Steelers Now
One of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ newest additions is not like the average rookie.
As the Pittsburgh Steelers kick off training camp, all of their rookies will quickly find out what it takes to make it at the next level. However, one of their rookies believes his unique mentality will help him do just that.
Linebacker Jack Sawyer, the Steelers’ fourth-round pick (No. 123 overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft, doesn’t think he’s like most rookies in today’s age.
“I heard that it’s kind of old school, which is nice. I like to think of myself as an old-school type of player, too,” Sawyer said. “Knowing I’m coming to camp and putting the pads on to get after it, it’s something that I want.”
Sawyer does have a grittiness to his game, and he put that on display while leading the Buckeyes to win the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Last season, he recorded 59 tackles (25 solo), nine sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and six passes defensed. He was also named the Cotton Bowl defensive MVP after strip sacking Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and returning it for a 83-yard touchdown to seal the game.
That type of production is exactly why he was pegged as the No. 67 overall player on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board and why Pittsburgh even tried to trade up for him.
Luckily, the Steelers still eventually landed Sawyer, who believes it’s a match made in heaven.
“Immediately, I realized the great tradition that we have here in Pittsburgh and the expectations that we have to win a Super Bowl every year,” Sawyer said. “Coming from Ohio State, it’s nothing less than that, too. For me, coming here, it’s very similar in that aspect.”
Pittsburgh must first end its eight-year postseason win drought before even thinking about getting back to the Super Bowl. However, the team seems built to do that this season after adding veterans like quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver DK Metcalf, tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerbacks Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey.
That could also mean a lesser role for Sawyer as a rookie, but all he cares about is helping the team in any way he can.
“I’m just so excited to add value anywhere I can,” he said.
In four seasons at Ohio State, Sawyer registered 144 tackles (68 solo), 23 sacks, six forced fumbles, one interception and 10 passes defensed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Rookie Linebacker Has ‘Old-School’ Mentality
