Behind the Steel Curtain
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Are the young Steelers living up to their new money?
After a 4‑2 start capped by a win over Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh evaluates the future of its 2023 draft class—its first full offseason under GM Omar Khan and A.G.M. Andy Weidl. The Steelers locked up three young studs: OLB Nick Herbig (4‑year, $100 M), DT Keeanu Benton (4‑year, $72 M) and TE Darnell Washington (4‑year, $42 M), while cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and tackle Broderick Jones departed. The article breaks down Herbig’s surge—two sacks against All‑Pro T.J. Wirfs after a sack‑less stretch—and questions how the new contracts fit with veteran pass rushers Watt and Highsmith. It previews a deeper look at each retained rookie’s development.
DeShon Elliott full participant in Steelers practice
Safety DeShon Elliott returns to full participation in Wednesday’s Steelers practice, his first snap since being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury and designated to return. The move follows the release of veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins, signaling that Elliott could re‑join the 53‑man roster ahead of the Week 7 showdown with the New Orleans Saints in Paris. Six Steelers remain non‑participants, including Jalen Ramsey (wrist) and Ben Skowronek (calf), while T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward sit out for rest. New limited listings are Alex Highsmith (groin) and Rico Dowdle (knee).
Steelers release safety Rayshawn Jenkins
The Pittsburgh Steelers release safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who signed on Aug. 1 and played in six games with 16 tackles before seeing his role shrink after the loss to Cleveland. His departure hints at the return of DeShon Elliott, who cleared his IR stint and became eligible again on Oct. 8. The move comes as the Steelers prepare to travel to Paris for the NFL’s first game there, facing the New Orleans Saints.
Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey named AFC Defensive Player of the Week
Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey earns AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 6 showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ramsey logged 10 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks, including a walk‑off sack that sealed the win. The three‑time First‑Team All‑Pro’s versatile play bolsters a bruised Steelers defense as the season moves forward. The honor adds to Ramsey’s decorated résumé and underscores his reputation as a physical, game‑changing defender.
Steelers news: Zach Frazier has had tremendous start to season
In his third year, Steelers center Zach Frazier cements his value with just two sacks allowed over 1,540 pass‑blocking snaps and a 1.2% blown‑block rate (three blocks) among players with 100+ snaps, according to SIS Data Hub. After a rookie season of 12 pressures and 11 in year two, he has allowed only seven pressures so far in 2026 with no sacks. His performance fuels speculation that the team may soon reward him with a lucrative contract while navigating a contract standoff with cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
T.J. Watt’s wife calls out NFL for Paris game
Dani Watt, T.J. Watt’s wife, publicly questions the NFL’s decision to keep the Steelers‑Saints Week 7 matchup in Paris despite the city’s political unrest. She posted an Instagram story demanding an explanation, while the league promises heightened security. The controversy joins broader fan and media concerns about the viability of the game abroad.
Steelers’ Mike McCarthy named one of best new coaches
CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell ranks Steelers’ new head coach Mike McCarthy fourth among the 10 first‑year NFL coaches in 2026, awarding him a B‑ grade. Under McCarthy, Pittsburgh’s offense jumps from 11.5 points per game in weeks 1‑2 to 28.5 points per game since Week 3, propelling the Steelers to a 4‑2 record and second place in a tightly contested AFC North. The win includes the team’s biggest fourth‑quarter comeback since 2002 (13 points). At 62, McCarthy brings 18 seasons of experience and aims to become the first coach to win Super Bowls with two different franchises.
Steelers Week 7 power rankings roundup: Starting to believe yet?
After a dramatic 26-19 overtime win at Tampa Bay, the Steelers tumble to the middle of the power‑ranking pack. FOX Sports lifts them to No. 15 (up two), The Athletic holds them at No. 16, while CBS Sports and NFL.com drop them to No. 17. Critics note the roller‑coaster performance – three quarters down 16‑3, clutch fourth‑quarter picks by Jamel Dean and Daylen Everette, and rookie Germie Bernard’s game‑winning TD. Aaron Rodgers sparks the comeback, but third‑down woes and sub‑average offensive metrics linger. The roundup highlights the team’s 4‑2 record, soaring rookie WR stats, and the debate over whether Pittsburgh finally found its stride.
