Pirates Year in Review 2026: Looking Back at Nick Gonzales' Season
Gonzales' 2026 season was his best yet in the big leagues, contending for a battle title in a breakout year.
Latest blog entries from Pittsburgh teams across every league
Gonzales' 2026 season was his best yet in the big leagues, contending for a battle title in a breakout year.
Despite being activated from injured reserve, safety DeShon Elliott faces an uphill battle to reclaim a starting spot on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Veteran reporter Ray Fittipaldo notes that cornerbacks Cameron Spurs and Cameron Jennings, along with Elliott, are all competing for limited snaps, and the coaching staff may keep Elliott in a backup role for now. The article examines the depth‑chart dynamics and suggests Elliott’s path to regular play will be tougher than many expected.
The Steelers vaulted to sole ownership of the AFC North after a 27-6 rout of the Browns, improving to 6-2 and heading into their bye week. Running back Jaylen Warren shined with 157 rushing yards, while the defense recorded eight sacks on Deshaun Watson. National power‑rankings place Pittsburgh between No. 8 and No. 13 this week, with CBS Sports giving them a top‑10 spot for the first time. Analysts note the need for a new wide receiver and cornerback, but a favorable schedule could keep a 12‑win season within reach.
The 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers, now 6-2, boast a potent rushing attack led by Jaylen Warren—who tops the past decade with 6.9 yards per touch through eight games—and a defense ranked among the league’s best, sitting No. 3 in scoring, No. 6 in total yards, No. 3 against the run, No. 1 in sacks (26) and No. 2 in red‑zone defense. Analyst Adam Schein predicts the Steelers can finally break their seven‑game playoff losing streak and win at least 11 games, while head coach Mike McCarthy says the team has found its groove heading into Week 9. These combined strengths suggest a credible deep playoff run.
James Harrison credits defensive coordinator Patrick Graham for sparking a dramatic Steelers turnaround, drawing a parallel to Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau’s impact years ago. After a rough Week 4 loss to the Browns, Graham’s adjustments have re‑energized a talent‑rich unit, leading to a surge in pressure and turnovers that could reshape Pittsburgh’s season. Harrison highlights the similarity in philosophy that’s reviving the defense and points to upcoming matchups as tests of this new momentum.
Nine years after breaking his collarbone, Aaron Rodgers admits the injury still affects his play. In a CBS Sports sideline interview during the Steelers' 24-17 victory over the Browns on Nov. 3, 2026, Rodgers says he’s never been the same, despite feeling physically healthy. The revelation comes amid Pittsburgh’s latest win, highlighting how past injuries can linger for elite quarterbacks.
In a November 3, 2026 Steelers Now piece, writer Ed Thompson argues that the Pittsburgh Steelers have finally forged a true identity—not a single X‑and‑O scheme, but a gritty, bully mentality that fuels both sides of the ball. Riding a four‑game winning streak, the team’s physical edge rush and aggressive ground game have overwhelmed opponents like the Cleveland Browns, with standout moments from Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu, and a dominant defensive line anchored by Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy, traditionally pass‑heavy, have embraced a run‑focused approach organically, hinting at further growth as the Steelers continue to dominate with an all‑team, hard‑nosed identity.
After a 33-30 overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals that dropped the Dallas Cowboys to 3-5, owner Jerry Jones defended his low‑pay approach to head coaches on 105.3 The Fan’s Shan & RJ show. Jones claimed there’s “zero correlation” between coach salary and winning, despite criticism of second‑year coach Brian Schoutenheimer, who was promoted from offensive coordinator and now sits at 10-14-1. The article notes former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy’s 6-2 start with the Steelers and highlights ongoing media backlash, including jokes from Michael Irvin and Stephen A. Smith. The Cowboys face the Indianapolis Colts next Sunday.
During their bye week, the 6-2 Steelers sit atop the AFC North and eye a Super Bowl run. Despite rumors about a possible trade for Jets wideout Garrett Wilson, veteran reporter Adam Schefter dismisses the speculation, saying a deal is "not happening." The article outlines the team's recent four‑game win streak and why the Steelers are likely to stay the course rather than pursue Wilson.
After the Steelers’ 27-6 loss to the Browns in Week 8, offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio insists the team still trusts No. 1 receiver DK Metcalf despite his rough outing. Angelichio told reporters on Monday that the Steelers haven’t “lost confidence” in Metcalf, emphasizing his continued role in the offense despite the media’s criticism.
The Steelers’ defense surges under new coordinator Patrick Graham, earning him the No. 2 spot among the NFL’s best new coordinators at midseason. Graham’s zone‑heavy scheme helps Pittsburgh rank No. 3 in scoring defense (18.0 PPG), No. 6 in total yards, No. 3 against the run, and No. 2 in red‑zone defense, while the unit leads the league with 26 sacks. T.J. Watt rebounds with 7.5 sacks in eight games, tying for the league lead. After a 27-6 win over Cleveland that dropped the Browns to 5-3, the Steelers improve to 6‑2 and sit alone atop the AFC North, reviving their playoff hopes.
The Pittsburgh Steelers improve to 6-2 after a dominant 27-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 8, seizing the AFC North lead. ESPN analyst Ben Solak argues the Steelers are a genuine postseason contender, citing their stout defense, balanced offense, and momentum heading into the final stretch. Solak highlights key players like T.J. Watt and Kenny Pickett, and warns rivals that Pittsburgh will be a "tricky" playoff opponent. The article details the factors behind the Steelers’ ascent and what it means for the rest of the season.
