Tag: 2024

One year ago today, the Steelers offense changed forever

One year ago, the Steelers fired OC Matt Canada, starting a journey to rebuild their offense and achieve success under OC Arthur Smith.

One year ago today, fans of the Black and Gold danced in the streets of Pittsburgh, and excitement could be seen on the face of every member of the Steelers organization. On November 21, 2023, the Pittsburgh Steelers fired OC Matt Canada.

Under Canada’s 2023 offensive scheme, through his eleven games that season, the Steelers’ offense posted five games with 17 points or less. His last game as offensive coordinator came in Week 11, following a mere 10 points scored against the Cleveland Browns.

While it took some time, the Steelers would score 34 points against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16 and 30 points against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17.

While fans were forced to play the blame game between then-starting QB Kenny Pickett, backup QB Mitchell Trubisky, and former OC Matt Canada, the offense improved to 19.7 points per game without Canada calling the plays.

Ultimately, one year ago today marked the beginning of the journey to solving the Steelers’ offensive issues and resulted in an impressive offense led by OC Arthur Smith and QB Russell Wilson.

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Former Steelers All-Pro WR teases return to Pittsburgh on social media

Antonio Brown teased on social media that he still hopes to rejoin the Steelers in 2024, and even offered to play for free.

The Antonio Brown-Pittsburgh redemption story continues! While fans of the Steel City were ecstatic to welcome back the former All-Pro WR and fellow member of the Killer B’s trio, former Steelers All-Pro RB Le’Veon Bell, no one could have predicted that Brown still yearns to play for the Black and Gold in 2024.

It appears Brown wasn’t satisfied with simply representing the Black and Gold as a spectator during his Week 7 return to Pittsburgh. Brown stated on social media that his offer to finish out the 2024 season as a member of the Steelers roster still stands.

No one can deny the threat that a Russell Wilson-led Steelers offense would pose with A.B., George Pickens, and Mike Williams tearing through opposing secondaries.

Should General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin take a chance on the 36-year-old wide receiver? His untimely and shocking exit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their Week 17 game of the 2021 season was the last time his talents graced an NFL field, but he has recently done his best to turn over a new leaf.

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Steelers fans react to OLB Preston Smith trade

Former Packers’ OLB Preston Smith’s unexpected trade to the Steelers adds valuable depth to the defense, and was surprising to fans alike.

One of the most underrated acquisitions at the 2024 NFL trade deadline was OLB Preston Smith being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It had been reported in recent days that while wide receiver was a major area of concern for the Steel City, the team could prioritize trading for edge rusher depth.

Much to the surprise of absolutely no one, the team did, in fact, acquire a wide receiver at the deadline, Mike Williams from the New York Jets, but also acquired defensive depth from the Green Bay Packers in the 31-year-old Smith, who should plug in nicely behind outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

While fans of the Black and Gold have been clamoring for their team to make a WR trade for months, Smith was a welcomed surprise. Here are some of the best reactions to Pittsburgh trading a 2025 seventh-round draft pick for the Green Bay Packers’ OLB Preston Smith.

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Packers remaining schedule: Can Matt LaFleur’s team get hot again in 2024?

Looking at the remaining games on the Packers’ 2024 schedule coming out of the bye week.

The Green Bay Packers are entering the much-needed bye week at 6-3 overall in 2024. Their record includes a full sweep of the AFC South (4-0) and a 2-0 start against the NFC West, but also two disappointing defeats at home to top rivals in the NFC North.

Eight games remain for the Packers, who are currently in third place in the division but also in possession of the final wildcard spot in the NFC playoff race.

The Packers need to get healthy during the off week. Jordan Love injured his MCL early in the year and is playing through a groin injury, Josh Jacobs battled through an ankle issue last week, Jaire Alexander has missed two games with different injuries this season, Elgton Jenkins and Kenny Clark have both played through lingering injuries all season and Josh Myers and Evan Williams both missed last week’s loss with injuries. No player is 100 percent after nine weeks in the NFL, and the bye week will give everyone a chance to heal up and get ready for the stretch run.

Coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers will do projects during the bye week with the aim of rediscovering the magic that fueled last year’s incredible run to the postseason.

Last year, the Packers were 3-6 after nine games. A 6-2 finish propelled LaFleur’s team into the playoffs as one of the NFL’s hottest teams, and it took some bad luck late in San Francisco to miss out on a trip to the NFC Championship Game.

The Packers are in much better shape at the midway point in 2024, but can the LaFleur’s recreate the magic during the second half once again? The best teams in January are usually the hottest teams. The Packers have the talent to go far, but they need to be playing their best football soon.

Playoff chances

The current New York Times projection has the Packers at a 69 percent chance of making the postseason entering Week 10.

Packers remaining schedule in 2024

Week Team Record DVOA PFF grade
11 at CHI 4-4 23 21
12 vs. SF 4-4 5 3
13 vs. MIA 2-6 27 26
14 at DET 7-1 1 1
15 at SEA 4-5 18 11
16 vs. NO 2-7 21 27
17 at MIN 6-2 4 8
18 vs. CHI 4-4 23 21

Schedule breakdown

Nine wins looks like something close to the worst-case scenario. The Packers still play three of the best teams in the NFL, but there’s a good chance they’ll be favored to win at least five of the final eight games. Can the Packers get at least two wins in their first three games coming out of the bye and be at least 8-4 going into Detroit to start December? Last year, a big win at Ford Field helped the Packers go from a young and spunky underdog to legitimately scary contender. Maybe a similar path lies in front of this year’s team. The guess here is the Packers win three of their final four home games and two of their final four road games and finish 11-6 — which will almost certainly mean a wildcard spot and a road game to open the postseason.

Vote!

 

Is T.J. Watt’s dominant start foreshadowing another D.P.O.Y award?

T.J. Watt’s 2024 campaign showcases dominance, aiming for his second D.P.O.Y. award with elite performances in his 8 games played.

T.J. Watt continues to prove week in and week out that he is a force to be reckoned with for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whether he is sacking the quarterback, forcing a fumble, or stuffing the run, one thing remains certain—Watt is inevitable.

Watt’s 2024 resume speaks for itself. Through 8 games played, his four forced fumbles are tied for first, his ten tackles for loss are tied for second, his nine QB hits are tied for fifth, and his six and a half sacks are tied for ninth.

The former 2021 D.P.O.Y. winner is looking to build on this fantastic statistical output and put together an undeniable campaign to win the illustrious award for a second time.

DraftKings currently has Watt as the odds-on favorite to win the award through nine weeks, ahead of elite defenders such as Kansas City Chiefs’ DT Chris Jones, New York Giants’ DT Dexter Lawrence, Houston Texans’ EDGE Will Anderson Jr., and Detroit Lions Safety Kerby Joseph.

Can Watt achieve his second D.P.O.Y. award in 2024, or will his efforts result in him being snubbed once again?

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Two-years ago today, Chase Claypool became Joey Porter Jr.

Today, November 1st, 2024, marks the two-year anniversary of the heist of the century: trading away Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears.

Two years ago today is a day for celebration, as not only did Pittsburgh pull off one of the greatest one-sided trades in Steelers’ history, but they secured the future of the franchise. I am, of course, referencing the Chase Claypool-Chicago Bears trade that took place on November 1st, 2022.

The Bears traded away their second-round draft pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, the 32nd overall pick, for Claypool. The stars aligned perfectly for Pittsburgh in this draft, as the Miami Dolphins were forced to surrender their first-round pick, allowing Pittsburgh to make the first selection on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Steelers would then select their current starting cornerback, Joey Porter Jr., who has thus far proved himself to be the future of the Pittsburgh secondary.

Claypool would quickly be traded off the Chicago Bears, ending up in Miami and signing with the Bills in the 2024 offseason. Claypool was once again released, while JPJ has developed into one of the league’s premier shut-down corners.

Pittsburgh fans once again hope Steelers’ GM Omar Khan pull off another blockbuster trade, just a few days away from the trade deadline in 2024.

