Mike Tomlin's team was in Tampa for its first preseason game of 2023. Who played well for the Pittsburgh Steelers and who struggled?
This was an offseason unlike any other in recent memory for the Black and Gold. Spearheaded by new general manager Omar Khan, the Pittsburgh Steelers added a slew of new faces, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They also were aggressive during the draft. They took care of emerging outside linebacker Alex Highsmith via a new contract extension.
Now it's time for all the moves to start paying off.
Mike Tomlin's club got off to a great start on Friday night at Tampa. On the team's first possession, second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett led a 10-play, 83-yard drive that ended with a 33-yard touchdown strike to second-year wideout George Pickens.
When it was all said and done, Pittsburgh came away with a 27-17 win over the Buccaneers.
Honestly, there's not a lot you can take from the first preseason game. Three players made an impression, while a third-year pro may be on borrowed time.
Steelers who earned roster spot No. 3: RB Anthony McFarland Jr.
In three seasons with the Steelers, the former University of Maryland standout has simply not been the explosive threat the team was hoping for. Anthony McFarland Jr. has played in a total of 14 regular-season games (1 in 2022) and has run for a combined 146 yards without a touchdown.
He touched the ball just four times on Friday night and gained a total of 23 yards. However, the quickness he showed on a 14-yard TD run in the second quarter was encouraging.
It should make for an interesting battle with Jaylen Warren for the backup running back spot.
Steelers who earned roster spot No. 2: DT Isaiahh Loudermilk
Mike Tomlin's team won seven of its last nine games in 2022 to finish 9-8. The Steelers limited each of their final seven opponents to 17 or fewer points.
Many of the Steelers' defensive starters, including outside linebacker T.J. Watt, defensive end Cameron Heyward, cornerback Patrick Peterson and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, had Friday night off.
Third-year defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk did not. The 2021 fifth-round selection from the University of Wisconsin had an encouraging rookie campaign. He played in 15 games and made two starts. He totaled 23 tackles and one sack while knocking down three passes. The former Badger finished with three stops in the playoff loss at Kansas City.
A year ago, Loudermilk made 11 appearances, including three starts. However, he finished with only seven tackles.
This offseason, Omar Khan added some beef to the defensive front in free agency (Breiden Fehoko and Armon Watts, as well as April's draft (fellow Wisconsin alum Keeanu Benton in the second round). All told, Loudermilk got the start and had a solid outing, finishing with three tackles (one for a loss).
The aforementioned free-agent pickups, as well as Benton, give the Steelers a lot of big bodies. That's good news for a team that was erratic against the run a year ago. Add in Loudermilk, Montravius Adams and DeMarvin Leal and there's a lot to like when it comes to not only complimenting but spelling veterans Cameron Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi.
Steelers who earned roster spot No. 1: WR Calvin Austin III
He missed his entire debut campaign with a foot injury, and that included all three preseason contests. Then-general manager Kevin Colbert was looking to add a big-play element to the Steelers offense, as well as the club's special teams. He used a fourth-round pick in 2022 on University of Memphis speedster Calvin Austin III. Again, he never took the field a year ago.
The electrifying performer certainly made his presence felt in the club's 10-point win on Friday night at Raymond James Stadium. Early in the contest, Austin showed his speed as a runner. He gained a total of 23 yards rushing on a pair of carries (17 and 6 yards) early in the second quarter.
The best was yet to come. On the first play of the third quarter, he drew a pass interference call that gained 38 yards. Moments later, he came up with a six-yard grab via quarterback Mason Rudolph. Two plays later, he got behind the Tampa secondary. Rudolph lofted a pass down the left sidelines and it added up to a 67-yard touchdown strike.
Coming off a year in which he never took the field during a game, Austin showed that explosiveness that the Pittsburgh offense has lacked in recent seasons. For what it's worth, the Steelers' longest pass play in 2022 was 57 yards from tight end Pat Freiermuth.
Steelers cut candidate after Preseason Week 1: C Kendrick Green
On the latest episode of Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, the former Steelers' quarterback had some thoughts on a former teammate.
"The fact of the matter that I heard this week that the guy that they drafted, and I love this guy, so this is not a knock on him, I love Kendrick Green. He was a great guy, good teammate. Loved him. He was my center my last year. They drafted that guy to be my center. Well last year, he didn't even dress. And now they have him playing a little fullback. I think good for him to find a way to get on the field…"
The 2021 third-round pick from University of Illinois did dress on Friday night at Tampa. Unfortunately for the third-year pro, he had forgettable back-to-back-to-back plays in the second quarter. Ouch!
The Steelers owned a 17-7 advantage at intermission. Not surprisingly, there was a change at center in the second half.
Versatile Nate Herbig is entering his fifth NFL season. He spent 2022 with the New York Jets after three years as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. The 6-foot-4, 334-pound blocker has made a combined 28 starts the past three seasons, 11 of those with Robert Saleh's club this past season. He provides proven depth to the interior of the offensive front. What does that mean for Green?