Teresa Varley

Thursday, November 13

You can combat it:The last time the Steelers played the Bengals, a Thursday night game at Paycor Stadium, running back Chase Brown had his best outing of the season, rushing for 108 yards on 11 carries in a Bengals win.

This week, the Steelers want to turn that around completely.

"There's always motivation," said defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. "It's a divisional game. They know us, we know them. But it comes down to execution. I think it's those little mistakes that really cost us."

The defense is putting a strong emphasis on execution, especially when it comes to the run game, trying to take it away and make the Bengals one-dimensional.

"You look at the game last time, we just weren't stout in our gaps," said Heyward. "Sometimes you've just got to be a little bit more patient. You've got to get off blocks. That's the name of the game. You get challenged, learn from it, and get better.

"Chase Brown hits the hole very hard. I think he does a good job of being patient. And then when that hole opens up, he's able to really crease it. And he's running through arm tackles. That's the one thing I was pretty disappointed with our last performance against them. We didn't tackle as well. And versus this guy, a two-yard gain could be a 20-yard gain if you're not careful. So have to run your feet, have to have multiple hats to the ball."

Getting the run game going allowed Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco to open up the passing game, completing 31 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns, including one to Ja'Marr Chase who had 161 yards receiving.

"You watch our game against him last time, we got off the field quick and then the run game kind of stabilized everything," said Heyward. "The wide receivers did an amazing job on their side of the ball in catching, and the quarterback got it out quick. But I just think if you can create more of those one-dimensional situations, you'll have a lot more success."

Those quick throws Flacco was able to make again tied right into the success of the run game.

"You can combat it," said Heyward of the quick throws. "One, stopping the run, because then those quick throws aren't as detrimental to your group. Getting your hands up, having good coverage, having a good disguise, and not just being a sitting duck. I think you just got to mix it up.

"But stopping the run has got to be huge for us.

"We had two sacks, but we got hits. But I think we can do a better job if we create those situations where it's longer down and distance."

The defense didn't create any turnovers in the first meeting, a statistic that has had an impact on the outcome of games for the Steelers this year, winning in most cases when they win the turnover battle.

While creating turnovers is big for the defense, it's not the only path to success.

"You want to get off the field in different ways," said Heyward. "When you're out there, by any means possible you want to get off the field. Obviously, we want to clean up our three and outs. We want to get off the field as much as possible, but never be upset with getting turnovers."

More from Cam:

On Keeanu Benton and his growth: "He's an emerging young player. I think he's playing really well right now. I know his pass rush has been good. And he's just got to continue to keep doing that."

On Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black: "The thing they show the most is their questions. They're very advanced. One example is just you watch Derrick Harman, he's getting double tight ends to the side, and you see him swim out of the gap. Sometimes you would say as a beginner, stay in that B gap. But as you get more comfortable, you can play both gaps. And we talked a lot about that.

"At the same thing with Yahya, you're starting to see him use more extension and it's making more of a dent in the line of scrimmage."

Preparation matters:Cornerback James Pierre saw extended playing time against the Chargers after fellow corner Darius Slay left the game with a concussion.

Slay is currently in the concussion protocol, and if he isn't able to go on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, it might mean even more playing time for Pierre this week.

He is ready for whatever is asked of him.

"Just week to week," said Pierre. "You've got to get right. Another week for us to get right."

Coach Mike Tomlin was impressed with the performance of Pierre, a player he didn't even get to know when they first signed him as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2020.

"I thought he played really well, but I thought he's played really well when called upon all year," said Tomlin. "I think it's reflective of how he prepares and the level of professionalism that he brings day in and day out.

"It's been cool to watch the growth and development of his career over the time that he's been here. If you remember, he was an undrafted COVID guy. I think globally it was single-digit guys that made rosters undrafted that COVID year, and he's been one of them.

"I didn't meet him until we reported to camp, and that's a memory. He's always available. He's a dynamic special teams player. He's a rising defender, particularly in 2025."

Pierre was asked about his rookie season and coming in during COVID and said it is crazy looking back at it.

"It was majorly difficult because we didn't have preseason, we didn't have anything. We didn't even have fans that year. So just coming in, I knew I had to be ready to do something, help out the team, because we had to get ready for games.

