Highsmith & Rodgers Postgame Press Conference (Week 9 vs Indianapolis Colts) | Pittsburgh Steelers

Highsmith & Rodgers Postgame Press Conference (Week 9 vs Indianapolis Colts) | Pittsburgh Steelers

[Music] Good in the back way, guys. Alex, how do you explain like the defense being so dominant? I mean, you’ve had your struggles and yet sacks, the takeaways, shutting down a high power team. Yeah, I mean, simple. Yeah, I mean, first and foremost, I’ll go to to God for the win. Um, I think we just came out and, you know, we we did what we know we can do this this week. Um, you know, we came out and we obviously we stopped the run. That’s where it starts and then our culture came alive. You know, we had what, five turnovers, I think. Um, six. So, I think when we do that, man, we’re we’re an amazing defense. And so, we just got to put more performances like that together. And I’m confident we’re going to continue to stack this and play like this um every week from here on out. So, we just got to continue to play like that. One thing you guys did really well was look like take Jones’s eyes away and bat the ball a few times. you’re often very good at that, but it sort of waned these last couple weeks when you’re getting beat with a quick passing game. Was that a point of emphasis this week? Yeah, absolutely. We knew that uh if we stopped their run uh when they were in second long and they were going to try to get the back on schedule with rhythm rhythm passing quick games. So, I think we did a good job of getting our hands up, you know, um one of them led to a pick. So, uh I think we just did a good job of just, you know, recognizing when they were in those uh quick game formations and then uh you know, executing, you know, getting tip balls, um you know, relating to guys in those zones. So, I think we executed that plan. How much does it fire you guys up when you’re getting so many contributions, so many splash break plays from guys across the board defensively? How did you feed off that? I mean, it’s awesome. And we know that um whenever we are creating turnovers, whenever our culture comes alive, everybody feeds off that. And I think these last these last couple weeks, you know, we hadn’t got any turnovers. And um you know, we weren’t really feeding off of each other. But we know that to be a great defense, you know, you gota be defense that plays with energy, plays with passion. And so we did that today. Obviously, you know, we still they still had 20 points on the board, which is, you know, um something we can’t let happen. So, we just got to get back in the film room and see what happened, you know, towards the end of the game. But, um like I said, I just, you know, proud of these guys and just proud of the way that we just uh responded because like I said, the past couple weeks have been um not our standard. So, the way we responded today, I think shows, um how resil resilient we are as a unit. Alex, to that point, TJ’s play started it. So, when that happens as a defense, is that you guys talking? Does it break confidence? like how does that start the snowball? I think uh you know we always say they come in bunches so usually I feel like if we have a turnover in a game we usually have you know multiple. So I think his his started it off and then we just kept feeding on from that kept feeding on energy. So um we just got to continue to do that week in week out. So what went into stopping Jonathan Taylor? He came in this game on a on pace to you know put up historic numbers this season. Um what went into stopping him uh today? I mean, we I think we had a good plan going into it, but at the end of the day, um the plan don’t work unless we go out there and execute it, unless we’re going out there and being physical, getting off blocks, making plays, and we did that. So, um we went out there, we got off blocks, we made tackles, and so that’s where it started. Alex, was that priority number one, stopping him? Absolutely. Cuz we know, we know that, you know, when their offenses were rolling, we just watching their film, we knew that they get started with that run game, you know, they’re a dangerous offense. So, they are really good offense, but, you know, we we had to make sure that um you know, he wasn’t running that ball today. you surprised at all they threw so many times on their first two possessions? No, I mean I think early in the game we saw that they were trying to take they they would take shots to try and um you know start the game off well. So I think we did a good job just coming out and so we just got to finish better. Like I said, seven points at the end of the first half, you know, to they shouldn’t have had 20. So we just got to finish better. How much of an added spark did it provide having the 05 Super Bowl team here and all the celebrations of that? Yeah, I mean it was awesome. you know, you see guys like that, those are those are legends in the black and gold. And so when you see guys like that, you know, you see guys in this this steel fraternity, you know, it it adds um a little emphasis to the game. And so seeing all those guys yesterday at the walkth through and stuff like that was really cool. And so I think just added some extra juice juice to our performance. Alex, I’m sure it’s been a frustrating year with the injury and everything that play that strip sack you had. What does that do for you? What kind of Yeah, it’s definitely um that brings a lot of confidence. you know, I I just continue to still believe in who I am, who I am as a player, who I am as a rusher. And so, just knowing that um you my identity is in the Lord and in him alone. And so, just continuing to um you know, know who I am week in week out and uh continue to just do what I can to help this team win. And so, um you I retweaked it in the first quarter, but you know, I just want to get up back out there and fight. You know, um I was feeling it for the rest of the game, but I just want to get out there and just just be able to make a spark, make plays for my team. You think you’re going to be all right? Yeah, I’m going to be good. So, um, like I said, I’ll we’ll see what happens this week, but I’ll definitely be good. When Peyton’s playing with that type of