Aaron Rodgers is trying to make a difference in Pittsburgh's QB room and hoping it leads to better things in 2026.
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Browns v. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, 1 p.m., in Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
Record: 3-1.
Last game: Defeated Minnesota Vikings, 24-21, September 28, in Dublin, Ireland.
Coach: Mike Tomlin, 191-118-2, 18th year.
Series record: Steelers lead, 82-63-1 (counting postseason).
Last meeting: Steelers won, 27-14, December 8, 2024, in Pittsburgh.
League rankings: Offense is 29th overall (31st rushing, 27th passing), defense is 28th overall (19th rushing, 30th passing) and turnover differential is plus-7.
Things to watch
1. A bye week after their game in Dublin, Ireland, should result in the return of cornerback Joey Porter Jr., edge rusher Alex Highsmith and running back Jaylen Warren. But they would be offset by the probable loss of cornerback Jalen Ramsey (hamstring) and receiver Calvin Austin (shoulder).
2. In their last game, the Steelers’ defense came alive with six sacks, 13 quarterback hits and two turnovers against Carson Wentz and the Vikings. That’s what they do at their best.
3. In June, the Steelers signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers, 41, to a one-year contract worth $13.6 million. After a late start in the minicamp process, Rodgers has adapted well to the Arthur Smith-coordinated offense. He’s completing 68.5% of his passes, has 8 touchdowns v. 3 interceptions, and has a 103.6 passer rating. At this stage of his career, Rodgers’ expertise is in putting his offense in the best position to win after making his pre-snap reads at the line of scrimmage. He has found success in quick throws to the sidelines and has not attacked the middle of the field or in the deep zones.
4. Rodgers’ favorite target has been receiver D.K. Metcalf. The Steelers traded a No. 2 pick to Seattle for Metcalf and then signed him to a $150 million contract over four years. He and Rodgers connected for 5 catches, 126 yards and an 80-yard TD against the Vikings. Metcalf has 15 catches for 261 yards (17.4 average) and three touchdowns.
Did you know … ?
1. The Steelers are obsessed with showing edge rusher T.J. Watt in a good light v. Myles Garrett. Twice a year prior to this series matchup the Steelers detail Watt’s record v. Garrett in head-to-head meetings. They point out the Steelers are 10-3-1 against the Browns with Watt in the lineup while the Browns are 5-8-1 against the Steelers with Garrett in the lineup.
2. In 14 games against the Browns, Watt has 17 sacks, 33 quarterback hits, 23 tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 interception and 1 defensive TD. The Steelers say in Garrett’s 14 games against the Steelers, Garrett has 13 sacks, 25 quarterback hits, 14 tackles for loss, and 4 forced fumbles.
3. Tight end Pat Freiermuth is being faded in the Rodgers offense. The team’s TE1 has had only 10 targets in four games and played only 15 snaps in their last game. Jonnu Smith has pretty much taken over as Rodgers’ first read at TE.
4. Defensive end Derrick Harmon, the Steelers’ No. 1 pick in 2024, has been a force on the defensive front since returning from injury the past two games. Harmon has one sack, one passed defense and two quarterback hits.
5. The Steelers are 23-1 against the Browns in Acrisure Stadium (nee Heinz Field).
6. The Steelers are 24-12 in games immediately after their bye week – fourth-best in the NFL in that time.
Small world: Quarterbacks coach Tom Arth is a Cleveland native and coached at John Carroll University (2013-16) and University of Akron (2019-21) … safety Juan Thornhill played for the Browns in 2023-24.