December 12, 2025 • 7 mins
Brandin Echols joins the show to discuss how he has been able to step up and become a reliable member of the secondary in his first year with the Steelers.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Brought to us by calli Ante Pizza and Draft House,
the Pizza Champions.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
It's Brandon Eckles joining us on the dB morning, so
let's give him a big round applause. Having a hell
of a season. Brandon, Good morning? How are you? Man?
Speaker 3 (00:11):
What a dude? How you doing all right? All right?
Speaker 1 (00:13):
First of all, congrats on the season that you're having.
I don't know that there was a ton expected from
you this year from the fan base, but you've quickly
become a fan favorite for multiple huge plays that you've
been making. Both you and James Pierre seem to have
stepped up significantly here. They those weren't the two names
that we were hearing in camp that we're going to
(00:33):
drive this defense to what coachmlin then said, could be historic.
But you certainly have played your way in through various reasons,
into being one of the most relied upon members of
that secondary. Was there a turning point for you, like
a game where you're like, hey man, you know I'm
going to be a huge contributor to this defense.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
I mean it outstarted when you know they first saw
on me. You know, alwa knew what I was capable of,
you know, especially coming out of New York. You know,
I was just you know, I had to deal with
the cars that I was dealt, you know, and I said,
once I get a new chance, I'm gonna you know,
so so the team what I can you know, actually
do and how I could perform? And you know that's
(01:15):
just kind of the mindset. I came into this organization with.
Speaker 5 (01:19):
What's what's working specifically for your brandy? Just you find
a home on the slot?
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Uh? Do you prefer that over outside?
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Is it?
Speaker 5 (01:27):
Is it the guys around you? What's what's clicked here
that didn't click with the Jets?
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Maybe?
Speaker 4 (01:33):
I mean I'm not gonna say, you know, nothing to
quick with the Jets. You know, I was just behind
you know, a great set of guys within you know,
DJ Reed, uh, South Guard now you know Mike Carter,
and you know I just rotate in as needed. But
you know with Pittsburg, you know I just didn't you know,
I wouldn't say I prefer you know, corner over slat.
(01:53):
I love I love playing both, you know, especially now
that I'd have got real comfortable in the slot, like
I come to realize, you know, Lot is you know
actually fun, you know, I'm able to get around the ball,
you know, so what you know what I can do,
you know with making plays on the ball in regards
with that. But I wouldn't say you know nothing just
(02:13):
then cligage just I you know, like I said, I
had to deal with the cars that I was deal
you know, being in a position that I was in.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
You were one of the few guys able to bring
Lamar Jackson down this past weekend.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
You guys got to him a bunch.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
It couldn't have been the easiest guy to bring down there,
but a huge turnaround for the Steelers defense week to week.
Was that better play from the Steelers defense a philosophy
shift or just better execution by you guys against the Ravens.
Speaker 4 (02:42):
I'm gonna say a good execution, a good play calling
from you know, our DC and you know, just being
going out there, you know, playing at one hundred percent.
You know, this is the best thing we could do
for ourselves, you know, to go to where we want
to go.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
What'd you think of Pittsburgh Baltimore in general?
Speaker 4 (03:00):
And gave us that, you know, I love I love
the Ribberry. I'm not yeah, I'm not gonna lie. It's
something fun. You know, it's really tense. Uh A lot
of heating, a lot of talking. You know, it's on
you know that you live, you know, you live.
Speaker 5 (03:13):
For to do Brandon, I got to ask you about
your role as a gunner as well. And a bunch
of us talked to Ben Scronic yesterday about TJ or
excuse me, DK metcalf.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
Just kind of taking that last rep. How did that
go down? As far as you can tell?
Speaker 4 (03:32):
Uh So I ended up running out there, you know,
I didn't know what was going on. I lined up
on one side of the field and I seen being
on the opposite side. And so when Ben ended up
coming back and I'm like, like, what are you doing?
He was like just come to field, just got heel.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
I'm like what.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
And then I look on the other side and I
see DK and I'm like, yo, nah, Well like nah,
what's going on?
Speaker 5 (03:58):
Though?
Speaker 3 (04:01):
How did he do? Bet? Cap was a good rep?
Speaker 4 (04:06):
Yeah, it was a good rep. Well, you know, his
first time playing gun. You go get double team. You
you a dude, the double team getting double team? That's
a gun is it? Ain't?
Speaker 2 (04:17):
It ain't nothing.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
It's far from easy.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Uh So what do you make of Pittsburgh. You know,
you're having been here for for several months now, how
have you assessed what it's like to be playing for
this iconic franchise and a fan base that you know,
when you were at the Jets, that's a team that
was kind of you know.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
That that is a long suffering fan base.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Though they are you know, they're ardent fans, don't get
me wrong, but Steeler Nations a little different sympathetic.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Yes, a Steeler Nation is a different animal, is it not?
