The Pittsburgh Steelers may not have beaten the Cleveland Browns during their Week 11 matchup, but there were a few bright spots from the 13-10 loss. Many of those bright spots come from some of the rookies and younger players on the team. The more veteran players notice the energy, passion, and hunger they display and they appreciate it. That includes a run-in between a rookie and a notorious Browns villain.
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Pittsburgh Steelers DT Cam Heyward
Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward talked about the rookies on his podcast, Not Just Football With Cam Heyward recently. His co-host Hayden Walsh mentioned an interaction he saw between rookie offensive tackle Broderick Jones and Browns' supervillain, defensive end Myles Garrett.
During the game, Garrett found himself once again holding the helmet of a Steelers quarterback. Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett's helmet unintentionally came off during the game and Garrett picked it up. The interaction was a flashback to one of the main reasons Steelers fans loathe Garrett.
Jones immediately interceded, grabbing the helmet out of Garrett's hands. Garrett took it good-naturedly, throwing up his hands in mock surrender and patting Jones on his own helmet. After the game, Garrett spoke about the interaction and revealed what Jones said to him.
"If anyone shouldn't have that helmet, you shouldn't." To which Garrett retorted that he was just trying to be helpful.
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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman, Broderick Jones (#77) sets up at the line of scrimmage and prepares to block during a 2023 preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
Heyward said that he didn't personally witness the interaction, but appreciates all that the rookie brings to the team. History carries a lot of weight in Pittsburgh and so it is incredible to see a player not only learn it, but embrace it.
"Broderick is the guy and he is all about everything. We still got some molding we need to do with him, but I love the way Broderick embraces everything about being a Pittsburgh Steeler. He ain't running away from none of that."
Since taking over for an injured Dan Moore Jr. earlier this season and then switching sides for the benched Chukwuma Okorafor during Week 9, the Steelers have seen an improvement in their run game. Jones, who was selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of the University of Georgia, brings a different level of energy to the line and it shows. Heyward said that he has been impressed with his gameplay and attitude.
"I know he's going against a guy like Myles Garrett who's you know, one of the top guys at that position, but Broderick is a guy that I'm looking forward to seeing continue to dominate and continue to keep growing and be a part of these rivalries in the AFC North."
Jones was initially listed as "or" on the depth chart for games aside veteran Okorafor. The latest version removed any doubt about who would be starting. Head Coach Mike Tomlin has removed that disclaimer heading into the Week 12 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Steelers' Broderick Jones Has A Good Reason To Distrust Myles Garrett With A Helmet
Back in 2019, backup quarterback Mason Rudolph was filling in for an injured Ben Roethlisberger when chaos erupted during a game against the Browns. To be fair, most games against AFC North rivals get a little chippy, but this wasn't that. This was an all-out brawl.
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Steelers' Maurkice Pouncey taking care of Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett in 2019.
In the final moments of the game, Garrett sacked Rudolph and the two scuffled a bit on the ground. They leaped to their feet and continued exchanging words. Garrett ripped Rudolph's helmet off and slammed it down on Rudolph's head. Fortunately, Rudolph wasn't seriously injured, but his teammates couldn't let that go. Members from the Steelers offensive line jumped Garrett and threw him to the ground, kicking and punching him.
The Browns players can't leave their star defender out there alone, so they all jumped in too. The referees eventually separated everyone, but it was far from over. The NFL handed out 33 fines to players from both teams. Several players were suspended, including Garrett who would be out for the remainder of the season.
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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett hits Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph with his own helmet after an on-field scuffle.
So you can see why Jones might get a little bit squirrely when he saw Garrett toting a Black and Gold helmet. It is great to see a player who is new to the team be so quick to dial into Pittsburgh's past and hold his ground in defense of his teammate.
What do you think of Jones and Garrett's interaction? Click to comment below!
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