Friday, September 12

A big challenge ahead: The Steelers run defense continued to be a topic of conversation on Friday after allowing 182 yards on the ground against the Jets.

"We let up some big runs, some significant runs in the football game, which you never want to do," said linebacker T.J. Watt. "I think there were five or six plus 10-yard runs, which you never want.

"To be able to come out of the game with a win made the film a little bit better, but it wasn't a fun film to study as a defensive player. But it also allowed us to have a lot of good tape to be able to make some really good adjustments and have a really good week of practice."

The Seahawks ground game is led by Kenneth Walker III, and Watt knows the defense has to be ready for what they are going to bring differently from what the Jets did last week.

"It's a lot of perimeter runs, but they can also gash you inside," said Watt. "I think they use the fullback a lot more than most teams. They have two fullbacks on their active roster, which is rare in today's day and age.

"I feel like they have a very big commitment to the run game. They'll go under center a decent amount. The Jets were in the gun a little bit more and we feel like these guys are under the center.

"It'll be a challenge for us."

The defense will get linebacker Nick Herbig back this week, which is something that will be a huge benefit. Alex Highsmith was added to the injury report on Friday, limited with an ankle injury, but he isn't on the status report so both players are expected to be a full go on Sunday.

And that is something that Watt appreciates.

"It will be really nice to have (Herbig) back, just to be able to take a little bit more plays off here or there, and be able to make more impact," said Watt. "To have Herb out there, I think more than anything, it's just confidence.

"It's his third year now, to have those two years under his belt, have a good offseason, training camp, and to be out there on Sunday and let it loose."

While the defense wants to come out and shut down the Seahawks ground game on Sunday, Watt also knows they have to be smart.

"We just need to play some football and trust in each and every guy," said Watt. "Trust in the scheme, and everything will take care of itself from there. We don't want to try to do too much and get ourselves in a deep hole."

There is nothing Watt wants more than a 'W' on Sunday in front of the home crowd, a crowd he knows will be fired up for the first regular season home game of the year.

"It's funny. People are always so shocked at how well Steelers Nation travels and I'm very fortunate to expect it now, even though I shouldn't do that," said Watt. "But to be able to have the atmosphere that we're going to have on Sunday, I'm already very confident it's going be an incredible atmosphere. I'm just really looking forward to it."

Mr. versatility: Cornerback Jalen Ramsey brings so much to the Steelers defense, but there is one quality right now that is paying big dividends with injuries in the Steelers secondary.

His versatility.

The Steelers are without safety DeShon Elliott, who suffered a knee injury against the Jets, and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is dealing with a hamstring injury.

Ramsey is a do-it all for the secondary, and does it at the highest level in the NFL.

"He's the Charles Woodson of our generation right now for sure," said cornerback Darrius Slay, referring to the Pro Football Hall of Famer. "(Jalen) is a guy who is very versatile and can play either position at a high level. That's the type of player you want on your team. Not a lot of guys can have that on their team."

Ramsey, who was acquired by the Steelers via a trade with the Miami Dolphins this offseason, is a difference maker on the defense and his teammates know it.

"We're not going to miss any beats," said safety Juan Thornhill. "He can step up and play any position that you want him to play and not slow down at all. We've got guys that can step in and do that. We take pride in that.

"You can put guys anywhere and I feel like everyone would know what to do."

Something special is brewing: Being captain of special teams requires a little something extra when you are dealing with a multitude of personalities, positional players and more.

But when you have a unit like the Steelers do, it's not so bad.

Miles Killebrew, who is the Steelers special teams captain for the fourth straight year, doesn't just have the luxury of having kicker Chris Boswell on his side, but a whole arsenal of weapons.

Against the Jets, those weapons included running back Kenneth Gainwell, who forced a fumble on a kickoff that receiver Ben Skowronek recovered at the Jets 22-yard line. Two players later, the Steelers scored a go-ahead touchdown to give them a 31-26 lead thanks to that key play.

"I would love to say I was surprised by it, but (Gainwell's) another guy that absolutely plays hard," said Killebrew. "And I'm so excited that he did that.

