got some things to work on. Just continue getting better within the playbook in my different positions, but I feel like (it's going) well so far."

And that 'different positions' comment is something that makes Ramsey so valuable, a versatility that can't be measured.
"It's fun. It's fun for sure," said Ramsey. "Challenging at times just making sure I'm locked in on the various parts of it, but I enjoy it a lot.

"When you go from different positions, you have to know different roles, different alignments, assignments and different techniques. A couple of those roles I have to communicate frequently, whereas when I'm just playing outside, I don't really have to communicate as much. I can just lock in on one specific thing. So, I guess that's what makes it challenging, but it's fun, it's cool."

New wrinkles: Mason Rudolph will make his third straight start of the preseason on Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers, and he wants to keep doing the things he did the previous two weeks.

Chief among those.

Move the ball.

"Just try to keep moving the ball, scoring points," said Rudolph. "And there wil be a few new wrinkles here and there, things we'll put in. Try to execute, score some points."

Rudolph said the offense has added a little more this week as they prepare for the regular season opener, which is one of the things he looks forward to putting in action.

"I think taking care of the ball obviously. Not giving it away, that's always at the forefront," said Rudolph. "There's a couple of new wrinkles. And it's always good to take those from the meeting room to the field and apply them and see what we like.

"Then you'll kind of glean through it and see, what do we do best? What does Aaron (Rodgers) like the best? What are the receivers like? And then, you build your menu for week one."

While Rodgers will be front and center when week one rolls around, Rudolph has had a strong preseason so far. He has completed 12 of 15 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns in limited work.

"I was pleased," said Rudolph of the first two games. "I thought we moved the ball well. Having had the whole receiver corps out there, it's been good to see guys like Roman Wilson step up, make a play, Scotty (Miller), Darnell (Washington), guys who maybe haven't had as much time out there made some plays, so it has been good."

While he likes what he has seen, he doesn't put too much into it, knowing it is in fact the preseason and everything isn't on the table.

"It is hard," said Rudolph. "I think in 2023, we had the best preseason of all-time. The first and second group scored touchdowns on a lot of their drives. And the regular season is a different story.

"It's always hard to gauge. I'm confident in our scheme and the play caller and the guys that we have around us, so I think we'll adjust well."

One player Rudolph has enjoyed working with already is receiver DK Metcalf. Metcalf hasn't seen action in game yet, but he has made his presence felt.

"DK's done a great job with learning the new offense, coming into a new city," said Rudolph. "It's only been one place his whole career, and he's been a joy to work with. He's ultra-competitive and friendly.

"We've had some big personalities here at receiver before. Guys that I like, but they're flashy, and he's really not. So, I appreciate that about him. The rest of the receivers have been great. Calvin's (Austin) had a little nagging injury, but he's the fastest, blazing fast. And he's a great player, smart player. Roman's done great. Jonnu (Smith) and Pat (Freiermuth), Brandon (Johnson) and Scotty, so it's been fun."

Playing fast: Linebacker Malik Harrison knows plenty about the Steelers defense, even if he's only been part of it for around five months.

Harrison spent his first five years in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, seeing plenty of the defense firsthand from the opposing sideline.

Now, he knows it from a different perspective.

Harrison, who signed a two-year contract at the start of free agency, has a comfort level in the defense with the final preseason game on hand.

"I feel confident," said Harrison. "I'm comfortable. I feel like I'm learning the plays faster and just playing faster."

Harrison has seen action in the first two preseason games and welcomes the opportunity to play on Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers.

"Anytime you're out there, you just have to play all the way," said Harrison. "I want to be out here to showcase my skills and definitely get more comfortable with the defense.

"I just want to get a few more reps. That's the only main thing right now."

Harrison, who was drafted by the Ravens in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, has appeared in 76 career games, with 35 starts. He has 144 career tackles, 78 of them solo stops, and seven tackles for a loss. He also has two sacks, four quarterback hurries, and one pass defensed. He also has 30 special teams tackles, including 17 solo stops.

He is no stranger to AFC North football and has settled in nicely in Pittsburgh.

