You can learn a lot about the 2024 Steelers from the team’s snap counts.

Welcome back to Steelers snap counts following a Week 18 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Here’s the latest on how Pittsburgh used its personnel ahead of the playoffs.

Steelers Week 18 snap count takeaways

• Van Jefferson’s three-catch, 18-yard game was one of his best this season, but it’s still surprising to see him holding onto his WR2 position in Week 18. After being out-snapped by Calvin Austin III and Mike Williams last week, Jefferson leapfrogged both against the Bengals, logging 67% offensive snaps to Austin’s 66% and Williams’ 22%.
• George Pickens played more snaps than usual with 91% of offensive snaps, but he didn’t have a yard to show for it.
• Pat Freiermuth also had a lot of playing time with 79% of the offensive snaps. For most of the day, he was one of the few bright spots for the Steelers offense, and his snap counts reflected that.
• Najee Harris (52% of offensive snaps) was the Steelers’ top running back against the Bengals, over Jaylen Warren (just 36%) and Cordarrelle Patterson (12%).
• Connor Heyward dropped to TE4 against the Bengals, with MyCole Pruitt seeing more snaps. You have to wonder how secure the younger Heyward’s roster spot is entering 2025 (The fumble recovery was good, though).
• Spencer Anderson got some playing time, logging 22% of offensive snaps, largely in replacement of an injured Mason McCormick at guard.
• On defense, Cory Trice Jr. played 94% of snaps in replacement of the injured Donte Jackson. That’s a lot of reps for the second-year player.
• T.J. Watt was the Steelers’ top outside linebacker, playing 79% of defensive snaps. Alex Highsmith logged 76%, Nick Herbig 31%, Preston Smith 25%, and Jeremiah Moon 2%.
• Beanie Bishop Jr. played just 8% of defensive snaps to Cameron Sutton’s 85%.
• Montravius Adams saw 24% of defensive snaps after the Steelers’ decision to make Dean Lowry and Isaiahh Loudermilk inactive.
• Patrick Queen saw his usual 100% of defensive snaps, and Payton Wilson was the next most-played inside linebacker with 56%. Elandon Roberts followed with 37%.
• The Steelers’ offensive-to-defensive plays ratio this week: 58:71.

Making the most of it award

There are a few good candidates this week, but none more so than Beanie Bishop Jr., who recorded an interception despite playing just six defensive snaps. Play the rookie more!

Now, here’s a full look at the Steelers snap counts from Week 18’s loss:

Steelers Week 18 snap counts

Snap counts via Next Gen Stats.