"Coach (Mike) Tomlin always jokes about white shirt (offensive) tacklers and now we have a white shirt offensive player who is forcing fumbles, and another offensive player recovering them, in Ben Skowronek. It seems like whenever there's a ball on the ground, (Ben's) hopping on them.

"So that was really fun. I'm excited for KG and all the guys across the board.

"I'm just really proud of our unit."

Killebrew knew that Gainwell could make that kind of difference, something he didn't just see in him from the time he signed with the Steelers this offseason, but even before that.

"He is on the kickoff team for a reason," said Killebrew.

Skowronek, who also pulled in the first touchdown reception of the season for the team earlier in the game, is a player Killebrew said brings the kind of work ethic that is the culture in the locker room, never afraid to do the dirty work.

"Ben's one of those guys that jokes around a lot, and guys love to joke with him," said Killebrew. "But he works hard. And he loves football.

"I was really excited to see him get that touchdown, and obviously to recover that loose ball on the kickoff. It was a great team win, and I'm glad that he was able to get those big plays."

Two-way threat: The pitch-pass that resulted in a touchdown reception for tight end Jonnu Smith on what amounted to a tight end sweep last Sunday in the regular-season opener against the Jets was significant for a couple of reasons.

No. 1, it pulled the Steelers to within 19-17 just prior to halftime.

And No. 2, fellow tight end Pat Freiermuth was one of those out in front of Smith blocking.

Just two years ago in Houston, Freiermuth had been blasted across the offensive formation on a failed third-down conversion.
This time Freiermuth was trusted to help clear the way on what became a critical play, along with running back Jaylen Warren.

"Pat had a terrific block on that," offensive coordinator Arthur Smith noted.

That's an assessment that might begin to be heard with much more regularity this season.

"I feel like I've been developing nicely as a blocker, as an overall tight end," Freiermuth said. "And obviously, I want my boy to get in the end zone.

"Gotta be able to get that extra little block in so he can get in."

Freiermuth helped get Smith into the end zone by driving safety Andre Cisco over the pylon and out of bounds. He was so assigned "a couple times" in the Steelers' 34-32 victory over the Jets.

"I've been developing my game in all areas and feel very confident in my run-blocking abilities," Freiermuth continued. "There's obviously going to be some ups and downs through it all, good plays and bad plays, but I feel like I've made great strides in that area.

"Obviously, they're more confident in me and I'm more confident in myself. Coach Alfredo (tight ends coach Roberts) and Arthur have done a great job of really honing in on my technique and what they're asking me to do in the run game."

Freiermuth has come a long way, in other words, from Oct. 1, 2023 in Houston.

"Obviously, there's some embarrassment of being like, 'Damn, I don't want to put that on film,'" Freiermuth said. "And I think it was just more taking pride in what I'm capable of doing, too.

"The cool thing of my growth is just my mentality of who I'm playing for. They rewarded me with a contract upstairs, so I can't really let them down. Just trying to prove people right and improve my game all around."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

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Thursday, September 11

Making it better: Cameron Heyward knows the run defense must improve this week against the Seattle Seahawks after allowing 182 yards rushing against the New York Jets last week.

And he believes there are ways for it to happen.

"One, when we got to get off blocks, we've got to be more sound in our stance and our alignments," said Heyward. "I think we have to understand how people are going to attack us. We put some stuff out there that's unacceptable, but we get to clean it up on Sunday.

"Guys have got to get off blocks. Upfront, if we get doubled, we still have to maintain our gaps, and everybody has an assignment. Run defense isn't just an upfront job, it's from the backend perspective. It all works together. We can't make excuses for it, we have to make it better.

"Physicality, we could be a lot better. I'm not shying away from that. Being accountable, too. If you have to be in the B gap, you've got to be in the B gap. If you get a double, it doesn't matter that you're getting a double. That means somebody else is free. And when we've been at our best, it's multiple guys either defeating their blocks or maintaining."

Heyward said he isn't sure why physicality is something they need to work on, especially coming off a physical training camp.

All he knows is he needs to be accountable for what he does.

"All I can try to do is be a better me and a better player," said Heyward. "You win those types of games and it's easy to just say, 'close the book.' But I think our perspective is we can be a lot better, and we've just got to find ways to win."

