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Behind the Steel Curtain

A level-headed news-discussion site with a sense of history and community

Latest Entries

Omar Khan non-committal on Broderick Jones camp availability

When the Pittsburgh Steelers traded up in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft to select Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones 14th overall, they thought they were getting a key piece to their offensive line for the foreseeable future. While Jones may still be just that, the future seems murky, especially after the neck […]

NFL draft profile 2026: Emmanuel Pregnon (Guard, Oregon)

The 2026 NFL Draft is in Pittsburgh! This draft season, we’ll be scouting as many of the top prospects that the Pittsburgh Steelers could have their eye on. We’ll break down the prospects themselves, strengths and weaknesses, projected draft capital, and their fit with the Steelers. The Steelers have recently hit on several picks along […]

Omar Khan, Steelers want RB Kenneth Gainwell back in 2026

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell signed a one-year, $1.79 million contract with the Steelers last March. It seemed like Gainwell would be a distant third in a running back room that included newly-extended Jaylen Warren and rookie third-round pick Kaleb Johnson. That could not have been further from what happened, as […]

Omar Khan provides clarity on Patrick Queen’s roster status

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter 2026 with the eighth-most cap space in the NFL, sitting with approximately $44.7 million. That number can jump up to roughly $57.2 million if they were to part ways with Patrick Queen, who has been labeled as a cut candidate ahead of the new league year. General manager Omar Khan spoke […]

5 Takeaways from Omar Khan’s press conference

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan was the first general manager to speak to the media in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine ahead of what will be a very crucial offseason for the franchise in the first year of the post-Mike Tomlin era. The Steelers’ general manager addressed several lingering question marks […]

Steelers GM Omar Khan takes ownership for poor receiving corps

For the third offseason in a row, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a major need for a wide receiver. After trading for and investing in DK Metcalf long-term, the Steelers still found themselves with depth issues in the room that limited them offensively, especially during the receiver’s suspension at the end of last season. When asked […]

Latest trade prediction sends T.J. Watt to AFC foe

We are in the midst of speculation season, as the new NFL league year is still weeks away. With that in mind, there is plenty of chatter about the Pittsburgh Steelers and the potential moves they could make, both in free agency and on the trade market. One name that has been discussed more and […]

NFL

Let’s talk Steelers: What position should PIT target in the first round?

Happy draft season! It’s the time of year to obsess over a bunch of buzz words and phrases: best player available, positional value — you get the idea. And of course: debating who is really worth Pittsburgh’s first round pick in 2026. What position should PIT target in the first round? Most would agree a […]

Steelers named as perfect fit for fifth-year NFC wideout

As key dates approach in the NFL offseason, one clear goal for the Pittsburgh Steelers is to acquire several wide receivers. NFL free agency opens March 11th, with the 2026 NFL Draft shortly following in Pittsburgh on April 23rd. In 2025, the black and gold struggled mightily in the pass-catching department, as just one wideout […]

Steelers QB target named top 2026 free agent

As the Pittsburgh Steelers await a decision from quarterback Aaron Rodgers on his future, one free-agent gunslinger continues to draw attention. When the black and gold hired head coach Mike McCarthy, many believed the four-time NFL MVP was likely to return. However, a decision has yet to be made, and with NFL free agency around […]

Monday mock draft: Steelers take pair of wide receivers

Every year, the same familiar refrain echoes throughout NFL cities: “This is the most important draft in franchise history.” While that sentiment is often exaggerated, the upcoming draft truly carries a different level of intrigue for the Steelers. For the first time, the organization will draft under head coach Mike McCarthy, marking the beginning of […]

How did you become a Steelers fan?

Some fans choose their team, and some fans are chosen by their team. Which was it for you? Today, we want to hear your story from you: How did you become a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers? When did you first become a fan? Were you born into it? Was there a specific game or […]

Steelers mailbag: Who is the most talented player for Pittsburgh?

