Anticipation was sky-high in Pittsburgh just a few short weeks ago. After a flurry of bold, almost uncharacteristic moves by Omar Khan and the front office, it felt like the winds had shifted in favor of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Big names like Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, and Darius Slay donning black and gold created a buzz we haven’t felt in years. Mike Tomlin’s team looked loaded, focused, and ready to make some serious noise in the AFC.
The pieces were there. The belief was real.
But Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers painted a far different picture.
Despite escaping with a 19-10 win, the performance left much to be desired. It wasn’t just sloppy — it was concerning. This was supposed to be a dress rehearsal. A final showing of discipline and execution, with final roster decisions hanging in the balance.
Instead, we saw a team that looked unfocused, undisciplined, and surprisingly flat.
Offensive penalties derailed drives before they could get going. The defense, meanwhile, looked disjointed and reactive. Missed tackles, blown assignments, and a lack of energy allowed a Panthers team fighting for identity to hang around far too long.
And then came the gut punch: first-round pick Derick Harmon went down in the first half with a knee injury.
The rookie had been turning heads throughout camp with his athleticism and work ethic, and to see him carted off the field was a blow not only to the roster but to the spirit of the night.
The details on the injury are still pending. Still, not everything was bleak.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have alot of work to do before the regular season begins
Skylar Thompson — the third-year quarterback many expected to simply be a camp arm — may have played his way into a legitimate roster spot. He finished the night with 152 passing yards and a touchdown, commanding the offense with composure and confidence.
His throws were crisp, his decision-making sharp, and when the game got tight, he delivered. It might not have been pretty, but it was enough.
And honestly, that kind of grit is what gives me hope.
There’s no denying the Steelers have some wrinkles to iron out. That’s not a cause for panic... yet.
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Preseason is a time for experimentation and growth. But when the issues on display are things like energy, discipline, and effort? That’s when the alarms start to quietly buzz.
With Justin Fields and a revamped Jets team looming in Week 1, Pittsburgh has to lock in — fast. The mistakes that went unnoticed or unpunished in August will be magnified in September.
The potential is there; we’ve seen glimpses of it. But potential alone doesn’t win football games.
Thursday’s game was a win on paper, but a warning in reality. If the Steelers want to make a statement this year, they’ll need to start playing like it — from the first snap, with urgency and discipline.
The talent is there. The belief is still there. Now it’s time to back it up.