One aspect of run blocking that Heyward said doesn't get the attention it deserves, and is a key, is use of hands.

"Anticipation is one thing. Play awareness, understanding what type of blocks you're going to get in certain schemes," said Heyward. "But I think just using your hands. It's not talked about enough. A lot of guys think it's go up field and play with your shoulders. I think sometimes it needs to be an emphasis on using your hands so you can get off blocks, transfer power from another guy.

"All those things come into play, but we've got to be better all the way."

Hype man: One of the biggest plays in the Steelers 34-32 win over the New York Jets on Sunday came on a kickoff.

And it wasn't because there was a big return.

Just the opposite.

After a Chris Boswell field goal cut the Jets lead to 26-24, Xavier Gipson took the ensuing kickoff, but not far. He was hit by running back Kenneth Gainwell, who knocked the ball free, forcing a fumble, and Ben Skowronek recovered it.

The hit by Gainwell is what special teams captain Miles Killebrew, and others on the unit, refer to as a 'white jersey tackle,' referring to the white jerseys the offensive players wear in practice.

"It's real fun to do that," said Gainwell. "And it's real fun to be an offensive player that's playing a lot of snaps on offense and go down to make a tackle. White shirt tackles are what they talk about a lot here, so that's just a good thing."

Gainwell was all smiles talking about the hit, something he took a lot of pleasure from.

"I had fun with it," said Gainwell. "I was real hype. I didn't even get a chance to get in the picture (they took celebrating). I was having fun with it."

Gainwell knew he had made a play as soon as he hit Gipson.

"I knew it was out as soon as I hit it," said Gainwell. "I was running down, and I saw him with the ball in his right arm and once he came back to my right side, I was like, I've got to go take a shot at this. What came to my mind was what I did.

"So, it happened, and it changed the game."

That it did.

Two plays later Aaron Roders hit Calvin Austin III for an 18-yard touchdown, giving the Steelers a 31-26 lead.

Welcome to the family: Following the win over the Jets, Coach Mike Tomlin spoke about contributions that came from players who are new to the Steelers roster this year.

"I'm excited about the new Steelers, whether they're new to the league or new to us," said Tomlin. "We got a lot of plays from a lot of new Steelers today. They're earning their place in Steelers lore with their efforts. We talked a little bit about that (Saturday) night. I don't care about what means you get here, you play one play for this organization, you're a Steeler.

"And so, a lot of guys etched their names into that legacy with their efforts in play."

For those new to the black and gold this year, that comment hit home.

Defensive back Chuck Clark, who stepped in when Joey Porter Jr. went out with a hamstring injury, was among those players.

Clark played six seasons for the Baltimore Ravens and one with the Jets before signing with the Steelers during training camp.

"Just putting on a Steelers uniform and being able to compete and go out there and make plays, that definitely felt good to finally be able to do that," said Clark. "Especially going against team (Jets) where I just came from because I was dealing with that.

"To put on that new uniform, it felt good to get my feet back under me and play football."

Safety Juan Thornhill, who spent the last two years with the Cleveland Browns, after four seasons in Kansas City, took the message to heart as well.

"I think everybody loved (the message)," said Thornhill. "I have so much respect for him. It shows that he's a true players' coach.

"When he said, once you play one snap, you're a Steeler. I can feel that. He's been treating me as if I was a Steeler since day one. He didn't change up one bit. I think all the new Steelers appreciate that."

Living the dream: For rookies such as outside linebacker Jack Sawyer, making his NFL debut when the Steelers visited the Jets last Sunday was nothing less than a dream come true.

And Sawyer made sure to celebration the occasion by smelling the roses at MetLife Stadium, if only momentarily.

"Yeah, I did," he acknowledged today. "I thank God for this opportunity every day. It's something, you grow up as a little kid when you're throwing the football with my dad in the front yard you dream about it. You know, walking in the locker room and seeing my name on the back of an NFL jersey was awesome and something I don't take for granted.

"Yeah, I took a moment to kind of take it all in for a second and then get to work."

Sawyer played 15 snaps on defense (23 percent) and 23 on special teams (74 percent and the most of any Steelers player) in the Steelers' 34-32 season-opening triumph.