confidence, what does it do for your defense? Yeah, Payton’s Payton’s a heck of a player. Um, you know, he he’s only getting better and better week in week out. And so, for him to make those plays that he did today and also being our special teams captain, you know, um, it just shows how he’s growing as a player and as a leader. So, he’s going to be a special player for us. You mentioned resiliency. Just how would you describe the resilience of this defense? Yeah, just not not not um you know listening to to to the noise, just staying locked in and knowing that we have the players um on our defense, you know, to be able to be one of the best in the league. And so we just got to play like it week in week out. You know, we got to create turnovers just like we did. And so uh we just got to continue to build on what we did did today. Good. Thanks, guys. [Music] Okay. All right. Well, big group. Big group. When you’re playing a team like that that you know can score points, how important is it to convert those turnovers into touchdowns, which you did three straight times? Did we really? Yeah. Well, we started off pretty slow. I mean, it was pretty ugly on offense for a decent part of the day. Uh had a lot of chances. Um but our defense played incredible, you know, after getting blasted for last week. Um, really proud of him. Thought the energy was great. Thought there was a good message last night by Jaylen and I think the guys responded well. Following up on that, Aaron, after the muff punt, I think you scored on every one of the next four that you got, the turnovers. What did you like first of all about your execution and the play calling as well that came in in those situations? Oh, I love the play calling. I thought the execution was pretty bad. You know, we we got to look in the mirror and play better on offense because that’s not good enough uh any phase. me the run game catching the football um defense played incredible and we got to put game like that we got to put 3542 on the board and and close the game out. So good tape for uh coaching staff when you win a game and you got a lot to a lot to work on. Specifically with TJ when when he makes that play, what kind of wave did that give? I think that was you know that was a turning point in the game for sure. Seven nothing they were driving. Um, we ended up turning that into seven, I believe. Um, so that was good. It wasn’t a pretty drive. You know, we had a fourth and one conversion, but that changed the game 100%. From that point forward, I thought the pass rush was outstanding. I thought we covered well on the back end. Got to give u you know Kyle a lot of credit for coming in here and playing the way he did. But I felt like Alex and seemed like Alex and TJ and Nick were super active and their inside guys were good and seemed like BQ had a good game and Payton had a big pick. So everybody on defense played great. Got to give five a lot of credit for his leadership the last 24 hours and you know I’m seen the film but just the eye test felt like he was in the right place at the right time on defense and we were opportunistic and really proud of those guys and we did just enough on offense but play calling was solid. I love the personnel mixture of play calling uh various times in in those possession downs but the execution was pretty bad. Anyone else? Aaron Ben said you guys had a conversation before the game. Not asking what you guys said, but what do you respect about him as a quarterback as they celebrate one of his Super Bowls here? I was wonder if you’re talking about Scrronic. I was like, you talk to Ben? What the hell is Ben saying? Uh, Big Ben. Yeah. Uh, you know, I’ve known Ben for years and years and years going back to, you know, the early Tahoe days and, uh, he was picked in the draft before me. Uh, so obviously he knew about his game and we played a long time. Only got to play each other a couple times, but a lot of respect for him and his career, what he accomplished. Um, they won the Super Bowl in what, his second year. It’s pretty Yeah, it’s pretty impressive. Then the first year they won a bunch of games, too. You know, he’s kind of the standard like him and Marino until I guess maybe I’m missing one or two, but it seemed like him and Marino and maybe Jaden last year. uh three quarterbacks, you think about having success uh in a rookie year. Uh so one of my favorite uh you know as a fan of the game because I am you know Big Ben moments was was a drive in the Super Bowl against Arizona. Uh coming down and hitting San Antonio right in the corner of the end zone on a beautiful pass and great to tap. Um but I enjoyed watching him play over the years, you know, because he wasn’t the fastest guy, but he’s hard to take down. who’s always swinging that ball around, uh, keeping the keeping the plays alive and it’s fun. Uh, this is, you know, this is a big a big Ben team, you know. I’m just happy to be a be a part of the organization, though. We talked to Calvin, he gave a lot. He said it’s really motivating to know that the way that you can work the ball to whoever throughout any read on any play. What do you see from your guys and their effort to fight through even when they’re not the primary read? Seems like all five guys that you have are are fighting to get over. Well, that’s how they got to do it. I always tell him, I said, “You got to run it like the ball’s coming your way every play.” And I was proud of Cal, you proud of the tight ends. You know, Darnell had basically that one drive where he had a bunch of catches on it. He’s been a weapon for us. We got to get that fixed there in the red zone, so we can connect on that for a touchdown. But I just love his attitude. When he’s on the field, we’re a better team. So, I think you guys have talked about it. We’ve talked about it. Everybody’s talked about it. when 80s on the field, we’re better off. So, I’m really proud of uh his effort every single week. I thought the line blocked really well. I kind of walked into one sack, obviously had to take a sack on the last play when Calvin fell down to keep the 40 seconds on the clock, but other than that, I felt like they played really well in the pass game. We didn’t run the ball as well. We wanted