Behind the Steel Curtain
It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for a weekly Steelers links roundup at BTSC. But first, let’s take a look around the AFC North:
Now, onto some Steelers news and discussion:
(From Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders): Over the offseason, the Steelers’ locker room got new signage, lighting, paint, carpets, and many of the metal, temporary lockers that players have been using over the last few years were replaced with permanent, wooden lockers to match the rest of the room.
Steelers free agent signings often cite the organization’s legendary past, or the present coaching talents of Mike Tomlin, as a reason for why they chose Pittsburgh. What’s rarely brought up as a positive? The team’s facilities.
In fact, in the 2025 NFL Players Association report card, the Steelers ranked near the bottom of the pack in categories such as a locker room quality and ownership (both “D” grades).
Some of those complaints appear to have been heard, with the team upgrading the area ahead of the 2025 regular season. While the team hasn’t provided photos yet, the updates appear to be a hit with players.
(From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo): That’s coming from someone who is 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds. There aren’t many players larger than Loudermilk in the league, but there is just something about the way Black carries his weight and how he is able to generate power against offensive linemen.
“He was just one of those guys who came in with a body that was ready for the NFL,” Loudermilk said.
Yahya Black’s preseason debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars drew rave reviews from not just the media, but also his teammates. Even NFL players seem impressed by just how big and powerful the rookie defensive lineman is.
Unsurprisingly, Fittipaldo, who’s well-connected with the team, has Black listed as a 53-man roster lock. It’s hardly a shock at this point in the season, but it shows just how quickly the fifth-rounder has established himself as one of the defense’s top backups.
(From CBS Sports’ John Breech): First loss in Week 7:
Steelers (at Bengals). After getting off to a surprising 6-0 [sic] start in Pittsburgh, Rodgers finally suffers his first loss with the Steelers during this Thursday night game in Cincinnati. Over the past six years, AFC North teams are 3-13 when forced to play a prime-time game on the road against another AFC North team and that ugly trend will continue here....