He was credited with one assisted tackle on special teams.

"Now I know what it's like and know what the speed's like and what I can expect and see," Sawyer continued. "It felt good to be able to get out there for the first time and run around and figure it out.

"Kinda just gives you the confidence going into the next following games and the rest of your career. Having done it for the first time now you know what it's like."

The review of the game tape was about what Sawyer anticipated.

"The tape's never as good or as bad as you think it is," he said. "There;'s always something to learn from and always something to get better upon and build upon. For me, looking at the tape kind of gives you a clear lens of what you need to improve on and what you need to work on going forward.

"It was kind of all around, every phase of my game there's stuff, play faster and go out there and let it fly now, not thinking as much. You know, first time out there you're kind of thinking a little bit. I look forward to doing that."

The Steelers don't award helmet stickers, as was the case when Sawyer played at Ohio State. He emerged uncertain as to whether he would have earned any if the Steelers had a similar tradition.

"I don't know, that's a good question," Sawyer said. "At Ohio State that was always the question, who's getting the most helmet stickers, trying to steal them from the equipment room to put them on your helmet.

"I don't know. I just look forward to improving everything I can and shoring some things up and getting better for this week."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

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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Wednesday, September 10

Seek and destroy: There are not many football players who admit they have an alter ego.

But there also aren't many receivers like DK Metcalf.

Metcalf is a gentleman off the field, always saying, 'yes, ma'am' and 'yes, sir,' to everyone regardless of age.

But get him on the football field and he isn't the same.

"I'm a different type of person, player," said Metcalf of his game day demeanor. "I get into my alter ego."

And while that alter ego doesn't have a name, it has an image.

"Seek and destroy," said Metcalf smiling.

Metcalf was surrounded by the media on Wednesday, and it came as no surprise.

He spent the first six years of his career playing for the Seattle Seahawks, before he was traded to the Steelers this offseason.

And with the Seahawks coming to town this week, the game has all the makings for a drama-filled reunion.

But that isn't Metcalf's style.

Not even close.

For him, Sunday's game is business as usual.

"No extra juice this week," said Metcalf. "It's just another team on the schedule that just so happens to be playing the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"We've got to go out there and do everything that we can to try to win.

"It's just another football game. Prepare for it like any other football game, because after this, you've got to prepare for the next opponent. The next step on the schedule. It's just how it is. It's not different at all."

Metcalf has a methodical approach to the game, one that has him approach every snap, every rep, every game, with a passion that is searching for perfection.

And when he doesn't reach the level of perfection he strives for, he tries again, oftentimes staying after practice to make sure he makes the catches he wants before heading into the locker room.

"I take this game very seriously, so my preparation speaks for itself," said Metcalf. "I'm going to prepare like it's going to be my last game or like the first game. My preparation is the same.

"I always finish everything that I catch. I'm always going to work hard. The way that I handle my business just speaks to my teammates and the volumes of who I am as a football player and my character.

"Just ending everything on a positive note. So, if I get a drop, I've always got a big eraser as Russ (Wilson) would call it, my rookie year. Make a catch, or like a shooter ending on a make or in the weight room, always do one extra rep on everything.

"So, just the way that I carry myself and the ways I view life is always ending on something positive."

That approach comes from Metcalf's father, Terrence Metcalf, a former NFL offensive lineman who played for the Bears, Lions and Saints.

"(It comes) from my dad, for sure," said Metcalf. "But I've had a plethora of coaches, people that I've looked up to as mentors in my life who I go to for advice, looking at something that I should work on whether that be in my game or in my life. So, throughout my whole life coaches, teachers and my dad (are big influences)."

A great fit: The Steelers made it official on Wednesday, announcing the signing of safety Jabrill Peppers to a one-year contract.

Peppers, who is in his ninth NFL season, has appeared in 99 games, starting 85. He has 494 career tackles, 322 of them solo stops, 35 passes defensed, 30 tackles for a loss, seven interceptions, six forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

Peppers was on the field for practice on Wednesday, seeing his first action in a Steelers helmet. What his role will be is still something he is learning, but he is ready for whatever is asked of him.