Steelers Week 6 grades in win over Buccaneers
The Steelers snap a 4-2 slump with a 26-19 comeback win over Tampa Bay, earning their first victory streak of the season. Aaron Rodgers rallies in the fourth quarter and OT, throwing for 253 yards and two touchdowns despite an early interception and five sacks, earning a B‑ grade. The run game returns to form with Rico Dowdle's 40 yards and Jaylen Warren's 50, though it only averages four yards per carry (C+). Rookie wideout Germie Bernard shatters the team record with 11 catches for 87 yards and the overtime winner, meriting an A+ grade, while veteran DK Metcalf grabs 11 of 15 targets for 93 yards and a clutch third‑down catch, also receiving an A. The grades break down the Steelers’ mixed but ultimately winning performance.
Steelers news: NFL not relocating Paris game
The NFL confirms that Week 7’s international game in Paris will go ahead despite recent civil unrest, pitting the Pittsburgh Steelers against the New Orleans Saints. The Steelers aim to extend their 5-2 record and contend for first place in the AFC North, counting on rookie safety Germie Bernard and a strong running attack from Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle against a run‑vulnerable Saints defense. Meanwhile, the article notes related NFL injury updates and Steelers news, including a potential Marquez Valdez‑Scantling signing and coach Mike McCarthy’s defense of his play‑calling after a recent interception.
Steelers signing WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to add veteran wideout Marquez Valdes‑Scantling, a league source tells The Athletic. The 31‑year‑old will likely start on the practice squad, marking his second season reuniting with Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh. Valdes‑Scantling, who joined the Steelers on Oct. 27, 2025, logged five games, 10 catches for 80 yards and a TD, and played three games with the Chargers this year. With Michael Pittman and Roman Wilson on IR and Ben Skowronek injured, the Steelers’ receiver depth is thin, prompting the move.
BTSC Monday Night Football thread: Commanders at 49ers
The 1-3-1 Washington Commanders travel to San Francisco to take on the 5-0 49ers in the NFL’s Week 6 finale. Who are you rooting for? What are you watching for? Who do you have in fantasy football? Join the Behind the Steel Curtain comment section and enjoy the game!
Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey reach personal milestones in Steelers win over Buccaneers
Aaron Rodgers and Jalen Ramsey each hit career milestones in the Steelers' 30-27 overtime comeback over the Buccaneers. Rodgers threw two fourth‑quarter touchdowns, giving him a touchdown pass in his 255th game—surpassing Peyton Manning for fourth‑all‑time. Ramsey logged 10 tackles, four for loss and two sacks, the first defensive back to produce that stat line since 2000. The win lifts Pittsburgh to 4‑2 as they prepare for a Week 7 clash in Paris against the 2‑4 Saints.
Steelers’ Mike McCarthy defends play-calling after Jamel Dean interception
The Steelers erased a 16‑3 fourth‑quarter hole to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime on Sunday, marking their biggest comeback in over three decades. After Jamel Dean’s interception set up a Steelers drive that stalled at the five‑yard line, Mike McCarthy faced criticism for his play‑calling but defended the choices, calling them “solid.” Aaron Rodgers later found Germie Bernard for the game‑winning score in OT. The win, highlighted by a record‑tying Bernard performance, sparks debate over the team’s offensive strategy.
Steelers fans can vote for rookie Germie Bernard as FedEx Air & Ground player of the week
Rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard earns a FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week nomination after a standout Week 6 game versus Tampa Bay, where he recorded 11 catches for 87 yards and a game‑winning touchdown—setting a Steelers rookie record. His nomination puts him alongside AFC candidates Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Stroud, and fans can now vote for him. The accolade highlights Bernard’s expanding role in Pittsburgh’s offense as the team pushes forward in the AFC North.
Jalen Ramsey is the glue to the Steelers’ defense
Jalen Ramsey proves the Steelers' defensive linchpin, posting a career‑highlight game with 10 tackles, four tackles for loss, and a game‑sealing sack in overtime to beat the Buccaneers 26‑19 – all while playing with a broken wrist. His versatility earns him the STAR role, tying for the league lead in run stops among cornerbacks and ranking second in sacks. Meanwhile, Jamel Dean shatters a franchise record with six pass breakups against Tampa Bay, helping Pittsburgh sit atop the AFC North. Special‑teams miscues and emerging talents like Nick Herbig, Yahya Black, and Daylen Everette also shape the Steelers' six‑game outlook.
