Asked and answered: Oct. 24

MIKE ROBEY FROM TILTONSVILLE, OH: The Steelers have a quarterback conundrum. Neither will be in the squad in 2025. Do we exchange one for the correct return by November 5th, and if so, which one? By waiting we may not risk getting anything in return as both are free agents at the end of this season.
ANSWER: I disagree with your post in many ways. First, there is currently no way to know whether Russell Wilson and Justin Fields will be on the Steelers' roster in 2025. As of this writing, both have the potential to become unrestricted free agents in March 2025, but you unequivocally saying that neither will return is a wild guess. Maybe both want to return and the Steelers have a choice to make. Maybe they both want to return and the Steelers will keep them both. But that's next year, and since the idea is to win some playoff games this year, what sense does it make to trade either Wilson or Fields? And how much do you think a team would be willing to give for a player who could become an unrestricted free agent in March? A late third-day draft pick? Come on. You're better than that.

ANDREW TRAPP FROM WEST MIFFLIN, PA: The retro uniforms with block numbers always draw a lot of calls to make them permanent. Do you see that ever happening, or does the team prefer to keep them for “special occasions”?
ANSWER: In my opinion, the “special occasion” atmosphere has some value as fans look forward to games when the block jerseys are to be worn – and the combination with the gray face masks adds a touch more electricity – and I can feel it me too. The players like the look. The same goes for the “Color Rush” jerseys the Steelers announced for Monday night’s game against the New York Giants. Here’s what Pat Freiermuth said to Teresa Varley about Color Rush: “It’s a great uniform . Plus, all black makes a great uniform.

ERIC SCHIER FROM DOWNINGTOWN, PA: I liked what Russell Wilson did in his debut. Of course he's not as mobile, but he expands the field and makes better decisions. However, I would like them to use Justin Fields inside the 10 yard line. His ability to run in that space would provide an additional threat and increase their chances of scoring a touchdown. Is this too unconventional for the Steelers?
ANSWER: Within-game packages for Justin Fields are in the future in my opinion, but Russell Wilson is one of the highest-rated red zone quarterbacks in the NFL. In 2023, with the Broncos, Wilson ranked fifth in the NFL in red zone touchdown passes and threw just one red zone interception in his 60 attempts. Again, I believe the Steelers plan to use Fields in some capacity in the 10 games following their departure, but the idea that they need an alternative to Wilson at quarterback in the red zone is false.

STEVEN APESOS FROM MILFORD, OH: You wrote after the win over the Jets that with Russell Wilson, the Steelers now have the potential to develop the offense they need for the next 11 games. I would guess part of that development is finding plays to utilize Justin Fields in red zone situations. Are these some of the changes you expect?
ANSWER: As I explained in the previous answer, Russell Wilson was very well in the red statistically. A few more details: In 2023, Wilson had 16 touchdown passes in the red zone, completed 70.2 percent of his passes and only threw 1 interception in that area of ​​the field. Wilson's legs may not be the weapon that Fields is, but if you look back to the fourth quarter against the Jets – Wilson threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Van Jefferson on a third-down play where he had a good pre- He quickly surveyed the defense and made a prescient and accurate throw against a defense that seemed to expect the ball to go to George Pickens. What I mean is that we are able to develop the type of offense that the Steelers will need over the course of this season.

LARRY HART FROM DAHLONEGA, GA: When the members of the 1974 Steelers Super Bowl team were introduced at halftime of the Jets game Sunday night, Terry Bradshaw was conspicuously absent. Do you know why?
ANSWER: Terry Bradshaw will be part of the FOX Sports NFL Pregame Show and will remain until the end of the game at 4:30 p.m. to participate in all post-game preparations. Typically everything is shot in Century City, California, where the FOX studio is located. With pre-show prep and makeup and all that, it's going to be a very long day at the office. I don't think it was physically possible for Bradshaw to be there.

