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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:
- Ravens sign rookie Mike Green; 2025 draft class all signed (Baltimore Beatdown)
- The Bengals’ recent contract talks with Trey Hendrickson were absolutely disastrous (Cincy Jungle)
- Browns make 4 moves, including with Deshaun Watson, Mike Hall Jr. (Dawgs by Nature)
Now, onto some Steelers news and discussion:
How a near-death experience spurred Steelers lineman to change lives
(From PennLive’s Nick Farabaugh): (Calvin) Anderson and his wife, Sheree Lanihun-Anderson, travelled to Nigeria on a philanthropic trip in local communities. However, while travelling, Anderson caught a near-fatal case of malaria.
Lucky enough to even survive the disease, Anderson missed all of training camp and did not know if his NFL future was in his hands anymore.
“I kind of thought everything was falling apart, to be honest with you,” Anderson said. “I felt like my career was obviously up in the air. You don’t have any guarantees in terms of your future if you can’t produce. We’re all assets to the team, so the second you start becoming a liability, it’s hard to feel like you have some longevity.”
A great read from Farabaugh about Calvin Anderson, who’s projected to be the Steelers’ swing tackle this season, ahead of training camp. Anderson’s malaria case happened in 2023, and he’s since co-founded the Lanihun-Anderson Foundation with his wife, Sheree, to combat financial instability.
Starks elevated to commentator role on Steelers Audio Network broadcast team
(From Steelers.com): iHeartMedia Pittsburgh announced on Tuesday an exciting update to the Steelers Audio Network broadcast team; former lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion Max Starks, will step into the booth as the new color commentator for game day broadcasts.
Starks played with Pittsburgh from 2004–12; he’s been with the Steelers Audio Network since 2021. He’ll be stepping into the color commentator role formerly held by Steelers great Craig Wolfley, who passed away in March.
Starks will continue to co-host the “In The Locker Room” podcast, now with SAN play-by-play announcer Rob King.
Pittsburgh Steelers tried to trade up for star Ohio State pass rusher
(From PennLive’s Nick Farabaugh): “I heard I was going day two regardless, so I was thinking round two or three and that obviously didn’t happen.” (Jack) Sawyer said on Not Just Football with Cam Heyward. “I woke up like an hour before day three started and my agent is calling me telling me the Steelers are trying to trade up.”
Of course, the Steelers didn’t end up trading up for the Ohio State outside linebacker, who went in the fourth round. But it seems clear that Pittsburgh had a higher draft grade on Sawyer than his eventual draft slot.
Pre-training camp NFL Power Rankings: Eagles, Ravens on top; Steelers, 49ers worth watching
(From The Athletic’s Josh Kendall): 13. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last ranking: 15
An offseason review: The Steelers made T.J. Watt the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history, signed Aaron Rodgers and Darius Slay in free agency, traded for DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith, drafted defensive tackles Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black and traded George Pickens and Minkah Fitzpatrick. This team seems very determined to win its first playoff game since the 2016 season.
For reference, 14 teams make the NFL playoffs each year. The Steelers, the seventh AFC team listed, rank 13th here, just ahead of the Denver Broncos and one behind the rival Cincinnati Bengals. The Baltimore Ravens are second in the NFL; the Cleveland Browns are last.
Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 training camp preview
(From ESPN’s Brooke Pryor): Rodgers attempted the second-most passes in the league last season, while the Steelers were fourth in rushing attempts. Secondarily, who will actually be running the show — Rodgers or offensive coordinator Arthur Smith? A year ago, Smith’s offense reportedly restricted quarterback Russell Wilson’s ability to change plays at the line of scrimmage, and Rodgers has historically craved the autonomy to change calls. Can Smith and Rodgers find a compromise that keeps them from butting heads in a power struggle?
Pryor’s article also shares three players to watch, a few key position battles, and an early 53-man roster projection.
What will you be watching for from Steelers training camp?
My top storyline is the same as Pryor’s: What’s the plan at offense for the Steelers? Of course, the individual position battles will be as entertaining as always, but nothing is more important than the marriage of Aaron Rodgers’ preferences and Arthur Smith’s philosophy.
Last season, Rodgers ran a spread-out, quick passing game while Smith called plays for a Steelers offense that ran out of tight end-heavy sets and took frequent deep shots.
With D.K. Metcalf’s strengths lying in deep routes and slants, and Jonnu Smith being both a tight end and a quick game yards-after-catch specialist, there’s a universe where it all works out — this week, we’ll see the first steps towards achieving that goal.
What do you think is the top storyline of training camp? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!