Forged In Steel Times (#105) – Gruden Weighs In On Steelers: The Good, the Bad, and the Grit Heading into Week 9

PITTSBURGH – As the Steelers prepare for their Week 9 showdown, national attention continues to grow around a team that has battled back from early season turbulence to sit at 4-3 with momentum and identity forming at the right time. The latest voice to chime in on the Steelers season comes from none other than Jon Gruden, the former Super Bowl winning coach and one of the most polarizing analysts in football.

Gruden, never shy about giving blunt assessments, recently offered a detailed critique of the Steelers across all three phases of the game. His breakdown was equal parts praise, concern, and challenge, which is a message that resonated inside the facility as Pittsburgh inches closer to the midway point of the season.

Gruden on Ridder: “He is slinging it, man, but he has got to be careful.”

One of the first things Gruden pointed out was the evolution of Desmond Ridder, who has played some of the best football of his PML career. Ridder enters Week Nine with 2,146 passing yards, averaging 306.6 per game. He has completed 162 of 233 passes, a strong 69 percent, with 19 touchdowns to 8 interceptions and a 111.2 passer rating.

Gruden was impressed.

“Ridder is throwing darts out there,” he said. “He is moving this offense. He is processing. He is making big time throws. You do not put up over two thousand yards in seven games unless you are dealing.”

But Gruden, true to form, did not stop with praise.

“He has got to be careful though. Eight interceptions is too many for a guy with this much talent. And he has taken eight sacks, which tells me sometimes he is holding it too long. He is playing like a franchise quarterback, but he has got to play clean.”

Gruden on the Two Headed Monster: “Those boys run angry.”

Gruden shifted quickly to the backfield, where he could not hide his admiration for what the Steelers have built.

Nate Carter:
67 carries for 499 yards, 3 rushing touchdowns, plus 272 receiving yards and another score.

Kaleb Johnson:
46 carries for 329 yards and 6 touchdowns.

“That is smashmouth football,” Gruden said. “Carter is explosive. He gets downhill, he hits the hole, and he breaks tackles. And Johnson? Johnson is a closer. He is a finisher. He gets the tough yards. Together they give the offense balance that is hard to find in this league.”

Gruden believes this duo is the backbone of Pittsburgh’s identity.

“When these two backs are rolling, the Steelers look like old school Steelers football, man. Physical. Relentless. They wear on you.”

Gruden on the Passing Weapons: “St. Brown is the heartbeat.”

The receiving corps has been productive across the board, highlighted by Amon Ra St. Brown with 32 catches for 519 yards and 4 touchdowns.

“That kid is a technician,” Gruden said. “He is the engine. He moves chains. He keeps defenses honest.”

Gruden also praised Jonnu Smith, who has racked up 27 catches for 433 yards, and DK Metcalf, who has 376 yards and 4 touchdowns.

“Metcalf is a bully out there. You throw it up and let him go get it.”

But Gruden had special praise for Alec Pierce, who has emerged as one of the league’s best red zone targets with 21 catches for 294 yards and 6 touchdowns.

“Pierce has chemistry with Ridder. You can see it. He wins inside leverage. He wins in contested spots. He is a problem.”

Gruden on the Defense: “These guys fly around.”

Gruden did not hesitate to dive into the Steelers defense, one of the most statistically diverse units in the league.

He called Payton Wilson, who leads the team with 54 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and a fumble recovery, “one of the smartest young linebackers in football.”

Gruden then praised Isaiah Simmons with 51 tackles and 4 tackles for loss, noting his versatility and speed.

On Patrick Queen, Gruden was all in.

“Four interceptions. Eleven tackles for loss. Forty eight total tackles. Two forced fumbles. Two recoveries. The guy is everywhere. That is an All Pro resume through seven games.”

Jalen Ramsey’s 40 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and a forced fumble drew strong reaction too.

“He is still that guy,” Gruden said. “He shuts things down.”

He highlighted contributions from Lewis Cine with 34 tackles and 4 tackles for loss, Jaylen Watson, who has already scored twice on defense, and Darius Rush, who has emerged with 2 interceptions and 24 tackles.

Gruden saved his strongest praise for the edge rush.

“T.J. Watt has 15 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and a strip sack. He is unbelievable. He affects the game on every snap.”

He complimented Alex Highsmith with 26 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks, calling him “one of the most underrated pass rushers in football.”

And he noted the interior help from Derrick Harmon and Logan Hall, who combine for 3.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and relentless interior pressure.

Gruden on Boswell: “That is a pro.”

Gruden also pointed straight at Chris Boswell, who remains perfect at 11 of 11 on field goals and 28 of 28 on extra points.

“That is how you win in this league,” Gruden said. “You need a kicker you can trust, and Boswell is money. He has not missed all year. That says something about him, and it says something about that new long snapper too.”

The Final Word

Gruden’s critique was thorough. Honest. Fair. And reflective of a team trending upward but still far from satisfied.

He sees a talented offense.
A fast, physical defense.
An elite special teams unit.
A coaching staff sharpening the identity.

But he also sees room to grow and believes this Steelers team has a chance to be one of the most dangerous groups in the league if they keep building.

“They are four and three,” Gruden said. “They are right in the hunt. They are tough. They are explosive. They play with heart. Now it is about finishing.”

Week 9 awaits.

– Forged In Steel Times