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Steelers’ CB Beanie Bishop Jr. named Defensive Rookie of the Month

Steelers’ CB Beanie Bishop Jr. has become one of the team’s best 2024 acquisitions so far, and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month.

K Chris Boswell isn’t the only Steelers player to earn recognition for his performance in the month of October. Rookie CB Beanie Bishop Jr., who seems to improve each week, has been named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month for his outstanding play in October. 

Bishop turned heads in Week 7 when he intercepted four-time MVP QB Aaron Rodgers not once, but twice. In Week 8, the rookie intercepted QB Daniel Jones, sealing the victory for his team. The young slot cornerback has admirably filled what appeared to be an area of concern for the Steelers heading into the 2024 season. 

With veteran CB Cameron Sutton, whose natural position is also in the slot, returning from suspension in Week 10, no one can truly justify benching Bishop after the rookie’s dominant performance in October.  Fans of the Steel City are more than excited to see what the future holds for the undrafted rookie.

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Steelers’ K Chris Boswell named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month

Steelers’ K Chris Boswell has been named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for his elite play in October.

The ‘Wizard of Boz’ strikes again!  Pittsburgh Steelers’ kicker Chris Boswell has been named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month in back-to-back months for his excellent performance and contribution to his team’s 6-2 record. The NFL announced Boswell’s accomplishment on Thursday morning, and this award is well-deserved.

This is now the third time Boswell has earned the illustrious AFC Special Teams Play of the Month award, with his first selection dating all the way back in December/January of the 2015 season, and his second selection being last month in September of the 2024 season. Boswell has kicked with an impressive 89.0% accuracy on his field goal attempts, hitting on 254 out of 289.

Steelers fans, including myself, are truly lucky to be able to witness arguably one of the greatest kickers of all-time tearing it up for the Pittsburgh Steelers on any given Sunday.  Can Boswell do the unthinkable and earn three consecutive AFC Special Teams Player of the Month awards?

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These players have been SCARY good for the Packers in 2024

Happy Halloween from Packers Wire! These players have been SCARY good for the Packers in 2024!

Happy Halloween from Packers Wire!

The Green Bay Packers are using the trick-or-treat holiday to prepare for the NFC North leading Detroit Lions, a frighteningly good football team who will come to Lambeau Field on Sunday with their fangs out and bad intentions.

Can Matt LaFleur’s team vanquish the cat-faced boogeyman and go into the bye week with a wickedly awesome five-game win streak?

Speaking of spooky, here are some players that have been SCARY good for the Packers this season:

S Xavier McKinney

The former Giant must be ghost-like because quarterbacks haven’t seen him coming all season. McKinney has an NFL-high six interceptions, including one in six of his first eight games, plus a fumble recovery and a third down sack. He ranks third among safeties in overall PFF grade and second in coverage grade entering Week 9. He’s allowed only seven catches in coverage but also defended seven other passes. Can McKinney keep spooking quarterbacks into game-changing mistakes?

TE Tucker Kraft

Kraft has developed into a true monster in Year 2. Not only has he been a terrifying blocker on the move for the run game, but he’s like Frankenstein with the ball in his hands — no one can tackle him. Kraft is second among tight ends in touchdown catches (5) and yards after the catch (250) and first in average yards after the catch (10.4). Last week, Kraft caught a 67-yard pass on an extended play, hauled in his team-leading fifth touchdown pass and delivered the key block in pass pro on Malik Willis’ 51-yard completion to Jayden Reed on the final drive. No disguise needed here; Kraft dresses up like the perfect tight end for Matt LaFleur’s offense every single day.

RB Josh Jacobs

Yards after contact are to Jacobs as blood is to a vampire. The Packers runnig back lives off bouncing off tackles and gaining the tough yards. In fact, his 510 yards after contact ranks second among all running backs, trailing only Derrick Henry (521) entering Week 9. Jacobs is also fourth in missed tackles forced and runs of 10 or more yards and fifth in total yards. He has monster-like traits with the ball in his hands. The Jaguars certainly found him slippery and slimy last week — Jacobs forced eight missed tackles and gained almost 100 yards after contact. Imagine how tough it’ll be to tackle Jacobs post-Halloween, when temps drop and the weather gets dicey in Green Bay.

