Steelers Central

On this episode of Steelers Central, we talk a lot of looming questions that will be coming during the end of the 2026 season. We'll start with the decision about which edge rusher the team will be keeping next year between TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith after Nick Herbig's contract. Why I think Alex Highsmith will be the odd man out and a hot commodity at this year's trade deadline.Next is the Brendan Sorsby debate, and what the cost would be to get a QB with his current situation in the supplemental draft. It would be interesting to see what or if the Steelers would give up to get him, and why their current QB situation may hold them off another year. Listen to my complete thought on this whole situation in the second segment.This leads us to the 2027 NFL Draft where the Steelers will have multiple positions to fill. With a stacked QB class, and no Aaron Rodgers returning, that should be priority one with the amount of names on that list and that talent that could go in this year's draft. Their situation will also be much better allowing for a QB to grow and develop instead of having to be great right away. See what could be their other positions of needs though.Next, the team added to huge pieces to a WR room that looks to be much better, versatile, and on the field more often in 2026. Listen why I think a DK Metcalf resurgence is due, Michael Pittman becomes Aaron Rodgers favorite target, Germie Bernard provides instant impact out of the slot, and even an expanded role for Roman Wilson. Also the team needs another veteran WR to round out the room in case of injury.Lastly, the CB room is the deepest it has been in years, and see why I think this will translate to more than just on the field production: it will establish an identity. The Steelers are now big, long, and physical on the outside with Asante Samuel Jr. giving them a curveball, and Daylen Everette providing some youth and raw talent that could lead him to contribute earlier than most people think. Hear my one issue with this room in the last segment that people are overlooking from last year even with Jalen Ramsey expecting to have a more refined role this year.0:00-13:00 2027 EDGE Room Questions13:01-24:40 Brendan Sorsby Situation24:41-40:20 Taking Another Stab at QB40:21-55:05 Positional Outlook: WR55:06-65:30 Positional Outlook: CB

On this episode of Steelers Central, we'll recap the Steelers first week of Free Agency as the team addressed several pressing needs with the additions of WR Michael Pittman and CB Jamel Dean along with some good value bargains at RB, S, and DL. Why I think Omar Khan A grade worthy FA as well!While the team brought in some valuable players to address some keys needs that plagued them last year, they also lost some key players including Kenneth Gainwell, Isaac Seamolu, and James Pierre. I'll give you insight on the team's new biggest hole as well as some players to round out the CB, WR, and Tackle positions.The Steelers also need to draft to address their biggest need we'll look at some of their prospects with a well-rounded mauler out of Oregon, the best pass blocking guard in this draft out of Texas A&M, a downhill run blocking beast out o Georgia Tech, and a tackle that would make a great guard out of Iowa.0:00-26:05 Steelers FA Recap26:06-32:51 Holes to Fill32:52-38:28 Oregon G Emmanuel Pregnon38:29-44:42 Texas A&M G Chase Bisontis44:43-50:09 Georgia Tech G Keylan Rutledge50:10-57:22 Iowa T/G Gennings Dunker

On this episode of Steelers Central, we take some time to breakdown GM Omar Khan's Presser, and what he said and didn't say. It seems like they have an an inkling that Rodgers is coming back despite no immediate confirmation. He is excited about the team's cap situation in Free Agency and the 12 picks in the draft. He also cited the importance of signing some young core players to new contracts this offseason as well. There were some negatives though with Broderick Jones's current injury status and the lack of clarity at the WR position.We'll also break down one WR who significantly increased his value at the NFL Combine, and just won the CFP National Championship. This guy could be a significant NFL producer with his short and mid-field production and ability to separate down the field and make contested catches. Then we have three more than capable corners, one of them coming off of a season-ending ACL injury, one of them has an NFL bloodline, and one of them from a program that just produced a hybrid safety that helped win the Super Bowl. Listen to see which one I liked best, and hope the Steelers draft.0:00-8:45 Indiana WR Omar Cooper8:46-19:14 Omar Khan Presser19:15-26:29 Clemson CB Aveion Terrell26:20-33:41 Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy33:42-41:16 South Carolina CB Brandon Cisse

On this episode of Steelers Central, we begin our first draft evaluations of the season with the top WRS in the class: Arizona State WR Jordan Tyson, Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, and USC WR Malaki Lemon. This is an uber-talented group of WRs that are great and consistent separators. See which one I think would be the best fit for the Steelers, and I hope they fall to them.It's also time to begin looking at the holes the Steelers have remaining on their roster and which are most pressing. Obviously, WR remains at the top with uncertainty at the QB position being a close second. Listen to see what other positions I think will be of concern, including a couple in the secondary.0:00-14:09 Arizona State WR Jordan Tyson14:10-25:25 Ohio State WR Carnell Tate25:26-38:37 USC WR Malaki Lemon38:38-58:09 Steelers Roster Holes