"This defense allows you to play faster and just play your strengths, how you want to play," said Harrison. "It's always been a good defense. I've always had respect for this defense, especially growing up watching football and seeing the Steelers. I've always had respect for it."

Getting a shout out: Getting singled out for your performance by a teammate is always something positive for a player.

Getting singled out by a future Hall of Famer, that is a completely different thing.

That was just the case for tight end Connor Heyward, who drew words of praise from quarterback Aaron Rodgers recently.

"One guy I'd love to single out is, is Connor," said Rodgers. "Connor does the right thing every time. He's a really smart football player, and the smartest players are the best players.

"So, he's the kind of guy you feel really confident you can put him in there at any time and know he's going to be on the same page."

When Heyward was initially made aware of the comments, he couldn't help but smile.

Who wouldn't?

At the same time, he knows the expectation is there.

"To hear our quarterback, let alone a Hall of Fame, a four-time MVP, it means a lot," said Heyward. "It gives you some confidence, but it also just tells you to stay at what you're doing and what you are doing is working. And keep being myself."

Heyward, as well as many others on the offense, have benefited from not just watching how Rodgers operates himself, but the words of wisdom, the advice, the input he has provided.

When Rodgers talks, they listen.

"It's always nice when the quarterback sees what you're doing with and without the ball," said Heyward. "He's somebody that watches everything and he's seen everything. He's still trying to learn all our skill sets. And I think he's done a good job of that.

"He's also seeing more of what guys can do. He'll come talk to guys on the side and he has done that with me. And it's been extremely cool because he doesn't have to do that. And when he does that, we all soak it in, and we just listen because he's been there, he's done that and played at a high level for 20 years."

Next man up: With long snapper Christian Kuntz dealing with what Coach Mike Tomlin referred to as a 'short term' injury, the Steelers signed long snapper Jake McQuaide.

McQuaide has a long resume, beginning his career with the Los Angeles Rams where he spent 10 seasons (2011-20). He appeared in 160 games with the Rams and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2016 and 2017.

McQuaide also spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins, appearing in a total of 197 career games. He also spent time on the Chicago Bears practice squad.

"The Steelers are consistently one of the top special teams units year in and year out," said McQuaide. "It's not because they do something different, it's just the way they do those things. It comes from the coordinator (Danny Smith), the legendary coordinator, and the guys that are leaders in the room. This team is full of studs. Just trying to listen to them and adjust and fit into what they do, not have them adjusting to me at all."

Special teams is a small brotherhood in the NFL and McQuaide has come across many of his new teammates already over the years. But forming a relationship is a key.

"I've been really blessed to just work with really great people. That's been one of the things that's carried me through," said McQuaide. "There are ups and downs and ebbs and flows in everything. When you build those relationships and you're able to be candid with guys, when it's the heat of the moment, something needs to be said, you know that there's love behind it. So that is an important part of it. The chemistry is huge.

"It just takes a couple of days and I've known these guys, all these guys for a while because they've all been playing for a while or in and out. We all kind of know each other. It's a small fraternity of guys and I have the utmost respect for all the guys they have here.

"This division is the hardest place to play for a kicker, punter, snapper, and the guys who do it well in this division all of the other guys have the highest respect for it because it's just different than playing in a dome. It's hard."

Special teams captain Miles Killebrew knows what Kuntz means to the unit, but he also knows the Steelers mentality.

Next man up.

That initial person was defensive lineman Logan Lee, who stepped in and handled the long snapping duties after Kuntz was injured against Tampa. Now, that falls on McQuaide.

"I remember it was either one year ago or two years ago when Coach (Mike) Tomlin wasn't able to make a practice because he had to go to the Hall of Fame and Danny Smith had to step up," said Killebrew. "So, in that same vein, no matter who you are the next man up has to be ready to go, and I think that's a perfect mindset to have. That's what happened. Logan Lee was able to step up. I think he did a great job. So, in the meantime, while Christian Kuntz heals up, hopefully sooner than later he makes his return, the next man up will have to be ready to go."

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Monday, August 18

Feeling confident: Confidence isn't something that can be taught, rather something that must come from within.

And for linebacker Payton Wilson, that confidence has emerged in his second season in the NFL.

