Hey Steelers fans. Welcome to Monday.
The preseason “dress rehearsal” used to mean one thing: the third game was the night stars and starters got a little run, then headed for the sideline. That old rhythm is gone now, and the Steelers’ matchup with the Bills is another reminder that nobody really has a clean read on how teams want to handle these games anymore.
Buffalo’s Josh Allen has already played in both preseason games. Aaron Rodgers, meanwhile, hasn’t played or even dressed for the Steelers in the first two.
As of this writing, Mike McCarthy’s plan for Thursday night isn’t known yet. The logical guess would be that he flips things and gives Drew Allar the first half, then Will Howard the second, but that’s still just a guess.
The bigger preseason question for Pittsburgh is who gets squeezed out when the roster starts tightening. McCarthy and his staff don’t have any built-in loyalty to the players and draft picks they inherited, so surprise cuts feel very much on the table. I can’t tell you exactly who those names will be, but a couple of possibilities stand out.
Even with the touches he got Friday night, I still think Kaleb Johnson is gone. Cole Holcomb is another name to watch.
The Steelers already have Payton Wilson, Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts in the linebacker mix, and Carson Bruener has had an excellent preseason and camp. Bruener is making the team because of his special teams value, but if he convinces the coaches he can help at linebacker when needed, that could free up another roster spot somewhere else.
Those are just examples for now, but the numbers game is real.
One player who has caught my eye is Ben Skowronek. There’s some context here since D.K.
Metcalf and Michael Pittman, Jr haven’t played in the preseason, but Skowronek has looked really good at receiver. That was his main position coming out of college, and he’s clearly sharpened his game.
His hands are strong, his route running creates separation, and even against second- and third-team defensive backs, he’s shown he can be a useful option if his number gets called.
Joey Porter, Jr. also feels like a storyline that’s getting more serious by the day. At this point, it seems more and more likely he won’t land his extension.
It wouldn’t be a shock if something still gets done, but the momentum sure feels like it’s leaning the other way. If he gets to the end without a deal, the franchise tag enters the picture, and the cornerback tag is currently around $21 million.
That’s still a lot of money, but it’s a decent step below what he’s clearly seeking. The question now is whether this drifts into Le’Veon Bell type territory.
Hopefully not.
And then there’s the usual pile of random observations that come with August. Deshaun Watson got booed by his own fans in Cleveland this week, and he only made it worse by talking about it.
Wedding receptions still have the same problem they always have: does anyone actually like the DJ’s playlist? Probably not.
It’s also strange how people now feel like they have to decide whether a musical artist fits their politics before they can just enjoy the music.
On a lighter note, my daughter is on an Alaskan cruise and kayaked with sea lions yesterday. Marvel, meanwhile, says there are 22 different movies or series to watch before seeing Dr.
Doom. That’s a hard pass for me - there has to be a Cliff’s Notes version on YouTube somewhere.
And as for me, year 31 in the classroom starts tomorrow. I’m old.
In Other News...
Steelers Made A Quick Camp Decision After A Costly Preseason Miss
The Steelers moved quickly after a rough showing in preseason, releasing kicker Laith Marjan in the wake of a missed field goal against the Jets. Marjan had joined Pittsburgh as an undrafted free agent and was never really in the mix to win the starting job, but the inconsistency showed up enough for the team to make an early camp adjustment.
Laith Marjans departure also clears a roster spot at a time when the Steelers are still sorting through the back end of the roster. Pittsburgh used the opening by hosting three cornerbacks shortly after the move, a sign the front office is still looking to fine-tune a few positions before the preseason decisions start stacking up. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Secondary Suddenly Has A Joey Porter Jr Problem
The Steelers got a few encouraging signs on the roster front with Max Iheanachor back at practice and Jalen Ramsey activated off the PUP list, but the bigger storyline in the secondary has shifted to Joey Porter Jr. Ramsey has already gone public in support of Porters push for a contract extension, which adds another layer of attention to a negotiation that has become one of the more notable unresolved issues around the team.
Mike McCarthy said the sides are at an impasse, a phrase that usually means the discussion has moved past routine back-and-forth and into a more difficult stretch. With free agency still ahead, Pittsburgh also has the franchise tag available as a possible fallback, which gives the Steelers some leverage but also keeps the situation tense as they try to sort out the future of a key young defender. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Fans Just Got A Reminder About The Jets New QB
The preseason score line may not mean much in the standings, but it did offer a tidy reminder of what the Jets can look like when their passing game gets rolling early. Geno Smith was sharp from the start against Pittsburgh, hitting all seven throws on the opening drive and finishing with 65 yards through the air while working the ball to Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell.
For Steelers fans, the more meaningful part was the overall feel of the game, one in which New York controlled the night and walked away with a 17-0 win. CBS Sports later singled out Smith as one of the preseasons biggest winners, a label that will only add a little more attention the next time Pittsburgh sees him across the field. [Read more 🡒]