Wednesday, January 1

Happy New Year!

It's no secret: Linebacker T.J. Watt is the picture of consistency, winning the Steelers Most Valuable Player award for the fifth time in his career.

Watt felt honored to win the award, especially since it's something that comes from a direct vote from his teammates.

"It's awesome," said Watt. "It's a great honor that I don't take lightly. It matters most that the guys that see what I do each and every day, and to have it come from them means a lot to me."

While Watt is appreciative of the honor, he wants more. And it starts on Saturday night against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium.

He wants a win.

The Steelers have lost the last three games and turning it around is a key for Watt and the defense.

And he said the solution is the same thing he has been preaching as of late.

"We definitely have seen where a lot of mistakes are coming," said Watt. "It's like I've talked to you guys about the last couple weeks. It's just doing what sound defenses do, staying in your gap, doing your assignment, communicating, tackling.

"All those things that make defenses great. There's no secret."

The defense was on point in many of those areas leading up to the last few weeks, and Watt said it's simply getting away from some of that.

"I think it's just not doing things that make defenses good and sound defenses," said Watt. "Just all the basic things that are taught from day one on defense that we haven't been doing, that we were doing earlier in the season, along with not creating turnovers. Those things all go hand-in-hand."

Watt would like to have the issues they are seeing on defense corrected 'yesterday,' but knows it has to happen now.

"We're trying to get things corrected as quick as possible," said Watt. "We take this very seriously week in and week out. And obviously we're not happy with the performance that we've had.

"We have the talent. We have the coaching staff. We have the belief in this room that we can be a great defense, we can be a great team as a unit, and there's nothing left to talk about at this point.

"It's all about getting it done on the field and going from there."

It's all about emotion and passion: Safety DeShon Elliott is passionate about football.

He loves everything about the game, and with that love, can come frustration when you don't win.

And that came frustration came out following the Steelers loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in front of cameras in the postgame locker room.

While Elliott's passion hasn't changed, he did say he should have kept his feelings in house instead of airing things in the locker room.

Elliott talked about those emotions in the locker room on Wednesday.

"First, I want to say I probably shouldn't have said anything and kept things more in-house just because the respect of the guys in the locker room, the respect of the coaches," said Elliott. "But it was out of emotion. I love ball. Everyone knows that. I love these guys.

"But we just have to get back to the drawing board and we're doing that. We have an extra walk through in a couple of minutes. But we're just trying to work out the kinks, get back to playing Steelers football. I think we will. Especially this time of the year.

"Those couple of days we had off gave us the chance to refresh our brains, get back to the basics, and I think we'll be okay."

Coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that some of the frustration from the players comes from how much they care, and Elliott agrees.

"When guys are passionate about a game that we've been playing for so long, you don't prepare to lose, you prepare to win," said Elliott. "And when you don't win, things can get frustrating. We'll be all right. We all love each other. It's like when you argue with your brother, eventually you hash it out and get it get on the same page."

Getting on the same page and back to the basics involves multiple things, one of those being execution.

"If you are going to go out there and play ball, you have to go out there and execute," said Elliott. "It's not about the plays. It's not about what the coaches are going to put us in. It's about us executing things at a high level. And I think we have the guys do that. We've done that in the past. We're going to continue to do that as well."

Just for kicks: Kicker Chris Boswell is having one of his best seasons ever, connecting on 40 of 43 field goal attempts (93%). He has also been perfect on 33 extra point attempts.

"I don't pay too much mind. Just because I have been decent this year doesn't mean anything towards this next game," said Boswell. "I just got to do my best for the next kick and then we go from there after that. I don't really focus too much on the future or past, too high, too low. Just kind of swing away."

Boswell has made 12 field goals of 50 or more yards this season, with Coach Mike Tomlin never hesitating to put him out there in tough situations. While he appreciates the faith in him, he doesn't pay a lot of attention to the kicks he has already made, instead focusing on the one he needs to make next.

"I love the trust," said Boswell. "I've got to do my job and keep making them and keep building that trust. I've done a decent job of that this year. But, it's on to the next one."

Boswell was named the AFC Special teams Player of the Week for his Week 11 performance when he accounted for all the scoring in the Steelers 18-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens, hitting on six field goals, including three from 50 plus yards. Boswell became the first Steelers kicker to hit three field goals of 50 plus yards when he did so against the Falcons, and now is the only player to have done it twice as well. Boswell also won AFC Special teams Player of the Week in Week 1 against the Falcons, and AFC Special Teams Player of the Month in September and October.

He is currently four field goals away from tying the all-time record for field goals in a season, and five from breaking the record, a record set by David Akers in 2011 with 44 field goals.

Boswell said the only reason he is aware of the record is because he keeps hearing about it from others.