"So, I had to see how I can fit in, see how I can help the team."

Deserving of a Gold Jacket:Within the next few weeks, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is expected to announce Modern Era Semifinalists for the Class of 2026, with multiple Steelers still in the running.

One of them is receiver Hines Ward.

Ward, who was a Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist nine straight years (2017-25), played 14 seasons for the Steelers, after being selected in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft.

"Hines Ward is a Hall of Fame player because number one, he had a tremendous impact on the game," said Hall of Fame Coach Bill Cowher. "His numbers may not be what they are to other people because he played in an offense where he wasn't going to be asked to catch the ball. He was asked a lot to block. We had one of the best running games in my 15 years here, and Hines Ward was a big part of that. He was a guy that every defense knew where he was, every defensive safety knew where he was.

"His impact as a blocker, his impact as a player who can make clutch plays at clutch times. He could play inside. He could play outside. A versatile guy who lined up every snap. He was consistent, he was productive over a long period of time. There's no question in my mind that Hines Ward, don't just look at the numbers, but his impact on the field, what he did to the game, he was a difference maker. And everyone knew and understood where he was. To me, that's a Hall of Fame player."

Ward had 1,000 career receptions for 12,083 yards and 85 touchdowns. His versatility was always on display with his blocking ability a shining example of that.

Ward was the MVP of Super Bowl XL after leading the Steelers to a 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. In three Super Bowls, Ward registered 14 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns.

"Hines Ward is absolutely a Hall of Famer," said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. "When you talk about a guy that gave everything to his team and wanted to get in the end zone every time he touched the ball, whether it was on the 20-yard line or the one-yard line, he was going to find a way to get in the end zone for his team. He did all the small things. He blocked. The things that aren't in stats are what he did. He attracted attention. He found ways to get his teammates open. He blocked for them when they got the ball. He blocked in the run game. The things that Hines Ward did are Hall of Fame caliber worthy play.

"He was a guy when you threw him the ball, he was going to make the play, and he wasn't going to just catch it, he was going to get extra yards, he was going to get you a first down, and he was going to find a way to get in the end zone. And as a quarterback, you find Hines Ward, and you give him the ball, and you just sit back and watch."

The Steelers 2008 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee, Ward was named to four Pro Bowls (2002-05) and was a member of the team's 75th Season All-Time Team. Ward was selected by his teammates as the Steelers MVP three times in his career, including 2002 along with Joey Porter, 2003, and 2005 with Casey Hampton.

"Hines Ward is one of the toughest receivers I've ever met in my life," said linebacker James Farrior, a member of the Steelers Hall of Honor. "I got a chance to play against him and play with him. When he was on the other side, you always had to be aware of where Hines Ward was. His hands were unbelievable. He was a player when you needed a big play, when you needed a big first down, he was the guy that you go to. Tough as nails. All he did was smile when he was on the field, but he was one of those guys that he could really get under your skin, because he was always smiling, no matter what he was doing."

Is it his time?:The Steelers signed receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the practice squad on Nov. 4, and on Tuesday Coach Mike Tomlin was asked about the potential of him getting a practice squad call-up this week.

"We'll see what the week holds for him and all the others on the practice squad," said Tomlin. "We're not opposed to elevating people and giving them an opportunity to contribute. I think it's just been about every game this year where we've elevated someone and utilized their talents.

"Last week it was Mark Robinson who we just re-acquired. Several other weeks it's been Trey Sermon for example. So, I'm certainly open to evaluating Scantling, his ability to know what to do and the quality of that execution and how it might fit into what we're trying to do offensively in an effort to engineer victory."

Valdes-Scantling was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the 174th overall selection.

Valdes-Scantling was most recently with the San Francisco 49ers, signing with their practice squad prior to the start of the 2025 season. He appeared in five games for the 49ers, with four receptions for 40 yards. He was eventually placed on the Reserve/Injured List.

In eight seasons he has appeared in 111 games with the Packers (2018-21), Kansas City Chiefs (2022-23), Buffalo Bills (2024), New Orleans Saints (2024) and San Francisco 49ers (2025). He has 209 receptions for 3,606 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also has 10 carries for 52 yards.

Valdes-Scantling has appeared in 11 postseason games, starting seven, with 24 receptions for 406 yards and four touchdowns.

