Behind the Steel Curtain
Aaron Rodgers has been sacked seven times as the Steelers’ starting quarterback. The 41-year-old is on pace to be sacked 60 times. The Jets got to their former quarterback four times, and Rodgers was sacked on three occasions in the loss to Seattle.
Pittsburgh is 30th in rushing – 62.5 yards per game – and only converting 36% on third down. Despite Rodgers constantly being under pressure and the team’s struggles running the football, head coach Mike Tomlin is confident in the offensive line.
“I feel great about it, to be honest with you,” Tomlin said at his weekly press conference. “I like our group. We’re going to continue to get better. We have to work in that spirit.”
PFF graded four of the five starters below a 60 grade for their performance on Sunday. Left tackle Broderick Jones earned a 47.9 overall grade, the lowest of all five of Pittsburgh’s starting offensive linemen. Right tackle Troy Fautanu (50.1), left guard Isaac Seumalo (53.5), and right guard Mason McCormick (58.1) all ranked below 60 and will face a Patriots defense first in the NFL in sacks (nine).
Zach Frazier (66.2) has Pro Bowl and All-Pro potential, but owns a 62.5 overall grade as the 18th-ranked center in the league.
“Certainly, we could have been better in some areas last week, but that’s life,” Tomlin said. “I like the overall trajectory of the group as a collective and as individuals. I’m excited about getting them back into the next stadium.”
The Steelers invested significant resources in their offensive line, but have not seen the payoff from their commitment. Jones and Fautanu were first-round picks in 2023 and 2024, respectively, and Frazier was selected in the second round after Fautanu.
New England is 2-0 against the Steelers since Tom Brady left, both games in Pittsburgh (2022 and 2023 seasons). Pittsburgh hasn’t won in New England since 2008, the year the franchise won Super Bowl XLIII.