Welcome to the pre-NFL Combine mailbag. The Pittsburgh Steelers will once again be at the forefront of the NFL conversation, as their quarterback situation remains up in the air and they have a new head coach for the first time in two decades. With that in mind, Behind The Steel Curtain will be in Indianapolis […]

Have you ever met a Steelers player or coach in real life?

We’re beyond the Super Bowl, but not quite to the start of the new league year, so it’s a somewhat quiet time in the NFL. Let’s pass the time by talking about the Steelers.  Where’s the most random place you’ve run into a Pittsburgh Steelers player or coach, and who was it? You could always […]

Insider reveals which college quarterback Steelers have close eye on

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to navigate uncertainty at the quarterback position as they await clarity on Aaron Rodgers’ future with the franchise. Regardless of whether Rodgers ultimately returns, league insiders expect Pittsburgh to remain active in its evaluation of quarterback prospects ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. One name increasingly linked to the organization is […]

Saturday Night Open Thread: The Tail Wagners the Dog

Live from Delaware, it’s Saturday Night! I, NAS204PSU, am here at BTSC to bring you this Saturday Night Open Thread (aka SNOT). It was a sad week with the passing of former Steeler safety Mike Wagner. He was before my time, but a four-time Super Bowl champion and two-time Pro Bowler. RIP Mr Wagner.  The offseason continues and we’ve […]

Star AFC receiver emerges as surprise trade target for Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the most active teams on the trade market in the NFL over the last two years. From trading away Kenny Pickett, Diontae Johnson, and George Pickens to acquiring Justin Fields, DK Metcalf, and Jalen Ramsey, the Steelers have shown they are more than willing to make deals with […]

Steelers mailbag: NFL Combine questions callout

The NFL Combine is next week, and Behind The Steel Curtain will be in Indianapolis all week for on-site coverage. Ahead of the festivities, submit your questions for the pre-NFL Combine mailbag, and return tomorrow to have them answered. Questions can be submitted in the comment section of this article. Thank you to the readers […]

Steelers HC McCarthy: ‘We’re definitely preparing for both scenarios’ with Aaron Rodgers

New Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy offered some vague, but entertaining updates on veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers’s NFL future in a radio interview with ESPN Milwaukee on Friday. “It always points back to healthy communication, and there definitely has been that,” McCarthy said when asked about how the two sides would be moving forward. “We’ll […]

New Steelers DC Patrick Graham emphasizes familiarity on defense ahead of 2026 season

Media appearances are still rather few and far between for the Steelers’ new coaching staff under Mike McCarthy, but Pittsburgh’s new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham gave a short sit-down interview with Steelers.com’s Missi Matthews on Friday, where he revealed why he came to the Steelers, as well as his opinions and philosophy for the defense […]

Friday Night Happy Hour: Combine Edition

Welcome to BTSC’s Friday night open thread: With the season over and NFL Draft season officially underway, I’ve been grinding tape, ranking prospects, writing profiles, and in general I’ve been burning the midnight oil to prepare draft content for BTSC. So it’s exciting for a draft nerd like me to finally have the next big […]

Patrick Graham reveals why he took Steelers DC job

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a nearly brand-new coaching staff heading into 2026. New head coach Mike McCarthy retained two assistants from Mike Tomlin’s staff in quarterbacks coach Tom Arth and linebackers coach Scott McCurley. The remainder of the staff is new to the Steelers, which includes defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who sat down with Missi […]

Parish’s 2026 NFL Draft Gems: Wide Receivers

The Steelers are entering their third straight offseason with a desperate need for additional wide receiver help. Last year, Pittsburgh traded for DK Metcalf, but also sent away George Pickens in a later deal. While the relationship between Pickens and the organization had clearly become untenable, it did little to fix the depth issue at […]

Steelers DL Cam Heyward named to ‘PFF 101’

Cam Heyward might’ve played his 2025 season at 36 years old, but he’s still recognized as one of the top defensive linemen in the NFL. Analytics website Pro Football Focus has been unveiling its top 101 players list following the 2025 season, with rankings solely based off of play in the last year and without […]