It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for a weekly Steelers links roundup at BTSC. But first, let’s take a look around the AFC North:
- Ravens rookie scouting report: RB Adam Randall offers rare size, pass-catching chops (Baltimore Beatdown)
- Bengals’ Steve Radicevic says team “not done” making roster moves (Cincy Jungle)
- Browns: Jim Schwartz on Garrett’s greatness and missing out on HC (Dawgs By Nature)
Now, onto some Steelers news and discussion:
Two-minute drill on the docket for Day 1 of minicamp
(From Steelers.com’s Brian Batko): Typically, an NFL team with four quarterbacks might skimp on the action for that guy who’s No. 4 on the depth chart. But with Rodgers entering Year 22 and a high-pedigree group behind him, it makes plenty of sense to let the others compete in early June.
“Obviously, with Aaron Rodgers, the
experience and what he brings to the table — I’m not just talking about playing between the white lines, but what he can add to a conversation in the quarterback room — has been extremely valuable for our younger players,” McCarthy said. “Boy, I’ve really grown to have a lot of appreciation for Mason. I’m really enjoying our time together.”
While it’s fair to assume the Steelers don’t have their future franchise quarterback on the roster at the moment, the competition and development of the names behind Aaron Rodgers — and the fact that Rodgers doesn’t need many offseason reps — is building up to what should be an entertaining offseason at the position.
Steelers’ Will Howard Reacts to Myles Garrett Blockbuster Trade
(From Heavy’s Dave Holcomb): “Not bad for us. We don’t have to play that beast (Garrett) twice every year,” said Howard at a golf event Monday, via 93.7 The Fan. “I mean, they’re bringing in a great player in Jared Verse. So, it’s going to create more challenges.
“But, just looking at it, yeah, it will be nice not to play that dude twice a year.”
Jared Verse is a good player in his own right who has gone a bit underrated following the trade. But at the same time, Will Howard’s thoughts should be that of every Steeler fan — Myles Garrett out of the division is good news for Pittsburgh quarterbacks and developing offensive line.
Blockbuster Browns trade shows the Steelers the way to deal T.J. Watt
(From Steelers Wire’s Curt Popejoy): We are in no way advocating for a Watt trade but given the Steelers current roster, salary cap and contract situation and expectations, they could explore it. Now, it’s important to be realistic and understand that what the Browns got for Garrett isn’t going to be what the Steelers could get for Watt. Garrett is a year younger and has been far more productive over the past two seasons. Nevertheless, if the Steelers could be sure they get a first-round pick next year along with other draft consideration, it would be tough to ignore.
Omar Khan should and probably would listen to trade offers for Watt. But as Popejoy points out, Garrett and Watt are very different players at this point in their respective careers. One is coming off an NFL sack record season. The other recorded seven in 2025. At this point, the return for trading Watt, who is still certainly an impact defender, probably wouldn’t make such a deal even worth it for Pittsburgh.
Why avid golfer Will Howard sees parallels between that game and his day job in the NFL
(From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac): “I was golfing this offseason with Nick Foles and he’s telling me, ‘I feel like golf really parallels with football,’ just about that next play mentality and the next shot,” Howard said. “You may duff a drive, or you got to drop one or whatever, but it doesn’t matter. It’s the next play and you can’t let that last shot affect the next one.”
Howard appeared at the Bank of America’s Golf With Us Clinic in Pittsburgh on Monday, an event put on for children in the area.
Grading the extension: Steelers put themselves in a tricky situation following massive deal for budding star Nick Herbig
(From A to Z Sports’ Rob Gregson): He has blossomed from a hybrid stacked backer or EDGE defender who was viewed as a tweener or designated pass rusher, to a starting caliber EDGE that now makes the 16th most at the position in the league.
His sack numbers have gone up year over year, and at only 24 years old, he’s still an ascending talent that is just scratching the surface of his potential. Locking him in early is a smart move on the Steelers part. The only problem? The other names in that room.
Herbig signed a four-year, $100 million extension with Pittsburgh on Tuesday with $42 million guaranteed. He’s the first member of the Steelers’ productive 2023 draft class to sign a second contract with the team.
How would you grade the Nick Herbig extension?
The Steelers developed and extended an ascending 24-year-old at one of the NFL’s most important positions — what’s not to love? Considering the top of the edge rusher market is currently Will Anderson Jr.‘s $50 million per year, there’s even a chance Herbig’s contract is seen as a bargain in future years.
There’s plenty of reason for optimism with the deal, but still some question marks. While the Steelers certainly don’t need to break up their outside linebacker room this year, will they properly manage Herbig, TJ Watt, and Alex Highsmith’s salaries and playing time moving forward? And with a (presumed) heavier snap count in future seasons, will Herbig’s on-field impact remain high?
I’m of the opinion that it will work out and this will go down as a savvy extension for Omar Khan. But in the spirit of reserving “A” grades for true slam dunks, I’d probably give this a “B+” with potential for plenty of extra credit down the road.
How would you grade the Steelers’ Nick Herbig extension? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!
