The Pirates fell 5-4 to the Brewers last night, blowing another late lead when Carmen Mlodzinski allowed two runs, and now face a sweep on Thursday. The consolation was history: three more homers pushed the club to a franchise-record 174 for the season, a 57-homer jump from last year's total. Even so, the record at 75-77 and Milwaukee's division title have outlets like North Shore Nine and DK Pittsburgh Sports asking what the Pirates can learn from how the Brewers are built.
The Steelers' talk centers on drops and the offensive line ahead of Sunday at New England, with Steelers Depot showing Pittsburgh's two Week 1 drops cost more points than any other team's and left tackle Troy Fautanu missing practice with an ankle injury. Joey Porter Jr.'s limited return to practice and T.J. Watt's AFC Defensive Player of the Week award round out the beat.
The Penguins open training camp today with 69 players, including Crosby, who enters his 22nd season. Beat writers at Pittsburgh Hockey Now are questioning Kyle Dubas's plan after the team sent some young prospects home before camp.
Pittsburgh's defense kept things simple against Atlanta, relying on straightforward zone coverage and a four-man rush rather than exotic schemes. The strategy worked because the Steelers have superior talent, producing the league's second-best sack rate. Standouts included Payton Wilson's confident performance, T.J. Watt's dominant display, and solid contributions from new additions like safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Jamel Dean.
Locked On Steelers: The Steelers host the Patriots in a matchup where cornerback Joey Porter Jr.'s availability could reshape Pittsburgh's defensive scheme after sitting out week one. Meanwhile, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye faces pressure to bounce back from a disappointing fourth-quarter collapse on opening night. Turnover margin figures to be critical, as both teams have relied heavily on forcing mistakes through their first games.
The Steelers carefully managed their seven rookie debuts, keeping most on special teams while three saw meaningful offensive or defensive snaps. Safety Robert Spears-Jennings impressed with three tackles and strong effort, while fullback Riley Nowakowski showed promise as a lead blocker. Most rookies received incomplete grades due to limited opportunities, though the team appears satisfied with their special teams contributions so far.
Pittsburgh's two drops in Week 1 against Atlanta cost them more points than any other team's miscues that week. DK Metcalf's third-quarter drop likely cost three points, while Roman Wilson's end zone drop in the first half would've been a touchdown. These plays highlight ongoing offensive struggles for the Steelers and suggest they could've easily scored over 30 points.
Pittsburgh's defense impressed in their season opener, with two players standing out against the run. Cornerback Jamel Dean delivered an elite performance, recording the best run-defense grade across the entire league in Week One, including a crucial forced fumble. Linebacker Payton Wilson also shined with a top-ten run-defense grade, showing marked improvement with solid tackling and downhill aggression.
Daniel Jeremiah remains confident in the Steelers despite their Week 1 offensive struggles, pointing to dropped passes rather than scheme issues. He credits their investment in the offensive line and defensive front as reasons for picking them to win the AFC North. Jeremiah expects a low-scoring matchup against New England and favors Pittsburgh to win.
Pittsburgh's offensive line struggled in Week 1, raising questions about whether changes beyond rookie Max Iheanachor will be needed. Right guard Spencer Anderson and right tackle Dylan Cook both had performance issues, prompting analysts to wonder if the team might accelerate its timeline for shuffling the lineup. The Steelers lack proven veteran backups to plug in, making any adjustments complicated.
Roman Wilson finally delivered on his potential in Pittsburgh's season opener, drawing praise from teammates for his improved confidence and route-running. Though his stats were modest, his increased targets and physical dominance against defenders suggest the third-year receiver is turning a corner under Aaron Rodgers. Veteran observers believe his preparation and work ethic are finally translating into on-field performance.
Cam Heyward praised the Steelers' defensive effort against Atlanta but highlighted lapses in tackling and pursuit angles that allowed Bijan Robinson to rack up 173 yards. Though Pittsburgh won convincingly and made some standout plays, Heyward stressed the need for better discipline and more consistent execution across all eleven defenders.
