Black & Yellow | Pittsburgh Steelers M26

redsox907 · Post by **redsox907** » 27 Sep 2025, 15:45

Steelers Finalize Roster, Send 8 To Practice Squad

Pittsburgh, PA. - With one week left before the start of the regular season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have trimmed their roster down to the final 53 players.

Eight players were moved to the practice squad, headlined by sixth-round pick CB Jermaine Matthews Jr., along with DT Logan Lee and LB Carson Bruenner. They’re joined by undrafted rookies EDGE Da’Shawn Womack (Ole Miss), C Zach Rice (North Carolina), DB King Mack (Penn State), OT Ethan Onianwa (Houston), and RB Isaiah Augustave (Colorado).

One of the more notable storylines from cutdown day was the emergence of undrafted free agent WR Johntay Cook II (Syracuse), who earned a spot on the 53-man roster after an impressive preseason. Cook’s ability to work out of the slot and contribute on special teams made him too valuable to cut, leaving veteran Ben Skowronek on the outside looking in. Skowronek and G Spencer Anderson were among those released.

The Steelers also bolstered defensive depth with two late additions: CB Starling Thomas V and DT Da’Shawn Hand. Hand is expected to provide immediate depth along the defensive line rotation, while Thomas will help stabilize the cornerback group in light of Joey Porter Jr.’s recent labrum injury.

Post by **djp73** » 27 Sep 2025, 16:17

redsox907 wrote: ↑
27 Sep 2025, 15:39
QB Anthony Richardson - 31/49, 422 Yds, 6 TD, INT; 9 Att, 83 Yds, TD
Best Performace - Week 3 vs TB: 15/26, 243 Yds, 4 TD; 4 Att, 40 Yds, TD

redsox907 · Post by **redsox907** » 27 Sep 2025, 20:33

djp73 wrote: ↑
27 Sep 2025, 16:17

redsox907 wrote: ↑
27 Sep 2025, 15:39
QB Anthony Richardson - 31/49, 422 Yds, 6 TD, INT; 9 Att, 83 Yds, TD
Best Performace - Week 3 vs TB: 15/26, 243 Yds, 4 TD; 4 Att, 40 Yds, TD

redsox907 · Post by **redsox907** » 27 Sep 2025, 20:33

Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Season Preview

Pittsburgh, PA. - The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2026 offseason in a familiar position: loaded with talent, but once again haunted by January disappointment. Despite boasting the AFC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in DK Metcalf and T.J. Watt, the franchise’s playoff losing streak stretched to seven games after a 31-28 Wild Card defeat to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.

That loss was compounded by a crushing Week 18 collapse, a 42-21 blowout at the hands of rival Baltimore that dropped Pittsburgh from the No. 1 seed to the No. 5. The Ravens then rubbed salt in the wound by going on to win the Super Bowl, toppling Philadelphia 31-17.

The message was clear: Pittsburgh had to solve its glaring quarterback problem.

Rather than trading up for one of the three top quarterbacks in the draft, the Steelers pivoted to their backup plan: Anthony Richardson Sr.. Acquired from the Colts after Indianapolis drafted Drew Allar in the top 10, Richardson arrives with three seasons of uneven play, durability questions, and criticism about his decision-making.

But the raw tools remain tantalizing. At 6’4, 250 pounds with a rocket arm, Richardson draws comparisons to Cam Newton and Josh Allen, more so than Lamar Jackson.

“Sure, he was mediocre at best in Indianapolis,” admitted one rival executive. “But they botched his handling from the start. If Daboll can work the same magic with Richardson that he did with Allen in Buffalo? That’s scary.”

Steelers brass reportedly had Allar as their top target, but with no opportunity to move up, Richardson became the play. The hope is that OC Brian Daboll’s track record with raw, toolsy quarterbacks translates once more.

To their credit, Pittsburgh didn’t stop at quarterback. Determined to maximize Richardson’s potential, they aggressively reshaped the offense. The Steelers re-signed Isaac Seumalo, signed Trent Brown, and drafted Cayden Green in the first round. Initially viewed as a developmental piece, Green’s standout spring vaulted him into the starting RG job. Former Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell adds game-breaking speed out of the backfield, while third-round WR Zachariah Branch dazzled in preseason with his explosiveness, winning the slot role over veterans Roman Wilson and KaVontae Turpin.

