A weekly Steelers (and AFC North) links roundup.
It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for a weekly Steelers links roundup at BTSC. But first, let’s take a look around the AFC North:
- Ar’Darius Washington expected to return from torn Achilles this season (Baltimore Beatdown)
- Browns QB Joe Flacco: ‘Dude, I’m gonna win this job’ (Dawgs by Nature)
- Film Room: Dylan Fairchild is poised to upgrade the Bengals offensive line (Cincy Jungle)
Now, onto some Steelers news and discussion:
Steelers announce 2025 game themes
(From Steelers.com’s Teresa Varley): The excitement is growing for the 2025 season with the schedule filled with games against some of the NFL’s top opponents, as well as exciting themes and celebrations. One of the celebrations will be the 50th Anniversary of the Terrible Towel, with more details on that still to follow. But there are plenty of great activities fans can make their plans for now.
The fun will kick off in the preseason when the Steelers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Aug. 16. The game will be Steelers ‘Family Day’ as well as the ‘Play Football’ game.
The Steelers’ upcoming game themes, listed in the article, include events such as the annual Salute to Service game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 16, and the team’s Hall of Honor induction at halftime in the Steelers’ Monday Night Football matchup against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 15.
Cam Heyward Fires Back at Raiders Guard Jackson Powers Johnson
(From Steelers SI’s Jack Markowski): “I’d say playing against Cam Heyward and giving up my first sack — ever, in my entire life,” Powers-Johnson said. “I would have to say that. He didn’t beat me, I beat myself. I beat myself, I overset. And he got me, and said some choice words after, and I really hope he comes back for another year. That’s all I’m gonna say.”
Heyward didn’t let those comments go unheard, declaring that he beat Powers-Johnson on numerous occasions throughout their matchup outside of his quarterback takedown.
Heyward recorded one sack, four total tackles, and two quarterback hits in that 2024 matchup against the Raiders. Per the article, Powers-Johnson allowed just two sacks all season. The funniest part of the growing “beef” between the two players is that their two teams don’t even play each other in the upcoming regular season.
RB Kenneth Gainwell brings Super Bowl pedigree, 3rd-down mentality to Steelers
(From TribLive’s Chris Adamski): “I’m trying to bring in a winning attitude each and every day,” said Gainwell, a running back who was part of six postseason victories in nine tries with the Eagles since 2021. “The way I carry myself in a building, the way I come out here on the field and attack the work and just continue to grind each and every day and just bring an attitude of championship winning each and every day. And show these guys that it can be done.”
Gainwell rushed 75 times for 290 yards and one touchdown last season for the Eagles, adding 16 receptions for 116 yards and 18 kickoff returns for 456 yards.
Adamski mentions that Gainwell is joining a group of Steelers who won rings with other teams — including other former Eagles in Darius Slay and Isaac Seumalo, as well as former Rams Ben Skowronek and Robert Woods. That championship mentality is an important one to a locker room that hasn’t enjoyed a playoff victory in years.
Steelers CB Cory Trice reflects on struggles vs. Ja’Marr Chase — vows never to repeat them
(From Steelers Wire’s Andrew Vasquez): Steelers CB Cory Trice Jr. isn’t ready to let his Week 18 performance vs. Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase define who he is. … Courtesy of PennLive’s Nick Farabaugh, Trice explained that while some were proud of his performance, he wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes again:
“I’m used to letting up nothing. What happened there, it will never happen again.”
Chase ended that 2025 matchup with 10 receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown that he caught against Trice en route to a 19-17 Bengals win. Trice, who only appeared in six games in 2024, had his fair share of struggles against arguably the top receiver in the NFL.
What are your expectations for Cory Trice Jr. entering his third season?
My expectations would be higher if Trice had more than 193 defensive snaps under his belt over his first two years in the NFL. His talent has never been a question — but continued injury issues remain looming over his career. Trice has torn the ACL in each of his knees, and he landed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury last season.
The limited snaps we’ve seen from Trice have shown some promise, and with the team’s CB2 Darius Slay being a likely one-year rental at 34 years old, it would be great news for Pittsburgh if Trice develops into a long term starter opposite Joey Porter Jr.
But until Trice shows he can last an entire NFL season or two, I have a hard time getting too optimistic. For now, he remains an intriguing backup. Trice might be one of the more forgotten names on the Steelers roster right now, but until proven otherwise, cornerback remains a position of need for Pittsburgh, possibly this season and almost certainly beyond.
What are your thoughts on Steelers cornerback Cory Trice Jr.? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!