The Pittsburgh Steelers are building this season around a strange but workable mix: a 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers trying to make his farewell tour count, veteran defenders Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt chasing the end of the team’s playoff win drought, and a young core that has to grow up fast.
That youth movement is a big part of the story, and it’s why Darnell Washington and Derrick Harmon matter so much. Both players are central to what Pittsburgh wants to be in 2026, and both ended up tied for the No. 18 spot in the Steelers’ top-25 rankings for the upcoming season after a mixup on our end.
Washington, still just 24, has already established himself as one of the league’s best blocking tight ends. He also took a real step forward as a pass-catcher in 2025, finishing with 31 receptions on 43 targets for 364 yards and a touchdown.
That production only scratched the surface of what he can do. The real takeaway from last season was how hard he is to handle once the ball is in his hands, and that’s where the Steelers are hoping the next leap comes. With another year of chemistry with Rodgers, Pittsburgh is expecting more chances for Washington to work in space, where his size becomes a problem for any defense trying to get him on the ground.
Harmon’s rookie year gave the Steelers another piece to build around. The first-round pick posted 27 tackles and 3.0 sacks, and he did it while missing five games because of injury.
Now the focus shifts to year two, where Pittsburgh sees him as the future of the defensive line. That’s a big responsibility with Heyward entering year 16 and Keeanu Benton playing for a new contract, but the Steelers need someone to grow into that role.
For Harmon, the next step is clear: he has to become more of a force against the run. The pass-rush flashes were there, but the same impact didn’t show up when teams came at him on the ground. Heyward has spent a decade and a half doing both jobs at a high level, and that’s the standard Harmon has to chase if he’s going to become the guy in Pittsburgh.
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Former Steelers Star Le'Veon Bell Taken Into Custody Again
Le'Veon Bells post-NFL life has continued to draw attention, and the latest chapter unfolded in Canton, Ohio, where the former Steelers star was taken into custody after spending part of the day at an autograph signing event. Bell, whose name still carries plenty of weight in Pittsburgh because of his prime years in black and gold, has remained a familiar figure at public appearances even as his football career has long since moved on.
His attorney said Bell has been struggling to keep up with child support payments, and court records tied to the matter trace back to Michigan. The financial burden is significant, with Bell said to owe more than $50,000, a reminder that the off-field challenges facing former players can linger long after the cheers have faded and the playing days are over. [Read more 🡒]
This Steelers Camp Battle Could Produce A Surprise Fans Didn't See Coming
Training camp has a way of turning the back end of a roster into a real competition, and Max Hurleman has put himself into that mix for Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old spent last season on the Steelers practice squad and is now trying to turn that foothold into something more permanent, leaning on the kind of versatility coaches tend to value when spots get tight.
Hurleman has not yet played a regular-season NFL snap, but he does bring a useful blend of return ability, receiver depth and special-teams work from his college career. In a camp battle where every rep matters, that kind of all-around profile can keep a player alive longer than expected, especially when the final decisions start coming down to who can help in more than one phase. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Fans Stunned By Ryan Clarks Sudden ESPN Exit
Ryan Clarks run at ESPN appears to have ended just as the network was preparing to lean on him for one of its biggest NFL stages. The longtime analyst had been part of ESPN for more than a decade, and he was expected to play a significant role in the companys Super Bowl coverage next year, a sign of how established he had become inside the leagues most visible studio operation.
For Steelers fans who followed Clark long before his media career, the news lands as another reminder of how quickly things can change in television. He is now a free agent after years in Bristol, and the move leaves plenty of questions about what comes next for one of the sports more recognizable voices, especially after reports pointed to internal issues that may have strained his standing at ESPN. [Read more 🡒]