PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers entered Week 4 with a major change under center, as head coach DK turned to newly signed quarterback Desmond Ridder to take over the offense. It was a bold move, and while the decision carried risk, Ridder’s debut performance helped the Steelers earn a hard-fought victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Ridder threw for 492 yards and 6 touchdowns, completing 75 percent of his passes and finishing with a 124.1 passer rating. He also threw 3 interceptions, something both Ridder and the coaching staff acknowledged as an area that must improve. “Desmond gave us everything he had today, and his composure was huge for us,” DK said. “At the same time, we know we have to take better care of the football. That will be a point of emphasis moving forward, and we know we’ll be much better there.”
The receiving corps shined in the big win. Calvin Austin turned in a breakout performance with 4 catches for 120 yards and a touchdown, while DK Metcalf hauled in 6 passes for 117 yards and 2 scores, including the game-winning touchdown that sealed the victory.
On defense, Joey Porter Jr. stepped up in a big way after Jalen Ramsey was a last-minute scratch. Porter recorded 4 interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, energizing the defense and providing key momentum swings. “Joey answered the call today,” DK noted. “It was inspiring to see him step into that role and deliver.”
Despite the thrilling result, the coaching staff was quick to point out there is still plenty of work to do. Defensively, communication and consistency remain areas of focus, while offensively, limiting turnovers will be critical if the team wants to sustain success. “We are proud of this group for fighting and finding a way to win, but we know we can be better,” DK added. “Our job now is to clean things up, learn from the mistakes, and keep building.”
For Steelers Nation, the Week 4 win brought excitement and hope, but also a clear message of humility and growth. The Ridder era begins with a victory, and the focus now turns to improving week by week.
– Forged In Steel Times
