“Every week you’ve got some premier guy,” Smith on edge rushers

by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published October 23, 2025, 3:19 PM

PITTSBURGH, PA – The Pittsburgh Steelers don’t have to look far when it comes to understanding the impact of an elite edge rusher. They see one every day in practice wearing No. 90.

This week, however, they’ll be staring across the line at another player in that same category. Green Bay’s newly acquired defensive star Micah Parsons. It’s a matchup that pits two of the NFL’s most disruptive defenders on opposite sidelines, and for Pittsburgh’s offense, it presents one of their most intricate protection challenges of the season.

“We’ve got some premier guys in this league, that’s the NFL,” said offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. “If you really look at where teams invest money, that really hasn’t changed. The edge rushers. When you look at Green Bay, how they’re built with a lot of early draft capital and now second-contract Micah, there’s a reason those guys get paid the way they do. They can really affect the game and the game plan.”

Parsons’ arrival in Green Bay a stunning offseason trade that reshaped the Packers’ defense has already shown results. The former Cowboy brought his rare combination of speed, power, and versatility to a defensive front that now ranks among the league’s most aggressive under coordinator Jeff Hafley. Through his first six games with Green Bay, Parsons has posted six sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and 25 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.

For Pittsburgh, keeping Aaron Rodgers upright against that kind of pressure isn’t just about good blocking it’s about having a plan. And part of that plan comes from daily exposure to T.J. Watt, the NFL’s active leader in sacks and the emotional barometer of the Steelers’ defense.

“I think the unique thing in this division is that you have a lot of really powerful edge rushers, and we get the benefit of practicing against one (T.J. Watt) every single day,” said offensive tackle Calvin Anderson. “That certainly helps. You develop a plan for how you’re gonna handle them, but you also understand that it’s a challenge and you try to see it as that, not something to endure.”

Anderson, who has faced Parsons before, calls him “dynamic” a rusher who blends elite athleticism with unpredictability. But while Watt and Parsons are often mentioned in the same breath, Anderson says their styles are distinct.

“Even though they’re both very dynamic, they’re also very different,” Anderson explained. “Teams scheme them differently. They use different bags of moves. But when you practice a lot against T.J., you get to see how a dynamic rusher reacts to certain line turns, chips, tight ends, or whatever. You can pick up little tidbits from that and plan accordingly.”

That daily exposure to Watt’s relentless motor and precise handwork is one of Pittsburgh’s greatest preparation tools. Watt became the second-fastest player in NFL history to reach 100 career sacks earlier this season, trailing only Reggie White. His ability to disrupt plays before they develop has long been the benchmark for Pittsburgh’s defense — and now, a study guide for its offense.

“Going back to Dallas, you know, they did that a lot,” Smith said, referencing Parsons’ previous usage. “He lines up everywhere — you’ll see him over the guard, outside the tackle. He’s got a unique skill set in that regard. They all have different skill sets, and that’s what makes them dangerous.”

The Steelers’ offensive staff has spent the week studying how the Packers deploy Parsons — not just on obvious passing downs, but on early downs where his sudden bursts can destroy run plays before they start. Smith noted that “it’s always a challenge” when a player like Parsons moves around the formation, demanding attention from multiple blockers.

That’s where Rodgers’ experience becomes another critical layer.

“Aaron is someone who’s seen a lot of football, obviously, but he’s also quite intellectual,” Anderson said. “He provides a lot of insight, particularly when we go against somebody who’s unique and dynamic. He’s able to shed light from his vantage point — things we might not consider in protection, that he sees in coverage or how he wants to develop route concepts. He’s a priceless addition.”

For all the planning and study, the real test comes when the whistle blows. Parsons’ burst off the edge is among the league’s fastest — his first-step quickness forces linemen to open their hips early, which can create lanes for inside counters or stunts. Green Bay pairs that with Rashan Gary’s power on the opposite edge and an interior rotation that collapses pockets from within.

It’s exactly the type of chaos the Steelers’ offensive line has been working to avoid — and exactly what they’ve prepared for by trying to block T.J. Watt in practice.

“The truth is, you can’t copy a guy like Parsons,” Anderson admitted. “But you can respect him the same way you respect T.J. knowing that if you slip on one rep, he’ll make you pay for it.”

For Smith and the offense, the assignment is simple but never easy: keep Rodgers clean and give him time to be the Hall of Fame quarterback he’s always been.

“If we keep Aaron clean,” Anderson said, “we give him opportunities to do what he’s done his whole Hall of Fame career.”

That starts up front and it starts with the lessons they’ve already learned from facing their own superstar every single day.

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com