Five Takeaways From The Steelers Preseason Loss
In what was potentially the most forgettable football game of all time, the Bills toppled the Steelers 9-3 in week two of the NFL preseason. The game was boring. Josh Allen didn’t play for the Bills while TJ Watt sat for the Steelers. No need for those guys to get injured out there.
The Steelers might be 0-2 in the preseason, but as Steelers fans learned from last year’s preseason, it means nothing. The Steelers shouldn’t feel the need to hit the panic button this early on, but the starters should get some good playing time in the final preseason game next week against the Detroit Lions as they need more time to gel. Before that, here’s what we learned from the loss to Buffalo.
5. No Love Lost For Mitch Trubisky
Mitch Trubisky spent two forgettable seasons with the Steelers, falling into the weird relationship that was him, Kenny Pickett, and Mason Rudolph. Trubisky even said that the three still have a group chat together. In his short tenure in Pittsburgh, Trubisky played just 12 games, throwing eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions, with a starting record of 2-5.
With Josh Allen sitting out this week, Trubisky got the start in his old home and the boos rang throughout Acrisure Stadium when the Bills took the field. Just as they booed him when Kenny Pickett took his place, they booed him even harder in his return. He looked in midseason form out there, completing nine passes for 86 yards and one interception. Thanks for the memories, Mitch.
4. Steeler's Deepest LB Room In A Long Time
Steelers fans got their first look at Patrick Queen in week two of the preseason where he made two solo tackles. Mark Robinson made four solo tackles and added a tackle for loss. Elandon Roberts made three tackles. Payton Wilson got in on two tackles as well before exiting the game with a concussion. Long story short, the Steelers have depth in the linebacker room for the first time in a long time.
The Steelers also have Tyler Matakevich back there and Cole Holcomb if he can come back at any point. If Holcomb can return to any kind of form he was in before his gruesome leg injury, the Steelers have a weapon of a linebacker room.
3. The Offensive Line Looked Suspect
Unfortunately for Broderick Jones, the Steelers have spent his short time in Pittsburgh switching him around the two tackle positions and it’s not good for the kid. It’s Kevin Dotson all over again.
The Dan Moore experiment needs to come to an end in Pittsburgh. Let Jones and Troy Fautanu handle the heavy lifting out there and let Jones get comfortable, preferably on the left side. Russell Wilson got sacked three times and Justin Fields got snatched once himself.
2. Receiver Help Is Needed
Nobody has any idea what’s going on in the latest episode of the Brandon Aiyuk saga. The Steelers seem to still be in play, but if it isn’t going to happen it’s time to look in a new direction. There might not be a ton of talent out there right now, but give it a week or so and they could find some guys that got cut.
The Steelers’ other options could include reaching out to Michael Thomas. He spent the last seven seasons with the Saints but is looking for a new home. Thomas has been banged up with injuries the past couple of seasons but could be a good, low-risk signing. Juju Smith-Schuster is also a free agent if the Steelers are in a reunion mood.
1. Cameron Johnston Is That Dude
This might sound silly to many people, but after the inconsistent job the last punter did, Steelers fans are pumped about the newly signed Cameron Johnston. In week two of the preseason, Johnston put on a clinic.
He started the night with a 49-yard punt and capped it with a 45-yarder, but it’s in between that’s the good stuff, just like an Oreo. He boomed a 61, 64, and 65-yard punt on the night, putting the Steelers defense in a good spot. Special teams are important!
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