The 5: Steelers to watch in preseason opener
The 2025 NFL season kicks off for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they face the Houston Texans in the preseason opener on Friday, August 9th. It will be the second preseason game for the Texans who lost the Hall of Fame game to the Chicago Bears due to inclement weather. The Steelers will take the field for the first time in exhibition. After observations from training camp at St. Vincent College, we selected five Steelers players to watch in the upcoming game. And, truthfully, everyone on the team will be worth watching now that football is back.
Justin Fields
Due to a tight hamstring, Russell Wilson has been slowly working into the revamped Steelers offense under Arthur Smith. That has left the door open for Fields to get the majority of snaps.
Fields has received mostly positive evaluation from camp reports, but in-game situations should provide fans with an opportunity to gauge how much of an asset the young quarterback will be to Pittsburgh. He’s likely to open the game and play at least one quarter before Kyle Allen and John Rhys Plumlee – battling for the QB3 spot – are given opportunities.
“When (Fields) breaks the pocket he is dangerous and he can turn a bad play into a really good play really fast.” – defensive coordinator Teryl Austin
There’s really no reason to rush Wilson in to play in this week’s preseason game, so expectations are very low that he’ll dress.
The offensive line
Yes, we’re talking about a group here instead of a player, but that’s because there was an impetus in the off-season to build a formidable, determined offensive line. Tackle Troy Fautanu, center Zach Frazier, and guard Mason McCormick are likely to get their opportunities to show what they’ve developed through camp so far. That doesn’t mean they’ll play the entirety of the game as the coaching staff want to see how different personnel work together in this group.
“O-line wise, it’s always five-wheel drive. You really need about seven, eight, nine guys that everybody can trust and are accountable.” – guard Isaac Seumalo
Nate Herbig, who has taken the most snaps at center during camp, is likely to start things off on the line, but shuffling will be a big part of testing this group in a real game situation.
Van Jefferson
There’s plenty of competition in a deep wide receivers group for the coveted WR2 spot. George Pickens is the presumptive WR1 among this group, but the Steelers need playmakers (at a minimum four starters) at the position.
Jefferson last played with the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams but brought with him experience. Friday should provide an opportunity for him to move up from an already good camp. If he fails to impress, there are others – like Calvin Austin and Dez Fitzpatrick – looking for their shot to solidify a spot on the regular season roster.
Logan Lee
Granted, Lee is a rookie and probably not the first player you’d put on your list of Steelers to watch. Here’s why you should:
With coaches resting Larry Ogunjobi and Keeanu Benton recently, the Steelers have asked more from Isaiahh Loudermilk and Lee on the defensive line. In a post-practice meeting with the media, Tomlin said, “It’s always good when guys get an opportunity to (pit their skills against more established guys) and to have some success. I thought some of those defensive linemen up front really represented themselves well.”
Pittsburgh wants to field a defense that is strong up front and able to stuff runs. Lee will get an opportunity to showcase the ability he showed in college, at Iowa, to be around the ball and hitting gaps with decisiveness.
Cameron Johnston
The Steelers are invested in better field position, and Johnston will get an opportunity to show why Pittsburgh desired his punting skills. No, punter usually isn’t on the list of players to watch, but against his former team… Johnston will give fans a better view of skill than Pressley Harvin did.
