Daily News & Links: Steelers-Commanders Picks; Steelers Midseason Grade

Chris Ward |

Updated: Nov 7, 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson in a game against the New York Giants on Oct. 28, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

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? NFL.com released its Steelers-Commanders preview for Sunday. Seven of the 10 analyst on the panel have the Steelers winning.

? Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk thinks the Steelers nailed it with the Mike Williams trade.

“They’re not gonna mortgage the future. They’re not gonna give up more than they want. They’re content not to do the deal. And if the deal works, the deal works,” Florio said on 93.7 The Fan. “And I think it worked out well for them. I think Mike Williams in that offense, given what we’ve seen from Russell Wilson throwing the ball to not just George Pickens but the other receivers, it’s a clear number two.”

? Yahoo Sports gave the Steelers an A for their midseason grade.

Yahoo Sports gives the Steelers an A for their ‘Midseason Grade.’ #Steelers #NFL https://t.co/UdpgecfEhQ pic.twitter.com/f4iaVOunKN

— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) November 7, 2024

? Carmen Vitali of Fox Sports thinks the Steelers can make some noise in the playoffs.

“If you can get some more production, you can see a real playoff playoff run,” Vitali said.

The Steelers had their second highest offensive grade of the season last week against the Giants 🔥

Listen to the full week 10 preview now🔻
🍎: https://t.co/9TSuNqwq0F
🎧: https://t.co/52h2dHhLo1 pic.twitter.com/oR8Ri9PjQ7

— PFF NFL Podcast (@PFFNFLPod) November 6, 2024

? Jeremy Fowler of ESPN said the Steelers checked in on Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf prior to the NFL trade deadline.

“I believe Pittsburgh was one of the teams to check on Seattle’s D.K. Metcalf, which was a nonstarter for the Seahawks,” Fowler said. “The Steelers also looked into potentially trading for the Giants’ Darius Slayton. This comes on the heels of a near deal for Christian Kirk before his injury and attempts to acquire Davante Adams and Brandon Aiyuk. After an exhaustive search, the Steelers were determined to walk away with help at a key position.”

? Mike Tomlin and Commanders head coach Dan Quinn have a long history together. Tomlin was a senior defensive back at William & Mary in 1994, Quinn then joined the Tribe as a new defensive line coach. In 1995, Tomlin began his coaching career at VMI. Quinn also landed at VMI in 1995 as a defensive line coach.

“It’s so high and it really starts with Mike, and he’s somebody that I’ve known more years than half of my life,” Quinn said of his respect for the Steelers and Tomlin.

“So, my first year of coaching was Mike’s senior year of playing, and we’ve remained good friends ever since that time. We actually coached together for a year after that, his first year of coaching in my second, but he’s just somebody I admire a lot. You’ve heard me talk a lot about identity and what that looks like and I think Mike stands for that. His team stands for that. So, not many people regard higher as a coach and as a man than Mike. So, I feel the toughness of him through their team and it’s a good group.”

? Bucky Brooks raved about the Preston Smith trade by the Steelers.

“How about Preston Smith going to the Pittsburgh Steelers? The reason why I love this trade is because the Steelers were able to build strength on strength,” Brooks said. “Bringing Preston Smith over gives them a veteran. You now throw Smith into the rotation with T.J. Watt. You have Alex Highsmith. You have the ability to always have a fresh pass rusher going after quarterbacks in a division that should be very contested. They now have some heavyweights on their front line. Preston Smith gives them another veteran that can get it done. I love the bookend potential of what the Steelers have with those three guys being able to rotate in.”