Week 1 offered an early reminder that some exits sting more than others for the Steelers.
Pittsburgh has never had much luck when former players walk out the door in free agency, but this year’s group of departures made a case that the team may have let a few useful pieces slip away. The Steelers overhauled plenty this offseason, hiring a new head coach, Mike McCarthy, and assembling a fresh staff around him while also bringing in outside additions of their own. At the same time, they made room by letting 16 players leave in free agency for other clubs.
That group has already produced a mixed opening act, but a handful of ex-Steelers came out of Week 1 looking sharp.
Jonnu Smith was one of the clearest examples. Last season was a rough one for him, as he never clicked with Aaron Rodgers and his usage on offense never quite made sense.
Pittsburgh eventually cut bait and made him a cap casualty, and Smith landed with the Packers. Green Bay lost in Week 1, but Smith at least gave them something to build on with two catches for 50 yards after a year that went sideways.
James Pierre also got off to a strong start in a new uniform. After a surprising season that earned him a raise from the Minnesota Vikings, Pierre is trying to make the most of another opportunity after previously leaving Pittsburgh and then struggling in Washington.
This time, the debut went much better. He picked off a pass in his Vikings debut and looks set to be a major part of their secondary.
He could have one of the best team-friendly contracts in the NFL soon.
Isaac Seumalo’s departure was another one the Steelers seemed willing to make once they decided to lean younger up front. He’s now with the Cardinals, who pulled off a Week 1 upset over the Chargers. Pittsburgh’s own offensive line, meanwhile, had issues on the right side in its loss to the Falcons, a result that only made Seumalo’s absence feel more noticeable.
Then there’s Chuck Clark. He wasn’t a standout during his lone season in Pittsburgh, but he did bring some veteran savvy to the table.
The Steelers may not be losing sleep over that one, especially with Jaquan Brisker and others helping fans move on quickly. Still, Clark turned in a strong performance for the Detroit Lions and looks like he should be one of the better players at his position for them this season.
In Other News...
T.J. Watt Just Reignited A Steelers Debate Fans Never Dropped
T.J. Watt wasted little time reminding everyone why the Steelers pass rush still runs through him. His Week 1 performance drew a 92.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, the best mark among 98 EDGE rushers, and it came with two sacks and a pick-six that gave Pittsburgh an early jolt to the season. For a player already at the center of one of the NFLs most familiar defensive debates, it was the kind of opener that puts the conversation right back on the table.
Myles Garrett, meanwhile, is dealing with a very different start to his year. In his Los Angeles Rams debut, he was graded at 64.7 before landing on the reserve/injured list after knee surgery, leaving his status far from the center of the leagues weekly edge-rusher hierarchy. For Steelers fans, the comparison has never really gone away, and Watts opening statement only sharpened the contrast. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Still Have One Obvious Fit In This Steelers Situation
The Steelers entered the season with a familiar tension around a young defensive cornerstone, as Joey Porter Jr. still does not have a contract extension in place. His Week 1 absence because of a back injury only added another layer to the uncertainty, especially for a team that expected him to be part of its long-term plans on the outside.
Now the trade buzz around Porter is starting to follow him, with reports linking both the Chiefs and Lions as teams keeping an eye on his situation. Nothing official has happened, and it is still just speculation at this point, but for Pittsburgh it is the kind of subplot that can linger until the injury clears and the contract question gets addressed. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Suddenly Have A Big Week 2 Question Against Pittsburgh
The Patriots are heading into their Week 2 home game against the Steelers with a cleaner injury picture than many teams typically have this early in the season, and that alone changes the feel of the matchup. A.J. Brown has been working back from an ankle sprain and has shown progress in practice, while the defense has been able to keep moving despite a few recent absences because of the depth on hand.
The bigger issue, though, may be the backfield. Rhamondre Stevensons Week 1 performance left plenty to be desired, and New England could use Rhamondre Henderson back in a hurry after he resumed practicing following his own ankle injury. If he is able to return, it would give the Patriots a much-needed answer in a spot that suddenly looks a lot more important with Pittsburgh coming to town. [Read more 🡒]