The Pittsburgh Steelers served as hosts for their second preseason game of 2025. Despite battling back from a 14-0 deficit, they ultimately lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-14. Here are my observations as the game unfolded tonight.
Offense
-The unit started a lot more sluggishly than last week and the early Mason Rudolph interception didn’t help.
-Other than a poorly thrown ball that resulted in a pick, Rudy 3 of 5 46 yards TD/INT) again played quite well.
-Skylar Thompson (10/15 113 yards INT) is doing one of two things. He’s either making this roster or he’s going to fetch a late round pick for the Steelers. He’s played well enough to put out some solid tape to a QB-needy team.
-The running game, especially behind the starters, just isn’t there. At some point OL Coach Pat Meyer has to be under the microscope. We’ve discussed whether he’s the man for the job before but at some point, there’s no one left to point the finger at right?
-Kaleb Johnson (11 Carries 50 yards) had a couple of explosive runs tonight and looked much more comfortable in his second game.
-Roman Wilson had two catches for 72 yards tonight. Definitely an “arrow up” situation but I’m going to hold off on any declarations of his future.
-WR Roc Taylor had another nice game with 3 catches for 39 yards but his failure to lay out for a pass in the end zone didn’t go over well with fans.
-It’s a good problem to have but the Steelers have a number of receivers making plays after two games. Brandon Johnson (3 Rec 16 yards TD) had a touchdown catch while Scotty Miller (2 Rec 38 yards) had another nice game.
-Lew Nichols is putting out good tape. He will likely make the Practice Squad but other teams will no doubt be interested in him for depth.
-Logan Woodside (4/9 45 yards INT) wasn’t going to make the team anyway but his really bad INT cost the Steelers a chance at victory.
Defense
-Beanie Bishop was a guy I was focusing on tonight. I thought he had an up and down week one but played more consistently tonight. Tackling definitely improved.
-Jack Sawyer was the other guy on defense that I was watching and I’m still not sure what to make of him. He’s played a ton of snaps through two weeks and doesn’t have much to show for it. Tonight he had as many tackles as fourth-string QB Logan Woodside did (one) and he didn’t have any QB pressures. By nature, OLB’s don’t usually rack up a ton of tackles but for the amount of time he’s played there should be more production.
-Derrick Harmon did his best Cam Heyward impression tonight. He bullrushed a Bucs’ offensive lineman straight back and sacked Kyle Trask.
-Tough first half for D’Shawn Jamison. He roughed the kicker which resulted in a Tampa TD then got beat on the next series. But… he made a superb tackle in the second half that forced a fumble.
-Both the Bucs’ first half touchdowns were the result of Steelers’ defenders not getting their heads around. Both Payton Wilson and Brandin Echols were in good position but couldn’t get their heads around.
-Nick Herbig played all of three snaps before leaving with a hamstring injury. Don’t look now but the Steelers suddenly have a depth problem at OLB. Alex Highsmith hasn’t played in weeks and if Herbig isn’t available that leaves Jack Sawyer, DeMarvin Leal and T.J. Watt.
-UDFA Safety Sebastian Castro led the team in tackles tonight with five. I think he’s safely on the Practice Squad.
-I was impressed with Eku Leota. He made three stops from his OLB spot including a big stop on fourth down.
Special Teams
-Hope that Longsnapper Christian Kuntz is OK. He left the game clutching his chest and didn’t return. Logan Lee, a defensive lineman, served as the backup.
-Ben Sauls wasn’t going to dethrone Chris Boswell regardless but missing a 43-yarder didn’t help.
-When Training Camp began, I felt Cam Johnston would face a challenge from Corliss Waitman. Ultimately however, I figured Johnston would win the competition. Now? I’m not so sure. Waitman averaged 58 yards per punt on three attempts while Johnston averaged 42.3 yards per punt on his three attempts. He also had two inside the 20 whereas Waitman had one.
Next Week: Quick turnaround as the Steelers will play the Panthers in Carolina on Thursday.
Photo courtesy steelers.com