Colin Cowherd declares Steelers wideout DK Metcalf "washed" after a costly drop that turned a deep Aaron Rodgers pass into an interception during the 27-6 win over the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 25, 2026. The drop, Metcalf's fourth‑quarter miscue, left him with just one catch on six targets for four yards, reigniting criticism of his $132 million, four‑year contract. Former teammate Antonio Brown and ex‑coach Todd Haley have also lambasted Metcals's hand issues and limited route tree. Cowherd urges GM Omar Khan to cut ties before the cap hit triples next season.
Through their first eight games of the 2026 season, the Steelers have one of the league's worst touchdown percentages in the red zone and inside of the 10-yard line.
Former NFL scout John Middlekauff praises Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, calling his work "phenomenal" and noting his résumé matches those of Tomlin, Harbaugh and Payton despite a lower PR profile. After a dominant 27-6 win over Cleveland on Nov. 1, McCarthy’s career record sits at .611, comparable to his peers, and he highlights improvements in run defense and overall team play. The scout even jokes McCarthy’s love of hamburgers may be why he’s underrated, but the results on the field speak for themselves.
After a dominant Week 8 victory over the Cleveland Browns, the Pittsburgh Steelers surge to the top of the AFC North and secure a Week 9 bye under head coach Mike McCarthy. The win marks their fourth straight triumph, propelling them to the summit of the latest power rankings. The article breaks down the Steelers' position in the Week 9 rankings, key factors behind the beatdown, and what the bye means for their playoff push.
Gerry Dulac clarifies why the Steelers’ recent trade‑deadline moves are justified, arguing that rumors about secret deals stem from misinterpreted sources rather than inside intel. He explains the team's strategy, the timing of potential acquisitions, and how the NFL’s opaque reporting culture fuels speculation. Dulac’s insights aim to set the record straight on what the Steelers truly intend before the season’s final stretch.
The November 3 PhHN Daily spotlights the Flyers’ new Liberty Bell‑themed Hometown Remix jersey and a quick roster shuffle: AHL call‑up Alex Bump scores, then returns to the AHL. Trade chatter heats up as analysts flag defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen as a potential exit point for Philadelphia, while the New Jersey Devils eye star Nikita Kucherov despite cap concerns. Across the league, the article also covers Kucherov’s media interview on his trade request, Boston’s college‑inspired sweater, Pittsburgh injury updates, and the Capitals’ off‑season roster push.
Former Steelers safety Ryan Clark says head coach Mike McCarthy thrives where former boss Mike Tomlin struggled, crediting the 2026 Steelers’ balanced blueprint: a stout run defense that generates pressure and a run-first offense designed to shield the quarterback. Clark highlights McCarthy’s adjustments to the defensive scheme and play‑calling that maximize the roster’s strengths, arguing these changes are the key to the team’s early‑season success.
In the debut episode of Steelers Morning Rush, host Alan Saunders examines whether the Pittsburgh Steelers' strong start to the 2026 season under head coach Mike McCarthy signals a genuine chance to end their postseason losing streak. Saunders breaks down early-game performance, key player contributions, and the coaching impact, offering listeners a deeper look at the team's playoff prospects before the next NFL round begins.
The Steelers sit 6-2 atop the AFC North, prompting Bill Simmons of The Ringer to ask if head coach Mike Tomlin is holding the team back. Simmons points to the dramatic offensive upgrade under new OC Mike McCarthy—an effective run game led by Jaylen Warren and deeper passes to Aaron Rodgers—while noting Tomlin’s defense remains elite (No. 3 scoring, No. 6 total, No. 3 run, No. 2 red‑zone). Former safety Ryan Clark echoes the sentiment, saying Tomlin’s voice has grown stale and the McCarthy‑led squad feels more “locked in.” Tomlin recently hinted a fresh start might be needed after a nine‑year playoff drought.
The Lookout Landing tracker compiles every Seattle Mariners off‑season transaction so far. In October, Seattle claimed INF/OF Michael Toglia (Reds) and OF Grant McCray (Giants), exercised Andrés Muñoz’s option while dropping Victor Robles and Bryce Miller, and may have rehired hitting coach CJ Gillman. Both Josh Naylor and Cal Raleigh underwent offseason surgeries. In early November, the club extended Randy Arozarena’s qualifying offer, claimed RHP Isaac Mattson (Pirates), reinstated seven injured players—including Matt Brash and Luke Raley—and outrighted five to Triple‑A Tacoma. The roundup links to deeper coverage for each move.
The Steelers sit atop the AFC North after a dominant win over Cleveland and head into a crucial Sunday Night Football clash with the Bengals. New head coach Mike McCarthy inherits a team that’s won eight straight games out of the bye under Tomlin, and a victory could lock Pittsburgh into the division lead and a shot at an 8‑2 finish. The article also notes interest in WR Garrett Wilson, a strong defensive line showing, and upcoming matchups against the Eagles.
The Steelers’ hopes of re‑signing former wideout George Pickens are dashed by NFL regulations that bar a reverse trade, regardless of any desire to overlook the reasons he was dealt. Even if Pittsburgh wanted him back, the league’s trade rules make a reunion impossible, leaving Pickens’ future elsewhere.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham earns a spot as the league's second‑best new coordinator, according to CBS Sports' Garrett Podell. Under Graham, the Steelers rank No. 3 in scoring defense (18.0 points allowed), No. 6 in total yards (305.6), No. 3 in run defense (83.9 yards), No. 8 on third‑down (34.3% conversion), No. 2 in red‑zone defense (37.5% conversion) and tie for No. 3 in takeaways (13). His unit leads the NFL with 26 sacks, matching T.J. Watt’s resurgence (7.5 sacks in eight games). A Week 4 loss to the Browns sparked a turnaround, and the defense has allowed just one second‑half touchdown this season.