Logo

Steeers Defensive Player of the Year Rolls In Late, Tomlin Lays Down the Law at Camp

Latrobe, PA – August 15, 2025 — With just two days to go before the Steelers’ second preseason test, T.J. Watt learned that even the most decorated players in Pittsburgh aren’t above a public reminder about the team’s standard.

A frenetic offseason behind them, the Steelers are entering 'new territory'  as training camp opens

The Steelers were deep into their defensive walkthrough at Saint Vincent College, fine-tuning blitz packages and gap responsibilities ahead of the August 17 contest, when Watt jogged onto the field. It was nearly eight minutes past the start of the session, and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year was still in a hoodie, with his pads only partially strapped. His explanation — that he’d been stopped by fans for autographs at the gate — earned smiles from some teammates, but not from head coach Mike Tomlin.

Holdout or not, T.J. Watt will likely get record pay day from Steelers

Tomlin halted the drill immediately, gathered the defense, and spoke directly to his captain:

“We’ll always embrace a Defensive Player of the Year, but the Defensive Player of the Year has to work like he’s still fighting for a roster spot.”

Steelers name 2024 team captains: Russell Wilson, Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt,  Miles Killebrew

There was no mistaking the tone — it was firm, measured, and meant for everyone on the field. Watt responded in the only way he knows: strapping on his gear, stepping into the very next rep, and blowing past the left tackle to stuff the running back for a loss. The sideline erupted, but the lesson lingered.

As the Steelers prepare for their next preseason challenge, Tomlin’s words serve as both a warning and a rallying cry: no matter your résumé, in Pittsburgh, the grind never stops.

59 views
Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side