Welcome back to your weekly Pittsburgh Steelers mailbag. As always, we’re here for the next hour to answer whatever is on your mind.
To your questions!
Brian Tollini:
Good afternoon, Alex-
Before my question, props to Justin Fields for being a true professional.
Donte Jackson has been an unexpectedly, great addition so far. He’s not only good in coverage but so far has been a solid tackler as well. He’ll be 29 next month, but is it realistic to think he might not be one and done here?
Also, quick trivia for you. Jackson already has (3) interceptions thru only (6) games. Who was last Steeler’s cornerback to have 5+ interceptions in a season?
Alex: Agreed. Fields has been an unreal teammate through and through. And with you on Jackson. Really fitting in well and I’m sure he’s happy to enjoy some success after tough years in Carolina. Great No. 2 cornerback. Sure, at this rate, a reunion isn’t out of the question. He’s improved his value and CBs can get paid. I’m not saying he’d take a discount but all things being equal, the Steelers probably have the edge over anyone else. He’s been able to turn around his career in Pittsburgh, probably have his best season.
Ah good question on last corner with five interceptions. Top of my head, I’m not 100-percent sure. William Gay, maybe? With all those pick-sixes he had. Funny enough, I went back and watched his celebration against the Bengals this morning. Still one of my favorite Steelers’ moments with Gumbel’s “somewhat ridiculous” call as Gay and Porter are crawling to each other.
hdogg48:
Hi Alex
Do You agree that the OLine rebuild has been a disaster and the mobility of Justin Fields gives is the Best chance at winning?
Alex: They’ve been hurt. That’s been the biggest problem. Even understanding how rough of a season it’s been for Broderick Jones, the main issue have been injuries. Besides Jones, no other starting lineman has played poorly this year. Frazier’s been awesome. Moore is having a career year. Seumalo has done fine. Daniels was also having his best year before going down. Even Mason McCormick has stepped in and held his own. They’ve just had terrible luck.
I take the o-line situation as less of a factor when it comes to deciding my QB. I want my QB choice to be based on the best actual QB. Fields has still taken a good amount of sacks, on pace for about 45 this year, and Wilson has enough mobility to get out of the way. The issue when it comes to mobility that’s a difference is primarily the designed QB run game. There are times Fields’ mobility has come in handy against free runners (Broncos game for 16 yards, avoiding Crosby when Jones blew his assignment last week) but those aren’t frequent moments. And a quicker processor like Russ can hopefully go through his heads better, have more freedom to check and audible, etc, that can help beat the rush.
Wall999: Hello Alex, in your opinion what WR makes the most sense for the Steelers to obtain in a trade? Thank you
Alex: Tennessee’s DeAndre Hopkins. I’m not saying I love that but it’s the best name of the names you can name. Physical, contested catcher who can win downfield for those vertical Russell Wilson throws. And I know Tomlin has always been a fan, his contract isn’t a deal-breaker, and he should be cheap to wrestle away from a Tennessee team that I doubt has plans for him beyond this year. They’re barely using him this year. He can’t separate well but he can fit this offense and be a clear No. 2.
JR912:
Hey Alex, not sure if you guys have talked about this yet, but do you think Russ will have additional flexibility regarding changing plays at the line of scrimmage? I recall Fields saying that he either doesn’t or isn’t permitted to switch out of run plays but I thought a benefit of having a veteran like Wilson would be to give him more command of the offense (hopefully could help offset the lack of dynamic run threat from the QB position after the change).
Thanks!
Alex: Sure, that makes sense. It’s hard to know exactly what freedom Fields does or doesn’t have but a vet like Russ, even if he’s new in this offense, probably gets more autonomy. So sure. I do wonder if some of the run game woes have been products of not being able to get out of some of those loaded boxes and run blitzes off the edge. That you just have to call it and hope for the best. And hopefully Russ can help the run game by avoiding negativity and getting out of those moments. It’s hard to quantify but certainly makes sense.
Cory Fischer: I feel like the run game will dry up without the threat of Fields legs. The line is suspect, due to injuries, and it seems like the defense having to key on Fields is what’s opening things up for Najee as well. If the run game falters, it seems pretty likely the Jets can get home against this line with only 4 or 5 rushers, with plenty of people in coverage. Am I crazy for thinking this is gonna blow up in our faces?
Alex: I get the concern. I think their hope is the run game will still work because Wilson’s passing threat will have defenses respect it more and like I wrote above, he can get them out of negative situations. But I hear you – defenses have to fit and play the run differently with a mobile QB and the designed run game. Now, they can really key in on the back. It makes a difference. You look at the Colts game early on, the Steelers backside pursuit from Watt/Herbig was slowed by those zone/read looks from Richardson. Different story once Flacco got in there.
The Jets are tough to run on regardless but yeah, I get your point. Without Zach Frazier, to boot.
