We asked. You answered.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are headed to D.C. for a showdown with Washington Commanders this week. How are fans feeling coming out of the bye? Earlier this week, we polled fans about their confidence in the direction the team is heading and how they’d grade the trades for
Here’s what they had to say.
Fan confidence is at a season high.
94% of Steelers fans report that they’re confident in the direction the Pittsburgh Steelers are heading ahead of Week 10 kickoff. That marks the third consecutive week that 91% (or more) of fans reported confidence in the team’s direction and the third straight week of an increase in confidence.
Likely contributing to that confidence is the growing faith in the offense with Russell Wilson under center, improved health for the roster coming out of the bye and some fairly wise (and cost-effective moves at the NFL trade deadline.
Speaking of those trades…
Most Steelers fans give the Preston Smith trade an A.
Fans are happy! Just 11% of fans grade the trade for OLB Preston Smith as a “B” or worse, including no votes for 0%. Solid win in the W column for Steelers GM Omar Khan, giving up a seventh-round pick to bolster depth in their pass rush.
Smith reportedly requested a trade ahead of the deadline due to scheme fit, having started the season a bit slower than he has in recent years. He’s had 8+ sacks in each of the last three seasons and five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries over that same span. His presence in the lineup that including the proficient pass-rushing duo of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith should have him in play to rack up some sacks in the second half of the season.
If nothing else, the addition of smith as a rotational option should be a good move to help manage the workload of Watt and Highsmith through the stretch, especially as promising second-year edge Nick Herbig continues to make his way back from a hamstring injury that has held him out since suffering the injury in Week 5.
They’re similarly happy with the trade for Mike Williams.
Again, 89% of Steelers fans graded the trade for Mike Williams as an “A” — all things considered, a plus to get any WR2 at this point after the roller coaster the Steelers went through. No Brandon Aiyuk, no Davante Adams, but on the plus side, that also means not having to give up the draft capital associated with such a move (or the financial repercussions).
There’s no doubt that Mike Williams likely possesses some greater upside than Van Jefferson as a WR2 and is at least more reliable in contested catch situations. It’s a solid depth move that provides Russell Wilson another down-field threat along the perimeter.
