It’s officially that time of year again — Pittsburgh Steelers football is back.
A crisp Saturday night preseason matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars marked the return of Pittsburgh’s beloved team, and while the final score may not count toward the regular season, what happened on the field certainly did.
Mike Tomlin’s squad came out swinging, showcasing the work and intent that went into this past offseason. With new faces across the roster and plenty of questions to answer, the team fought hard in a physical opening contest.
But in a game filled with first looks and hopeful standouts, one name unexpectedly rose to the surface: Brandon Echols.
The fifth-year cornerback stole the show with a performance that showed poise, instincts, and a hunger to contribute. Echols, a former New York Jet, saw significant action with the second-team defense and wasted no time making an impact.
Whether it was disrupting passing lanes or crashing down on ball carriers, his presence was felt on nearly every defensive series he played.
The Pittsburgh Steelers must find Brandin Echols more reps during the remainder of the preseason
Echols flew around the field with purpose. His ability to close gaps, stay sticky in man coverage, and swarm to the football stood out immediately. The early drives saw him involved in multiple tackles, a pass deflection, and even a near-interception that had fans on their feet.
It wasn’t just solid — it was eye-catching.
For a cornerback trying to carve out a meaningful role in Teryl Austin’s defensive scheme, this was the kind of performance he needed. With Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, and Joey Porter Jr. already on the roster, an additional motivated defensive back is pure gold.
Echols is coming off a 2024 season in which he played in all 16 games for the Jets, tying his career-high in interceptions (2). He’s clearly brought that momentum and experience to Pittsburgh.
Now, he’s making his case for more than just a backup role.
What impressed me most wasn’t just his playmaking — it was the confidence he played with. Echols looked like a guy who’s not just happy to be here, but ready to matter.
That’s the kind of mentality you want in your secondary.
The Steelers have high expectations this year, and depth will be crucial for their defensive success.
If Brandon Echols continues to play like he did Saturday night, don’t be surprised if his name starts coming up more often. He’s earning his reps — and he’s making them count.