Tuesday, September 29

Staying sharp: The Steelers schedule is different this week not only because they are playing on Thursday night against the Cleveland Browns, but because Coach Mike McCarthy made adaptations to the schedule to make sure players got enough rest.

The day started late for the Steelers on Tuesday, with their walk-through in the late afternoon, finishing around 5:20 p.m.

"This is a schedule I've kind of grown into over the years," said McCarthy. "Just having the opportunity to play a number of games on Thursday, the late start is very beneficial on a number of fronts. Most importantly, just the ability for players to have extra time to sleep in. There's some things that are built into the morning as far as their self-care and things to get back.

"It also helps the coaches to get all the game planning done because today is really kind of a combination of Thursday and Friday. There's a number of factors that led up to going with a later start on the second day. So, it's been very beneficial."

Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward knows the importance of rest this week and he appreciated the late start, even if he was tired by the time the day ended.

"It's great, but I feel like I've got to go back to sleep now," said Heyward. "It's 5:30, and we play very soon, so we're all trying to adjust.

"Tough games, but the main thing is staying off our feet, taking care of our bodies.

"Also making sure we're sharp and ready to go on Thursday."

Heyward has been through his share of Thursday night games but knows there are plenty of young players who don't have that shared experience.

His job is to make sure they know what to expect and how to prepare.

"Communication is key," said Heyward. "Don't peak too high early in the week.

"Then we've got to start fast. A lot of times on these Thursday night games, it's about bringing the most intensity and energy to the game."

The Steelers have struggled on Thursday Night Football, with lack of time to prepare one of the reasons Heyward gives for those struggles.

"There's not enough time to embrace the tape," said Heyward. "But the great thing about it is you know they've got to deal with the same problems we are.

"It's an even playing field and it's just about taking care of your body to make sure you're mentally sharp."

Get in line: The Steelers made changes on their offensive line against the Bengals, with Brock Hoffman starting at right guard and rookie first-round pick Max Iheanachor starting at right tackle.

And it was a change Coach Mike McCarthy was pleased with, especially the work of Iheanachor who made his first NFL start.

"What I looked for was I didn't see any hesitancy," said McCarthy. "I think he cut it loose. I think him and Brock as a whole looked…they were physical, they were getting after it. And that was part of the change that we were looking for, so I think they definitely checked that box.

"Things come very natural to Max. Max has got a lot of gifts to work with. Didn't have any issues in the pre-snap, which first time playing tackle. Aaron (Rodgers) does a great job with the cadence and we were at home, so not to have any challenges there was definitely a feather in his cap and everybody's cap.

"I thought the fact that we didn't talk about Max, that means he played really well during the course of the game."

Iheanachor said after the game that he relied on Hoffman for preparation, utilizing the veteran's knowledge and experience.

"I have a lot of respect for Brock Hoffmann," said McCarthy. "Obviously, we have a lot of history. Brock is someone I would hire as a coach when he's done. That's what I think of him. As far as his level of preparation, his demeanor, what he brings to the table.

"So, if you have a young player going into the game for the first time, I don't know if you can pair them with anybody better than Brock Hoffman."

No words: It's not often you have a player score on a 23-yard touchdown reception and recover an opponent's fumble on a muffed punt return in the same game.

When it comes to receiver Ben Skowronek, nothing is surprising.

Skowronek is a do-it-all player, earning a Pro Bowl nod last season for his special teams play, while also being a weapon for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

"I think just the wide receiver position playing special teams, I've been fortunate enough to be around some really good ones," said special teams coordinator Danny Crossman. "But Ben is a very unique individual, and he plays the game at a very high level physically.

"He's very sharp. We're very, very glad he's on our club. He has a knack of making plays, which is a great thing."

Skowronek is someone who loves the game and it shows in his play, and his fun personality.

"Personality-wise, I don't have the vocabulary to describe it," said Coach Mike McCarthy. "I'll just jump right to the chase right there. He's a character. He's someone who enjoys what he's doing. I don't think I've ever seen Ben have a bad day."

Unique talent: His teammates have said it time and time again.

Get the ball in tight end Darnell Washington's hands and he is nearly impossible to bring down.

That was the case on Sunday when Washington caught a 47-yard pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, as well as every time he touches the ball.

Coach Mike McCarthy was asked what goes through his mind when he sees Washington drag defenders along with him after a catch.

"Why don't you give him the ball more? That's probably what everyone else is saying," said McCarthy. "He's unique. He's a hard guy to tackle. He's a tough matchup. He's done an incredible job.