"Obviously, on (special) teams, but it's basically on me how fast I can pick up the defense," said Peppers. "That's just on me to be a professional, getting the playbook, try to pick it up as fast as I can so I can get out there and try to help this ball club with some football games.

"I think it's a great fit, it's just little different things than I'm used to doing. So just got to lock in on the details, get out there a little bit more, shake the rust off. But I should be all right."

Peppers spent the last three seasons with the New England Patriots, appearing in 38 games, with 26 starts. He recorded 178 tackles, 107 of them solo stops, 10 passes defensed, nine tackles for a loss and an interception.
Prior to the Patriots, Peppers spent three seasons with the New York Giants, after he was acquired via a trade with the Cleveland Browns. While in New York, he played in 32 games, starting 30. He had 196 tackles, 127 of them solo stops, 17 passes defensed, 15 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles and two interceptions.
Peppers was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the 25th overall selection. In two seasons he played in 29 games, starting all of them. He recorded 137 tackles, 97 of them solo stops. He appeared in 13 games his rookie season, starting all of them, and finished with 57 tackles, three passes defensed, one interception and one fumble recovery.

Now he is jumping on what Coach Mike Tomlin refers to as a 'moving train' with the Steelers, and he is ready to get on board.

"It's part of your job as a professional," said Peppers. "Getting here, learning the playbook, learning how they want to do things, learning our identity, and when your number's called, you're expected to produce. That's the name of this game."

Time to respond: It wasn't how the offense drew things up for quarterback Aaron Rodgers first snap in black and gold. The plan wasn't for the four-time MVP to get sacked for a four-yard loss, one of four sacks allowed, on the Steelers first offensive play against the New York Jets on Sunday.

And Coach Mike Tomlin made it no secret that it's something they need to clean up.

"Offensively, I would like to see us do a better job of protecting Aaron, particularly on play pass," said Tomlin. "You absorb certain risk executing play pass in an effort to get yards in chunks, but that risk shouldn't manifest itself in the form of multiple sacks like it did when you're prepared and good.

"As a staff and as a collective, we have to be a little bit better in that space."

That message wasn't just delivered during Tomlin's press conference, but it's also one that the players heard.

"I think we've got to be cleaner in pass protection, like Coach T said," said center Zach Frazier. "We can't have Aaron getting hit. That's always our main priority.

"It's all technique, it is details. It really is just details of the protections.

"You never want to start a game with a sack, but it's more about how you respond after things like that happen. You can't let that play beat you twice. It's easy to have a bad play like that and then let that kill the drive, but you've got to keep on playing."

Frazier has no doubt the line will come out strong this week against the Seattle Seahawks at Acrisure Stadium, correcting the little things.

"I think we're going to respond and have a lot better game this week," said Frazier. "It's what we have to do. We have to bring it every week. That's what we're going to do this week."

The Jets game was the first time the line worked with Rodgers in live action, as he didn't play at all in the preseason.

And they said there were no hiccups with what their quarterback brought to the table.

"He was great," said Frazier. "He controlled the huddle, controlled the game, and had really great command of the offense.

"Communication was good. I feel like we were on the same page. I felt like we had good communication across the board."

Frazier said there was never a point in the game when Rodgers demeanor changed, providing a calm presence in the huddle throughout.

"It never seemed like he was worried or anything," said Frazier. "He was calm throughout the whole game. Even when we were down a couple of points, he was still the same guy."

Unfazed by it: Calm.

Cool.

Collected.

Those are not three words you normally hear associated with an NFL player, especially in the heat of a game.

But those are the words that best describe kicker Chris Boswell's demeanor.

"It's like an eerie calmness," said special teams captain Miles Killebrew. "He does it. He's a true pro."

Some kickers don't like to be approached on the sidelines during a game.

But nothing fazes Boswell.

"Boz is laid back, he'll just talk to you about random stuff (on the sideline)," said punter Corliss Waitman. "He's very laid back.

I think that's what makes him so good, too. He's just very calm. He's never up, never down, just calm.

"Like a golfer, he's ready to go."

Another word that fits Boswell is consistent. It showed on Sunday against the New York Jets when he nailed a game-winning 60-yard field goal with 1:03 to play in the game, winning the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts.