AZSteeler: It seems the world has decided that Tomlin will start Russ. So, 3 questions…….
1. If you were head coach, who would you start and why?
2. Would you (as coach) put in designed plays for Justin, or roll with Russ the entire game?
3. What do you think Tomlin will actually do?
Alex:
1. Fields. I’m not *as* angry about the switch as some others but there’s too much unknown/risk with Russ. And I think the totality of Fields’ play, even though I’m the first to say he’s had his two worst passing games the last two weeks, is enough to give him another week.
2. Yes, use designed plays. It’s been too effective and Fields is too talented to sit on the bench all game.
3. Russ starts and there will be a package of plays for Fields. How much partially depends on the game but he’ll receive snaps.
srdan: Assuming all these take a 5th rd pick to get. Marry, date or dump:
Williams, Ridley, Kirk, Burks, Myers, Pitts, Lockett, Thielen, and Wilson Jr.
Alex: It’s looking like a Taylor Swift breakup song.
Williams: Dump
Ridley: Marry (just because of that contract, you’re hitched for awhile)
Kirk: Date
Burks Dump
Meyers: Date
Pitts: Kyle? Not sure who you’re referring to.
Lockett: Date
Thielen: Dump
Wilson Jr.: Dump
AM24: Hello Alex, I read the article earlier today on SD about whether they should Blitz or not blitz Rodgers as a veteran pocket passer. With the jets having Rodgers plus weapons in Wilson, Adams, and Hall how should the Steelers Defense approach this game? In terms of blitzing, schemes, DB/WR matchups, etc. Also, how will they fare against the Jets Offense?
Alex: You’re looking at the author of it, ha. It’s a great question. I outlined the pros and cons. I think you start off less aggressive and see how your rush performs, especially with Highsmith back. Because of the talent they’ve added, you want to be careful how you expose your secondary in 1v1 settings vs his quick release.
My guess is the team won’t blitz much in this one. Hopefully some bluff looks to try to get Rodgers to throw hot/even quicker. Vikings had a good game plan here.
Matchups, we’ll see how they handle Porter. If they travel with him or not. My first thought would be to have Porter shadow Adams because he’s bigger and let Jackson run with the smaller/speedier/younger Garrett Wilson. But then you worry about Lazard on Bishop. I think you’ll see more zone in this one to try to stay out of those man-to-man matchups but I know Rodgers can pick apart zone.
GlueBucket:
Hey Alex, I don’t get to read this article every week, so apologies if you’ve already answered this but:
6 games into the season, which players fit these categories for you?
1) Biggest surprise positively
2) Biggest surprise negatively
3) Best overall (not named TJ Watt, have to make it difficult…)
4) Worst overall
Alex: All good, I’m glad you could stop by.
1. Elliott and Jackson. Two key secondary editions who haven’t waned after good starts. Sometimes you see a guy play well the first week or two and then fall off. Not the case. Isn’t to say they’ll be this good every single game, playing secondary in the NFL today is hard, but they have both fit like a glove. Culturally and schematically.
2. Lack of run game/Broderick Jones. Which is partially due to injuries. But still, thought the run game wouldn’t be this painful. And Jones, it just hasn’t gotten much better even with the brace off his arm/elbow. If he keeps playing like this, you can’t go into 2025 projecting him as a starter at either tackl.
3. Cam Heyward. He’s playing like he’s 25, not 35. Just stupid good football.
4. It might be Broderick. I’d also say Van Jefferson is running the most empty routes imaginable. No receiver has logged this many snaps with so few targets (13) this year. I thought no one could top Allen Robinson last year (49 targets on nearly 800 snaps) but Jefferson has. I’m kinda impressed.
Peter-Petersen:
Hey Alex,
what type of contract will Daniels command? And would you want the Steelers to sign him to such a deal? I mean McComick looks like he could be a future starter, but I’d much rather have Daniels long term and have McCormick eventually replace Seumaloright?
Alex: Hey Peter! The injury complicates things dramatically. Had he been healthy, he would’ve gotten $20 million+ on the open market. The guard market has exploded and Daniels was having an awesome year still in his mid-20s. So we’ll see how his rehab and recovery goes but I’m sure his value has taken a hit. Maybe he takes a one-year deal, proves his health, and tries again in 2026 when he still won’t yet be 30.
The injury actually improves the odds he returns to Pittsburgh because he might be cheaper. But they drafted McCormick with the vision of him starting next year and he’s played well so far. So I don’t think Daniels comes back regardless.
steeler fever: What is going wrong with Broderick? Sometimes he looks lost, really surprised with his regression. Thoughts?
Alex: Good question. Technically, his punch is poor and he drops his eyes on contact. Lacks good first significant contact. But yeah, mentally, he’s been a wreck with missed assignments and mental errors. Hard to say why. Lack of confidence, frustration, the “quicksand” The Replacements talked about sinking the more you fight. But it’s ugly.
