What time is it? Let’s ask Big Ben. Know Your Enemy time. Know Your Enemy chugs along meeting an old friend, Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Younz jagoffs ready for this? That is how they talk in Pittsburgh.
Mike Tomlin has been the Steelers coach since SDL fell off his dinosaur. He always is above .500 so that is a thing. Falcon failure Arthur Smith is the Offense Coordinator in year 2 with the Burg. Former Lion stud DC Teryl Austin runs the D in the P.
Pittsburgh was average scoring 22.4 PPG on offense with Russel Wilson/Justin Fields and 8th in PPG allowing 20.4 PPG. Steelers went 10-7 and made the playoffs with a 5-3 home record and 5-4 road tally. They lost to Ravens in wild card round.
Offense
Aaron Rodgers jetted off from New York after Aaron Glenn kicked his ass out of town after owning him in 2022 and knocking him out of the playoffs. Lions won this. Rodgers had 28 TDs and 11 interceptions but 90.5 QB rating on 63% and 3,897 yards following an achilles injury in 2023 ruining his smugness. Did not realize he had that many TDs. Russell Wilson (now Giants QB) had a 95 rating and Fields (now Jets QB) 93 rating with the Steelers in 2024 combining for 3,607 yards 21 TDs and only 6 interceptions. Rodgers said this is his last season so he will try his best before his final darkness retreat. He is going to hate playing the NFC North defenses though.
Najee Harris (Chargers) is gone after 1K season so Jaylen Warren is the primary back (511 yards at 4.3 YPC) and 3rd round pick Kaleb Johnson. The Steelers line is improved with Broderic Jones (2023 1st), good guard in Isaac Seamalu, Zach Frazier (2024 2nd round pick) a center, 2024 4th round pick Mason McMormick taking over right guard and 2024 1st round pick Troy Fautanu at right tackle. Steelers finally have more talent on the line and could have success for Rodgers more than the Jets. The line will be key to move into the top 10 offenses.
Weapons the Steelers traded for DK Metcalf (992 yards and 5 TDs) from Seattle and added Robert Woods from Houston. The Steelers traded away George Pickens (900 yards and 3 TDs) to Dallas. Slot Calvin Austin returns (548 yards and 4 TDs) and vets Scottty Miller, Ben Skowronek and 2024 3rd rounder Roman Wilson is the depth. Pat Freirmuth (653 yards and 7 TDs) is a good tight end as well. Rodgers will have some weapons and decent run game.
Defense
The Steelers were 8th in defense and improved a good bit. Cameron Hayward returns for a 15th year at DE and is still good. 1st round pick DE/DT Derrick Harmon was added and NT Keanu Benton is solid.
TJ Wat continues to be a beast and is happy with his new massive contract. Alex Highsmith does well opposite Wattt and Jack Sawyer was added in Round 4 as depth with veteran Nate Herbig. Patrick Queen returns at ILB and Payton Wilson was a 2024 3rd round pick from NC State that could make a jump as starter in year 2. The Steelers have a strong front 7.
The Steelers added to their secondary nabbing Darius Slay from the Eagles to pair with 2024 2nd round pick Joey Porter. That wasn’t all as they traded for Jalen Ramsey. Very good starting CBs. DeShaun Elliot is a solid safety and got a new deal and Juan Thornhill was added at FS. Chuck Clark and Miles Killebrew are depth at safety and Cory Trice, Beanie Bishop and James Pierre are the top CB backups. The Steelers went all in on this defense and should have a good one if they stay healthy.
Schedule
The Steelers play the Vikings Ireland in Week 4 and host Green Bay on Sunday Night Football in Week 8. Pittsburgh travels to Chicago in Week 12 and to Detroit in Week 16. The Steelers are a underrated team right now and will be a very tough game for all 4 North teams.