“We’re excited to find ways to get ZB the ball,” Daboll said. “With DK, Pat, and our backs, his presence only makes us more dangerous.”

The unit’s ceiling rests squarely on Richardson’s ability to avoid turnovers, but the infrastructure is stronger than it’s been in years.

The defense, meanwhile, is adjusting to life without Cameron Heyward, who retired after a legendary career. Derrick Harmon, now in his second year, is tasked with filling that void up front.

The Steelers emphasized speed and versatility in retooling the defense. They signed quality depth pieces in SS/LB Isaiah Simmons and former KC Chief Jaylen Watson, then doubled down in the secondary by snagging FS Alohi Gilman from Los Angeles. Gilman was expected to rotate in a variety of packages with Juan Thornhill, the incumbent starter, but after a stellar pre-season and training camp has been given the starting role. Finally, Pittsburgh drafted versatile LSU product LB Harold Perkins Jr, who already flashed his unique blend of size and skill with three pre-season sacks.

“Limit the big plays — period,” declared CB Jalen Ramsey, stepping into a leadership role. “I’m tired of seeing the ball go over our heads.”

Pittsburgh’s path to breaking its playoff curse begins with an opener against the Cowboys. Their schedule is favorable outside the AFC North gauntlet, with non-divisional draws against the AFC and NFC South. Of their eleven non-divisional opponents, only four made the playoffs last season.

“They may play in the toughest division in football, but they have the easiest non-divisional schedule,” noted ESPN’s Ryan Clark.

The pieces are there: a rebuilt offensive line, explosive new weapons, and a defense hungry to establish a new identity. But one question lingers above all others in Pittsburgh:

Can the Steelers finally win a playoff game?

Steelers 2026 Schedule 2026

Week	Opponent	2025 Record	Venue
1		13-4	Acrisure Stadium
2		6-11	Acrisure Stadium
3		6-11	Lucas Oil Stadium
4		11-6	EverBank Stadium (MNF)
5		6-11	Acrisure Stadium
6		9-8	Paycor Stadium
7		12-5	Acrisure Stadium (SNF)
8		8-9	Gillette Stadium (MNF)
9		3-14	Acrisure Stadium
10		5-12	Acrisure Stadium
11		9-8	Acrisure Stadium
12		6-11	Caesar Superdome
13	BYE	N/A	N/A
14		12-5	M&T Bank Stadium
15		2-15	Acrisure Stadium
16		13-4	Raymond James Stadium (SNF)
17		10-7	Acrisure Stadium
18		3-14	Huntington Bank Field

Post by **The JZA** » 28 Sep 2025, 14:47

Just caught up in this. That Blk & Purp securing the SB when the Blk & Yellow couldn't :letsgo:

AR5

Calvin Austin is underrated af in the slot

GL with the bois, let's take it a step further beyond Buffalo's denial

Post by **djp73** » 28 Sep 2025, 20:55

Roster look aight. Richardson legs should help

redsox907 · Post by **redsox907** » 29 Sep 2025, 00:19

The JZA wrote: ↑
28 Sep 2025, 14:47
Just caught up in this. That Blk & Purp securing the SB when the Blk & Yellow couldn't

AR5

Calvin Austin is underrated af in the slot

GL with the bois, let's take it a step further beyond Buffalo's denial

I'm excited for AR15 :letsgo:

Calvin Austin is solid, but Branch has been electric in the pre-season. 97 speed and 95 COD :obama:

djp73 wrote: ↑
28 Sep 2025, 20:55
Roster look aight. Richardson legs should help

WR and CB is still light, but I'm hoping Wilson and Branch can play above their ranking. Offensive line is solid, defensive line is still good without Heyward. And the LBs are playmakers so I think that should help clean up a lot of stuff. Perkins and Simmons are the Sub LB so we're going to have a ton of speed on the field

redsox907 · Post by **redsox907** » 29 Sep 2025, 00:26

2026 - Week One Preview

Pittsburgh Steelers
84 Overall // 83 Offense // 87 Defense

Dallas Cowboys
83 Overall // 83 Offense // 83 Defense

Pittsburgh Steelers Injury Report
T Trent Brown (85) | Back Strain (Week to Week)
CB Joey Porter Jr (85) | Torn Labrum (2-4 Weeks)

