This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns are on the road as they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6. To help preview a few topics from the Steelers’ perspective, we reached out to Ryland Bickley from Behind the Steel Curtain and exchanged five questions with him.
Chris: “After four games, how do you assess the job that Aaron Rodgers has done in black and gold?”
Ryland: “Rodgers is still a starting-quality quarterback, but he’s no longer the MVP-caliber passer he was in his prime.
For one, his mobility
has declined a good bit. And on a similar note, he’s looked skittish at times this year under pressure. The Steelers’ offensive line has been up and down this season, and the run game (outside of the team’s most recent win over the Vikings) hasn’t done much to help him out.
But while Rodgers hasn’t been spectacular for the most part, he’s largely been good. His veteran savvy has been a boost for the offense, and his arm still has some juice. His lone touchdown pass against Minnesota was a laser beam on a post to D.K. Metcalf, and this toss on the move against Seattle has been his highlight of the season so far even if it was dropped.
And in that win over the Vikings, Rodgers didn’t turn the ball over and completed over 80% of his passes against a defense that excels at taking away the quick game — which has been the Steelers passing game’s bread and butter this season. The team has really struggled to push the ball downfield this year, but so far, a dink-and-dunk passing game has gotten them to 3-1, largely thanks to a group of pass catchers that have succeeded in getting yards after catch.
That’s what the Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers-led passing offense has been this year: Not great, but they’ve done enough to get the job done.”
Chris: “What do you view as the Steelers’ biggest weakness right now?”
Ryland: “Through the first three games of the season, there were a few contenders: run game efficiency, pass protection, middle of the field pass coverage, and run defense. All four have slowly improved, with the team’s best showing by far coming against Minnesota in Week 4 (the Steelers had a Week 5 bye).
This early in the season, I definitely wouldn’t say any of those issues are completely fixed, but they’re heading in the right direction. However, a new problem might be on the horizon with wide receiver Calvin Austin III out this week against the Browns.
The Steelers were already thin at the position behind D.K. Metcalf, and now Austin, who has been the team’s second-best receiver by far this season, is out.
Expect some combination of Roman Wilson, a 2024 draft pick who has one career NFL catch, Scotty Miller, and Ben Skowronek to fill in for Austin. There’s some talent there, but all three haven’t proven to be more than depth WR4/5s at this point in their careers.
The Steelers’ passing game hasn’t been all that explosive this year, and it just got a lot more difficult against a great Browns defense.”
Chris: “Which of the Steelers’ 2025 draft picks has been the most regular contributor thus far through four games?”
Ryland: “None of the Steelers’ 2025 rookie class have had massive breakouts at this point in the season (third-round running back Kaleb Johnson has slowly been making his way back into the lineup after two kickoff return gaffes to open the year), but first-round defensive tackle Derrick Harmon has been the first to develop into a quality starter.
Harmon missed the first two games of the Steelers’ season with injury, but immediately earned a spot in the team’s D-line rotation once he was healthy. So far, he has one sack, a pass deflection that led to an interception, one tackle for loss, and three total tackles. However, his impact has been felt beyond the stat sheet, where he’s looked stout against the run and has pushed the pocket as a rusher.
So far, he’s looked like the disruptive player the Steelers drafted him to be, and he has a lot of potential to improve.”
Chris: “Tell us about one player who Browns fans may not have heard of, but who could have an impact on this Sunday’s game.”
Ryland: “Tight end Darnell Washington might be a forgotten player to some NFL fans given that the Steelers have Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith on the same depth chart, but Washington was the team’s most played tight end in Week 4 against Minnesota. He’s a massive human being (listed at 6’7, 264 pounds even if he almost certainly weighs more) who is the team’s best blocker at his position.
Pittsburgh saw the most success running the ball they’ve had all season against the Vikings using a jumbo package with Washington and an extra offensive tackle — and running to their side of the field often. Washington has the size and strength to handle NFL defensive ends on the edge, essentially giving the team an extra lineman on the field. He allowed the Steelers to finally unlock their perimeter run game in Week 4.
As you’d expect, he’s slow by NFL standards as a route runner, but has strong hands and his size makes him a security blanket and contested catch threat.
Following the Steelers’ success after using a lot of Washington in their last game, I’d expect he’ll see a lot of playing time again this week against Cleveland, especially given the Browns’ talent on the defensive line.”
Chris: “The Browns are underdogs against the Steelers on Sunday (Browns +5.5 as of this question, per FanDuel Sportsbook). Who would you pick to win the game?”
Ryland: “I’m taking the Steelers in this one. Pittsburgh under Mike Tomlin is historically great against Cleveland at home, as well as against rookie quarterbacks and coming off of bye weeks.
Still, I think the Browns, largely due to their defense, are a lot more competitive than their record suggests. And with Quinshon Judkins looking like the real deal on the other side of the ball, I think this will be yet another competitive AFC North rivalry game.
However, the Steelers are still the better team, and they’re trending in the right direction following the Minnesota win and well-rested after the bye.
Pittsburgh wins, but doesn’t cover, 20-17. ”
Thanks again to Ryland for taking the time to answer my questions.
