Steelers Preseason: Who Is Rising and Falling After Packers Game
Following a decisive 28-9 victory against the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off their NFL preseason schedule with a mix of standout performances and glaring penalties. According to reporting from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the matchup provided a clear microscope on roster battles, rookie development, and early-August execution.
Quarterback Depth Chart Shifts After Strong Debuts
The competition behind the starting unit intensified immediately. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, veteran Mason Rudolph completed 10 of 11 passes for 93 yards across two efficient drives under center. Yet, the younger signal-callers stole the statistical spotlight during the middle frames. Will Howard made his NFL debut by orchestrating a precise two-minute drill at the end of the first half, finishing 7 for 9 for 86 yards and capping the possession with a touchdown pass to running back Lew Nichols. Rookie Drew Allar, a third-round selection out of Penn State, entered in the second half and posted a near-flawless 155.1 quarterback rating, completing 10 of 13 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns across three scoring drives.
Rookie Standouts and Defensive Bright Spots
Beyond the quarterback room, several newcomers forced their way into roster consideration. According to field reports, fourth-round draft pick Kaden Wetjen turned a short middle route into a 74-yard catch-and-run before adding a 5-second-half touchdown. Second-round wideout Germie Bernard also manufactured productive yards, hauling in four receptions for 51 yards. Defensively, cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. blanketed targets in the secondary, recording a critical red-zone pass breakup against Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed. Meanwhile, outside linebacker Jamin Davis notched two sacks and led the defense with eight total tackles.
Offensive Line Struggles and Special Teams Penalties
Not every storyline favored the roster depth. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, left tackle Troy Fautanu endured a difficult first start, committing an illegal procedure infraction and a holding penalty that erased a Lew Nichols touchdown run. Right tackle Dylan Cook similarly surrendered a sack to Packers edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr. Discipline plagued the entire roster, as special teams coach Danny Crossman watched his unit accumulate 11 penalties for 143 yards, including multiple personal foul flags along the defensive line.
As training camp moves through its final practices at Saint Vincent College ahead of an August 21 matchup against the New York Jets, coaching staffs face critical film study to correct pre-snap infractions before the regular season arrives.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.