A Steelers Depot daily segment. A quick hit of some Pittsburgh Steelers-related stories that may not require a complete article, but nuggets worth mentioning and passing on to you guys.
Your Depot After Dark for July 16.
Freiermuth Donation
Pat Freiermuth and his Freiermuth Fund made its latest donation. He donated $10,000 to the Pentucket Youth Football & Cheer fundraiser in his home state of Massachusetts. He cited the organization as helping him learn and love the game.
Freiermuth snapped a couple of photos with the event’s organizers.
He grew up north of Boston and played his college ball at Penn State before the Steelers drafted him in 2021.
Always doing something noteworthy off the field, Freiermuth will aim to bounce back on it this season after disappointing numbers in 2025. A new offensive scheme focusing on the pass game should increase his production.
Get To Know Peko
Steelers.com’s Teresa Varley continued her offseason series interviewing Pittsburgh’s new coaching staff. In today’s article, she talked to defensive line coach Domata Peko. A relatively new coach but a familiar name to football fans, Peko spent 15 years in the NFL, 11 of which came in the AFC North with the Cincinnati Bengals. Now, his mission is to help Pittsburgh win.
“I’m a player-friendly coach, but also very demanding in my job and making sure I’m getting the best out of my guys,” Peko told Varley of his coaching style. “I want to make sure that I can get the very best out of each individual person.”
Peko will be crucial in working with a young defensive line. Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black are entering their sophomore seasons, and the team drafted Gabriel Rubio in the sixth round this year.
Read the entire interview below.
Ramsey Receives Votes
Only one Steeler has officially cracked the Top 10 of ESPN’s position list: EDGE T.J. Watt at No. 7. But several others have received honorable mentions and votes. Safety Jalen Ramsey picked up enough to be mentioned as “others receiving votes” in today’s list of the league’s top safeties. Minkah Fitzpatrick also received votes. Fitzpatrick went to Miami when Ramsey came to Pittsburgh during last June’s big trade.
Ramsey transitioned to safety midway through the 2025 season. He’s expected to play slot corner and safety under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton was named the NFL’s No. 1 safety.
Reed Polamalu Story Resurfaces
A funny story former Baltimore Ravens S Ed Reed once told about Pittsburgh Steelers S Troy Polamalu has resurfaced. After making the comments in an interview on The Pivot podcast two years ago, Reed’s comment made its way around Twitter/X on Thursday.
Reed recalled the time he and Polamalu were teammates at the Pro Bowl. Polamalu took advantage of that chance.
“Troy couldn’t believe it when we were at the Pro Bowl. He was like, ‘let me pick your brain, Reed.’ Troy, whatever you want, I’ll give you whatever, bro. ‘What are you looking at?’ I say, I’m looking at you, Troy.”
A nod from Reed to Polamalu about how great a player the latter was.
Reed and Polamalu were two of the best at their jobs. Reed played the center of the field and notched over 60 career interceptions. Polamalu was an enforcer who made plays everywhere. Both are deservedly in the Hall of Fame.