On this episode of Steelers Central, it's report card time, as we hand out grades to the offensive position groups. Tune into see which group had the best and worst grades, and if there were any As on our report card. See why I think the position group that had the lowest grade, was set up to fail by ownership.Next, I'll have some takeaways from McCarthy's opening press conference that included a touching opening message on how much Pittsburgh means to him, and his definitive stance on if he wants Aaron Rodgers back. See what else stuck out to me in McCarthy's first press conference as the Steelers HC.One aspect that was emphasized was the infusion of young talent into the coaching staff, and there have been signs of that with the team interviewing CJ Ah You as OLB Coach and Scott Tolzien for OC. Tune in to see what hires that I am excited about (hint Patrick Graham and James Campen top that list), and which hires that are leaving me scratching my head.0:00-26:48 Steelers Offensive Report Card Grades26:49-36:28 McCarthy Introductory Presser36:29-49:28 McCarthy's Impressive Staff

In a wild week of Steelers news, the Steelers will do something they haven't done in 19 years: find a new head coach. This comes after the team's 30-6 defeat on Monday night against the Texans, becoming the nail in the coffin for Tomlin to step down.This episode we'll break down the legacy of Mike Tomlin, his 19-year tenure, what went wrong down the stretch run if his career, and why I thought they were five years too late in letting Tomlin keep his job.Next, it's time to look back at what went wrong in the Divisional Round game, and what went wrong to give Tomlin his seventh straight playoff loss to tie Marvin Lewis for longest all time. Despite getting three TOs and multiple short field opportunities, the Steelers scored just six points and had under 200 total yards. This game was close for a majority of the game until things broke down late in the 4th quarter.There weren't many bright spots aside from Joey Porter Jr. and Corliss Waitman pinning the Texans inside the 20 four times, but plenty of pitfalls including 3rd downs, run defense, OT play, Brandon Echols, and Arthur Smith.At Art Rooney's press conference, we saw that not even Rooney saw Tomlin stepping down as an option. He was prepared to even give Tomlin another shot. Instead, the Steelers will look for another captivating personality to lead the team like their three previous HCs. The HC will also have full control over roster-building and coaching staff, which is really telling and shows you how much control Tomlin had as well.Lastly, we'll look at some of the names that Pittsburgh has mentioned so far with seven candidates on the board.0:00-16:24 Tomlin Stepping Down16:25-30:50 Steelers vs Texans Game Recap30:51-44:54 Art Rooney's Presser44:55-53:05 Steelers HC Candidates

We're back with another episode of Steelers Central, talking about the rollercoaster of a win for the Pittsburgh Steelers to clinch the AFC North and give the Steelers their first division title since 2020. We'll break down how the game went from 23 combined points in the first three quarters to 27 points in the last 10 minutes of a game that included a missed XP and a missed go-ahead FG.For Pittsburgh, key contributors to their victories included Aaron Rodgers and Cam Heyward turning back the clock, Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren running hard, and Calvin Austin and Pat Friermuth making explosive plays in the passing game. On the other side, a Chris Boswell missed kick, a couple of sloppy plays from Jalen Ramsey, and an Alex Highsmith and Keeanu Benton missed sack from going home.0:00-19:57 Steelers vs Ravens Breakdown/Reaction19:58-36:41 Steelers vs Ravens Winners and Losers

On this episode of Steelers Central, two banged-up squads clash in a battle for playoff positioning. The Lions will be looking for their first win against Pittsburgh since 1998, when Charlie Batch was the QB in a 19-16 Thanksgiving Day victory. This will be a battle of wills between two teams who look to control the LOS. The Lions will attempt to dominate with Gibbs and Montgomery, while the Steelers counter with Derrick Harmon's return to the lineup. On the other hand, the Steelers must exploit a secondary that could be missing both of its starting safeties and its star corner, given their limited array of weapons. Also, I'll explain why getting to Jared Goff in this game is a must.On the matchup side of things, Jahmyr Gibbs is a must shut down for the Steelers' ILBs. In his last six games, he has alternated between three-TD games and zero-TD games. In wins this season, he has averaged 102 RY; in losses, 42 RY. The Steelers must tackle him well in space, or he will gash them. In the trenches, Fautanu and Cook vs Hitch and Muhammad will be a must-watch on the outside with Lions DT Alim McNeill out. Amon-Ra and Jameson Williams vs. this secondary will also determine the Lions' success, as Brown will see a high number of targets and Jame-O will try to spread the field against a Steelers defense that has had recent success in the secondary. Tune in to see what other matchups will determine this game's outcome.As for the outcome of this game, I don't see any way the Steelers come out of this game as winners. While I do see this game being close, I don't see the Steelers having enough firepower to overcome the Lions.0:00-15:18 Steelers vs Lions: Keys to Victory15:19-37:53 Steelers vs. Lions: Matchups to Watch37:54-41:54 Steelers vs Lions Gametime Predictions