Behind the Steel Curtain

Teddy Bridgewater has announced his retirement from the NFL. The source notes his career was derailed by a catastrophic 2016 preseason knee injury where he nearly lost his leg, which prevented him from realizing his potential as a franchise QB.

Another missed game by Metcalf and Pittman would mean less time for Rodgers and Pittsburgh's new receiving corps to develop chemistry in live-game situations. Rodgers did not play in the preseason opener, so continued absences of key receivers would further limit his preseason reps with the revamped wide receiver room.

Backup wide receiver positioned to earn meaningful snaps and increased opportunity with Metcalf and Pittman sidelined due to injury. The source notes that additional absences of veteran receivers would give Wetjen another chance to establish his role in the offense.

Expected to see an increased role with veteran receivers Metcalf and Pittman sidelined, but underperformed in preseason opener against Green Bay with only one reception for seven yards. Despite the opportunity created by injuries, Wilson failed to capitalize on expanded playing time.

Backup wide receiver positioned to earn meaningful snaps and increased opportunity with Metcalf and Pittman sidelined due to injury. The source notes that additional absences of veteran receivers would give Bernard another chance to establish his role in the offense.

Held out of preseason opener against Green Bay; head coach Mike McCarthy said Pittman will be "hard pressed to work this week" ahead of the Jets game on Aug. 21, without providing a definitive return timeline. Availability for preseason Week 2 depends heavily on progress over the coming days.

Held out of preseason opener against Green Bay; head coach Mike McCarthy said Metcalf will be "hard pressed to work this week" ahead of the Jets game on Aug. 21, without providing a definitive return timeline. Availability for preseason Week 2 depends heavily on progress over the coming days.

Rookie QB generated immediate fan excitement after preseason debut against Green Bay, completing 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and 2 passing touchdowns plus 1 rushing touchdown across two quarters; led Pittsburgh downfield on all three drives he participated in, each ending in touchdowns. The source notes it is genuinely reasonable to think he has the potential to do more under head coach Mike McCarthy, positioning him as a prospect capable of being Pittsburgh's long-term solution at quarterback.

Rookie tight end/fullback caught a touchdown pass from Drew Allar in the preseason opener against Green Bay. Nowakowski was one of three receivers to score in Allar's three touchdown-scoring drives, demonstrating early offensive involvement in the Steelers' scheme.

Caught a 75-yard completion from Drew Allar that set up Allar's rushing touchdown in preseason debut, then caught another touchdown pass from Allar later in the game. Wetjen was a primary target for the rookie QB, helping turn three of Allar's drives into touchdowns.

Riley Nowakowski observed significant improvement in Allar's leadership presence and command of the offense since his arrival in Pittsburgh. Nowakowski noted: 'You've seen his confidence skyrocket. I think he does such a good job of commanding the huddle compared to when he came in. You can even hear it in his cadence. He's really been using his cadence as a weapon and just being able to really have us feel like, Oh, shoot, this guy's got control of our offense.' The Steelers are evaluating not just his physical ability but the traits that could eventually allow him to take control of the franchise.

Rookie third-round QB completed 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two passing touchdowns plus one rushing TD in preseason debut against Green Bay, finishing with a 154.8 passer rating. Showed accuracy, arm strength, and athleticism; connected with Kaden Wetjen on a 75-yard completion and found Wetjen and Riley Nowakowski for additional scores, turning three drives into touchdowns. Performance came after training camp in which he drew praise from head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coaches for poise, ability to absorb information, and responsiveness to coaching.

Rookie QB Will Howard is competing with fellow rookie Drew Allar for a roster spot on the Steelers. Allar outperformed Howard in the preseason game, raising questions about the team's quarterback depth chart and whether one of the rookies could be ticketed for the practice squad.

Aaron Rodgers did not play in the Steelers' preseason game against Green Bay. The Steelers roster includes four quarterbacks on the 90-man roster, with Rodgers as the starter and Mason Rudolph as the clear backup.

Rookie QB Drew Allar impressed in preseason action against Green Bay with a complete performance: 10/13 completions, 153 yards, 11.8 YPA, two touchdown passes, one rushing touchdown, and a 154.8 QB rating. The former Penn State quarterback's three total touchdowns and efficient execution drew praise, though the source notes it's difficult to project long-term trajectory from a single preseason game.

