The Jig Is Up: Steelers Offseason, Vol. 25, Talking days, not weeks

Recently I was thinking about my time writing about the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throughout my career doing so, I’ve essentially done it all.

Commentary, news, breaking stories, features and even took a stab at simple film room breakdowns.

The one thing I’ve never done is work on just a random thought type format.

I can’t speak for you, the reader, but I am always thinking about writing and the Steelers. Thinking about different aspects of the team and game. Thanks to reading Myron Cope’s biography I decided to put a unique spin on this type of feature.

Now, for the name of the article, anyone who is familiar with the Styx song “Renegade” should know where it came from. If not, this is where it came from…

The jig is up, the news is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Nevermore to go astray
This’ll be the end today of the wanted man

The jig is up…time for some randomness.

Days, not weeks

It is hard to believe, but the Pittsburgh Steelers will be reporting to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA in just 12 days. That’s right, we aren’t talking in terms of weeks anymore, but days. On the 23rd of July players will start showing up to the dorms at Saint Vincent, with the first practice taking place on the 24th.

Just as a reminder, while fans get themselves worked into a frenzy for the first couple days, the team can’t don pads and have a “real” practice until the second week of camp. So, while they will be back, it will take a few days until the pads really start popping. Nonetheless, some football, even in shorts, is better than no football at all.

Bring on training camp!

New Digits

Early this offseason, after the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins trade became official, Jalen Ramsey teased on his social media channels he would be wearing No. 5 for the black-and-gold. Well, the Steelers made it official Thursday:

Digit drop 👀 @jalenramsey pic.twitter.com/fbMmWLpE7o

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 10, 2025

If you’re wondering what other players, those who were also given the No. 5, will be wearing, that has yet to be determined. More on that coming up next…

More Digit News

I understand this is the time both coaches and front office personnel take vacations, and it seemed for the vasty majority of the offseason the people who run the Steelers official website also took time away. Why do I suggest that? Because until today they still had Minkah Fitzpatrick on the roster, even though the trade with the Dolphins was made official over a week ago.

As Jalen Ramsey’s number was made official, for those who are wondering Jonnu Smith was given No. 81. With the team not making any official statement I do have to wonder if Smith will be looking to change his number depending on roster cuts, etc. Cameron Johnston is still listed as wearing No. 5, so how that shakes out between he and Ramsey will likely be hashed out behind closed doors.

Can it just be over yet?

If you are someone who is on social media, the platform doesn’t matter, you have likely been inundated with rumors, reports, and opinions on the Steelers and T.J. Watt contract situation.

I get it, there isn’t much news out there; however, I am an individual who is ready for these negotiations to be over.

I can’t wait until the Steelers report to camp and T.J. signs a new deal.

While people will complain about said deal, it will be done and we can talk about…you know…actual football.

— Jeff Hartman (@JHartman_PIT) July 10, 2025

I foresee the Steelers paying Watt handsomely, and many fans will gripe about the contract, but I’m sure I’m not alone when I talk about just wanting to get back to talking about football again. Not contracts, guaranteed money, or anything like that. Just football. It’s a pipe dream, I know, but a man can dream.

Be smart out there folks

For those who didn’t see the news Thursday, former Steelers 1st Round draft pick and running back Najee Harris was involved in a fireworks accident on the 4th of July. The injury was to Harris’s eye, and according to his representation he will be able to make a full recovery before the start of the training camp.

As more details come out, some that were there in the fireworks situation weren’t as lucky. This from ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

The July 4 fireworks mishap involving Chargers RB Najee Harris resulted in injuries to several attendees. One person was hospitalized after he lost fingers in the accident in Antioch, California, the San Francisco Chronicle reported, citing police. https://t.co/B35P3peZ8l

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 11, 2025

Just a reminder to be safe out there everyone, and here is to hoping Harris makes a full recovery.

An Elandon Roberts appreciation post

The Steelers let a lot of their players from 2024 walk in free agency, and the vast majority of those players I was fine with letting them leave. However, if there was one player who I will miss in 2025 it will be Elandon Roberts. I saw this video on Twitter/X the other day and thought I’d share it as an Elandon Roberts appreciation post:

SEEK AND DESTROY PULLERS!!!🚨🚨🚨

I’ve never seen a linebacker seek-and-destroy pullers/linemen in space like Elandon Roberts. Truly a dude who could’ve played football in any era!😤🔥 #DAWG@Roberts_52 pic.twitter.com/d4614HPUxz

— Linebackers University™ (@Linebackers_U) July 7, 2025

Good luck to E-Rob out in Vegas this season.

Player Spotlight

I wanted to start doing a spotlight segment every week during the offseason of a lesser known player who donned the black-and-gold for a time.

This week’s player: Yancey Thigpen

For those who don’t know, Thigpen was the definition of a journeyman player, but don’t think that meant he wasn’t a quality player.

Thigpen was selected in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the then San Diego Chargers. After just one year with the Chargers, Thigpen was picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played infrequently in his first three seasons, but had a breakout year in 1994, catching 36 passes for 546 yards. In 1995, he made the Pro Bowl, catching 85 passes for 1,307 yards and five touchdowns, and assisting the Steelers to Super Bowl XXX, where he recorded three catches for 19 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers 27–17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. His tough style of play earned him the nickname “Meatball,” which was later changed to “Phil” when he joined the Oilers in 1998. His role with the Steelers, over time, would eventually be filled by Hines Ward.

Thigpen played only six games in the following season due to injuries, but made a full recovery in the 1997 season, catching 79 passes for 1,398 yards and 7 touchdowns and making his second Pro Bowl selection.

In 1998, he signed a five-year, $21 million contract with the Oilers, eventually becoming the Tennessee Titans, which at the time was the highest known contract ever signed among wide receivers. He went on to play with Houston/Tennessee for the final three seasons of his career, assisting the team to Super Bowl XXXIV in the 1999 season. Such a large contract for a wide receiver was a signal of the role which wide receivers would begin to play in the NFL. Thigpen retired after the 2000 season with 313 career receptions for 5,081 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also rushed for four yards, returned two punts for 30 yards, and gained 188 yards on eight kickoff returns.

Check out the latest “Let’s Ride” podcast in the player below:

That does it…the jig is up, they’ve finally found me. This renegade is outta here…be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the final days leading up to training camp.