The preseason opener gives Pittsburgh its first real look at what the Mike McCarthy era might become, and the spotlight is already starting to shift beyond the headline names. Yes, McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers bring the obvious intrigue against the Green Bay Packers. But this game also matters because it offers a first chance to watch young Steelers try to carve out roles when the lights come on.
That starts with quarterback Drew Allar. Will Howard belongs in the conversation too, since both young passers are expected to get several drives on Thursday, but Allar feels like the longer-term piece in Pittsburgh.
He hasn’t played in a while, with his last start coming on October 11th before a season-ending injury ended his year. Mistakes are coming - that much is expected - but there should also be flashes.
The key is whether he can clean up the “awful” plays and show more steadiness. One night won’t lock in his future, but a strong outing could help him pull away from Mason Rudolph and Howard.
Broderick Jones is another name worth tracking closely, even if it’s not yet clear whether he’ll actually suit up tonight. After opening last season as the starting left tackle, he appears to have slipped out of favor.
A big preseason could at least reopen some doors. He’s not likely to reclaim the left tackle job, but there’s still a path to the right side if Max Iheanachor isn’t ready to practice soon.
There’s also the possibility that another team around the league takes notice. Jones is coming off neck surgery this offseason, so how he looks physically will matter, and he could end up working at both tackle spots as he competes for the swing tackle role under McCarthy.
Then there’s edge rusher Jack Sawyer, who came into the league with plenty of buzz after his Ohio State days and flashed at times as a rookie. The problem is the depth chart in front of him.
He’s stuck behind three EDGE rushers who are all on big deals, which leaves him fighting for every bit of opportunity. A huge preseason won’t move him up the pecking order overnight, but it could matter down the road.
Pittsburgh is going to face some difficult choices with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith eventually, and Sawyer’s development could help shape those decisions.
At the very least, the Steelers would love to see a jump from a former Big Ten standout they may need in 2026.
In Other News...
Raiders Just Lost A Veteran Presence Steelers Fans Know Well
Elandon Roberts is headed back to Pittsburgh on a one-year deal, bringing a familiar presence to a defense that already knows what it gets from him. After spending the 2025 season with the Raiders, the veteran linebacker is set to return to the Steelers for 2026, giving the unit another seasoned option in the middle of things.
Roberts has long been valued for the kind of physical, no-nonsense play that travels well from season to season, and that fit made him a natural target for a reunion. For the Steelers, his return adds experience and edge to a defense that can always use more of both, while also taking one notable name off the list of former contributors elsewhere in the AFC. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Suddenly Have A Secondary Problem They May Need To Trade For
Training camp has a way of exposing a rosters weak spots, and for Pittsburgh, the secondary is suddenly looking like one of them. Injuries have thinned the group enough that the Steelers are already being linked to outside help, with the kind of depth concerns that tend to push a front office into evaluating every available option before the preseason grind gets any deeper.
One name that has surfaced is Carrington Valentine, with Pittsburgh reportedly in contact with Green Bay about the cornerback. The Steelers are also said to have interest in Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, a sign they may be surveying multiple spots in the back end rather than waiting for the situation to sort itself out. For a defense that expects to play fast and physical, the next move in the secondary could matter a lot. [Read more 🡒]
Aaron Rodgers Is Shaping The Steelers In A Way Fans Will Feel
Aaron Rodgers has spent the early part of his final NFL season doing more than just getting ready to play quarterback for the Steelers. Since arriving in Pittsburgh, he has leaned into a mentorship role with younger players, taken part in team bonding activities, and joined scrimmages as the group gets acclimated to new head coach Mike McCarthy. For a team trying to blend experience with development, Rodgers brings a rsum few can match after 18 years with the Packers and two seasons with the Jets.
What makes his presence matter for Pittsburgh is not only what he can still do on the field, but how his day-to-day approach may shape the locker room around him. Rodgers is in a unique spot as a veteran at the end of a long career, and the Steelers are asking him to help set a tone younger players can carry forward. The full impact of that influence will unfold over time, but it is already clear his role in Pittsburgh is about more than just the next snap. [Read more 🡒]