Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh’s Defense Called Game Against Baltimore. There’s Still One Problem.

Published

4 days ago

December 11, 2025

Pittsburgh’s Defense Called Game Against Baltimore. There’s Still One Problem.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense rose up and called game on Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson to close out Sunday’s game. The biggest win of the season. A great final play of Alex Highsmith racing around the edge to sack Jackson, something the Steelers’ front seven hadn’t been able to do all day (cornerback Brandin Echols had the only other sack of the day).

As the team has done so many times before in these contests, Pittsburgh made plays when it meant the most. But I can’t help but have one gripe over how the final drive went. An issue not aimed at the players but the coaches. Yet again, Nick Herbig was left off the field for nearly the entire drive.

In most obvious passing situations, Pittsburgh uses its 3-EDGE package with just one down lineman or, less often, just one inside linebacker. A way to get T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Herbig on the field all at once to maximize the Steelers’ rush.

Despite Baltimore being in the most obvious passing situation of the season, down five on its own 26 with less than two minutes to go and just one timeout, Pittsburgh didn’t use that grouping. Instead, the Steelers went the entire nine-play drive in its traditional 2-4-5 nickel: Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt at outside linebacker with Cam Heyward and Esezi Otomewo along the d-line.

Baltimore’s no-huddle for much of the drive prevented any substitution. Whatever package Pittsburgh came out with would be one they’d be committing to. And the Steelers chose to sideline Herbig. He played three snaps, replacing Highsmith at ROLB. One of them was a spike.

Pittsburgh chose to play Otomewo and Yahya Black along the d-line instead. And credit to Otomewo. His stunt on Highsmith’s sack played a key role, freeing up Cam Heyward to get interior pressure on Jackson that helped flush him wide for Highsmith to round the corner and take him down. Black played a solid game overall.

But the principle must be the same. Get the best players on the field, especially in the biggest moments. The game, the division, and really the season were on the line. And Herbig was largely glued to the sideline. That’s a problem.

Now, the Steelers can say it worked. All’s well that ends well. But I look at process as much as results, and the process missed the mark. It’s hardly a one-off. Failure to get Herbig playing time when Highsmith is healthy has been a recurring issue. That’s no slight on Highsmith. He should’ve been out there, too, just as he was. I’ve been on the other side of the “trade Highsmith” camp that’s swirled throughout the year, and Highsmith was excellent against Baltimore.

But it should’ve been Herbig subbing in for Otomewo and Black. That’s the best 11. Pittsburgh also still refuses to use dime packages, but that’s a separate issue, and the Steelers can at least point to the many DB injuries and changes.

In losses, there’s always reason to look at what went well. And in wins, there’s always reason to examine where further improvement could occur. Herbig again being left off the field in such a significant moment, for seemingly zero explanation or justification, can’t happen again. The next time Pittsburgh gets the chance, Herbig must be given the opportunity to help close the door.

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Pittsburg, PA

Report: Pirates Among Teams Interested in Luis Robert Jr.

Published

1 hour ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Report: Pirates Among Teams Interested in Luis Robert Jr.

Chicago White Sox’s Luis Robert Jr. jogs the bases after hitting a home run during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the teams expressing interest in Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., according to Francys Romero on Twitter/X. Romero notes that the New York Mets and San Diego Padres are also interested.

After being named an American League All-Star for the first time in 2023, Robert had his second straight subpar season for the White Sox in 2025. The 28-year-old slashed just .223/.297/.364 with 12 doubles, 14 home runs and 53 RBI in 100 games. He did, however, finished fifth in the American League with 33 stolen bases and was in the 93rd-percentile with seven outs above average in center field.

Though he’s struggled at the plate over the last two seasons, Robert looked to be emerging as one of the game’s top young players after a breakout campaign in 2023. Robert has battled injuries in his career but played in a career-high 145 games that season. He finished 12th in the American League MVP race and won a Silver Slugger after batting .264 with an .857 OPS, 36 doubles, one triple, 38 home runs, 80 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

Strikeouts have been an issue for Robert and are a big reason for his struggles in recent seasons. Over the past two years, he’s struck out in nearly 30% of his plate appearances. Even in his breakout season in 2023, he struck out 172 times in 595 plate appearances.

Robert is owed $20 million this coming seasons and has a club option valued at $20 million again for 2027 with a $2 million buyout.

The Pirates have been looking to make lineup upgrades all offseason. They’ve been aggressive on the free agent market — including empty pursuits of Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Polanco — but have yet to add a bat via free agency. The only free agent agreement the Pirates have made so far is with left-handed reliever Gregory Soto for one year and $7.75 million.

As for the offense, the Pirates acquired Jhostynxon García from the Boston Red Sox but have come up short in adding established help to their lowly offense.

Given that the Pirates have already been outbid on multiple players this offseason, general manager Ben Cherington could choose to focus his attention on the trade market to land an impact bat.

In addition to Robert, the St. Louis Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan and the New York Mets’ Jeff McNeil are among the players the Pirates have reportedly expressed interest in.

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Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh braces for heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures | Live First Alert Weather

Published

13 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Pittsburgh braces for heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures | Live First Alert Weather

A Winter Storm Warning goes into effect at 1 p.m. for counties south of Allegheny County, and a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Allegheny County and others to the north.

National Weather Service issues Winter Storm Warning

Earlier this week, the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for parts of the Pittsburgh area along and south of I-70 for today and Sunday due to what they described as “a band of heavier snow.”

As of Friday evening, nearly all of the Pittsburgh area is expected to see between two and four inches of snow.

In Pittsburgh, the estimate is 3-5 inches and 5-10 for the ridges.

Snow will be coupled with frigid temperatures

As the snow tapers off around midnight Sunday morning, it will remain scattered, but cold air will follow, leaving the low temperatures in the single digits, and the wind chill below zero as gusts could reach up to 15-20mph.