Steelers news: What to make of the Steelers’ win over the Bucs
The Steelers beat the Buccaneers in overtime to improve to 4‑2 and stay in second place in the AFC North, staying on pace with the Browns. After a sluggish start and defensive lapses that let Jalon Daniels and Tampa Bay move the ball early, Pittsburgh’s offense rallied late and secured the win. Jalen Ramsey shined for the Bucs, but the Steelers’ defense steadied in the final stretch. The article highlights five key takeaways, fan reactions, and related NFL news, emphasizing that the team must avoid slow openings if they want to remain contenders.
5 takeaways from the Steelers’ OT win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Steelers rallied from a sluggish first half to beat the Buccaneers 28‑24 in overtime, moving to 4‑2 on the season. With wide receiver depth depleted, rookie Germie Bernard and veteran DK Metcalf each caught 11 passes, combining for 180 yards and Bernard’s first career TD that clinched the win. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers finally found rhythm in the second half, while cornerback Jamel Dean, playing against his former team, logged six pass breakups and forced a crucial turnover, highlighting his elite status despite a recent ankle issue. The article breaks down these five key takeaways from the comeback victory.
Germie Bernard sets Steelers record in win over Buccaneers
The Steelers rally from a 16-3 fourth‑quarter hole to beat the Buccaneers 24‑21 in overtime, improving to 4-2 and tying for the division lead. Rookie wideout Germie Bernard sets a franchise rookie record with 11 catches for 87 yards and scores his first career touchdown in the OT winner. His 11 receptions mark the most ever by a Steelers rookie in a single game, and he now ranks second on the team with 24 catches, posting the highest target success rate (53.1%). The comeback propels Pittsburgh back to the top of the AFC North.
Steelers stock report after Week 6 win over Buccaneers
The Steelers improve to 4-2 after an overtime thriller against the Buccaneers on Oct. 18, 2026. Rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard scores his first TD on his 11th catch, while DK Metcalf adds 11 receptions for 93 yards and a clutch third‑down conversion. Cornerback Jamel Dean, playing injured, makes the game’s key interception, and edge rusher Nick Herbig registers two sacks, justifying his recent extension. Defensive back Jalen Ramsey, despite a broken wrist, records two sacks. Coach Mike McCarthy faces criticism for late‑game clock management, and kicker Chris Boswell rebounds from a missed 48‑yard FG with four crucial field goals. Special teams rookie Kaden Wetjen shows promise despite penalties.
Steelers overcome 16-3 deficit, defeat Buccaneers in OT
The Steelers erase a 16-3 fourth-quarter hole to beat the Buccaneers 26-19 in overtime, marking their biggest comeback since 1992 and snapping a winless streak to improve to 4-2. Aaron Rodgers sparks the rally with a TD pass to Darnell Washington, followed by a series of field goals and a game‑tying 58‑yard boot by Chris Boswell. In OT, Rodgers completes a 12‑play drive, highlighted by a 3rd‑and‑13 catch to DK Metcalf, and Germie Bernard scores his first career touchdown. Both Metcalf and Bernard finish with 11 receptions each, while Jalen Ramsey records a crucial sack to seal the win.
Steelers vs. Buccaneers: Alternate game thread
Come enjoy the Steelers’ Week 6 game here at Behind the Steel Curtain!
Steelers making calls for wide receiver trade
The Pittsburgh Steelers are dealing with a long list of injuries at the wide receiver position. Michael Pittman and Roman Wilson are both on IR, and Ben Skowronek won’t play in Week 6 due to a leg injury. That leaves Pittsburgh with just three healthy receivers who made the 53-man roster. They called up both […]
Steelers vs. Buccaneers: Week 6 game chat
The Steelers take on their second NFC South opponent this season with a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST. Both teams are coming off encouraging wins last week, but have wildly different records: Pittsburgh sits at 3-2 while Tampa Bay is 1-4. Steelers-Buccaneers will be broadcast nationally on CBS; […]
Former Steelers RB Cordarrelle Patterson arrested for domestic assault
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson was arrested in Tennessee Saturday morning on a domestic assault charge, TMZ reports. No other details are known at this time. Patterson signed with the Steelers ahead of the 2024 season, re-joining then-offensive coordinator Arthur Smith whom he played under when Smith was the head coach of […]
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