Kevin Smith

30 years of coaching as HC/OC. Football analyst for Fans First Sports (FFSN) and Steel Curtain Network. Host of "The Call Sheet" podcast every M-W-F.

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

@aforred Yes!

I’ll be shocked if Mike McCarthy isn’t more willing to throw there than Mike T. Particularly since he has lots of guys to target there. DW especially.

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

Oh baby. Now let’s give the big guy the snaps he deserves. If Mike McCarthy is serious about wanting to run the ball, this guy needs to see the field more.

[Jordan Schultz @Schultz_Report]

Sources: The #Steelers and TE Darnell Washington have agreed to a 4-year, $42m extension.

The massive tight end has developed into a key piece of Pittsburgh's offense and has been everything the Steelers hoped for when they drafted him.

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

Even at 42 years old, Rodgers is still the smoothest of the four. His ability to release the ball with almost no windup and to generate upper-body torque so he can throw off-platform remains impressive.

[Dov Kleiman @NFL_DovKleiman]

The Steelers quarterbacks performing the same drill together. What do you notice?

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

My latest @SteelCNetwork article, looking at the ripple effects of the Myles Garrett trade and how it impacts the Steelers:

https://t.co/hpzNASZ3eX

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

The plot thickens…

[Ray Fittipaldo @rayfitt1]

A league source confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is not at practice on Wednesday, the second day of a mandatory three-day minicamp.

[Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN]

Should the Steelers have moved on from T.J. Watt instead of paying him after seeing what the Browns got for Myles Garrett? 👀 @JHartman_PIT and @KTSmithFootball debate whether Pittsburgh played it right.

🎥: https://t.co/18fqXtgFP9

🎧: https://t.co/MgZ20DAzIP

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

SCHEME OF THE DAY:

Steelers running Double A-gap blitz with a backer twist. Edge rushers fall off into coverage, with cover-1 on the back end:

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

With Herbig’s big extension, it stands to reason PIT will get him on the field more than last year (59% of def snaps).

They have the pieces to get creative.

Take this 1-5-5 look on 3rd/long last year vs Indy. Five LBs, 5 DBs + D. Harmon. Sub-packages could be wild this season.

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

It’s tempting to see Herbig just as a pass rusher but his run defense is solid too.

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

Here’s a gorgeous run rep from Nick Herbig (51):

1. Pre-snap, notices the nasty split from the WR and penetrates to beat a potential crack block.

2. Redirects quickly to use a spill technique to beat the pulling OG.

3. Blows up B-gap to allow his teammates to get to the ball.

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

Nick Herbig (51) can get to the QB so many different ways.

1. Speed rush
2. Twist stunt
3. Power move
4. Blitz from depth

His 25% pass rush win rate was best in the NFL last season. With his contract settled, look for PIT to find more ways to get him on the field in ‘26.

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

Netflix. Apple. The LA Rams?

On today's Call Sheet podcast, we look at how outside-the-box thinkers can reshape markets, and how the Rams' radical approach to roster construction is paying dividends.

https://t.co/UPlq018O01

https://t.co/MMAj2sBuBd

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

Good for Nick. But that’s a massive investment for the Steelers in a guy who has never been a starter in the league. Can you pay a role player an AAV of $25 million? Is another move coming? Very intriguing…

[Mike Garafolo @MikeGarafolo]

LB Nick Herbig and the #Steelers have agreed on a four-year, $100 million extension that includes $42 million guaranteed, per @AdamSchefter and me.

The deal for Herbig, off a career-high 7.5 sacks, was negotiated by Joe DiBenedetto, Andy Simms and Ken Sarnoff of @1OF1FOOTBALL.

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

Not surprised to hear Daylen Everette is turning heads early in PIT. When you watch his film, a few things jump out:

1. WRs get very little separation on him.

2. His drive on a thrown ball is excellent.

3. His timing on PBU’s is elite. He knows exactly when to bring his hands.

[Gerry Dulac @gerrydulac]

OTAs best rookie: CB Daylen Everette https://t.co/fyyttXJ8K5

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

Here's a list of what the Rams have done with their Round 1 draft picks since 2016.

Over that time, they've made seven playoff appearances, three NFC championship games, been to two Super Bowls and have won one.

They just think differently.

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

The Rams and Browns will benefit from the Myles Garrett trade in one way or another. So too will the Steelers.

Here's a video breakdown on how Garrett disrupted PIT's passing game over the years, and why having him out of the division will be a relief.

[Steel Curtain Network @SteelCNetwork]

SCN TUES #Steelers Podcasts
🏈Future QB1 answer?
🎧BAD LANGUAGE https://t.co/8Ej6Z8o5p8
🏈AFC North and NFL shake up
🎧HANGOVER w/ @ShannonW4550 https://t.co/0WLf1B7MVj
🏈Under the radar players
🎧HERE WE GO w/ @KTSmithFootball https://t.co/3tZkHfWgXp

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

@MPFrazer Hope he sticks with it, Mike. He’ll learn lessons well beyond playing football.

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

@PJCrisps Agree. Smart move by them

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

Garrett to the Rams for Jared Verse, a 1st ('27), a 2nd ('28) and a 3rd ('29).

Brown to the Patriots for a 1st ('28) and a 5th ('27).

Which of these four teams got the best deal? CLE, LAR, PHL or NE?

[Kevin Smith @KTSmithFootball]

It's June 1st, which means NFL teams can now trade veteran players and spread out the dead money hit over two years rather than absorbing it all at once.

With that in mind, here are five veterans who could be moved:

AJ Brown
Myles Garrett
Alvin Kamara
Josh Sweat
James Conner