The Pittsburgh Steelers came back down to earth in Week 4 as an apathetic start against the Colts resulted in a loss on the road. This gives Mike Tomlin and company a 3-1 record on the season.
With Pittsburgh struggling over the weekend, it's hard not to think about several former Steelers players and the impact they could potentially have if they were still with the team. One offseason trade with the Panthers looms large as Pittsburgh's wide receiver troubles continue through the quarter mark of the season.
For others, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Here are two former Steelers who struggled in Week 4 and two who thrived with their new teams.
JuJu Smith-Schuster struggled vs. Chargers
JuJu Smith-Schuster was one of the most productive receivers in the league on the Steelers in 2018, but since then, his career path has been a downward spiral. The veteran receiver finds himself back on the Chiefs after spending the 2023 season with the Patriots.
Unfortunately, JuJu hasn't been involved in the action early. In Week 4, Smith-Schuster failed to reel in his lone target. On the season, JuJu has just 2 catches for 17 yards. With Kansas City's top receiver Rashee Rice out for the season with an ACL injury, Smith-Schuster could be in line for bigger work, but he's going to have to perform much better than he did in Week 4 against the Chargers if he wants to carve out a sizeable role with the Chiefs.
Diontae Johnson thrived vs. Bengals
Watching the sudden emergence of Diontae Johnson with the Panthers gives Steelers fans buyer's remorse. Johnson was traded to Carolina during the 2024 offseason for cornerback Donte Jackson. Over the past two weeks, the Panthers have gotten the better end of the deal.
Johnson's Panthers career got off to a bumpy start, but since benching quarterback Bryce Young and starting Andy Dalton, Johnson's production has increased tenfold. In Week 4 against the Bengals, the former Steelers wide receiver caught seven passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. This followed a game in Week 3 that included eight catches for 122 yards and a score.
Mitch Trubisky struggled vs. Ravens
With the Ravens destroying the Bills on Sunday Night Football, Buffalo elected to pull quarterback Josh Allen from the game late in the fourth quarter -- giving Mitch Trubisky an opportunity to make something happen.
Unfortunately for Trubisky, the backup quarterback didn't have much of an opportunity. The Bills just wanted the game to be over with at that point. Trubisky threw just two passes -- completing one of them for a mere 2 yards.
Bud Dupree had a career game vs. Chiefs
Who would have thought Bud Dupree would still be a relevant player with his injury history and after bouncing around the league? The Steelers' first-round pick in 2015 spent time with the Titans and Falcons before joining the Chargers during the 2024 offseason.
In Week 4 against the Chiefs, Dupree sacked quarterback Patrick Mahomes twice as the Chargers's defense held Kansas City to 17. This wasn't enough for the Chargers to win, but Dupree is showing he still has some gas left in the tank 10 years into his NFL career.