Perseverance through perspective:For consecutive games now, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and tight end Jonnu Smith have just missed.

"You know, game of inches," Smith observed.

Against the Colts on Nov. 2, Rodgers looked for Smith off of play-action on first-and-10 from the Steelers' 39-yard-line, the first offensive snap of the game. Smith was open at the Colts' 45 but the pass glanced off his outstretched fingertips. And last Sunday night in Los Angeles, Smith was open again on second-and-10 from the Chargers' 29. He went up for a high throw from Rodgers and came down with what was initially ruled an 18-yard completion to the Los Angeles 11 but the Chargers challenged the call and it was review by replay into an incompletion.

"One way or the other from either side, man, and it can change the whole dynamic of the play," Smith continued. "We just keep pushing, there's a lot of ball ahead of us."

The 25-10 loss to the Chargers included the Steelers failing to convert their first nine attempts on third down on the way to a season-low total for points. But Smith insisted the offense has remained confident in advance of Sunday's hosting of Cincinnati.

Smith, in particular.

"I got confidence in every guy that's in this offense, on this side of the ball," he said. "It's a game of inches, you just gotta continue to hone at it. So we put on our hard hats Wednesday through Saturday and try to get better as a collective."

Frustration hasn't entered the equation, Smith maintained.

"No, no frustrations," he said. "Listen, one thing about this game, this game that we play in the big leagues, man, you cannot ride the wave. The highs and lows of this game, they exist, they're real and you cannot ride the wave. That's the best advice I can give anybody."

As a nine-year veteran, Smith would be happy to give it. But the sense he's getting from the locker room at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex is the need for such an approach is already understood.

"You come in here on a Wednesday, man, and just feel the energy," he observed. "And that's what you want to feel, regardless after a win or a loss, because we have to get back to work. You have little time to worry about what happened last week, good or bad.

"Clean it up, good or bad, and keep on moving forward."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

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Wednesday, November 12

He hates losing:The Steelers have had their ups and downs this season, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers has often said you can't ride the rollercoaster of emotions, stressing the importance of staying even-keeled as it's a long season.

Receiver DK Metcalf agrees with that assessment.

"I think a lot of the vets have that mentality," said Metcalf. "I think a lot of young guys think it's the end of the world after you lose, which is very acceptable because you want those types of competitors in your locker room.

"But it's a long season. We've got 17 games now, but I think we just hit the halfway point. So just continue to get on the right track from this point forward. Just take it in one game at a time."

While Metcalf says all that, he is the first to admit he hates losing.

"I'm still taking losses bad," said Metcalf. "I don't talk to people much after the game, but I think that's just the way I cope with things.

"We've got a lot of competitors like that in this locker room. So, the more we hang around each other, and the more that we have each other's back out there on the field, I think the losses, the wins, and the ties are always going to be special because we can always learn from them."

Metcalf said his hate for losing is something that has always been with him, even in pee-wee football.

"I hate losing," said Metcalf.

Metcalf did say that no matter how much he does hate losing, there is still an approach you have to take.

"I think one of the biggest things is not pressing too hard because once you start losing, you try to start doing stuff that's out of the norm or out of your control," said Metcalf. "And that's when stuff starts to spiral. So just staying in the framework of who you are as a person, who you are as a player.

"Just continuing to do your job because the hard work is going to pay off. The teams that do everything the right way, execute every play, and live every play with a life of its own. Those are the things that get rewarded in the end."

The Steelers are 5-4 and in first place in the AFC North. But after going 1-2 in the last three games, Metcalf said it feels different.

"I think with the standard that we set for ourselves that it feels a lot worse when we lose than expected," said Metcalf. "So, not listening to any outside noise, continue to have each other's back.

"When we go out there and execute, nobody can stop us. Offense, defense, special teams. So just keep hammering that home that this is all we got, this is what we need and just execute the play that's called."

Thrilled to be back on the field:The Steelers signed defensive back Asante Samuel Jr. to the practice squad on Wednesday, and he said he is in the best shape of his life health-wise.

"I feel great," said Samuel. "It's the healthiest I've ever been. I feel good."

Samuel was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons with the Chargers, starting 47 of the 50 games he played in.