"Just the confidence that I have to go out there and to make calls, give calls confidently," said Wilson. "Last year as a rookie, a lot of it is trying to not make a mistake and this year it's more just go make the big play.

"Confidence is the biggest thing, especially in this sport. Your mental and your confidence can take you a very long way."

Wilson said every snap he gets in the preseason helps his confidence grow, and he welcomes every opportunity to step on the field now.

"Every rep that you get, every snap that you get, whether it's preseason, practice, in the season, it's valuable," said Wilson. "It adds a lot of confidence. It adds some experience to your resume.

"I think it's just reps. Every single rep that you get, obviously last year I got plenty of reps. So just building off that going into the end of the season. Last year, I felt confident. Coming into OTAs and camp, just the role that they placed on me, I really enjoyed, and was super confident in that.

"It helps you go from being the young guy that doesn't want to make a mistake to the guy that's out there trying to make the big play."

Wilson said during training camp he wants to be an every down linebacker for the defense, something defensive coordinator Teryl Austin also said when he spoke on Monday.

Wilson doesn't mind hearing his defensive coordinator say that.

"It means a lot that he said that," said Wilson. "Just continuing to prove that I can be out there for every snap. And just continuing to work on things. The preseason, you get to see what you work on. In season, if you make a mistake, it means a lot more. But just continuing the work on everything, on every down, understanding the defense more, and continuing to be out there every snap."

In the battle: The preseason is a time for young players to make their case for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Nickel back Beanie Bishop did that last year, when the rookie free agent fought and clawed his way into a spot on the 53-man roster.

This year, Bishop is battling again, this time with veteran Jalen Ramsey, who was acquired via a trade with the Dolphins, ahead of him on the depth chart and the addition of veteran Brandin Echols via free agency.

"Where Beanie fits in is, he's really going against some pretty good competition now at the nickel when you throw (Jalen Ramsey) in there and then you throw (Brandin Echols) in there," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "He's really got to fight and work to make some splash, to put himself in the picture.

"He's been working his tail off. Like everybody, when you're not a starter, I think the biggest thing that's got to happen for you is all these preseason games are big because you have an opportunity to distance yourself from some other people in game play. We see you in practice every day, we know what you do in practice, but how do you distance yourself in the game situation? Do you really show up on game day?

"So, these preseason games are going to be big for Beanie in the sense that he's got one left to show us some good stuff. And I'm sure he will. He'll give it his all."

No doubt about it.

Bishop is a player with a chip on his shoulder, never letting go of the fact that 32 teams passed on him through seven rounds of the draft before he signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent last year.

"Obviously I'm going in knowing more than I knew last year," said Bishop. "I have the trust of the coaches as far as knowing the plays, being in the right position and things like that.

"It's still a battle every year to compete. Obviously come in, work every day and still prove myself because obviously you've got to earn the right to be on the team."

Overall Bishop said he is happy with what he has shown in the preseason, but also knows there is work to do.

"Obviously I've got to be a little bit more aggressive in the screen game and things like that," said Bishop. "Getting guys down on the ground is something that I'm good at.

"I can never be satisfied. I always remember I wasn't drafted. It's just one of those things. I was always overlooked, so I'll never forget that.

"Just do what I've been doing. Obviously correcting mistakes, going out there making plays and playing fast."

No timetable: Receiver Calvin Austin III hasn't seen any action yet during the preseason dealing with an injury and he didn't provide any timetable for when he would be good to go following Monday's practice.

"Whenever Coach T (Mike Tomlin) pulls his trigger and talks to (Head athletic trainer) Gabe (Amponsah) and everybody, I'll be back out there.

"I'm feeling good. I'm right on point, right on the correct timeline. I feel like I am right on the right timeline."

Not practicing, or playing in the preseason, hasn't been easy for Austin, who is a player who loves every minute he spends on the field.

"It's very frustrating," said Austin. "Practice, new team, new year, not being out there is never fun. So, just trying to stay engaged and locked in."

Austin doesn't have a timeline on his return, and wouldn't say if he will be available for Week 1 against the New York Jets.

"Whatever the medical staff and Coach T say, I'm going to follow that."

Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.

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