Nichols rotated in and received meaningful carries in the preseason opener, establishing himself as part of the Steelers' running back rotation ahead of Kaleb Johnson. The source contrasts Nichols' playing time with Johnson's zero offensive snaps in the first 30 minutes.

Homer took the first-team reps at running back to start the preseason opener, indicating he has won the early-down role ahead of Kaleb Johnson. The source uses Homer's first-team assignment as evidence of the Steelers' lack of confidence in Johnson, who received zero offensive snaps in the first 30 minutes.

Despite having the stronger training camp, Wilson managed just one catch for seven yards in the preseason opener. The source uses this performance to highlight Germie Bernard's rising stock in the WR3 competition, noting that Bernard's four-catch, 61-yard debut—including a 25-yard catch-and-run—contrasts sharply with Wilson's limited output. The source suggests Bernard will receive more opportunities in the final two preseason games as the WR3 battle continues.

The second-round WR caught four passes for 61 yards in his preseason debut, including a 25-yard catch-and-run in which he broke multiple tackles down the right sideline. The source notes that Bernard's strong performance 'got somewhat lost in the midst of the Drew Allar glitz and glamour' but represents rising stock in the WR3 battle. The source contrasts Bernard's output with Roman Wilson's one catch for seven yards despite Wilson having the stronger camp, and predicts: 'don't be surprised to see Bernard get more opportunities in the final two preseason games as the battle for WR3 continues.'

Johnson had zero offensive snaps in the first 30 minutes and finished with just two carries for three yards in the preseason opener. The source notes that Travis Homer took first-team reps and Lew Nichols rotated in with meaningful carries, placing Johnson at RB5 in the rotation when accounting for inactive Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren. The source emphasizes the significance of this lack of playing time given Johnson's disappointing rookie season (28 carries, 69 yards) and states: 'The Steelers told you without saying a word how they feel about the former third-round pick.' The source concludes: 'it looks like a forgone conclusion that he won't be on the roster come September' and recommends the team trade him for draft capital.

The rookie out of Penn State went 10-of-13 for 153 yards, two touchdowns, and an additional score on the ground in his preseason debut. The source notes that Allar practically matched Kenny Pickett's five-drive 2023 preseason performance (13-of-15, 199 yards, 2 TDs) in a single game, and emphasizes that despite competing largely against third-team defense, his performance exceeded expectations. The source credits improved mechanics—throwing motion has less movement, footwork is better—after three months away from Penn State's RPO offense and former coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. The source states: 'He has shown more progression in three months with the Steelers than he did in four years at Penn State' and concludes 'if he continues with this type of play, maybe it'll be enough for the Steelers to give him a real shot to be QB1 in 2027.'

Rookie fourth-rounder had a quiet debut as a returner but displayed strong offensive potential with a 74-yard catch-and-run on Drew Allar's first pass that showcased his short-area quickness and open-field vision, plus a late touchdown catch.

Got fullback reps in the preseason game and redeemed himself with a late touchdown catch after dropping his first scoring opportunity.

Had four catches for 61 yards to become one of the team's top receiving targets in the preseason game; the source notes not to discount his past experience with Aaron Rodgers and identifies him as the likely TE3 if the Steelers keep a non-Riley Nowakowski tight end.

Rookie had a strong four-catch, 51-yard preseason performance highlighted by a catch-and-run where he evaded two defenders and displayed the yards-after-catch ability that stood out in college; the source calls it a good sign especially considering his quiet summer up to this point.

The rookie tight end caught a short rollout TD pass from Drew Allar in the preseason opener, one of Allar's three total touchdowns. This early target share suggests Nowakowski could be involved in the red zone offense.

The rookie tight end caught a short rollout TD pass from Drew Allar in the preseason opener, one of Allar's three total touchdowns. This early target share suggests Wetjen could be involved in the red zone offense.

The tight end was targeted on Will Howard's best play, a well-layered seam pass that placed the Steelers on the 1-yard line. The source notes Howard has been targeting TEs up the seam and on benders all camp, suggesting Tonyan could be a frequent target in the offense.

