The Pittsburgh Steelers' preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers showcased a mix of promising performances and areas for improvement. Here's a breakdown of the winners and losers from the game, with a heavy dose of personal commentary and analysis.
Winners
Asante Samuel Jr.: The Ball-Skills Cornerback
Asante Samuel Jr. had a strong performance, breaking up two passes and showcasing his ball-skills. His ability to get his head around and make plays on the football is impressive. Samuel is not just an excellent depth player but also a potential sub-package role player who can open up the season. His performance this summer and his fully healthy status give him an edge over Joey Porter Jr., who is dealing with a back injury and contract holdout.
Germie Bernard: The Reliable Receiver
Bernard had an impressive debut, showing a good feel for zone coverage, reliable hands, and strength with multiple broken tackles. He created a lot of YAC on a reception from QB Mason Rudolph, generating buzz and proving that he's a 'gamer' who can come alive in games. Bernard's performance is a welcome surprise after a less-than-inspiring training camp.
Will Howard: The Precise Passer
Howard's first in-stadium action since January 2025 was a success. He demonstrated touch and accuracy on layered throws, marching the Steelers downfield with precision. Howard's performance in the two-minute drill was particularly impressive, as he came close to his first passing touchdown but was initially ruled short after a review. His fourth-down completion to WR Ben Skowronek and two-minute score showcase his ability to lead the team in crucial moments.
Lew Nichols: The Hard-Charging Running Back
Nichols continues to impress with his hard-charging style of play. He pushes the pile forward and gets yards after contact, including a key fourth-down conversion. Nichols' performance, despite a touchdown run being called back on a hold, shows his overall effectiveness. He also played over Kaleb Johnson, indicating that he's making a strong case for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Ben Skowronek & Robert Tonyan: The Key Catchers
Skowronek and Tonyan made crucial catches, with Skowronek converting an early third-down and Tonyan getting open in the two-minute drill. Skowronek's special teams value and Tonyan's continued improvement make them key contributors to the team's success.
Yahya Black & Gabiel Rubio: Solid Run Defense
Black and Rubio played solid run defense, with Black beating his block and Rubio two-gapping to take away the inside lane. Their performances were promising, and further evaluation with the All-22 footage will provide a clearer picture of their potential.
Kaden Wetjen: The Explosive Return Man
Wetjen flashed his talent as a return man, breaking multiple tackles on kick and punt returns. His long catch and run on QB Drew Allar's first pass showcased his ability to turn short completions into big plays. Wetjen's performance as a returner and his on-time, accurate throws as a passer make him a valuable asset to the team.
Drew Allar: The Accurate Passer
Allar's performance was impressive, with accurate throws and big plays. His first completion was nearly a touchdown, and he finished the game with a touchdown pass to rookie FB Riley Nowakowski. Allar's timing and accuracy in the short and intermediate game address concerns from his college tape, making him a strong contender for the starting quarterback role.
Daylen Everette: The Competitive Cornerback
Everette held his own despite not having a loud performance. He filled and fit the run and was competitive in coverage, showcasing his potential as a rookie. Further evaluation with the All-22 footage will provide a clearer picture of his overall performance.
Jamin Davis: The Improving Edge Rusher
Davis has looked miscast as an outside linebacker but showed positive plays, including defending the boot game and making a tackle in the flat. His sack in the fourth quarter and split with Kyler Baugh indicate that he's making progress. While he's not on track to make the 53-man roster, his performance is a step in the right direction.
Losers
Discipline & Penalties: The Sloppy Mistakes
The Steelers' discipline and penalties were a major issue, with 11 penalties for 143 yards. False starts, late hits, and special teams penalties, including an unnecessary roughness call on WR Ben Skowronek, frustrated even Art Rooney II. The team has a lot of work to do to clean up these mistakes and improve their overall performance.
Kaleb Johnson: The Unsnapped Running Back
Johnson didn't log a single offensive snap in the first half, even with Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle sitting out. His limited touches and lack of yardage indicate that he's struggling to fit into Mike McCarthy's scheme. With Eli Heidenreich closing the game out, Johnson's chances of making the 53-man roster are looking slim.
Troy Fautanu: The Penalty-Prone Offensive Lineman
Fautanu allowed some pressure off the edge and picked up penalties, including false starts. While there's context for some of the plays, his performance as a left tackle after shifting from right tackle needs improvement. Fautanu will need to have better days ahead to prove his worth.
In summary, the Steelers' preseason opener provided a mix of positive performances and areas for improvement. The team has a lot of work to do to clean up their discipline and penalties, but the winners showcased their potential and the losers will need to step up their game to secure a spot on the 53-man roster.