to, but they got a good front. Um and uh we had to kind of dink and dunk them at times. They had a couple defensive players said they felt like they were bringing different energy in practice this week going into this game. Did you notice a sense of urgency or or more aggression, more energy throughout practice this week? No, no, I didn’t. But I noticed that something kind of changed last night when Jaylen spoke. And it’s not easy to speak in front of the team. Even when you’re a player, you just it’s unnatural. I think coaches are used to it because they do every single day. And Mike is fantastic at it. But, uh, Jaylen kind of went on and on and had the attention in the room and he said some really, really good stuff. I’m not going to get into it because I feel like that it’s kind of a, you know, need to know information. U, but it it was meaningful to me on the offensive side and I feel like we had a different energy in the locker room today. Now, all week I don’t pay super tight attention to that side of the ball at all times in practice, but I do feel like in a locker room pregame, uh, there was a different energy for us and they played really well. Aaron, just how hard is it for a guy like Kyle to come in on Thursday, two practices, playing full load of snaps and and what can you say about doing that on such a short notice? I got to give him a lot of credit as a professional. That’s that’s hard to do. Um, I’ve seen a lot of transactions over the years and I always feel like if you can put your arms around that guy right away, uh, you got a good chance of of him kind of jumping on board. And I felt like in Green Bay, we were really good at that. You know, we had some misfits in 2010 that other teams kind of cast off and we kind of brought him into the fold and did something special. And, uh, he’s a guy like that, too. you know, he went from, you know, making money and being a starter to being out of the rotation and uh I saw him in the wait room on Wednesday and chatted him up and felt like the guys kind of just brought him in and and said, “You’re our guy to go out there and just be yourself and have fun, but it is not easy to do that at all.” And I give him a lot of credit as a professional and glad he’s with us. You mentioned a couple times kind of not riding the roller coaster, but after the adversity you guys have faced the last two weeks, how would you describe the resiliency of this team? Yeah, I mean we lost uh lost a couple uh where we had legitimate chances to win. Um but it’s a crazy league. I saw the scores and Carolina beat Green Bay today uh at Lambo, I believe. And Chicago had a comeback win after giving up 42 points. Uh Minnesota beat Detroit, I believe, too. Anything can happen. That’s what the league wants. There’s a great parody to it. You got to deal with adversity. Um, this was a really important win for us though to to not lose three in a row, to not go to one and three at home. Um, and to kind of get that big elephant that was starting to try and jump on the backs of the defense, which is made up of media and, you know, outside conversation about about them. So, we’re all human and I think those guys you felt, you know, pretty upset at little red ass about what’s been going on. So, I’m proud of them the way they came back and responded. Even after one of Boswell’s field goals, it seems as though you had a long conversation with him. Would you be able to share that conversation as as far as what you were saying on the field or on the sidelines? On the field. Uh, I didn’t talk to Mason Crosby a lot over the years, uh, before the kick and so I’ve been kind of staying away from Bos because he’s been so incredible. It’s like talking to a pitcher during a no hitter. Um, but he made a comment last week that I don’t say anything to him when I run off the field. I’m just mad that we’re kicking. And I said, I’m I said the only time I’d be happy is going from two scores to three late in the game. So, I think that might have been the kick where I went to 2710. Um, and I I also told him that, you know, he’s been kind of missing me after I go out to dap up the lineman for blocking and stuff and he kind of just runs off, you know, and doesn’t give me any any love. So, he made a point this game to come over and dap me up. So, that’s probably what we were talking about. You were credited with Darnell earlier for his for his work, but what what have you seen from him that’s improved, especially from the route running standpoint to set up windows for you to target him in? Uh yeah, it’s it’s really that it’s the tension and practice to to kind of taking your time, especially in the group work, like just working on being deliberate but patient with his route running. Um he’s just such a big body, you know, I just want to throw it up to him. And unfortunately, we had a couple plays we’ve been working on for weeks that we called today that didn’t that had they went to him that didn’t work. So, I’m pretty upset about that. But, um, you know, Fredo was like, “Hey, thanks. You I’m glad you went back to Darnell.” I said, “Of course.” I said, “He’s a damn good player and he needs the ball and when he gets the ball, good things happen. He’s got great hands. Um, and he’s good after the catch and he had that one drive was really important him kind of getting us going. Aaron, when a guy like Jaylen stands up and talks as he did and then he goes out in the game and plays another position for the entire game, I mean, is that just kind of even validated or justified even more if you know what I mean? Yeah, for sure. And I think he played with an edge, too. That’s the only um little peak into the conversation last night was that he wanted us to play with that edge on defense. I didn’t feel like we were doing that enough and they play with an edge today for sure. So, uh you know, I’m really thankful that Jaylen’s here and that he felt comfortable speaking up and then the guys responded the right way. Two more. We’re no more zero. No more. Rebound first.

Alex Highsmith and Aaron Rodgers speak to the media about the Steelers matchup against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9 of the 2025 season.

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