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Yeah, no, it's different. You know, I love it. I
just love I love the atmosphere. I love you know
how committed the fan base is. You know, we went
to you know, some of these you know, far away
games and you would think it's a home on game
with you know how much you know how many Pittsburgh
still fans are idea and I'm like, bro, like what
is going on? Like they make it, you know, they
(05:08):
make it really, they make it real comfortable, you know
when you go to them away game, so you know
it ain't a bad look good.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
You're and you're a Memphis guy originally like Calvin Austin.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
Right now, I'm a Mississippian, but I'm right outside of Memphis. Like, like,
the town I stay in that I'm from is South Mississippi,
which is literally probably like five minutes from the borderline
of Memphis.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
How's high school football in Mississippi fast, I'm guessing.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
I mean it's smooth.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
You know.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
It ain't got more competitive over the years, you know,
in regards of you know more you know, more college
teams going to recruit out there now, especially you know
after my class. I don't want to brag too much,
but you know that's just the way it is.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
Yeah, of course, man, once you led the way, everybody
else you know. Yeah, it's like Nirvana and Seattle. Everybody
goes and signs the bands there. That's how it goes.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Yeah, Brandon eckles with us, and he's been having a
hell of a season. And I've been saying all along,
like this is a guy who just makes plays NonStop,
and you're tough as nails. Man, how's your how's the
concussion situation right now? Because you were evaluated for you know,
getting your bell rung in that game against the Ravens
and then ended up coming back.
Speaker 4 (06:23):
I'm good. I'm all good, though, you know, I don't
like missing games I'm not the type of one of
miss games. And even if I'm hurt, if I if
I can walk, I feel like I compleatly. This is
you know, the kind of standard I said for myself.
That's how I always been, you know, growing up in
high school. This is what I was kind of molded
to be b like. So you know, when I'm hurt,
you know, I'm probably just banged up for I just
(06:45):
need to take a sict.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
Brandon. You guys have had some real moments on defense
this year.
Speaker 5 (06:50):
You've had some moments collectively that you guys would like
to forget. What are we going to see down the
stretch here the last four games, Gona, well.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
You can dispac those you know to be trying to,
you know, basically play out of our minds. Though you
know we got the same we all got the same
end goal in his mind and this, you know, making
it to the playoffs, but you know, also trying to
make it to the Super make a Super Bowl run.
So you know, we just got to you know, be
detailed and you know, play it at one hundred percent
pays at all times, and you know, just trust trust
(07:22):
was being caught in institute.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
Brandon Nichols. Whether it's brought to you by County and
Tip Pizza. This morning Monday Night football Steelers and the Dolphins,
you'll be able to hear the whole game right here
on your radio. Home of the Steelers, one of two
point five. DV Brandon, thanks for making time for us
this year and best let going forward.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Keep making plays and stay healthy.
Speaker 4 (07:38):
Man, Yes, sir, appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
All right, you got it. Take care
Brought to us by calli Ante Pizza and Draft House,
the Pizza Champions.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
It's Brandon Eckles joining us on the dB morning, so
let's give him a big round applause. Having a hell
of a season. Brandon, Good morning? How are you? Man?
Speaker 3 (00:11):
What a dude? How you doing all right? All right?
Speaker 1 (00:13):
First of all, congrats on the season that you're having.
I don't know that there was a ton expected from
you this year from the fan base, but you've quickly
become a fan favorite for multiple huge plays that you've
been making. Both you and James Pierre seem to have
stepped up significantly here. They those weren't the two names
that we were hearing in camp that we're going to
(00:33):
drive this defense to what coachmlin then said, could be historic.
But you certainly have played your way in through various reasons,
into being one of the most relied upon members of
that secondary. Was there a turning point for you, like
a game where you're like, hey man, you know I'm
going to be a huge contributor to this defense.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
I mean it outstarted when you know they first saw
on me. You know, alwa knew what I was capable of,
you know, especially coming out of New York. You know,
I was just you know, I had to deal with
the cars that I was dealt, you know, and I said,
once I get a new chance, I'm gonna you know,
so so the team what I can you know, actually
do and how I could perform? And you know that's
(01:15):
just kind of the mindset. I came into this organization with.
Speaker 5 (01:19):
What's what's working specifically for your brandy? Just you find
a home on the slot?
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Uh? Do you prefer that over outside?
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Is it?
Speaker 5 (01:27):
Is it the guys around you? What's what's clicked here
that didn't click with the Jets?
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Maybe?
Speaker 4 (01:33):
I mean I'm not gonna say, you know, nothing to
quick with the Jets. You know, I was just behind
you know, a great set of guys within you know,
DJ Reed, uh, South Guard now you know Mike Carter,
and you know I just rotate in as needed. But
you know with Pittsburg, you know I just didn't you know,
I wouldn't say I prefer you know, corner over slat.
(01:53):
I love I love playing both, you know, especially now
that I'd have got real comfortable in the slot, like
I come to realize, you know, Lot is you know
actually fun, you know, I'm able to get around the ball,
you know, so what you know what I can do,
you know with making plays on the ball in regards
with that. But I wouldn't say you know nothing just
(02:13):
then cligage just I you know, like I said, I
had to deal with the cars that I was deal
you know, being in a position that I was in.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
You were one of the few guys able to bring
Lamar Jackson down this past weekend.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
You guys got to him a bunch.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
It couldn't have been the easiest guy to bring down there,
but a huge turnaround for the Steelers defense week to week.