Samuel appeared in only four games in 2024, finishing the season on the Reserve/Injured List, and had offseason spinal fusion surgery. He was cleared to play again in October and was thrilled to be back on the field on Wednesday.

"It meant the world to me just being out there, putting on a helmet, putting on cleats, going out there, competing with other guys that are trying to accomplish the same goal as me and just trying to win," said Samuel. "At the end of the day, it's all about winning and I know that's all it's about here, winning. It's a winning culture and I wanted to be a part of that.

"It's a great organization, great team, great guys, great coaching. There was nothing I didn't like about Pittsburgh. It's a great culture here.

"I'm glad I ended up here. I'm glad everything worked out to be here. I am blessed to be with great coaches and great teammates."

Samuel said he is ready to play if he gets a call-up from the practice squad, but is taking it one step at a time.

"It's just day-by-day," said Samuel. "I'm trying to maximize every day and do whatever the coach is telling me and just get better every day."

Getting the job done:When the Steelers took on the Bengals on Thursday Night Football less than a month ago, Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco completed 31 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns.

They aren't numbers anyone on the defense was happy with, and they know they have to turn it around this week when the Bengals come to Acrisure Stadium.

"You've got to have a lot of respect for him," said cornerback Brandin Echols. "He's been in the league for a long time.

"We're going to approach it like we approach every other game. Obviously, we've got to be better than what we did facing them last time. It's just what it is."

The defense will have more film to watch of Flacco in the Bengals offense this time around, as he was in just his second game with Cincinnati when the two teams first met.

"That plays a part in it," said Echols. "We get to see more of what he's actually capable of in their offense. We're going to act accordingly."

Echols could see more playing time against the Bengals with fellow cornerback Darius Slay in the concussion protocol, but he said that won't change his approach as he always prepares the same.

"I just try to keep it the same as I always do," said Echols. "Just focus on the main thing, try to get the job done."

The secondary the Bengals will face is one that is different than the first time, with Jalen Ramsey now at free safety full-time and Kyle Dugger at strong safety.

"We're going to go out and attack them with our best foot forward, regardless of who's where," said Echols. "It's just a matter of making plays on Sunday. That's all that is."

First time should be a charm:Within the next few weeks, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is expected to announce Modern Era Semifinalists for the Class of 2026, with multiple Steelers still in the running.

One of them is center Maurkice Pouncey.

Pouncey, who is in his first year of eligibility and a member of the Steelers Hall of Honor Class of 2025, was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the 18th overall pick. Shortly after Pouncey arrived at Saint Vincent College for his rookie training camp, he earned the starting job, and he held it from that day until he decided to end his NFL career.

"When I think of Maurkice Pouncey, I try not to get emotional because of how much he means to me," said former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, also a member of the Hall of Honor Class of 2025. "No quarterback, no good quarterback can ever be successful without a great center. You look at (Terry) Bradshaw and (Mike) Webster and it goes down the list of all the greats that have had partnerships together. And that's what we were. We were a great team. And that line up front just revolved around him. He was the centerpiece of the wheel that went as an offensive line. I voted him as MVP every year because as a quarterback it just wasn't the same without him out there. I hated it when he couldn't practice because I didn't have my comfort blanket.

"He was a guy that just gave everything to this team, to me, to protecting me. And he put the work in, in the classroom. It was very evident. That guy was so smart. He could make every call, every change. It was like we were on the same page. Every time he would make a call, I was with him. If I made a call, we knew what each other were thinking."

In his rookie season, Pouncey would stabilize a position previously held by journeymen Sean Mahan and Justin Hartwig for a team that went on to reach Super Bowl XLV. Pouncey was unable to play in the Super Bowl after injuring an ankle in the AFC Championship Game victory over the New York Jets. He won the Joe Greene Great Performance Award that season, given annually to the team's Rookie of the Year by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America, becoming the first offensive lineman to win it since 2000.

"When you look at Maurkice Pouncey, I don't think there's any question that he is a Hall of Fame center," said Hall of Fame Coach Bill Cowher. "His ability to do what he did at a very high level for an extended period of time. The high elite offenses that he played on. He was in a long lineage of great centers with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Going back from Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson, Jeff Hartings. Maurkice Pouncey once again proves that he is a legacy in the making. He's a guy that belongs in the Hall of Fame, no question about it. Not only what he did at a high level, but he did it for a long period of time on a very, very good offense. Maurkice Pouncey belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame."