"I'm not going to call him anything that he hasn't been called before, but his consistency is awesome," said Killebrew. "He is just professional in that regard. It's fun to watch. We trust him to go out there and handle business and he does.

"It feels automatic. And he prepares, he puts in the work. I just think that preparation breeds confidence.

"He is a true pro. And the way he operates allows all of us to be confident in his performance. It's awesome. It's amazing to know that Boz is going to go out there and be Boz. Just provide us with a certain level of peace. It's fun to watch him work."

Waitman referred to him as 'that dude,' and it's a huge compliment.

"It's his work ethic, mentality," said Waitman. "He just has it. Some people are just not born with it. A lot of people have ability, but they won't be able to do it on a consistent basis year in, year out. He's one of those guys who's blessed with that.

"He's just different.

"As soon as he walked out there (against the Jets), I knew he was going to make it. He's just that good. The whole team believes in him.

"He never looks scared or anything. No moment is too big for him. He's always ready.

"Every time he goes out there, you know he's going to make it. That's kind of like a luxury we have."

Coach Mike Tomlin referred to him as a 'serial killer' following the Jets game, and Waitman laughed when he heard the reference.

"He just that dude," said Waitman. "I guess it kills people's spirits. It kills the opponent to have him hit a game winning field goal."

Steelers make roster moves: In addition to the signing of Peppers mentioned about, the Steelers also signed defensive back James Pierre from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. The team placed linebacker Malik Harrison and quarterback Skyler Thompson on the Reserve/Injured List.

In addition, the team signed quarterback Logan Woodside to the practice squad.

Pierre, who was elevated to the Active/Inactive Roster for the Jets game, started his career in Pittsburgh, spent time with the Washington Commanders, and returned to the Steelers in 2024. He was re-signed during the 2025 offseason after becoming a free agent.

Pierre returned to the Steelers for a second stint in 2024, signed to the practice squad in September after his release from the Commanders and then elevated to the 53-man roster one week later. He appeared in 15 games in 2024, starting two, and recorded 12 tackles, eight of them solo stops, and one interception, occurring against the Cleveland Browns to close out the game in a 27-14 win at Acrisure Stadium in Week 14.

Pierre was originally signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft out of Florida Atlantic. He has appeared in 81 career games, with eight starts in four seasons. He has recorded 71 tackles, including 60 solo stops, 11 passes defensed, three interceptions and a forced fumble. He also has 46 special teams tackles.

Pierre saw action in 16 games in 2023, mainly on special teams. He had seven special teams tackles, five of them solo stops. Pierre appeared in 17 games in 2022, starting two of them. He finished the year with 20 tackles, including 16 solo stops, had four passes defensed and an interception against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12. In 2021, Pierre played in 17 games with four starts. He recorded 37 tackles, 34 of them solo stops, and had one interception. He made the initial 53-man roster his rookie season and played in all 16 games.

Woodside, who spent time with the team during training camp, was originally drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has also spent time with the Tennessee Titans (2020-21) and Atlanta Falcons (2022-23).

Woodside has appeared in 13 NFL games, including 11 for the Titans. He was on the Bengals practice squad in 2024.

Woodside played college football at Toledo where he appeared in 43 games. He completed 759 passes for 10,514 yards and 93 touchdowns.

One to grow on: Left tackle Broderick Jones has always taken the bad with the good in his two-plus NFL seasons and found a way to process what's transpired without overreacting and move on to the next challenge with confidence either way.

But after a tough day individually in the Steelers' 34-32, season-opening victory over the Jets, Jones found that process more challenging than usual.

"It was a little harder, I'm not gonna lie," Jones acknowledged today. "But it's all about the growth and development so I felt like that was needed for me, just in my NFL journey.

"For the rest of my career, I think I needed that game."

Not that it's ever easy on the island known as left tackle.

"It's always tough," Jones said. "We're just like DBs in a sense."

In the sense that everybody, it seems, knows when a left tackle or a cornerback gets beat.

"Certainly, it could be better," head coach Mike Tomlin assessed of Jones' performance after a game in which quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked four times. "But certainly all of our performances could be better."