Dallas Cowboys Injury Report
CB Trevon Diggs (85) | Dislocated Shoulder (Week to Week)

Dallas Cowboys Key Players
QB Dak Prescott (86)
HB Javonte Williams (82) | HB Tyler Allgeier (82)
WR Ceedee Lamb (97) | WR Barion Brown (R) (71)
EDGE Micah Parsons (97)
DT Osa Odghizuwa (81)
MLB Taurean York (R) (72)
CB Daron Bland (88)
SS Dillon Thieneman (R) (78)

redsox907 · Post by **redsox907** » 29 Sep 2025, 00:46

Richardson Hungry To Prove Himself With Fresh Start

Pittsburgh, PA. - When Anthony Richardson walked into the Pittsburgh Steelers facility for the first time this spring, it didn’t feel like just another stop on the NFL carousel. For the 24-year-old quarterback, traded from the Colts after three turbulent seasons, it felt like the beginning of something different. Something he’s been waiting for since draft night three years ago.

Laura Rutledge sat down with Richardson in late August, just as the Steelers wrapped their preseason slate, to talk about his journey from Indianapolis to Pittsburgh, the doubters, and why this might finally be the perfect marriage of quarterback and franchise.

Rutledge: Take me back to this year’s draft. You’re at home with your wife Jada and your son. The Colts are on the clock at No. 8. What was going through your head?

Richardson: (pauses) Honestly? Anxiety. I’d talked a lot with Chris Ballard, I thought I had an idea. Then they took Drew Allar. My heart just dropped. First thing in my mind was, “Here we go again, another fight to prove myself.”

Rutledge: You’ve always been seen as someone who thrives on competition. Did you feel that in the moment?

Richardson: For sure. But at the same time, it was exhausting. I’d been competing my whole life just to be respected as a quarterback. That night, I thought I was going to have to start all over again.

Rutledge: But then the phone rang.

Richardson: (smiles) Yeah, my agent Deiric Jackson, calls me and says, “Are you sitting down?” I’ll never forget that. That’s when I found out I was going to Pittsburgh. Ten minutes earlier I’m wondering what’s next, and then boom — new start.

Rutledge: What was your reaction when you saw Steelers fans online calling you “another retread”?

Richardson: (laughs) Hey, that’s Pittsburgh. They love their football, and they’re not shy about it. “Retread QB,” “same old Steelers” — I saw all that. But I didn’t let it bother me. What mattered to me was Coach Tomlin and Coach Daboll wanted me. Not just as a placeholder, not just as a project, but as their guy. That’s the first time since my rookie year I felt like someone wanted me to succeed for me.

Rutledge: What was your first impression of Mike Tomlin?

Richardson: Man, he just carries himself different. The room shifts when he walks in. But when we sat down, it wasn’t about pressure or expectations. It was about belief. Him and Coach Daboll laid it out: “We know what you can do. We’re going to help you do it.” That was all I needed to hear.

Rutledge: Fans noticed you switched your jersey number back. Why was that important to you?

Richardson: Back to AR-15. It’s when I felt most dangerous — college, that rookie preseason, just playing free. It’s about bringing that guy back, the one who scares defenses with every snap.

Rutledge: Preseason can be a mixed bag, but you looked electric in the Week 3 showcase. What did that performance mean to you?

Richardson: That was fun. 283 yards, five touchdowns — that’s the player I know I can be. I wanted to show Pittsburgh, “Hey, I’m not here to manage games. I’m here to win them.”

Rutledge: Steelers fans are buzzing. Do you feel the hype?

Richardson: I do. And I love it. This city has the defense, the playmakers, the culture. They’ve just been waiting on a quarterback to tie it together. I plan to be that guy.

Rutledge: What’s your message to those fans who were skeptical the night you were traded here?

Richardson: Simple: Keep doubting. I’ve proven people wrong my whole career, and I’m about to do it again — this time in black and gold.

It’s only the preseason, but the buzz around Pittsburgh feels different. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016, yet with Richardson’s arrival, Brian Daboll’s offensive vision, and a roster built to contend, the energy inside the Steel City has shifted.

AR-15 is back — and this time, Pittsburgh might be the perfect place for the next chapter of his story.

Post by **djp73** » 29 Sep 2025, 05:40

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