Pouncey didn't need much time to establish himself as a starter in the NFL, and he quickly built on his growing resume. He became the first center in NFL history to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons (2010-12) and went on to be a nine-time Pro Bowl selection. He was twice voted first-team Associated Press All-Pro (2011, 2014) and was a second-team AP All-Pro selection three times (2010, 2012 and 2018).

Pouncey was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-Decade team for the 2010s, an honor Steelers Hall of Fame center Mike Webster earned in the 1970s and 1980s, with a spot on an All-Decade team typically leading to being enshrined in Canton.

Pouncey was a steady leader on offense, someone who guided the younger players while still showing a shining example for even the most seasoned veterans. It was that leadership that had his teammates select him as an offensive team captain four times (2013, 2018, 2019 and 2020).

"That guy is a high energy, high effort, super smart football player," said Roethlisberger. "And I just don't think I've ever seen a lineman, especially a center like him. And that's why he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

"He's one of the best to ever do it. He's a guy that when he was out there, you knew you always had a chance. And for a quarterback to have a guy like that, that you believe in, trust in, and know that everything he does is 110%, Maurkice Pouncey is a Hall of Famer in every way."

Getting him back:The Steelers claimed safety Sebastian Castro off waivers after he was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday.

Castro began the 2025 season on the Steelers practice squad, but was signed to the Buccaneers 53-man roster on Sept. 30, where he appeared in one game.

Castro originally signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft out of Iowa.

In a related move, the Steelers waived veteran safety Juan Thornhill, who was signed as an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

"The play wasn't up to snuff," said Tomlin of the move. "Castro was available to us. We went through the team development process with Castro. Thought he had a good camp, good preseason.

"He played his tail off in that practice against the Bucs. I think that's why they stole him from us.

"We had an opportunity to re-acquire him. We've absorbed some attrition since he left, so it was an opportunity get him back. It's more about Castro and less about Juan."

Castro appeared in 53 games in college, starting 32. He finished his career with 163 tackles, including 113 solo tackles. He had 14 tackles for a loss, 18 passes defensed, five forced fumbles, four interceptions and two sacks.

No time for reflection:It would be understandable if Pat Freiermuth found himself especially excited about getting another chance at Cincinnati on Sunday.

It's pretty much been one big game after another of late against the Bengals for the Steelers' tight end.

"I don't know, my dad's from Cincinnati, maybe that's the reason," Freiermuth said.

Freiermuth had five catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns in the Steelers' 33-31 loss on Oct. 16 in Cincinnati. Last season, he combined for 14 catches for 153 yards and two more scores in the two Cincinnati matchups. In 2023, there was a nine-catch, 120-yard effort against the Bengals on Nov. 26 in Cincinnati. And in 2022, Freiermuth's two games against the Bengals produced a combined 13 catches for 154 yards.

"I guess just an AFC North (Division) opponent and whatever they do schematically, maybe," Freiermuth added.

History aside, Freiermuth is looking ahead, not behind.

The Steelers are coming off a disappointing offensive effort in which they failed to convert their first nine third-down attempts in succession on the way to a 25-10 loss to the Chargers last Sunday night in Los Angeles.

"Obviously, we're not looking in the past," Freiermuth said. "We had a hell of a game against the Colts (a 27-20 win on Nov. 2). We just went out on Sunday Night Football and just didn't play well.

"We've played well in previous games, no one's panicking. We just have to continue to work and be able to put together a good game on Sunday."

Despite losing three of four, the Steelers lead the AFC North at 5-4.

"We just need to play better team football and we'll be alright moving forward," Freiermuth emphasized. "We have the right guys in the locker room to get this thing going in the right direction. We're still in the lead in the division and we know what this game means on Sunday, it's very important. We're working this week to get it fixed.

"No one's looking in the past. We just have to continue to look forward and work."

Cleaning up third down is on the agenda against the Bengals after the Steelers finished 2-for-11 in that department (18.2 percent) in Los

Angeles.

"Lack of detail and just being able to execute what we're being asked to execute," Freiermuth said. "We'll get it fixed."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

Bringing you the action:For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.

**Sign up today**.