Was that better play from the Steelers defense a philosophy
shift or just better execution by you guys against the Ravens.
Speaker 4 (02:42):
I'm gonna say a good execution, a good play calling
from you know, our DC and you know, just being
going out there, you know, playing at one hundred percent.
You know, this is the best thing we could do
for ourselves, you know, to go to where we want
to go.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
What'd you think of Pittsburgh Baltimore in general?
Speaker 4 (03:00):
And gave us that, you know, I love I love
the Ribberry. I'm not yeah, I'm not gonna lie. It's
something fun. You know, it's really tense. Uh A lot
of heating, a lot of talking. You know, it's on
you know that you live, you know, you live.
Speaker 5 (03:13):
For to do Brandon, I got to ask you about
your role as a gunner as well. And a bunch
of us talked to Ben Scronic yesterday about TJ or
excuse me, DK metcalf.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
Just kind of taking that last rep. How did that
go down? As far as you can tell?
Speaker 4 (03:32):
Uh So I ended up running out there, you know,
I didn't know what was going on. I lined up
on one side of the field and I seen being
on the opposite side. And so when Ben ended up
coming back and I'm like, like, what are you doing?
He was like just come to field, just got heel.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
I'm like what.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
And then I look on the other side and I
see DK and I'm like, yo, nah, Well like nah,
what's going on?
Speaker 5 (03:58):
Though?
Speaker 3 (04:01):
How did he do? Bet? Cap was a good rep?
Speaker 4 (04:06):
Yeah, it was a good rep. Well, you know, his
first time playing gun. You go get double team. You
you a dude, the double team getting double team? That's
a gun is it? Ain't?
Speaker 2 (04:17):
It ain't nothing.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
It's far from easy.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Uh So what do you make of Pittsburgh. You know,
you're having been here for for several months now, how
have you assessed what it's like to be playing for
this iconic franchise and a fan base that you know,
when you were at the Jets, that's a team that
was kind of you know.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
That that is a long suffering fan base.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Though they are you know, they're ardent fans, don't get
me wrong, but Steeler Nations a little different sympathetic.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Yes, a Steeler Nation is a different animal, is it not?
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Yeah, no, it's different. You know, I love it. I
just love I love the atmosphere. I love you know
how committed the fan base is. You know, we went
to you know, some of these you know, far away
games and you would think it's a home on game
with you know how much you know how many Pittsburgh
still fans are idea and I'm like, bro, like what
is going on? Like they make it, you know, they
(05:08):
make it really, they make it real comfortable, you know
when you go to them away game, so you know
it ain't a bad look good.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
You're and you're a Memphis guy originally like Calvin Austin.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
Right now, I'm a Mississippian, but I'm right outside of Memphis. Like, like,
the town I stay in that I'm from is South Mississippi,
which is literally probably like five minutes from the borderline
of Memphis.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
How's high school football in Mississippi fast, I'm guessing.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
I mean it's smooth.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
You know.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
It ain't got more competitive over the years, you know,
in regards of you know more you know, more college
teams going to recruit out there now, especially you know
after my class. I don't want to brag too much,
but you know that's just the way it is.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
Yeah, of course, man, once you led the way, everybody
else you know. Yeah, it's like Nirvana and Seattle. Everybody
goes and signs the bands there. That's how it goes.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Yeah, Brandon eckles with us, and he's been having a
hell of a season. And I've been saying all along,
like this is a guy who just makes plays NonStop,
and you're tough as nails. Man, how's your how's the
concussion situation right now? Because you were evaluated for you know,
getting your bell rung in that game against the Ravens
and then ended up coming back.
Speaker 4 (06:23):
I'm good. I'm all good, though, you know, I don't
like missing games I'm not the type of one of
miss games. And even if I'm hurt, if I if
I can walk, I feel like I compleatly. This is
you know, the kind of standard I said for myself.
That's how I always been, you know, growing up in
high school. This is what I was kind of molded
to be b like. So you know, when I'm hurt,
you know, I'm probably just banged up for I just
(06:45):
need to take a sict.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
Brandon. You guys have had some real moments on defense
this year.
Speaker 5 (06:50):
You've had some moments collectively that you guys would like
to forget. What are we going to see down the
stretch here the last four games, Gona, well.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
You can dispac those you know to be trying to,
you know, basically play out of our minds. Though you
know we got the same we all got the same
end goal in his mind and this, you know, making
it to the playoffs, but you know, also trying to
make it to the Super make a Super Bowl run.
So you know, we just got to you know, be
detailed and you know, play it at one hundred percent
pays at all times, and you know, just trust trust
(07:22):
was being caught in institute.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
Brandon Nichols. Whether it's brought to you by County and
Tip Pizza. This morning Monday Night football Steelers and the Dolphins,
you'll be able to hear the whole game right here
on your radio. Home of the Steelers, one of two
point five. DV Brandon, thanks for making time for us
this year and best let going forward.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Keep making plays and stay healthy.
Speaker 4 (07:38):
Man, Yes, sir, appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
All right, you got it. Take care
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