"I'm more aware of it because everyone else is talking about," said Boswell. "That has nothing to do with us getting a win this weekend or not. If we need four, cool. If we need zero and still win, perfectly fine with that."

Working his way back: Receiver Roman Wilson was among a trio of players who returned to the practice field this week, joining linebacker Cole Holcomb and defensive lineman Logan Lee.

While none of the three have been activated off injured lists yet, Wilson is happy to just have an opportunity to practice again after being on the Reserve/Injured List since Oct. 28.

"I feel good. Feeling really good out there," said Wilson. "Legs feeling well. It's been good so far.

"I feel really good. My body feels better than it's felt in a long time. Mentally, I can't really find a word for it. Just focused. Determined. I got a lot of expectations for myself and I've got a lot of things I've got to do to be able to reach those goals.

"It's a bit of adjustment. Not much, though. Obviously, I haven't practiced in a while. It's good getting back out there and getting my feet back and building every single day."

That has been Wilson's focus since the season began, improving every day. Whether it was on the field, in the classroom, film study, weight room, his goal has always been to continue to improve.

And that hasn't changed.

"For me, it's just finding a way to get better every day," said Wilson. "Climbing every single day trying to build on what I have and looking forward to what I can get for myself. Just keep building, keep getting better. Trusting the coaches. Trusting my teammates. Believe in myself and it'll be good."

Wilson, one of the team's third-round picks in 2024, was selected with the 84th overall pick. He played college football at Michigan where he appeared in 46 career games, finishing his career with 107 receptions for 1,707 yards and 20 touchdowns. In 2023 he appeared in 15 games, finishing with career highs with 48 receptions for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns.

He was inactive for six out of the first seven games this season, seeing action only in the Las Vegas Raiders game where he didn't have any receptions.

While he was on the Reserve/Injured List, he focused on ways he could improve, better himself both on and off the field

"Just building a good routine so when I get back, I can pick up better than where I left off," said Wilson. "Getting here early, trying to get here earlier than what I was doing before. I take care of my body at a higher level. Watching more film, talking to the coaches more, working on my craft more, getting in the weight room, fixing up my body, and a better plan for myself."

Schedule update: The NFL has released the date and time for the Steelers Week 18 game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium.

The game will be played on Saturday, January 4 at 8 p.m. The game will air on ABC/ESPN (WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh).

This will be the second time the two teams will face each other this season, the Steelers winning the Week 13 matchup, 44-38, at Paycor Stadium.

Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.

**Sign up today**.

Tuesday, December 31

Playing good ball: The hot topic in the Steelers locker room on Wednesday was a player who is one of the hottest in the NFL right now.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

Burrow, who won the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Bengals win over the Broncos this week, led the NFL in Week 17 with 412 yards passing, while throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for another.

Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward isn't surprised, as Burrow was hot when the two teams met in Week 13, a 44-38 Steelers win.

"He was on a heater when he played us. It's not like they didn't score 30 points," said Heyward. "I have a lot of respect for what they do on offense. They're able to get up and down the field.

"He's feeding those two beasts, (Tee) Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase. We have to force him into situations where they've got to take risks so we can get turnovers, get sacks. But it's a full-time job covering those guys."

The key for the Steelers defense is first stopping running back Chase Brown, who could be impacted by an ankle injury he suffered against the Broncos. Brown is closing in on 1,000 yards for the season, with 229 carries for 990 yards.

Heyward understands that if you stop the run, you can force them into third-and-long situations and that is going to be a must.

"First and second down are huge," said Heyward. "Chase Brown really goes under the radar. I know he got nicked up, but he's probably going to play, I think. Just look at their team and I think he was at around 900 some yards. He's had success for them and making the defense respect the run and then, throwing overtop or throwing across the middle. You've got Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase, and they're explosive. If we can't stop the run, it just opens everything up."

And for the Steelers, everything is opened up right now. The team has the opportunity to win the AFC North with a little bit of help. If the Cleveland Browns defeat the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday in a game that begins at 4:30 p.m., and the Steelers defeat the Bengals on Saturday night, the Steelers would clinch the division.

If the Ravens win, though, the stakes wouldn't be as high in the standings, but they would be high just the same and Heyward will approach it the same way no matter what.

"For me, and I think for a lot of guys in here, hopefully the whole team, it's about just playing good ball," said Heyward. "We've got to get back on good footing, play with good technique. We control what we can control.

"I think going forward, ball just needs to be played the right way. It doesn't matter what happens outside of our stadium. We understand we're in the playoffs. So just focus on what we've got to focus on."

The right mentality: Linebacker Elandon Roberts is focused on one thing this week.

The Cincinnati Bengals.