Pat Freiermuth bounced back impressively in the season opener with five catches for 46 yards and a touchdown after being underutilized last year. The tight end, who signed a lucrative extension, showed he can be a reliable short-range weapon and yards-after-catch threat. His increased playing time suggests the Steelers finally recognize his value in their revamped offense.
Aaron Rodgers showed improved mobility in last week's win over Atlanta, moving more comfortably in the pocket and extending plays when needed. Linebacker Robert Spillane believes the quarterback's movement is noticeably better than last season. The Patriots present a stiffer challenge this week with a stronger defense and pass rush, so Rodgers will need to stay sharp and create off-script plays to keep the Steelers' offense clicking.
Joey Porter Jr. missed the Steelers' opener despite appearing healthy enough to play, sparking criticism that his back injury was a negotiating tactic after failed contract extension talks. An NFL insider questioned whether the team should either clear him medically and impose fines or stop treating this as a legitimate injury, especially since conditioning, not his back, is now the listed concern.
An NFL insider reports that Deshaun Watson is unhappy in Cleveland and playing poorly intentionally, while the Browns plan to start Shedeur Sanders by Week 3. The locker room has lost confidence in Watson's leadership despite his earlier reputation. Ultimately, the organization appears focused on tanking for Arch Manning in the 2027 draft rather than committing to either current quarterback.
Pittsburgh's running game sputtered early against Atlanta, generating just 58 yards on 21 attempts before finally clicking late in the game. As they face New England, the Steelers hope to establish the ground attack from the start rather than relying on it only when desperation forces their hand. The inconsistency between their two backs suggests they need better execution and play-calling throughout the game.
Pittsburgh's elite pass-rush unit got its first real test in Week One, with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith dominating snaps while Nick Herbig saw limited opportunities despite the team's investment in him. The data suggests the Steelers were selective about when they deployed their four best edge rushers, particularly on crucial third-down situations. How the rotation evolves as the season progresses remains to be seen.
The Steelers' receiving corps faced criticism for drops in Week 1, but the narrative may be overblown. While DK Metcalf did miss a catchable deep ball from Aaron Rodgers that could've been a touchdown, the team didn't actually struggle with drops overall. Alan Saunders examines whether this is a real concern or media overreaction.
DK Metcalf dropped a pass late in Pittsburgh's win over Atlanta but isn't dwelling on it, saying he simply moves to the next play. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers remains fully confident in his star receiver and plans to keep targeting him. Metcalf credits concentration as the key to avoiding future mistakes as the Steelers prepare to face New England.
Steelers Injury Updates•Steelers News Steelers Injury Central: Five Miss Practice, One with New Injury Steelers Injury Central is your home for all Pittsburgh Steelers injury updates, throughout the 2026 season and beyond.
The Steelers head to New England for a Week 2 matchup against the Patriots. Host Jobe Morrison sits down with Sara Marshall to break down what Pittsburgh can expect from their opponent's perspective. This preview offers insight into how the Patriots view the upcoming divisional challenge and what adjustments either team might need to make.
A prominent sports commentator criticized the Steelers for winning ugly despite their recent victory, pointing to a dysfunctional offense that ranks among the league's worst in rushing efficiency and third-down conversions. He argued that T.J. Watt's individual brilliance masked deeper structural problems, and without fixing their ground game, Pittsburgh will struggle to compete in a pass-happy NFL regardless of defensive talent.
The Steelers face a tough road test against favored New England on Sunday, with most analysts picking against Pittsburgh. T.J. Watt reached rare company by earning his ninth Defensive Player of the Week award, matching Hall of Famers. Aaron Rodgers believes offensive penalties and missed calls obscured the Steelers' true performance in their opener.
The Patriots host the Steelers in a matchup between two storied franchises with nearly equal Super Bowl success. New England holds the recent edge in this series but faces questions about quarterback Drake Maye's consistency against winning teams and ball security. Pittsburgh's offense struggled in Week 1, while both defenses showed vulnerability, setting up an intriguing divisional clash.
