Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett warms up during 2022 Training Camp practice on July 2, 2022 in Latrobe, PA. (Marlon Martin/Golden Sky Media)
LATROBE, PA — Three takeaways from Tuesday’s practice.
1.) The QB competition. It is still not clear who the starter should be.
2.) The Defense. They seem to be playing very fast, they have a lot of energy and excitement. Competition = chippy play.
3.) There were lot of scrums again today, but that confirms the players understand what is on the line and everyone is competing on both sides of the ball.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool falls in the endzone in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 21, 2020 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. (Marlon Martin / Golden Sky Media)
CINCINNATI (GSM) — An a time where the Steelers had the opportunity to win the AFC North division and guarantee cushion heading into the postseason, they lost to a team with 2 wins.
To Steeler fans (and most players and coaches), the stage was set, bounce back from a 2-game losing streak, beat the division’s last place Bengals, go into the playoffs and win the Super Bowl. Easy, right? Well, not so fast. The most recent loss — part a three game losing streak — showed that the “Black-n-Gold” has more issues than you may think.
Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive End Stephon Tuitt (#91) sacks Cincinnati Bengals’ Quarterback Ryan Finley on December 21, 2020 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. (Marlon Martin / Golden Sky Media)
Pittsburgh went into Cincinnati and struggled from the beginning of the game Monday night and lost to the Bengals who started Ryan Finley, a 3rd-string quarterback. The final score 27-17.
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during the matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 21, 2020 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. (Marlon Martin / Golden Sky Media)
In his weekly press conference, Head Coach Mike Tomlin said, “We’re not a good football group right now and so we understand the consequences that come with that, we’re working on a short week, we’ve got to be better than what we’ve been and that’s just the reality of it.”
In week 16, the Steelers (11-3) host the Indianapolis Colts (10-4) Sunday at Heinz Field.
Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown scores the game winning touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 14, 2018 at Paul Brown Stadium. (Marlon Martin / Golden Sky Media)
PITTSBURGH (GSM) — Still under contract, the Steelers’ number one receiver has made it known that he wants out of Pittsburgh.
Antonio Brown was drafted in the 6th round (pick #195) in 2010 and during his time as the Steelers’ biggest playmaker, he has made significant strides in the team’s success. There has reportedly been a difference of opinion and lack of communication between parties with Brown skipping the final game of the season due to a knee injury.
Update: Brown expressed his feelings quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in several exchanges with fans on his twitter page, saying the QB had an, “owner’s mentality.”
No conflict just a matter of respect! Mutual respect! He has a owner mentality like he can call out anybody including coaches. Players know but they can’t say anything about it otherwise they meal ticket gone. It’s a dirty game within a game. #truthhttps://t.co/MsSyBVd3Ny