Because he knows quite simply, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and company demand his full attention.

The Bengals are on a four-game winning streak since the Steelers defeated them, 44-38, in Week 13 and Burrow is playing some of his best football of the season.

"Man, they are rolling," said Roberts. "After we played them, they hit their stride. They're rolling. They're playing complementary football.

"Joe, he's out there doing Joe like things. It's going to be a 60-minute game."

The Bengals are fighting for a playoff spot, and Burrow is coming off a three-touchdown game where he completed 39 passes for 412 yards in a win over the Denver Broncos. Burrow also can move around in the pocket to find an open guy, and if needed take it himself for a first down.

"I think he's controlling what he can control," said Roberts. "When it's time for him to be Joe, he is Joe. But at the same time, I think their offense is playing very complementary.

"Obviously, he has talent from an arm perspective and stuff like that. But this guy's an athlete. He's one of the top guys in the league for a reason. I think when he needs to be mobile, he does a very good job of using that to his advantage."

Burrow is the latest in a string of 'top guys in the league' the Steelers have faced the last few weeks, including Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

"We played some elite quarterbacks and obviously we've got another one coming up this week," said Roberts. "They are different in their own way, but at the end of the day, they're the top guys in the league and it'll be another week for us to really just hone in and take it one play at a time."

That one play at a time mentality is something Roberts knows is a key to get the defense back to where they want to be and create splash plays.

"Just playing within your defense, taking it one play at a time and stuff like that, splash will come," said Roberts. "We just need to hone in on taking it one play at a time, every down at a time and stuff like this.

"Take it one play at a time. Just keep it at that. Take it one play at a time. Continue to keep the noise out because noise can create things that you know are bigger than what it is. So just doing that, you'll be all right."

Happy to be back: There were some familiar faces back on the field for the Steelers on Tuesday, as linebacker Cole Holcomb, defensive lineman Logan Lee and receiver Roman Wilson returned to practice today but remain on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List (Holcomb) and Reserve/Injured List (Lee and Wilson).

Holcomb suffered a season-ending injury last season against the Tennessee Titans and had been working continuously to get back on the field.

Today was exactly what he was waiting for.

"I felt like a little kid on the first day of school," said Holcomb. "I had all the emotions. Anxious, nervous, excited, all of it.

"But once we got going, I was like, I got it. I was good."

Holcomb said it wasn't easy getting back on the field, but he knew it wouldn't be. He just had to keep pushing himself, something he never stopped doing.

"Nobody is going to push you," said Holcomb. "You have to do it yourself."

Holcomb's teammates have seen how hard he has worked and were thrilled to have him back on the field.

"I saw him suit up in pads before practice and I was like, 'Yeah, Cole,'" said linebacker Alex Highsmith. "I know he's been through a lot. He's worked so hard this past year to get back on the field. It's awesome seeing him get back out there.

"To see how hard he has worked is a true testament to him and everything he has done. Seeing him back out on the field is awesome."

Lee, one of the team's sixth-round draft picks in 2024, was placed on the Reserve/Injured List before the start of the season. He too has been working to get back on the field, and said it felt good to be back.

"I think it's huge being able to have a few weeks to be able to get some practice," said Lee. "It's always good to be able to work on the fundamentals, and when you're out on the sideline, you're only hitting bags that don't move. When people start moving it changes things a little bit."

Show support for Larry: Larry Ogunjobi is the Steelers 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee and fans can help him win the Charity Challenge.

Fans are once again encouraged to participate in Nationwide's annual Charity Challenge, a social media and online contest that allows fans to show support for their favorite Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee. Fans can vote on X (formerly Twitter) by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with the last name/X handle of their chosen nominee or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The nominee who receives the most collective hashtag mentions and online votes will win an additional $35,000 donation from Nationwide to the charity of their choice, with the runner-up receiving $10,000 and the third-place winner receiving $5,000. Charity Challenge voting takes place from Thursday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Jan. 6.

Beginning Week 14 and continuing through the end of the season, each of this year's nominees, including Ogunjobi, will wear a special Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the field.

Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.

**Sign up today**.

Monday, December 30

Time to bounce back: When you lose three games in a row, it's not a good feeling.

And Coach Mike Tomlin even referred to it as a 'stench' that the team has to get rid of.

Getting rid of that stench officially starts on Saturday night against the Cincinnati Bengals, in the regular season finale before the Steelers head into the postseason.

Linebacker Alex Highsmith knows it's something that needs done, and something the team can do, starting in practice this week.

"It's just putting our head down and working, trusting the guys in this locker room because we know we have a very talented team, a great team," said Highsmith. "We've just got to trust each other. Trust that everyone's going to do what they've got to do.

