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https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6676986/2025/09/30/steelers-mailbag-ireland-game/

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Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · 11d

Time for a bye week mailbag. Submit your questions here:

t.co/lAi6WtMaRT

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Can the Steelers sustain turnover-reliant defense? + Dublin preview with Vikings beat writer Alec Lewis

Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · 12d

During the first NFL game in Dublin, Steelers football (in all its forms) was on display.

An efficient running game. A blitz-centric defense.

But it wouldn’t be a Steelers game without a nail-biting final minute.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

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Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · 17d

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

Podcast Episode · The Yinziders · 09/24/2025 · 1h 9m

podcasts.apple.com

Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · 17d

On Week 4 of The Yinziders:

🏈 Is the Steelers defense too reliant on turnovers?

☘️ Vikings writer @aleclewis.bsky.social previews the cat- and-mouse game between Aaron Rodgers and Brian Flores.

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5D6s...

Youtube: m.youtube.com/watch?v=phWQ...

Can the Steelers sustain turnover-reliant defense? + Dublin preview with Vikings writer Alec Lewis

Steelers steal a win thanks to 'turnover culture' and Cam Heyward's two hands

Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · 19d

www.nytimes.com/athletic/665... Steelers steal a win thanks to ‘turnover culture’ and Cam Heyward’s two hands

Five reasons the Steelers defense has fallen short of ‘historic’ hype

Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · 23d

Five reasons the Steelers defense has fallen short of ‘historic’ hype

www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

Jaylen Warren has played like a feature back — is it time for the Steelers to treat him like one?

Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · 23d

“We might have to keep giving him more opportunities in the pass game, because every time he touches it, something good happens.”

Aaron Rodgers isn’t the only one wondering if it’s time to give Jaylen Warren a heavier workload.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz + Week 3 preview with Patriots writer Chad Graff

Reposted by Mike DeFabo

Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · 24d

On Week 3 of The Yinziders:

🏈 Christian Kuntz talks about being a new dad and does a Yinzer pop quiz

🏈 Pats writer @chadgraff.bsky.social previews Week 3

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4so0...

YouTube: m.youtube.com/watch?v=qUxL...

Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz + Week 3 preview with Patriots writer Chad Graff

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Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · 24d

On Week 3 of The Yinziders:

🏈 Christian Kuntz talks about being a new dad and does a Yinzer pop quiz

🏈 Pats writer @chadgraff.bsky.social previews Week 3

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4so0...

YouTube: m.youtube.com/watch?v=qUxL...

How DK Metcalf became leader the Steelers' wide receiver room needed

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Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · 27d

Steelers secondary in base defense during warmups:

LCB - Darius Slay
RCB - Jalen Ramsey
SS- Chuck Clark
FS - Juan Thornhill

Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · 27d

How DK Metcalf’s work ethic is setting a new standard for Steelers receivers: ‘He’s the blueprint’

www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

AFC North Whiparound: Did Aaron Rodgers change your opinion in Week 1?

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Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · 29d

AFC North Whiparound: Did Aaron Rodgers change your opinion in Week 1?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...

Plus, what to make of Baltimore's Week 1 collapse, Joe Burrow's rough second half in Cleveland, and more.

How DK Metcalf became leader the Steelers’ wide receiver room needed

Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · Sep 11

DK Metcalf is tall as Pat Freiermuth, A
as fast as Calvin Austin III and nearly as strong as an offensive tackle.

But it’s the way DK works that’s setting a new standard for Steelers receivers.

“He’s the blueprint.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

After trading Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, the Steelers love the talent and attitude of their new No. 1 wideout.

The Yinziders Week 2: Superheroes and origin stories with Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith, Seahawks writer for The Athletic Mike Dugar plus Zeke's Picks

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Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · Sep 10

Spotify: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

Podcast Episode · The Yinziders · 09/10/2025 · 1h 22m

podcasts.apple.com

Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · Sep 10

The Yinziders Week 2 with @jennaharner.bsky.social:

Alex Highsmith talks superheroes and tells his own origin story from 0-star recruit to the NFL.

Seahawks writer @mikedugar.bsky.social breaks down Week 2

Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzJk...

The Yinziders Week 2: Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith and Seahawks beat writer Mike Dugar

Cam Heyward, Steelers agree to new contract; Heyward to play Week 1: Source

www.youtube.com

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Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · Sep 7

Cam Heyward and the Steelers found middle ground last night, ending the contract dispute on the eve of the opener.

Here’s more on the revised deal, which adds more than $3M in possible incentives to his 2025 compensation.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...

Heyward, one of the team's captains, staged a "hold-in" earlier this summer.

Steelers DT Cameron Heyward non-committal on season opener as contract dispute continues

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Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · Sep 7

Cam Heyward and the Steelers have agreed to a revised contract, league sources told The Athletic.

The deal adds more than $3 million in new-money incentives. He can now make up to $18M in total compensation in 2025.

The 36-year-old All-Pro will play in the season opener.

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Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · Sep 5

Will Cam Heyward play on Sunday?

Mike Tomlin and DC Teryl Austin said yes. But when Heyward talked today, he made the situation sound a bit more complicated.

“I wish I had a straight answer for you right now.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

The Yinziders Week 1: Wedding planning with Pat Freiermuth + Jets preview with Zack Rosenblatt.

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Reposted by Mike DeFabo

Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · Sep 3

Introducing The Yinziders, a weekly Pittsburgh sports podcast w/ Jenna Harner.

This week:

🏈 Pat Freiermuth talks about his engagement, the offense’s trip to Malibu and new QB Aaron Rodgers

✈️ Jets writer Zack Rosenblatt previews Week 1

🐶 The debut of Zeke’s Picks

m.youtube.com/watch?v=kTDl...

What I’m seeing from the Steelers: Rodgers is demanding, detailed — that’s a good thing

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Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · Sep 4

Aaron Rodgers can certainly be detailed and demanding. If teammates aren’t where they’re supposed to be, when they’re supposed to be there, he’s going to let them know about it.

And that’s a good thing.

What I’m seeing from the Steelers: www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

Plus, looking for a No. 2 weapon on offense, and sizing up a defense that could be great.

The Yinziders Week 1: Wedding planning with Pat Freiermuth, Jets preview with Zack Rosenblatt and the debut of Zeke’s Picks

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Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · Sep 3

Subscribe in YouTube:

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7MOt...

Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

Podcast Episode · The Yinziders · 09/03/2025 · 1h 2m

podcasts.apple.com

The Yinziders Week 1: Wedding planning with Pat Freiermuth + Jets preview with Zack Rosenblatt.

Mike DeFabo @mikedefabo.bsky.social · Sep 3

Introducing The Yinziders, a weekly Pittsburgh sports podcast w/ Jenna Harner.

This week:

🏈 Pat Freiermuth talks about his engagement, the offense’s trip to Malibu and new QB Aaron Rodgers

✈️ Jets writer Zack Rosenblatt previews Week 1

🐶 The debut of Zeke’s Picks

m.youtube.com/watch?v=kTDl...