Jones is also getting plenty of feedback from Rodgers while transitioning from right to left tackle.

"All around, on the field, during timeouts, on the plane," Jones noted. "It doesn't stop, and you know when he says something you listen because he's been doing it for so long. I trust his judgment.

"And at the end of the day I gotta protect him so whatever he needs from me I'm trying to do it to the best of my ability."

Rodgers' advice to Jones was consistent and constant throughout the Jets game.

"It was just always 'next play mentality,'" Jones emphasized. "He said he messed up plays he wished he could have back, I feel the same way. We just gotta continue to grow as a whole."

As for the immediate specifics of Jones' continued growth, "I just felt like my footwork was really sloppy," Jones said. "And I gotta continue to just work on the silent cadence. I just gotta continue to work with the guys in getting it fixed."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

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.

**Sign up today**.

Monday, September 8

Wins don't come easy: In the National Football League, wins don't come easy.

So, you will never hear a player complaining following a win.

Nor should you.

And that was the case on Monday following the Steelers 34-32 win over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.

"We know we could play better, but we came out with a win," said safety Juan Thornhill. "It's hard to get those wins in this league."

It took all three phases to pull out the win, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers throwing four touchdown passes and Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard field goal.y

The defense, while they admit they 'could play better,' they still came up with big plays, including Jalen Ramsey breaking up Justin Fields' pass to Garrett Wilson on the Jets final play of the game.

Despite that, Thornhill stressed the importance of getting back to work. The defense allowed 182 yards rushing, while Fields threw for 218 yards.

"We were getting gashed in the running game and that was very obvious," said Thornhill. "I just feel like that's something that we have to work on.

"It will be something that we'll emphasize this week, but I'm not really panicked at all. I don't think no one on the defensive side is panicking one bit. People outside the building might be a little worried because I know we threw some stuff out there early in in camp talking about how this defense can be one of the best, but it still can.

"It's week one. We just finished the first game, and that was technically our second time playing with each other all together.

"I'm excited. It's going to be fun, and I think we're going to make a lot of plays."

Thornhill said the back end needs to do everything they can to help eliminate big plays in the ground game, with the Jets having three players with rushes of 15 plus yards on Sunday.

"It's reading our keys, getting to the ball a lot faster," said Thornhill. "You can't always rely on those guys up front to make every single play. So, if they don't make it, we've got to be there to eliminate those explosive runs. Instead of them getting 10 to 15 yards, maybe keep it down to five to eight yards and things like that.

"So, just reading our key and being more disciplined."

The secondary did suffer a few blows against the Jets when DeShon Elliott suffered a knee injury and Joey Porter Jr. a hamstring injury.

Versatility played a key role, as Thornhill moved into Elliott's spot and more shifting ensued.

"I felt like the safety part of it sucked because we lost DeShon early in that game," said Thornhill. "It was fun for me because I'm used to being that deep safety in this defense. And then when DeShon went down, I get to get closer to that line of scrimmage and make a lot more plays down there. I even told him, it's a little different, but I actually enjoyed it. It was fun being down there. The energy was electric.

"I think it was very professional. I don't feel like anybody panicked. Chuck (Clark) came in. Well, it started with me and Jalen back at safety at first. And then I think Joey went down and that put Jalen in a corner and then Chuck (Clark) came into game. I just felt like everything was professional. Nobody panicked, everybody came in and did their role play very well."

Being more detailed: There was a good feeling in the Steelers locker room on Monday after the win over the Jets, but at the same time, the players know there is still work to be done.

The Jets had 182 yards rushing, something the defense wants to eliminate moving forward.

"We have to be more detailed," said defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk. "We're going to go in today and really see what it was. It's tough to say until we watch the film. But once we get in and dissect this with the coaches and everyone else, we'll be able to have a better grasp on what we have to do.

"I think just detail. And I think up front it was getting off blocks. I don't think as a defensive line we got off blocks well enough. We've got to be able to improve, see what it is. But in the moment, it always feels like getting off blocks. When you have a guy attached to you, it's tough to make tackles. So, if we can shed those, be more clean, I think we'll be able have a better performance."