WR Jayden Reed

Reed is giving some nightmares with drops (team-high seven), but he’s also scaring the pants off defenses most weeks this season. Reed ranks 13th in the NFL in receiving yards and 20th in total yards despite a recent cold streak. He’s on pace for over 1,000 receiving yards and 1,200 total yards. He also leads all receivers in rushing yards (110). While quiet for most of the game last week, Reed got the final treat when he caught a 51-yard pass from Malik Willis to set up the game-winning field goal in Jacksonville. Maybe the big play will help him snap out of a recent zombie-like phase.

RT Zach Tom

Tom is like a scarecrow; he just quietly gets the job done every single week. Scarecrows keep birds out of the fields, Tom keeps edge rushers out of the pocket. The Packers’ third-year offensive tackle has allowed only nine pressures in eight games and currently ranks eighth in overall PFF grade among offensive tackles. It’s no trick, kids. Tom’s ability to mirror edge rushers is spooky good. And his improvements as a run blocker have turned him into one of the NFL’s best offensive tackles.

QB Malik Willis

Like a wizard, Willis has turned terrible situations into gold for the Packers this season. Acquired for something close to a bag of candy in a trade with the Titans in late August, Willis has produced a pair of wins as a starting quarterback and a game-winning drive — helping the Packers beat three different AFC South teams. Even a witch couldn’t conjure up a better slice of revenge for the former Titan. Willis is averaging 9.7 yards per attempt and has a passer rating of 130.3. What kind of magic are Matt LaFleur and Tom Clements using in Green Bay’s quarterback room?

S Evan Williams

The rookie safety arrived in Green Bay as a fourth-round pick and has perfectly assumed the role of Robin to Xavier McKinney’s Batman. Williams has an interception (ending game vs. Colts), a forced fumble (leading to a touchdown), a fourth-down pass breakup (ending game vs. Rams), a two-point conversion stop (in a two-point win vs. Cardinals). He’s been an enforcer against the run and a sneaky-good player in coverage. Like a pirate hunting gold, national scout Sam Saele seems to have discovered another terrific player from the West Coast for the Packers.

LB Eric Wilson

The NFL was ready to give up on Wilson, but the Packers dug him up from the graveyard and revived his career. He’s no zombie or mummy. Wilson has long been a terror on special teams, and now he’s consistently creating big plays as an off-ball linebacker for Jeff Hafley. Through eight games, Wilson has two sacks, 12 stops, an interception and a pass breakup. He trails only Xavier McKinney in overall PFF grade on the Packers defense. The trick for Hafley will be continually finding ways to get him on the field.

LB Edgerrin Cooper

He won “Best Costume” for dressing up like the NFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 8. Cooper hasn’t been perfect, but his superhero-like speed has turned him into a game-wrecking machine. In Jacksonville, Cooper delivered a strip-sack setting up a touchdown and a key third-down pass breakup. He can run like the wind, and he’s got the playmaking instincts to terrorize offenses. Once it all comes together for Cooper, he could become one of the NFL’s monster linebackers for years to come.

Steelers’ legendary QB gives his opinion on the team MVP in 2024 

Former Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger stated on Tuesday that he believes Pittsburgh’s current MVP is Special Teams Coach Danny Smith.

After winning two Super Bowls with two different head coaches, Steelers’ legendary QB Ben Roethlisberger is a solid judge of quality coaching ability. On this week’s episode of his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, the former Steelers’ QB stated that one man, and one man alone, is Pittsburgh’s MVP this season—Special Teams Coach Danny Smith. 

Smith’s unit has presented a masterclass in special teams coverage, from blocked field goals to excellent punt returns. Smith was visibly upset over a botched call against an impressive special teams effort made by FS Minkah Fitzpatrick on Week 7’s Sunday Night Football, but his demeanor quickly shifted to excitement later that night as the team successfully blocked a field goal in their win over the New York Jets. 

Roethlisberger is mostly taking this opportunity to give the Steelers’ coach his flowers, but Smith’s special teams unit has truly been a spectacle for fans this season.  

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