Grok projects the Pittsburgh Steelers’ depth chart ahead of their preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday
The Pittsburgh Steelers kick off their preseason this week, with the Green Bay Packers coming to town for what figures to be a fun battle between two historic franchises. With plenty of storylines about young players heading into the game, let’s project what the Steelers’ depth chart may look like, using our friend Grok.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are finally preparing to hit someone with a different colored jersey this Thursday. A preseason opener at home, in front of a national audience, and against a team that the head coach and QB have history with is about the best start to a preseason that you could ask for.
While we await to see if Aaron Rodgers will be on the field against his former team for potentially the last time, everyone will have their eyes fixated on the other QBs, with both Will Howard and Drew Allar slated to make their preseason debut. That, along with how other rookies like Eli Heidenreich look and the offensive linemen outside of Max Iheanchor, will be a big factor as well, so we asked Grok to help us project what Thursday’s lineup might look like.
Steelers 2026 preseason schedule
- Steelers preseason schedule
- Week 1 vs. Green Bay Packers (Thursday, August 13).
- Week 2 vs. New York Jets (Friday, August 21).
- Week 3 at Buffalo Bills (Thursday, August 27).
Pittsburgh Steelers projected depth chart ahead of the preseason opener vs. the Green Bay Packers
This is based primarily on the team’s initial official preseason depth chart (released ~Aug. 5) and the Ourlads chart updated Aug. 10, with notes on fluidity, injuries/PUP status, and recent reporting. Depth charts remain fluid in training camp under new head coach Mike McCarthy; starters are not locked, and preseason play will further clarify roles.
Offense
| Position | Starter | Backup | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Aaron Rodgers | Mason Rudolph | Will Howard, Drew Allar |
| RB | Jaylen Warren | Rico Dowdle | Kaleb Johnson, Eli Heidenreich, Travis Homer, Lew Nichols |
| FB | Riley Nowakowski | — | — |
| LWR | DK Metcalf | Ben Skowronek | Levi Wentz, others |
| RWR | Michael Pittman Jr. | Germie Bernard | Brandon Smith, Joaquin Davis |
| SWR (slot) | Roman Wilson | Kaden Wetjen | Max Hurleman, Jakobie Keeney-James |
| TE | Pat Freiermuth | Darnell Washington | Robert Tonyan, Jaheim Bell, Lake McRee, Lance Mason |
| LT | Troy Fautanu | Broderick Jones | Jack Driscoll |
| LG | Mason McCormick | Gennings Dunker | — |
| C | Zach Frazier | Ryan McCollum | Greg Crippen |
| RG | Spencer Anderson | Brock Hoffman | Steven Jones |
| RT | Dylan Cook | Max Iheanachor | Doug Nester |
Notes: Rudolph holds the QB2 edge over Howard for now. Warren is listed ahead of Dowdle. Wilson starts in the slot. The OL is set as projected, with first-rounder Iheanachor as the top RT backup. Nowakowski is the clear FB.
Defense (base 3-4)
| Position | Starter | Backup | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE (L) | Derrick Harmon | Gabriel Rubio | Anthony Goodlow, Kevin Jobity Jr. |
| NT | Yahya Black | Sebastian Joseph-Day | Esezi Otomewo, Kyler Baugh |
| DT/DE (R) | Cameron Heyward | Keeanu Benton | Logan Lee, Dean Lowry |
| LOLB | T.J. Watt | Nick Herbig | Jamin Davis |
| LILB | Patrick Queen | Carson Bruener | Jacoby Windmon |
| RILB | Payton Wilson | Cole Holcomb | Malik Harrison |
| ROLB | Alex Highsmith | Jack Sawyer | Julius Welschof |
| LCB | Joey Porter Jr.* | Asante Samuel Jr. | D’Shawn Jamison, Tamon Lynum |
| RCB | Jamel Dean | Daylen Everette | Doneiko Slaughter, Daryl Porter |
| NB | Jalen Ramsey* | Brandin Echols | Donte Kent*, Devan Boykin |
| SS | DeShon Elliott | Robert Spears-Jennings | Sebastian Castro, Israel Mukuamu |
| FS | Jaquan Brisker | Jack Henderson | Rayshawn Jenkins |
Notes: The biggest early surprise is second-year Yahya Black listed as the starting nose tackle, with Benton shifted more toward end/DT (a positional tweak coaches have discussed). Bruener ranks ahead of Harrison in the ILB group.
Porter Jr. (back) and Ramsey (knee) opened camp on the active/PUP list; both have been progressing with field work and are expected to return soon (possibly limited or held for regular-season readiness). Kent is also on PUP. Elliott has been limited while recovering from prior hamstring issues. Depth will get heavy preseason reps while these players ramp up.
Special Teams
| Position | Starter / Primary | Others |
|---|---|---|
| K | Chris Boswell | Laith Marjan |
| P / H | Cameron Johnston | — |
| LS | Christian Kuntz | — |
| KR | Kaden Wetjen | Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Eli Heidenreich |
| PR | Kaden Wetjen | Rico Dowdle, Donte Kent |
Notes: Rookie Wetjen is the clear primary returner.
This projection reflects the most recent available official and scouting charts heading into the Packers game. Expect adjustments after the first preseason contest and as players return from PUP/injury management. Sources include the team’s initial depth chart reports, Ourlads (updated Aug. 10), and contemporaneous coverage.