The rookie receiver was targeted on Mason Rudolph's best play of the game, a would-be touchdown pass where Bernard was unable to get a second foot cleanly in-bounds. The play showed Rudolph's arm talent but highlighted Bernard's need to execute in contested situations.

The recent seventh-rounder saw nine carries in the preseason opener, seven more than former third-round pick Kaleb Johnson, suggesting he's ahead of Johnson on the depth chart and has a better roster chance.

The former third-round pick entered the game after both Travis Homer and Lew Nichols but only saw two carries, seven fewer than recent seventh-rounder Eli Heidenreich. Johnson hardly received any chances to make a case for himself in the preseason opener, making it hard to be optimistic about his Steelers future at this point, although his career is still very young.

Homer played with the 'ones' at running back as the next man up behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle, who both got the night off. The source notes Homer has a solid roster chance thanks to his special teams skill set and capability as a dump-off target, and his playing time Thursday seemed to reflect that elevated standing.

The reigning Isaac Redman Award winner was the Steelers' most effective back against Green Bay, running hard for 36 yards and a touchdown with a 3.6-yard average. Nichols appears to have leapfrogged former third-round pick Kaleb Johnson on the depth chart and could have a chance at the 53-man roster. He played as the next runner up at running back behind Travis Homer, who got the 'ones' reps as the next man up behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle.

The veteran QB2 was ruthlessly efficient in his preseason outing, going 10/11 for 93 yards to start. His best play was his lone incompletion, where he channeled his inner Ben Roethlisberger to heave what would've been a touchdown pass if rookie receiver Germie Bernard had been able to get a second foot cleanly in-bounds. Outside of that play, it wasn't a spectacular performance, but Rudolph looked like a quarterback who's been-there, done-that — an attractive trait for a prospective Aaron Rodgers backup.

The 2024 sixth-rounder played in his first game since the College Football Playoff National Championship and looked impressively composed despite the long break. Howard posted an efficient 7/9 for 86 yards, highlighted by a two-minute drill touchdown drive to end the first half. His best play was a well-layered seam pass to tight end Robert Tonyan that placed the Steelers on the 1-yard line. The source notes Howard made throws off-platform and on the move Thursday night, an encouraging sign given he was never seen as a high-end athlete or arm talent coming out of college.

The rookie third-rounder posted a 10/13, 153-yard, 3 total TD performance in his first NFL outing, including one rushing TD on a successful read-option and two short rollout TD passes to fellow rookies. The source notes Allar showed solid poise despite being raw; he wasn't perfect (seemed a tick late on some reads, had mild happy feet), but the ball leaps from his hand differently than backup QBs Howard and Rudolph, and his rushing TD demonstrated size and mobility from the pocket. Mike McCarthy spent the spring reworking how Allar plays the game, and upside is why the Steelers drafted him.

Wide receiver entered the preseason game as one of the team's top receiving options after a red-hot training camp and injuries to DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., but his camp success did not translate to preseason success. Wilson caught just one pass for seven yards in a disappointing showing, and rookie Germie Bernard emerged as the primary option for Mason Rudolph with the first offensive grouping. His status with the first team is now in question after being outshone by his rookie counterpart.

Running back was the third Steelers RB to get a touch, turning two carries into just three yards—the least touches by any Steelers RB in the contest. The reality is that Johnson is not involved in the offense, and it is starting to seem like the Steelers don't have plans for him in their future, raising serious questions about his role going forward.

Fourth-round rookie WR/return specialist emerged as the Steelers' leading receiver in his first preseason game despite being drafted primarily for return duties. Wetjen took a 10-yard completion from Drew Allar and turned it into a 74-yard catch that nearly went for a touchdown, showcasing the breakaway speed the Steelers were betting on. On the following drive, Allar found Wetjen in the end zone for a touchdown after the rookie created serious separation for himself.

Third-round rookie QB delivered a standout preseason debut, scoring on all three of his drives. Allar went 9-for-12 passing for 154 yards, 2 passing touchdowns, and 1 rushing touchdown. The game did not seem too fast for the young quarterback, who delivered throws on time and accurately with only one noticeably off-target throw. Despite the backup QB competition between Will Howard and Mason Rudolph, Allar stole the show and demonstrated he could be a future franchise option.