A new chapter for the Pittsburgh Steelers has officially opened, and under the Thursday night lights of Acrisure Stadium, the Mike McCarthy era began with a confident statement. A 28-9 preseason victory over the Green Bay Packers offered a solid first glimpse into a promising tomorrow, even if the rhythm was sometimes stalled by a barrage of penalty flags. The rookie class stepped up, the young signal-callers proved they are ready to compete, and while the offensive line showed some early fractures, they rallied to take control of the game.
Here is the breakdown of who seized the opportunity, and who fell behind in the march toward the regular season.
Forging the Future at Quarterback
The hype surrounding the young arms was palpable, and both rose to the occasion when the live bullets started flying.
- Will Howard: After shaking off some early erratic fire, Howard delivered. He commanded Mike McCarthy’s offense with a veteran’s calm, finishing 7-of-9 for 86 yards and proving the moment wasn’t too big for him.
- Drew Allar: The third-round gunslinger was a revelation. Orchestrating three straight scoring drives, Allar showcased fluid mechanics, strong pocket poise, and the ability to deliver strikes on the run. It would be hard not to be a believer after last night.
- Mason Rudolph (The Veteran’s Warning): Rudolph played his role exactly as expected, a safe, methodical game manager (10-for-11, 93 yards). But with the electric promise shown by Howard and Allar, the veteran might be hearing the footsteps as the battle for the backup job tightens.
The Trenches: Scars and Redemption
The offensive line was the lone unit that truly bled against Green Bay, struggling to hold the perimeter. But amidst the chaos, a warrior returned to form.
- Broderick Jones: Bruised but unbroken. Coming off what looked to be a career ending injury, Jones answered the bell magnificently. He anchored his ground, rebounded with ferocity, and played with the kind of violent leverage this franchise demands. It was a masterclass in resilience and toughness.
- Troy Fautanu & Dylan Cook: A rough night on the edges. Fautanu’s shift to the blind side proved perilous, as he was consistently beaten in pass protection. Cook suffered a similar fate on the right side. If neither can shore up their technique, the door remains wide open for a returning first rounder Max Iheanachor to seize the crown.
The Gladiators: Speed, Instinct, and Violence
When the ball was in the air, Pittsburgh’s playmakers turned the turf into their personal hunting ground.
- Asante Samuel Jr.: A blanket of absolute misery for Green Bay receivers. From a goal-line pass breakup on Jayden Reed to downfield shadow coverage, Samuel looked every bit the apex predator this secondary craves.
- Germie Bernard & Kaden Wetjen: Bernard was electric in the open field, he hauled in four catches for 51 yards. Wetjen exorcised his training camp demons with a 74-yard bomb, a five-yard touchdown snag, and 71 total return yards, proving he can be a lethal weapon in open space.
- Jamin Davis: Reborn on the EDGE, the former first-rounder had a big night and turned some heads. He unleashed chaos with a team-high eight tackles, three quarterback hits, and two sacks. He may not be technically perfect yet, but his motor runs white-hot.
- Robert Spears-Jennings & Devan Boykin: The young safeties hunted with precision. Spears-Jennings continued his meteoric camp rise, flying around for three tackles and a TFL, while Boykin added a TFL and a pass breakup of his own.
Lost in the Shadows
Not all who stepped onto the grass found glory.
- Jack Sawyer: The second-year edge rusher lacked the bend and juice required to terrorize the pocket, managing only a half-sack while failing to apply consistent pressure.
- Kaleb Johnson: The 22-year-old back found himself buried beneath Travis Homer and Lew Nichols in the pecking order. With just three yards on two touches and a noticeable lack of burst, he is trending toward the wrong side of the roster bubble.
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