Myles Jack expresses excitement for playing at Heinz Field

Myles Jack spent the first six seasons of his NFL career playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite a successful stint, the Jaguars released the former UCLA star after last season and was quickly picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Luckily for Jack, there is some familiarity between him and Pittsburgh, having played against the Steelers at Heinz Field twice during his career – both coming in 2017 where the Jaguars defeated Pittsburgh in the regular season in the playoffs. The playoff win sent the Jaguars to the AFC Championship game, defeating the Steelers 45-42 before falling one game short of the Super Bowl. Jack combined for 15 tackles in the two matchups.

“The main thing I remember [about playing at Heinz Field] is just the energy and atmosphere like coming out pregame and the crowd going crazy, the energy, because typically in Jacksonville we didn’t get so many games that was really packed like that,” Jack said. “And then the playoff atmosphere game, I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it, so that’s what I’m most looking forward to.”

Pittsburgh signed the former Jacksonville Jaguars star linebacker to a two-year, $16 million deal, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter following his release from the organization despite signing a four-year, $57 million contract with Jacksonville in 2019. Jack is more than happy where he’s at now, though.

“It’s the culture man and that’s what people always say, but coming from where I came from and coming here, you see why this team is successful,” Jack said when asked about what stood out to him about the Steelers. “The mission is clear, there’s no secrets. If there’s a problem, it gets addressed right then and there. And I feel like that’s the only way to win — if everybody is held accountable. So I have enjoyed it, it’s been great.”

Despite this, Jack has totaled 513 combined tackles in six seasons with the Jags including 19 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hits, 6.5 sacks, three interceptions, 15 passes defended, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns. This past season, Jack led the team with 108 tackles, and he also posted three tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits.

Jack was even named co-captain of the 2021 Jaguars squad alongside star quarterback Trevor Lawrence, defensive end Josh Allen, safety Rayshawn Jenkins and others. Now, Jack has the opportunity to be a leader on a talented Pittsburgh defense alongside TJ Watt, Cam Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick – just another step the Steelers have taken in the hopes of avoiding a potential rebuild following the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger.