Heading into the NFL’s trade deadline on Halloween afternoon, the Pittsburgh Steelers were among the final front runners to pick up a cornerback to boost their struggling secondary.
The Steelers, along with other teams, were linked to Chicago Bears CB Jaylon Johnson, who had just recently been granted permission to seek a trade after talks regarding a trade extension.
As time ticked away, however, the Steelers did not pull the trigger on a deal. Given Johnson’s high asking price as an upcoming free agent, and Chicago’s demands in a trade (a reported second round pick).
In the end, it was probably the right move, and even though the Steelers did not bring in a big name cornerback, a new face at the position did make an appearance in Pittsburgh
Darius Rush, a fifth round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in this April, made his NFL debut for the Steelers on Thursday against the Tennessee Titans.
The Steelers are technically Rush’s third team this season. After being drafted by the Colts, he was waived at the end of August and claimed by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was designated as inactive for the first few weeks of the 2023 season before the Chiefs waived him and stashed him on the practice squad.
Soon after, the Steelers came calling, and signed Rush to their 53-man roster from KC’s practice squad. Pittsburgh had actually been interested in Rush before the draft; they hosted him for a Top 30 visit back in early April.
Now, he’s back with the team, and after no snaps vs the Jacksonville Jaguars, Rush finally got into a game, and was deployed in several key scenarios for the Steelers.
Rush was on the field for 30 snaps, 43% of the total snaps the Steelers defense played. He was on the field for several crucial plays, including on Tennessee’s last gasp, gotta-have-it drive.
Rush played well in coverage, was noticeable on the field making tackles, and nearly sealed the game two plays before Kwon Alexander ended up doing so.
On first down with 20 seconds left in the game, Tennessee’s Will Levis went deep for Chigoziem Okonkwo, who had he connected was probably headed for the endzone. Meanwhile, Darius Rush came streaking back and nearly picked that ball off. The ball went right through Rush’s hands, but nevertheless, it counts as a pass defended for him.
Mike Tomlin was very appreciative of Rush’s efforts and the Steelers ability to work him into their defense. Tomlin made it a point in his Tuesday press conference to point out Rush’s “display of capabilities” and express his content over him.
At 6′ 2 and 198 pounds, Rush is the latest in a row of tall, physical corners that the Steelers have brought in over the last year. All three players have a similar stature, with Joey Porter Jr. at 6′ 2, 194 pounds, and Pittsburgh’s seventh round pick Corey Trice, who is spending the season on IR, at 6′ 3 and 206 pounds.
Given his performance and the praise he received from the coaching staff this week, it’s easy to believe we will continue to see more of the 23 year old on the field.
If he develops, he could be quite the steal for this team.
(Featured photo by Alan Saunders/Steelers Now)
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