Loudermilk said the key for the defense is to not try and overcompensate by getting away from their assignments and try to make a big play. Instead, just go with what the plan is and things will play out.
"You always want to make the play, especially as an individual," said Loudermilk. "If you see things, you look at it like, I can make this play. But at the same time, you got to be detailed because there's 11 defensive players out there and everyone has to be in their gaps. Everyone has to be doing their job. So, if you have one person jumping out of a gap with a team like that, that can turn into a big hit, and it did multiple times.

"For us, it's being able to clean that up, making sure everyone's playing together and on the same page."

Running back Breece Hall rushed for 107 yards on 19 carries, while quarterback Justin Fields has 12 carries for 48 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Loudermilk knows with the likes of quarterbacks like the Bills' Josh Allen and the Ravens' Lamar Jackson on the schedule, they have to stay on alert.

"There's a lot of talented running quarterbacks in this league," said Loudermilk. "A lot of teams that run that scheme. We've got to get that dialed in. That's just figuring out who needs to be where, who's attacking the runner, who is attacking the quarterback.

"So, we'll get that detail. But there's lots of good running quarterback in the league. So, we've got to get that right."

While the Steelers worked on that area all throughout training camp, until game day arrives you can't predict how it will play out.

"When you go through training camp, you're working on everything," said Loudermilk. "You hope that you have everything right. But sometimes the first game comes, it's not where you want it to be. And it wasn't where we wanted it to be, so we had to go in and clean that up. But for us, it is learning from yesterday and moving forward."

Vote for Aaron: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is nominated for the FedEx Air Player of the Week for his performance against the New York Jets. Rodgers completed 22 of 30 attempts, a 73.3 completion percentage, for 244 yards and four touchdowns for a 136.7 passer rating.

"I was happy to get the win," said Rodgers. "Sixteen more games in the regular season left."

Rodgers said he wasn't looking to prove anything in his first game back at MetLife Stadium since the Jets released him in the offseason.

He just wanted to play football.

"I just wanted to have fun today," said Rodgers. "I was dreaming about the opportunity to step back on the field in the offseason and wondering how it would feel. Would the juices flow and would it hit my competitive spirit.

"There were a lot of moments that I was on the sideline just to myself thanking my wife and my friends for encouraging me to take time with my decision and that this would be the right decision. I'm happy to be a Steeler and happy things went the way they did (Sunday)."

Fans can vote for Rodgers by Clicking Here.

For the 2025-26 NFL regular season, FedEx is teaming up with Feeding America to make donations of $2,000 in the name of the winning players ($4,000 total per week) to help combat food insecurity across the country.

This marks the first time the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Awards program will support Feeding America and its nationwide network of local food banks and pantries. Over the course of the entire season, select food banks and pantries will receive grants totaling more than $100,000.

What a start in the 'Burgh: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn't go into Sunday's game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium looking for retribution against his former team.

He simply went in looking for a win for his new team.

"I love beating everybody, so it doesn't matter who it is," said Rodgers.

He got the win, and then some.

"I just thought he was game all day," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "But again, you guys asked me last week, why was I confident. That's why I was confident. That's what I've been looking at in preparation, and I'm appreciative of it, not only his efforts but the efforts of the collective."

Rodgers led the Steelers to a 34-32 win over the Jets, throwing for four touchdown passes in the game.

And there was more.

Per NFL Research, Rodgers four touchdown passes were the most by any player in their Steelers debut all-time. His four touchdown passes were also the most by any Steelers quarterback in a game since Ben Rosthlisberger in 2020.

In addition, Rodgers is just the third veteran quarterback since 1990 with four plus touchdown passes in his debut game for a new team. Joining Vinny Testaverde (Jets) and Carson Wentz (Commanders).

Rodgers also became the third-oldest player in NFL history with four plus touchdown passes in a game, behind only Tom Brady and Drew Brees.

"We've seen him do it all of training camp, so nothing surprised us," said linebacker T.J. Watt of Rodgers performance.

Rodgers 136.7 passer rating was higher than any game he played in two seasons with the Jets (2023-24).

And there is more. Rodgers tied Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning for the third most games in NFL history with four plus touchdown passes in a game with 35. He trails only Brees (37) and Brady (39).

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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