Wednesday links: What’s your favorite unexpected Steelers playoff run?

Detroit, UNITED STATES: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (L) holds the Vince Lombardi trophy with teammate Jerome Bettis (R) after his team won Super Bowl XL, 21-10 against the Seattle Seahawks 05 February 2006 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. AFP PHOTO/JEFF HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images

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:

• Bengals have regularly focused on defense in NFL Draft: It just hasn’t paid off (Cincy Jungle)
• Ravens host WR Denzel Boston, TE Oscar Delp for pre-draft visits (Baltimore Beatdown)
• As draft rumors swirl, why Cowboys trade up with Browns when many ‘trying to drop down’ (Dawgs By Nature)

Now, onto some Steelers news and discussion:

Will the Steelers break a 20-year trend by capitalizing on this golden age of receivers in the NFL Draft?

(From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Christopher Carter): The hit rate of first-round receivers grew from 40% in 2001-2010 to 50% in 2011-2018, and that rate has been maintained over the last six NFL Drafts. There’s a strong likelihood that the number of hit receivers from the 2019-2025 era will increase as players from recent classes continue to develop.

…

The results point to a clear trend for Khan and Weidl: While the NFL has always found its best receivers in the first round, teams now hit on those picks at the highest rate of any era.

A nice piece breaking down how the Steelers haven’t drafted first-round wide receivers for a while, but it has become an increasingly successful strategy for NFL teams. As one of Pittsburgh’s biggest needs is at wide receiver this offseason, could that trend finally change?

Also, some related good news for local journalism and Steelers coverage: The PPG won’t be shutting down after all.

Steelers Could Cut One More Veteran

(From SI’s Jack Markowski): While appearing on “Breakfast with Benz“, former NFL scout Matt Williamson stated that he doesn’t think Malik Harrison will ultimately make the Steelers‘ 53-man roster for the 2026 season, citing the presence of both Cole Holcomb and Carson Bruener as reasons why the former might be the odd man out in the inside linebacker room.

“I also think Holcomb is a very solid No. 3,” Williamson said. “Who knows when and if this happens, [but] I don’t think Harrison will be on the final roster. I think his cap space is worth more than he is.”

A reminder that cuts and signings don’t end with free agency — the Steelers will still be undergoing quite a bit of roster upheaval after the draft.

Especially as the team has shown so much interest in inside linebacker this draft cycle, the ones currently on the roster may not be safe — especially veteran Malik Harrison, who would save over $4 million in cap space if cut.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 NFL draft picks, biggest needs

(From ESPN’s Brooke Pryor): It seems unlikely the Steelers will use their first-round pick on a quarterback, but don’t rule it out on Day 2 or Day 3, even if Aaron Rodgers returns. New coach Mike McCarthy and the scouting staff have been doing their homework on several prospects in the quarterback class, including Carson Beck (Miami), Drew Allar (Penn State) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU). Both McCarthy and general manager Omar Khan have been transparent about their signal-caller wish list: long arms, big hands and a knack for thriving in the cold weather.

Like most, ESPN’s Steelers beat writer doesn’t foresee the team going quarterback in the first round. But Pittsburgh has shown a lot of interest in mid-round talents at the position.

Labriola on Pittsburgh’s Draft history

(From Steelers.com’s Bob Labriola): The Steelers are 1 of 8 franchises to have participated in each of the previous 90 NFL Drafts – Chicago, Green Bay, Detroit, Washington, the Cardinals, Philadelphia, and the New York Giants being the others – and their personal history with the picking of players has run the gamut.

A nice look down memory lane regarding the Steelers’ extensive draft history.

Who would have thought? Remembering five of Pittsburgh’s most unlikely playoff runs

(From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Rob Joesbury): Steelers, 1989

This was the Steelers’ only playoff appearance between 1985 and 1991, late in the Chuck Noll era, and no one could have thought that would be the case after the first two games of the season.

Everyone loves a good underdog story. This article includes not just Steelers examples, but also some from the Pirates and Penguins.

What’s your favorite “unlikely” Steelers playoff run?

While a non-Super Bowl example might fit the spirit of the question a bit better, the first example that came to my mind was the Steelers winning Super Bowl XL as the AFC’s No. 6 seed — and after a 7-5 regular season start.

And, yes, if you’re familiar with my work at BTSC you’d know I wasn’t old enough to appreciate this playoff run. But even I know the storylines were off-the-charts good that year: the Jerome Bettis farewell tour, the Ben Roethlisberger tackle versus the Colts, “one for the thumb,” etc. etc.

But what unexpected Steelers playoff runs are you thinking of? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!