Week 17 Blog: Buying in

The Steelers
25 Dec 2025, 06:23 GMT+10

Teresa Varley

Wednesday, December 24

Buying in:The Steelers run defense has battened down the hatches the last few weeks, shutting down some dynamic runners on a consistent basis.

It was an area they talked about for weeks, always putting stopping the run first and foremost.

"I think there's a buy-in," said defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. "It hasn't been what it's supposed to be. But it's about addressing that each week and understanding the opponent.

"Three or four weeks ago, we knew it was going to be a run challenge just trying to get to the point where we're at.

"But the job's not done yet."

Heyward aid he doesn't know if something changed or not internally, or just more of a mindset and guys simply doing their jobs.

"I think if you want to win games, you have to make teams one dimensional," said Heyward. "Guys getting healthy at the right time, other guys stepping up in those moments.

"And it's a collective believing in that."

Among those who did step up later were the outside linebackers. With T.J. Watt missing time because of his lung, and Nick Herbig with his hamstring, it was Alex Highsmith, Jack Sawyer and Jeremiah Moon who held down the fort against the Lions.

"(They) flew downhill," said Heyward. "You watch Jack and Alex, the way they played this past week. Just attacked everything. And if they're going to block you one-on-one in the run game or pass, you've got to make plays."

Watt's status for this week against the Browns is still up in the air, but as Coach Mike Tomlin noted on Tuesday during his weekly press conference he is back in the building with the guys.

And whether he is on the field or not, his presence is noticed.

"He provides a lot of knowledge," said Heyward. "It's something not a lot of people talk about, but T.J. is a student of the game. When you share stuff with the outside linebackers, with the group, it just heightens our awareness."

And if there is one thing that is heightened right now, it's the team's awareness of what they still need to accomplish. A year ago, they finished the season on a four-game losing streak. This year, they want to continue to change that narrative.

"Haven't gotten too high or too low," said Heyward. "Understanding this game, you want to get high at the right time. I feel like we're doing that.

"It's not overlooking opponents. It's locking in, understanding it's a team effort. It's not one man doing a job. And we don't care who gets the credit.

"I think the main thing about this group is it's an unselfish group that really thrives on everybody's having success."

Long-time fan:Following the Steelers win over the Detroit Lions, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward presented Coach Mike Tomlin with a game ball, honoring his 200th overall win, combining regular and postseason.

The win also secured the 19th non-losing season for Tomlin, the second longest streak to Hall of Fame Coach Tom Landry, who had 21 non-losing seasons.

Seeing Tomlin receive the game ball likely meant a lot to his players, even ones who haven't been around him that long, like running back Kenneth Gainwell.

"I've been a fan of Coach T ever since I was a kid," said Gainwell. "He's one of the coaches I've wanted to play football for a long time. And just to see 19 seasons, 19 non-losing seasons, that's a long record to hold as a coach.

"It was just amazing to see him smile, getting that ball, and us cheering him on. It was amazing.

"He's a great coach, and he'll bring in dawgs to come in and do exactly what we need to do to get a win this season. And I'm happy for him."

Tomlin has been the driving force behind the Steelers fight in 'December football,' always preaching the importance of games this time of year and it's paying off.

"I see that every day, and every time we go in meetings, that's the number one goal we talk about," said Gainwell. "I just think winning in December will lead into January and January leading into February."

Talk is good, but:Last week linebacker Patrick Queen talked about the defense getting together with coordinator Teryl Austin to talk things out, open the lines of communication more.

And some of that conversation was aided by Coach Mike Tomlin.

"Patrick is a heck of a player, but being the defensive quarterback is a new role for him," said Tomlin. "He didn't have that responsibility, although he was a significant player for the Ravens. Roquan (Smith) had those responsibilities.

"So, it's my job as a leader to help guys grow where necessary, and certainly identified that as a space of growth for him. It's really got nothing to do with playing. It's about absorbing the responsibility or the informal responsibility that comes with being defensive quarterback.

"To his credit, he's not been resistant in any way and he's embraced the challenges. I'm pretty transparent in challenging him in that way. But it's been a fun process. I like being a part of someone's individual growth and development, particularly the development of a leader. There is benefit for him and benefit for the collective when you pour into that."

While the play of the defense as of late might be a small side effect of that conversation, it certainly isn't the only aspect.

"I think I could point to a lot of things that's a component of that," said Tomlin. "We have established some more stability within the unit over this journey. We absorbed a lot of attrition, acquired new players that weren't with us in training camp, et cetera.

"So. to attribute that would be a stretch. There are many variables and layers to that discussion."

Making moves:The Steelers signed receiver Brandon Johnson to the practice squad. In a related move the team released defensive lineman Kyler Baugh.

Johnson spent time on the Steelers practice squad during the 2024 season Johnson was elevated for the Week 7 game against the New York Jets and the Week 8 game against the New York Giants. He was with the Steelers throughout the offseason and into training camp.

Johnson originally signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent time on the practice squad and active roster over two seasons. He also spent time on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad this year.

Johnson has played in 23 games, starting three, and has 26 receptions for 335 yards and five touchdowns. He played in 13 games in 2023, pulling in 19 receptions for 284 yards and four touchdowns for the Broncos.

Johnson played college football at the University of Central Florida.

Give him your support:Linebacker Alex Highsmith understands the impact he can have in the community.

He knows the platform he has been entrusted with to touch the lives of others.

And he has taken advantage of it, making a significant difference in the communities that matter the most to him.

Through the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation, he has opened his arms and his heart to three places that are important to him, including Pittsburgh, his hometown of Wilmington, N.C., and Charlotte, N.C., where he played college football.

He uses his work in his foundation to empower the next generation through fitness, education and community.

And that is why Highsmith is the Steelers Club Winner for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, presented by Nationwide. Every team selects a player as the Club Winner for the award, and the overall winner is announced at NFL Honors ahead of the Super Bowl.

"I am so humbled, honored, and grateful to be the Steelers' nominee for this year's Walter Payton Man of The Year," said Highsmith. "I truly believe that God has given me this platform to be a blessing to others, especially in the communities that I love. Walter Payton is one of the best football players of all time, but his true impact and legacy is felt today through the way he lifted up his community. I'm grateful to be able to make an impact off the field like he did.

"I believe that my purpose in life is to bring glory to God by serving others. He gave me this platform for that reason. To be a light and to serve others through the love of Christ. I love what I get to do on the field, but what I do off the field to make a positive impact in my community will always be most important to me."

Fans can help Highsmith's charity, the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation, through Nationwide's Charity Challenge.

Voting for the Charity Challenge runs through Jan. 5, with winner announced on Jan. 7.

Fans have the option to vote online or via X.

- Vote directly at NFL.com/manoftheyear.

- Post #WPMOYChallenge on X along with Highsmith's full name: #WPMOYChallenge Alex Highsmith

- All votes count twice during Double Vote Days on Tuesday, December 16 and Friday, January 2.

- Nationwide will donate $35,000, $10,000, and $5,000 to the nonprofit organizations designated by the first, second, and third-place finishers, respectively.

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 22

Something special:Special teams ace Ben Skowronek finished first in the fan voting for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, and while the Pro Bowl Games roster has yet to be announced, he doesn't take the love from the fans for granted.

"It's cool," said Skowronek. "It's something I've had as my goal, to be All-Pro, a Pro Bowl guy, so it's cool.

"I just want to keep winning. That's cooler to me."

Skowronek said the love Coach Mike Tomlin gives to special teams is something that means a lot too, knowing the head coach puts a huge emphasis on it.

"It's in the limelight to Mike Tomlin," said Skowronek. "Every Thursday we spend a lot of time doing special teams. I take great pride in it. It's something that I've realized the fans recognize too.

"Even my first couple weeks here, I was going out to eat and the bartender said, hey, you're the gunner, aren't you? So, it's cool, man. The City of Pittsburgh, they appreciate football players."

Skowronek is one of the gunners on special teams, a role he embraces and knows comes with a certain mindset.

"You've got to have a relentless mindset," said Skowronek. "You're going to lose some reps. You're going to get double teamed if you're worth something in this league. To have two guys on you and to fail, to get beat, but to keep going. And I'm talking about in the same rep. You're going to lose part of the rep and at the end of the day you want to win the last part of it. So just got to have the grit and determination."

It's a mindset that Skowronek said he always had from the time he was a kid.

"My parents always joke that I was a bulldog," said Skowronek. "I'd never quit. I was the youngest kid in my neighborhood. I had an older brother, and he'd always have his friends over and I just played with them. So, I was always the youngest guy. I'd go to his practices. When I was kid, four or five years old, I would always go to his practice, and they'd let me practice against the older guys. So, now I'm just used to that.

"When I started playing basketball, my dad always put me the age group above on the worst team. I remember being 0-28 one year and then winning the last game of the season.

"So, I give it as a testament to my environment growing up. My parents always put me in hard situations, and I appreciate them for that."

Getting along great:Sometimes the reason a unit can work together as one can be something really simple.

Such is the case for the Steelers offensive line.

"We actually like each other," said tackle Dylan Cook.

Now before you think that isn't a big deal, think again.

Relationships on the offensive line are some of the most important ones in football, a unit that has to work together as one to get the job done.

"We hang out outside the building," continued Cook. "Chemistry, can't say enough about chemistry. We're all cool."

And the person that leads the charge is offensive line coach Pat Meyer. While he might not be out there hanging out with the linemen outside the building, what he brings in the building to the unit is invaluable.

"Really great offensive line coach," said Cook. "He knows what he's talking about. Super reliable source for information, obviously, otherwise he wouldn't have his job, right.

"So, he definitely just brings us together and gets us working in duos, gets us working as an offensive line as a unit.

"Major credit to him."

Major credit to the whole line was flying after the Steelers win over the Lions on Sunday at Ford Field. The ground game exploded for 230 yards, including 143 from running back Jaylen Warren.

And it came one week after Cook said he wanted to improve his run blocking.

Mission accomplished all around.

"We preach finishing all week," said Cook. "Coach (Mike) Tomlin called them a bully group, so we kind of took it upon ourselves to make sure we're the bullies. And we just had that mentality going in the game."

Steelers playoff scenarios:While the NFL has yet to release the Week 17 Playoff Scenarios yet, the Steelers can clinch a playoff berth and the AFC North title with a win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Huntington Bank Field. Kickoff for the game is set for 1 p.m.

This will be the second meeting this season against the Browns, who the Steelers defeated, 23-9, in Week 6 at Acrisure Stadium.

The Steelers head into the game with a 9-6 record and a two-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens, 7-8, in the AFC North, with two games remaining.

The Steelers could also know their playoff fate before they take the field on Sunday.

If the Green Bay Packers defeat the Ravens on Saturday night at Lambeau Field at 8 p.m., the Steelers would also clinch the AFC North. The Packers are 9-5 and also fighting for a playoff spot.