"I love being part of this group and I know we're going to bounce back. It's a huge week for us to bounce back and it starts tomorrow in practice. We've just got to put our heads down and work.

"I think that's just been the message, just to put our heads down and work and continue to get better.

"I think it's important. We need to get this three-game losing stench off us. Just have the momentum going to the playoffs. You see a lot of teams who are successful in the playoffs and are winning going towards the playoffs. We've just got to be playing our best ball during this time.

"So, this Saturday is going to be a huge step for us to take."

The Steelers want to be a team on a roll heading into the postseason, and in order to do that, it must start against the Bengals.

"We know how important this game is just to get momentum going into the playoffs," said Highsmith. "We know that we have to win this game to get some momentum going into the playoffs.

"That's all we can do at this point. We've just got to control what we can control and that's winning games.

"We've just got to rally around each other in this locker room and know the guys that we have in this locker room, the talent that we have. We've got the team to do it. It's just in practice being really detailed in every single snap, even if you're not in, just be locked in mentally on the sidelines and just be really detailed in practice."

Because they care: Linebacker Patrick Queen cares.

A lot.

And what he cares about most, it's simple.

Winning.

Queen knows that sometimes that passion, that caring can lead to frustration when things aren't going how you want them to, which has been the case for the Steelers the last few games.

Some of that frustration seeped over into postgame comments following the Christmas Day loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but like Coach Mike Tomlin said during his weekly press conference, and Queen confirmed, it's because they care.

"I won't speak for anybody, I'll just speak for me personally, I do care a lot," said Queen. "I care. I know what this team can be. I know what this defense can be with the players that we've got.

"Anytime you see anything going on, it's just because we care. It's never personal. It's never trying to be a sore thumb. It's just us going out there because we really care, we really want to win. We know how good our defense can be. We know how good this team can be if our defense is at a high level."

Queen said the solution to being the defense and the team he knows they are capable of is right in front of them.

"Guys just have to do their job," said Queen. "You just have to want to do it. It's that simple. Especially if you want to be great. That is what it's going to take.

"I think everybody wants to be great. I just think we all have to lock in.

"Going out there playing a complete game. Taking the ball away. Not turning the ball over and special teams doing what they do. I think it's that simple.

"If we go out there and execute on all levels, we do our job, we communicate loud and just making sure that we're all aware on the field at all times and just going out there having fun. I think that's the biggest thing to us getting back on the right foot."

Getting back on the right foot needs to start this week against the Cincinnati Bengals for the team to get that feeling back before they head into the postseason, where everything is on the line.

"Everybody has got to realize what's at stake," said Queen. "Understand it's one and done. There's no room for error. No mistakes. You got to go out there, have a complete game and the best way to practice that is this week.

"I think we're anxious to get back out there and just play like how we're supposed to be playing. That's the biggest thing, just going out there and showcasing it to whole world on Saturday night.

"We've just got to go out there and play our game. I know these guys in here can't wait. I can't wait. We'll see."

Attacking the week: It doesn't take much for rookie Mason McCormick to know that the Steelers need to do to get back on track this week against the Cincinnati Bengals.

"We've got to attack this week," said McCormick. "That's what we can do. I think guys are ready to attack the week.

"We've got a big game this week and it's what we can control. So, I think that's just what we do."

McCormick knows the last few games haven't been the type of performance the Steelers know they are capable of, and there is no better time than this week to show what they are made of.

"We're going to be locked in and we're going to be ready to go," said McCormick. "Obviously, you want to go into the playoffs on a win. That's what we can control, and we've just got to go out there and we've got to execute.

"You've got to just attack this week and we have to grow. We have to be better. Obviously, we didn't get the job done, and we want to moving forward."

The Steelers and Bengals are two teams that are familiar with each other, with the Steelers defeating the Bengals, 44-38, in Week 13. But the Bengals have won the last four games since, and McCormick knows it's going to be a different look.

"I feel like every game is different," said McCormick. "Obviously, the Bengals are playing really good football right now. We have a big task this week and I think the guys are excited to get back into it."

Schedule update: The NFL has released the date and time for the Steelers Week 18 game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium.

The game will be played on Saturday, January 4 at 8 p.m. The game will air on ABC/ESPN (WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh).

This will be the second time the two teams will face each other this season, the Steelers winning the Week 13 matchup, 44-38, at Paycor Stadium.

Quarterback Russell Wilson had his best day in black and gold, completing 29 of 38 passes for 414 yards and three touchdowns, after getting off to a rough start when he threw a pick-six to Cam Britt-Taylor for the Bengals first score.

Wilson connected with 10 different receivers, with Najee Harris pulling in six receptions for 54 yards and 16 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Pat Freiermuth also had six receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown, while George Pickens had three receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown.

Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.

**Sign up today**.