@mikedefabo.bsky.social
Steelers beat writer at The Athletic.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/653... Aaron Rodgers and the four concerns emerging for the Steelers offense in training camp
04.08.2025 13:16 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
“You’re sitting at third string on the depth chart. A lot has to happen for you to get on the field. And a lot did happen.”
With Arron Rodgers taking a vet day, Mason Rudolph earned QB1 reps — and practiced the art of being ready
www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...
Kaleb Johnson’s biggest test in backs on ‘backers brought out his best, as the rookie shows progress in pass pro.
Plus, Aaron Rodgers’ mobility excites the crowd, the two-minute drill goes nowhere and more observations from Friday Night Lights:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...
How Arthur Smith is using TEs like wildcards in the Steelers’ offense:
“That’s the beauty of it — being able to move those pieces around so it can look like 10 personnel. It can look like 12, look like 13. It can look like 22…”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...
Arthur Smith may be the NFL’s most tight end friendly OC.
He’s taking that to another level this year, with an 04 (no backs, four TEs) personnel package and Jonnu Smith at RB.
Observations from Latrobe: www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...
“Some of the Cleveland people just tried to bash my name a little bit. If you really watch the film, I made a lot of plays.”
Suddenly a starter, Juan Thornhill looks to prove Browns wrong.
Update on the safety situation + Broderick Jones injured and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
How many hats will Jalen Ramsey wear in the Steelers’ new-look secondary?
“We’re going to figure that out together, huh?”
Two practices in, we have some answers.
Here are my observations from Day 2 on Ramsey, Rodgers and some emerging newcomers: www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
For new Steelers teammates (and suitemates) Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf, chemistry is still a work in progress on Day 1 of training camp.
“I’m going to throw some picks,” Rodgers said. “But I’m going to throw some touchdowns, too.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
T.J. Watt has said there’s a “big difference” between Steelers who have won a Super Bowl and those who haven’t.
By re-signing, he’s wagering the final years of his prime that GM Omar Khan’s aggressive approach can bring him a ring.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
After a noisy offseason full of QB uncertainty, splashy trades and a record-setting contract extension, the Pittsburgh Steelers report to training camp tomorrow.
Here’s what I’ll be watching: www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...
Quarterback life after 40: What history says about Aaron Rodgers’ chances in Pittsburgh
www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
Quarterback life after 40: What history says about Aaron Rodgers’ chances in Pittsburgh
www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a three-year extension worth $123 million, sources tell @diannarussini.bsky.social.
The deal makes the star edge rusher the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback.
More from @mikedefabo.bsky.social ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...
The Steelers avoided another messy training camp "hold in" and made T.J. Watt a wealthy man today, signing the star edge rusher to a three-year extension.
Here's more on the deal and what it means for Pittsburgh: t.co/93cTCBBnxP
How many hats will Jalen Ramsey wear in the secondary?
Will the Steelers add another safety?
Can Jonnu Smith improve the Steelers’ 13 personnel efficiency?
A look at some lingering questions from the Ramsey/ Smith/ Minkah trade.
t.co/Rl0AEfXQRe
Since 2020, eight teams have started a QB age 36 or older in 10+ games.
PIT x 3 (Ben x 2, Russ x 1)
TB x 3 (Brady)
GB x 3 (Rodgers)
IND x 2 (Ryan, Rivers)
ATL x 2 (Cousins, Ryan)
NYJ x 1 (Rodgers)
LAR x 1 (Stafford)
NO x 1 (Brees)
PIT could take the lead with 4 in 6 seasons.
Steelers OTAs/ minicamp takeaways:
- How the defense is evolving with new voices and schematics
- Beanie Bishop takes an early lead on the nickel competition + other position battle updates
- Aaron Rodgers’ mentorship of Will Howard feels genuine
t.co/g9zLMcTH3o
“We didn’t bring Aaron in here and sign DK for all that money to go run the wishbone.”
How Steelers OC Arthur Smith plans to evolve in Year 2: t.co/8aer8eiqiV
Aaron Rodgers is here for Day 1 of mandatory minicamp.
T.J. Watt is not.
Here’s more on the beginning of a hold out that could turn into a camp hold in.
t.co/n7dHtz3Yy9
As the Aaron Rodgers indecision continues, Mason Rudolph gets his chance to lead the Steelers’ offense … for now
www.nytimes.com/athletic/638...
Mason Rudolph on the uncertainty/speculation at QB: "That's nothing new to me. There's been constant noise. That is the nature of the NFL. So I have been used to that for a long time now. (I'm going to) do nothing but be the best I can be and help our team get better this spring."
27.05.2025 18:15 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
“He’s stout against the run. His resume and tape confirms that. But he’s also a major, major threat in terms of getting after the quarterback.”
Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon’s well-rounded skill set shines on film.
Take a deeper look here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...
“We all know who the problem is,” one player told me last season.
George Pickens was never going to “grow up,” so the Steelers had to think about the future and move on.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/634...
Why the Steelers passed on Shedeur Sanders for Derrick Harmon — and what might come next
www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...
Hearing RB is most likely for the Steelers in Round 3.
Here are some of the top available options heading into Day 2: www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...
My final Steelers mock draft:
24.04.2025 21:39 — 👍 64 🔁 5 💬 5 📌 2
With Shedeur Sanders still on the board, I was about to draft Kenneth Grant when my phone rang…
By trading back, I added a 2026 2nd-round pick (and a fifth in a pick swap) to the comp stockpile, punting on this year’s top QBs and going all-in on the next.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/629...
Pre-draft visitors often provide clues about the Steelers’ draft plans or priorities.
Here’s what we learned from the Top 30 visits this year: www.nytimes.com/athletic/628...
Could Shedeur Sanders slip to No. 21 overall?
Is Jaxson Dart worth a first-round pick?
Which mid-round QB has the highest ceiling?
Our draft guru Dane Brugler breaks down the Steelers’ options: www.nytimes.com/athletic/627...
The Steelers have hosted 27 of their possible 30 pre-draft visitors.
You can find scouting reports on each prospect here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/618...