The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
The Steelers are closely monitoring Rutgers receiver KJ Duff, with their assistant GM attending games two weeks running. Duff is producing elite numbers despite playing for a struggling program and ranks third among draft-eligible receivers. While Pittsburgh already has established pass catchers, a potential DK Metcalf departure could create an opening for this prospect.
Five Steelers starters are under the microscope after a disappointing Week 1 showing against Atlanta. The offensive line struggled particularly, while receiver DK Metcalf had issues with drops. Several players face potential benching or roster cuts if they don't bounce back quickly against New England this week.
A Patriots expert identifies three vulnerabilities Pittsburgh can target: New England's struggling run game, rookie quarterback Drake Maye's turnover issues, and defensive coverage gaps that allow big plays. The Steelers' defensive line should dominate up front while their opportunistic secondary looks to capitalize on Maye's tendency toward forcing plays.
The Steelers survived Week 1 but face a tough stretch ahead. The article predicts losses to New England and Cincinnati before a bounce-back win against Cleveland, leaving Pittsburgh at 2-2 after four games. The analysis highlights concerns about the team's offensive limitations despite a solid defense.
Rodgers dismisses concerns about uneven target distribution among Steelers receivers, insisting the team focuses on getting the ball to whoever is most open rather than forcing touches. The quarterback's pragmatic approach prioritizes offensive efficiency over satisfying individual receiver usage rates heading into Week 2 against New England.
Stephen A. Smith, a devoted Steelers fan, is frustrated with the offense's sluggish performance in Week 1 despite the new coaching staff. Though Pittsburgh won, the victory felt unconvincing, the team struggled to move the ball efficiently and benefited from defensive scoring. Smith questions whether the offense can execute consistently against tougher opponents like New England this week.
Steelers rookie Max Iheanachor gets a crucial opportunity Thursday as left tackle Troy Fautanu deals with an ankle injury. The first-round pick has been receiving extended reps with the starting unit at right tackle, positioning himself to potentially challenge incumbent Dylan Cook for the starting job. Coach Mike McCarthy emphasized the importance of Thursday's practice for Iheanachor's development.
Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is progressing through injury recovery, with Thursday's practice being crucial to determine his availability against New England. Coach Mike Tomlin remained noncommittal about Porter's status but expressed satisfaction with his work so far. A full practice session Thursday would signal he's likely ready to play, though the team may limit his snaps alongside starter Asante Samuel Jr.
Pittsburgh's defense dominated Atlanta in Week 1, forcing turnovers and holding the Falcons to just 238 yards. Analyst Brian Baldinger was so impressed he texted the team's front office, believing this unit could become the league's best. Meanwhile, the offense showed promise despite scoring only 20 points, with Aaron Rodgers delivering accurate throws that receivers failed to catch.
The Steelers drafted receiver Germie Bernard high but he's barely seeing the field behind Roman Wilson, who has quarterback Aaron Rodgers' clear preference. Bernard will need Wilson to make significant mistakes or get injured to earn meaningful playing time, since Rodgers has been supportive of Wilson despite his occasional drops and errors.
The Steelers reclassified Joey Porter Jr.'s absence from a back injury to a conditioning issue, fueling speculation about his contract holdout. Coach Mike McCarthy downplayed the change, insisting they have a plan Porter is following. The designation shift suggests Pittsburgh may be shifting tactics in how it handles the standoff, with Week 2 potentially revealing whether the situation escalates.
A former Steelers executive criticized DK Metcalf's inconsistency after he dropped passes and drew penalties in Sunday's win, comparing him to a streaky baseball player who alternates between spectacular and frustrating. Despite the rough outing, quarterback Aaron Rodgers remains confident in his star receiver, while Metcalf himself emphasizes the need for better concentration moving forward.
Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. left Thursday's practice early after an apparent injury, continuing a pattern of setbacks since suffering a back problem during training camp. Porter had been gradually increasing his workload under coach Mike Tomlin, but this latest issue raises questions about his availability for the upcoming game against New England.
The Steelers' cornerback left Thursday's practice with team medical personnel, adding another chapter to his ongoing contract dispute. Porter missed training camp and Week 1 while seeking an extension that never materialized. His availability for this week's game against New England remains uncertain as the situation develops.