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 Baltimore Beatdown’s Dustin Cox): While on the Sports and Suits podcast recently, Johnson revealed his thought process for the bizarre decision, citing the cold weather as his reasoning.
“I wasn’t getting into no run plays, no passing plays or nothing,” Johnson said. “It was cold. End of the third, going into the fourth, they were like, ‘Tae, we need you.’ I was like, ‘Nah, I don’t think it’s a good idea for me.’ Like, my legs are already ice cold and I didn’t wanna go out there and put bad stuff on film. It’s not like I didn’t wanna go into the game, but leading up to this point, I had been through so much… I told them I’m not finna go in, so I just sat on the bench, and that’s when they suspended me.”
It’s the sort of story that sounds like an angry message board hypothetical — except it’s an actual quote from Johnson.
Ironically, Johnson is now playing for yet another cold weather team in 2025, the Cleveland Browns. It’ll be his third AFC North team he’s suited up for.
In 2024, his first season since being traded from the Steelers, Johnson played for three different teams, appearing in 12 total games. He logged 33 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns.
(From Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper): Longtime Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly said on 93.7 The Fan that the Steelers and Boyd have talked this offseason.
Kaboly went on to say that he was not sure if a formal offer was made during those conversations. He added that the money that Boyd has been offered around the league this offseason from any team has not been in the neighborhood he’s looking for and that he’s continuing to wait to see if a better offer can come his way.
A follow-up to the week’s earlier Tyler Boyd story; it appears there’s some mutual interest between the Steelers and the veteran receiver. Of course, if a deal went through, Pittsburgh would be adding another slot weapon to an offense that already includes Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III, Pat Freiermuth, and now, Jonnu Smith.
However, Boyd shouldn’t be expensive. He signed for just $2.4 million last season with the Tennessee Titans. Now 30 years old, he’s coming off his worst NFL season since 2017. Last year, Boyd recorded 39 receptions for 390 yards and no touchdowns, appearing in 16 games.
(From Steelers.com’s Teresa Varley): “My mom has always told me about different situations in life, when you know, you know. And I know Pittsburgh is the right spot. When I talked to Coach (Mike) Tomlin, when I talked to (general manager) Omar (Khan), when I talked to everybody, I knew there wasn’t a better situation. I knew it was the right spot for me.” …
“Going to Ohio State got me much more prepared for this next level,” said Howard. “I was ready to enter the draft last year and I was fully prepared to come out and do the draft process and go through everything that comes with entering the draft. I was ready for it. But I just felt like I wasn’t quite where I wanted to be. I felt like I wanted to add a little more development. I wanted to learn more. I wanted to get myself more prepared for the next level.
NFL readiness has been a theme for the Steelers’ 2025 draft class. All but one pick was from the Big Ten, two were from the reigning national champion, and like Howard, first-rounder Derrick Harmon has mentioned how his high-level college experience prepared him for the pros.
(From ESPN): Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed a two-year, $60 billion budget that sets aside $600 million in unclaimed funds for a new Cleveland Browns stadium. … Last October, the Browns announced they informed the city of Cleveland of their intentions to build a state-of-the-art stadium and entertainment complex in Brook Park — which is in the same county but 15 miles south of Cleveland — when their stadium lease with the city expires at the end of the 2028 NFL season.
The Browns currently play at Huntington Bank Field in downtown Cleveland. The stadium was first opened in 1999 — just two years before the Steelers’ Heinz Field (now Acrisure stadium).
Now, the Browns are trying to move out of downtown Cleveland, and they have the Ohio governor’s approval. However, the city of Cleveland has sued the Browns to try and prevent the change.
How does this concern the Steelers? Well, if the new stadium is built as planned, the Browns would become the first AFC North team playing indoors.
Does the AFC North really need a domed stadium?
Venues with roofs are more useful when it comes to becoming all-purpose event hubs — but when it comes to AFC North football, it goes against everything the division is built on.
Toughness. Grit. Cold weather. And there’s plenty of evidence why that matters: Browns-Steelers in Huntington Bank Field in 2024 provided one of the NFL’s most memorable snow games in recent memory. And of course, the many great Steelers-Ravens games of the past wouldn't have felt quite as dramatic in indoor heating.
Plus, the move would continue a frustrating trend of teams moving from the cities they’re named for and into the suburbs. Of course, a whole lot more matters than just the vibes. But it’s still a disappointing change to the AFC North.
What are your thoughts on the Browns potentially playing in a dome? Is it an insult to AFC North football, or could you not care less? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!
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