"I always want to praise him because I know how important it is to him, but I know how important he has been to our football team.

"When you're a new coach, you put in a new system, new operation, program, how you operate, and guys like Darnell that are here every day, that means the world. He's been that guy.

"It's no surprise to me to see him continue to have success because he puts the work in."

Washington's size (6-7, 264) is unique, but add onto that his ability to make the catch and he is a weapon like no other.

"My God, to be at that size and his body comp and what he's able to do," said McCarthy. "He's got natural hands. He's a natural, what I would call plucker. He plucks the ball out of the air. He's a natural receiver, and he's a gifted player."

Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio knows how valuable Washington is to the offense and enjoys seeing him once he gets going.

"He's such a great target, and he does a great job run after catch," said Angelichio. "His physicality and just his awareness of where guys are.

"Just remembering him coming out (for the Draft), Darnell, certainly he's a fine blocker, but he's athletic. Just for a guy his size, how he moves and how nimble he is to adjust and make guys miss."

Monday, September 28

Trusting each other: The Steelers defense stepped to the plate once again on Sunday in the win over the Cincinnati Bengals, making big plays when they were needed the most.

The biggest came in the closing minute, when rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon had a strip sack of Joe Burrow, and fellow defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day recovered to seal the 30-27 win.

The defense is making plays like that because of the trust they have in defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, and the trust he has right back in them.

"Playing together, just trusting what's called, trusting each other to be in the right spots and at the right time, the right place and nobody panicking," said linebacker Patrick Queen. "Having long drives and people just staying focused, staying with the task at hand and just trusting each other to be able to go out there and finish."

It's a defense Queen is thriving in, one he feels is the right fit for him.

"It's just me going out there playing ball," said Queen. "Not having to think too much, just trusting what's called, trusting the guys around me. Just knowing everybody's going be where they're supposed to be.

"And if I'm where I'm supposed to, I'll make the play. I think there's just a whole bunch of trust with each other and with what Coach calls."

That trust will be needed this week when the Steelers take on the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football at Huntington Bank Stadium.

"It is intense," said Queen. "There's something about Cleveland. When you play Cleveland, it was always a weird game, a weird feel, especially in a night game, they get a little rowdy.

"They've got a great fanbase. They're loud. They're obnoxious. But that's why you love the game. That's why you love the division. And it's just one of those places where it's always gloomy over there. I've never had a sunny game there, ever. And then the night games are just extremely weird.

"The divisional games are always going to be heated, always going to be a battle, especially with those guys, in their place. There's always a battle over there, so I'm looking forward to it."

The Steelers have lost the last four games in Cleveland, dating back to 2022, and Queen knows it will take a full team effort to get it done this week.

"Just go out there and be us," said Queen. "Execute on all levels, offense, special teams, defense. Bring it all together for that one game.

"This week, just have every level execute, have the communication good.

"It's a short week, so game plan is probably not going to be a whole bunch of crazy stuff on both sides. Everybody's just got to go out and execute. That's what it's going to come down to. In short weeks, it always comes down to who executes the most, and that's what we have to do."

Rising to the challenge: It was a topic that was hit on again and again on Monday in the Steelers locker room, and understandably so.

One of the many challenges the Steelers face as they prepare to take on the Cleveland Browns is preparing on a short week.

Tight end Pat Freiermuth has done it plenty of times in his career, so he knows how to attack it.

"Obviously, a few challenges presented with recovering from the game stuff, but recovery started yesterday after our game," said Freiermuth. "It's tough, but this week we're going into Cleveland. We haven't won there in the past couple of years, so we're looking forward to going out there and hopefully getting the win."

The game will stream on Prime Video, and also air in the Pittsburgh market on WTAE-TV.

And all eyes will be on it.

"Going into the Dawg Pound on Thursday night," said Freiermuth. "It's going to be rowdy. They don't like this very much. I think every single year I go to the Dawg Pound, I hear a whole other elevated version of (trash) talking. So, it's fun.

"It's always fun to be playing Cleveland, and I'm looking forward to rambunctious crowd."

The Steelers are coming off their best offensive performance of the season in a 30-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, a game where Freiermuth said they wanted to put on a performance after a disappointing showing in Week 2 against New England.

"We set the tone on the first play," said Freiermuth, referring to a 30-yard catch and run by running back Jaylen Warren where Freiermuth threw the key block. "The performance in New England, it didn't sit well with us.

