The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Buffalo Bills on Monday afternoon. The game was moved by the NFL and the state of New York after forecasts were calling for wind gusts up to 65 miles per hour and intense snowfall. The weather conditions are still predicted to be a challenge for the passing game on Monday. Eddie Faulkner and Mike Sullivan might be scouring the Steelers Hall of Honor to find Jock Sutherland’s old playbook for a game that is likely to come down to which team runs the ball more effectively.
Linebackers will play a huge role in this type of game. Pittsburgh has been pulling players off practice squads and out of retirement to man the middle of their defense. They will be without the best defensive player on the planet since TJ Watt will not be available. Omar Khan did a good job stacking inside linebackers at the start of the season. Still, injuries to Cole Holcomb, Kwon Alexander and Elandon Roberts have tested the depth chart as well as Teryl Austin and Mike Tomlin’s creativity.
A former Steelers inside linebacker and special teams ace will be playing on Monday afternoon, but he will wear the Bills' uniform instead of the black and gold. Tyler Matakevich was a seventh-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He was with the team from 2016 to 2019, starting one game in 63 appearances for the Steelers. Matakevich revealed on the Zach Gelb Show on 97.5 The Fanatic that he could hardly contain his enthusiasm for the fourth ever playoff meeting between the Steelers and Bills.
“I’m so excited, man. You know, I’m so jacked up,” Matakevich said. “They gave me the opportunity to play in the league. They drafted me, seventh round. Never forget it. I remember it like it was yesterday."
Matakevich was a key kickoff and punt coverage team member during his time in Pittsburgh. He signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2020 and has primarily filled the same role. Numbers don’t tell the tale of a player like Matakevich. He is the glue that holds a physical football team together. Matakevich has been a critical reserve in both of his NFL stops, allowing the players in front of him to play with reckless abandon.
Matakevich was a well-liked member of the Steelers during his time with the team. His blue-collar, no-nonsense style of football has endeared him to fans in both cities. Matakevich's approach to the game has translated from Pittsburgh to Buffalo, and he has carved out an impressive 129 games and counting in his career. Unlike other recent Steelers departures like Kevin Dotson, Kendrick Green and Devin Bush Jr, he harbors no ill-will toward Pittsburgh.
I’m just forever grateful and appreciative of the Rooneys and Mike [Tomlin] and Kevin Colbert, who was there at the time. Danny Smith, all those guys. Thank you for really giving me the opportunity to just show the world what I can do. It’s definitely going to be a special day for me.”
Matakevich isn't likely to make All-Pro or even become an every-down starter at this point in his career. He has embraced his opportunity and made the most of it by carving out a role for himself. It is precisely the kind of story that draws people to watch sports. It might not be highly publicized, but it does not make it any less impressive.
Steelers Former Bust In Bush Seems To Take Delight In Meltdown Against Colts
Matakevich is the exact opposite of a certain entitled former first-round pick who was run out of town on a rail. He has made a little over $10 million in his NFL career to date with the Steelers and Bills, and you would be hard-pressed to find a football fan who begrudges the living he earns playing the game he loves. Steelers fans probably would not be too disappointed if he missed a few tackles on Monday afternoon.
More must-reads: