Difficult questions and candid answers: December 7 edition
The views expressed here do not represent the Steelers organization.
Let’s dive in:
HOWARD ASHCRAFT FROM LANSING, MI: Congrats to Alex Highsmith for being named the WPMOY award recipient nominee. Among Steelers players, who has the most nominations?
ANSWER: According to NFL.com, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award honors a player for excellence both on and off the field. Established in 1970 and renamed in 1999 after Walter Payton, the award asks each team to nominate one player who has made a meaningful impact in their community, with one overall winner chosen from all 32 teams. The winner receives up to $250,000 for a charity of his choice, while each of the 32 team winners can receive up to $40,000 to donate to their charity. Steelers honorees since 1970 include Franco Harris (1976), Joe Greene (1979), Lynn Swann (1981), Jerome Bettis (2001), and Cam Heyward (2023).
FRANCO MARSICO FROM PITTSBURGH, PA: Not a question—just congratulations to Alex Highsmith for being the Steelers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee. In sports generally, awards like MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year generate strong debates. Personally, I’ve always considered the Payton Award the most merit-based of all postseason NFL honors. Thank you for exemplifying championship character off the field, Mr. Highsmith.
ANSWER: Agreed—the annual Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner embodies selflessness and generosity.
LYNN RYDER FROM NORTH EAST, PA: When will the league announce whether the Monday night game against the Dolphins will be flexed?
ANSWER: NFL procedure states that an announcement is issued only when a game is being flexed; if there’s no flex, no announcement is made. For Steelers–Dolphins on Monday, Dec. 15, the deadline for flexing has passed without a change, so the game will proceed as originally scheduled—8:15 p.m. at Acrisure Stadium.
DAVID BYSTRY FROM MENTOR, OH: A couple of weeks ago, the Steelers added WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the practice squad. It was noted he previously played for the Packers when Aaron Rodgers was quarterback there. The expectation was that once he learned the playbook, he’d be moved to the 53-man roster. Since then, there hasn’t been much news about his status.
ANSWER: Yesterday, Valdes-Scantling was called up from the practice squad to participate in today’s game against the Ravens in Baltimore. Typically, a call-up of this nature suggests he’ll be active in the matchup.
JAY BISHOP FROM ENID, OK: Do you think there’s a reason George Pickens might struggle to stay in Pittsburgh long-term? Could he be misaligned with the team’s philosophy, perhaps focused more on personal highlights than collective goals? Might locker-room dynamics or coaching relationships be at issue? Could Dallas be handling him differently, and could he become a problem later?
ANSWER: Rather than give a direct verdict, consider this: did you watch the Thursday night game between the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys? Also, what did Richard Sherman say in his postgame breakdown about Pickens’ performance and attitude in that game? That game and Sherman’s assessment offer insight into those questions and suggest where things stand.
SCOTT SHILEY FROM BRICK, NJ: My memory isn’t perfect, but I don’t recall the Steelers stopping a fourth-down conversion this season. Could you pull the team’s fourth-down defense stats for 2025? Also, why does the whistle seem to linger for the Eagles’ tush-push on some plays, yet blow quickly when the Steelers attempt it against the Bears on fourth down?
ANSWER: Through the season, opponents have converted 21 of 28 fourth-down tries, so the Steelers have stopped 7. Regarding the tush-push, it’s a play that’s difficult to officiate consistently due to crowded formations and field-level angles. That’s part of why there’s debate about banning it.
DAN MCNEEL FROM MANCHESTER, NH: With a 6-6 record, the Steelers are in playoff contention and could still win the AFC North. Historically, which season near .500 did the Steelers finish and still win at least one playoff game?
ANSWER: The Steelers have never reached the playoffs with a sub-.500 record. Two near-.500 seasons that still produced playoff wins were 1984 (9-7) — they beat Denver in the Divisional Round — and 1989 (9-7) — they defeated Houston in the Wild Card Round.
ROB DENKHAUS FROM HUDSON OAKS, TX: After five decades as a Steelers fan, which players have been the most engaging interview subjects over the years?
ANSWER: Joe Greene stands out as the most compelling interview subject—thoughtful, perceptive, and consistently ready to speak truth when needed.
BARRY GIBSON FROM LA PORTE, TX: Is there a point this season where Will Howard might be inserted as the starting QB to evaluate him as a future option? Could a December appearance reveal anything about his potential, or would it just satisfy curiosity?
ANSWER: A December appearance as a regular starter isn’t a fair or reliable way to gauge Howard’s abilities. Playing him due to injuries is one thing; inserting him to “see what he can do” without any real NFL preparation would likely yield little meaningful insight and risk fans’ expectations.
BRUNO CONTORCHICK FROM YORK, PA: How many officials are on the field, where are the replay officials located, and how are officiating crews assigned?
ANSWER: Each game features seven on-field officials—referee, umpire, down judge, line judge, back judge, field judge, and side judge—plus one replay official, all on site. NFL assigns the officiating crews.
JOSE JUVES FROM FT. MYERS, FL: Is television revenue shared equally among all 32 teams, or do some teams receive bonuses for larger audiences or national games?
ANSWER: The NFL distributes all TV broadcast revenue equally among the 32 teams. There are no additional payments tied to national game status or audience size.