Here is a list of the players from the 1974 Super Bowl Champions who were introduced at halftime of the October 20 game against the New York Jets:

QB Terry Hanratty, PK Roy Gerela, HB Rocky Bleier, CB Dick Conn, SS Mike Wagner, CB JT Thomas, FS Glen Edwards, SS Donnie Shell, HB Frenchy Fuqua, LB Ed Bradley, WR Frank Lewis, FB Kamal Salaam-El ( formerly Reggie Harrison), CB Mel Blount, LT Jon Kolb, RT Gordon Gravelle, RG Gerry Mullins, G Rick Druschel, T Dave Reavis, DT Charles Davis, WR John Stallworth, TE Randy Grossman, WR Reggie Garrett, TE Larry Brown, WR Lynn Swann and DT Joe Greene.

Also in attendance: FB Franco Harris was represented by his wife Dana and son Dok; LB Andy Russell was represented by his wife, Cindy; Representing C Mike Webster was his wife, Pam; LB Marv Kellum's representative was his son Wes; and DE Dwight White was represented by his daughter Stacey.

THOMAS HUZELLA FROM ALEXANDRIA, VA: Given that both Najee Harris and Justin Fields have fifth-year options, do you think the Steelers would consider making a long-term proposal to either player before the end of this season to submit?
ANSWER: The deadline to exercise the five-year options on the contracts of Najee Harris and Justin Fields, both selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, expired in May. And again – but for the very last time I will address the same issue of negotiating player contracts during the regular season – the Steelers will not violate their own rules by negotiating player contracts during the season.

BILL JACKSON FROM WOONSOCKET, RI: When the Steelers blocked a field goal attempt during the Jets game, why didn't they take possession of the ball at the original line of scrimmage?
ANSWER: The rule is that if a field goal is missed, the opponent takes possession of the ball at the point of the kick and not at the line of scrimmage. The field goal attempt blocked by Dean Lowry went beyond the original line of scrimmage and was therefore treated like any other missed field goal attempt.

CARYL MANISCALCO FROM TONOPAH, NV: This is about figuring it out without knowing where else to go. When Beanie Bishop was interviewed after the Jets game, he was asked what he would do with the two intercepted footballs. Bishop said: “I'm going to ask Aaron Rodgers to sign them.” Can you find out if he asked? And if so, did Rodgers show athleticism and class by signing her?
ANSWER: Beanie Bishop has said that he has some connections between the players on the Jets' roster, and his plan is to reach out to them and see if they could reach out to Rodgers about his attempt at one or both to help get the footballs signed.

ROD KEEFER FROM EDMOND, OK: The Steelers' injury-plagued offensive line suddenly looks deep and more than adequately effective. It was great to see Ryan McCullum step in and show what he can do in the middle. In your opinion, is Dan Moore Jr. having a Pro Bowl-caliber season so far?
ANSWER: I am unable to evaluate Dan Moore Jr.'s play compared to the other left tackles in the AFC to make an intelligent prediction about whether his play to date is worthy of Pro Bowl recognition. But earning it and getting the necessary votes are two different things. What I mean by that is that there were only three offensive tackles selected to the AFC squad in the last Pro Bowl, and as Tunch Ilkin always said about things like this, “Guys usually leave a year after they've earned it.” , and one elected.” year longer than they deserve. I believe Moore was the best offensive tackle on the Steelers roster in 2024.

JOE WERNER FROM WEST HENRIETTA, NY: Since the team has both indoor and outdoor practice facilities available, does Mike Tomlin have set protocols for when practice takes place indoors or outdoors? For example, if this week's game is played outdoors, do training sessions always take place outdoors? Or is it more of a fluid situation, depending on where the most productive work can be done on a given day.
ANSWER: Coach Mike Tomlin prefers to train on grass whenever possible because he believes it is a way to protect the players' bodies. He is not afraid of rain, but thunderstorms are a no-no, and he is not afraid to exercise outside on the grass when it gets cold, unless the cold affects his grip.