"We're just trying to go out there and set the tone from the first play, and you saw that on film.

"As an offense, we pride ourselves as being the most physical unit on the field. We got challenged against New England.  We looked at each other like we weren't the most physical team. So being able to go out there this week and showcase that against the division team, it was important.

"But obviously, short week and another division team. We've got to have to repeat that performance."

Freiermuth said they weren't given a particular message from Coach Mike McCarthy about bringing the physicality, but they knew the assignment.

"Not a particular message," said Freiermuth. "Obviously he challenged us with the lack of physicality we showed against New England.

"We took that personally."

Knowing what to expect: Thursday night will be the first time safety Jaquan Brisker will go against the Cleveland Browns in a Steelers uniform, but he is no stranger to the rivalry.

Brisker grew up in the Pittsburgh area, watching the Steelers play for as long as he can remember.

And he knows all about the rivalry between the two teams that are separated by around 130 miles.

"I know the rivalry is tough," said Brisker. "I know they hate us and things like that. We don't like them either.

"When I was growing up, the Steelers were winning a lot. So, that's what I'm used to. And that's what we're going to continue to do.

"We've just got to stay focused and just play like we do."

The Browns are coming off two straight wins, sitting at 2-1 just like the Steelers. Brisker knows the challenge they bring, and they will be ready for it.

"I think they've done a great job being balanced in the run game and in the pass game," said Brisker. "You can tell the quarterback is getting out of the pocket and creating plays down the field.

"In coverage for us, we're just going to have to cover a lot longer. I believe in our D-line, get to the passer and balance the rush. So, I think we'll be great."

The big challenge this week will be in preparation on a short week. The Steelers and Browns meet on Thursday night, so time to recover and prepare are both limited.

"When it comes to Thursday games, defense and special teams, whoever has the most energy, whoever is the most prepared and the most rested," said Brisker of how to be successful. "I'm just going to come out there very fresh and very focused.

"It's the team, the defense, the special teams, whoever comes ready and is well rested and prepared."

Having his number called: Rookie cornerback Daylen Everette saw his most extensive playing time of the season against the Bengals on Sunday, seeing action on 46% of the defensive snaps, compared to 2% of the defensive snaps in Week 1 and 15% of the defensive snaps in Week 2.

"It was a good feeling to get out there and play ball," said Everette. "I was just waiting for my name to be called and try to go out and do my best."

Everette saw a good chunk of playing time in the fourth quarter, with the game tight and a lot on the line. And he did it against Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and two of the NFL's top receivers in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

"You just have to lock in and bring your best, honestly," said Everette. "That's pretty much it.

"Those are things you got to be ready for in this league."

It was Everette's first taste of AFC North football, and he is quick to admit it was everything he expected.

"It was a good feeling, especially being out there in a division game where it gets a little heated, a little chippy," said Everette. "These division games, they are pretty big. They take them seriously.

"That's football though, but if it's against a certain team, especially a division team, it's going to get a little more heated and more chippy out there. I definitely see it.

"I know Thursday will be the same. I am looking forward to it."

The Steelers will be on the road on Thursday night against the Cleveland Browns, the second consecutive AFC North battle for the Steelers.

It's a quick turnaround, the quickest one Everette will experience in his young career.

"I think the closest thing we had was we played on Saturday one week and then I think the next time we played a Black Friday game so it was Saturday to Friday," said Everette of when he was at Georgia. "That's probably the closest I had to this, but this is a little different for me.

"It's a short week, but we've still got to put the work in to go out and execute on Thursday.

"Taking care of our body is always important on a week like this. That's something I'll try to focus on with the short turnaround. You want to try to get your body back as much as you can after playing. I'd say probably recover, just try to get your body back as much as you can, especially on a short week, because you'd have less days to really get back."

Looking good: Steelers Style, the team's annual fashion show featuring players and their families showing off the latest fashions, will take place on Friday, October 9 at 6 p.m. at Stage AE.

The theme of this year's show is 'Forged for the Gridiron: Runway Ready, Gameday Inspired.'

For more than 50 years, Steelers Style has brought together football, fashion, and philanthropy in one unforgettable evening, presented by Neighborhood Ford Store, PNC, UPMC and UPMC Health Plan.

Steelers Style, which is the team's largest annual fundraiser, benefits UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, Cancer Bridges and the Chuck Noll Foundation.

There will also be an online auction, presented by Acrisure, that will benefit the three charities. More details to follow.

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