Pittsburgh locked in Jaylen Warren with a 3-year, 17.25 million deal, paying 7 million this season and guaranteeing 12 million. The extension signals Warren as the Steelers’ lead back heading into Week 1 against the Jets, while casting doubt on Kaleb Johnson’s ceiling after a sluggish preseason. The run game becomes the focal point as Pittsburgh aims to lean on ground production from the jump.

This move marks a historic moment for the franchise, the first running-back extension since Willie Parker in 2006. Warren now has to prove he can carry a lead role and justify the new contract, all while Pittsburgh reinforces a run-first identity that fantasy managers should watch closely as the season unfolds.

Pittsburgh reshuffles six jersey numbers ahead of the regular season, led by Yahya Black moving to No. 94. Esezi Otomewo becomes 93, Andrus Peat 71, Max Hurleman 84, D'Shawn Jamison 38, and Trey Sermon 37. No. 94 last belonged to Dean Lowry, who is out with a knee injury. Black wore 94 at Iowa, and preseason buzz could push him into action as Week 1 vs. the Jets looms.

The change signals a fresh Steelers DL rotation and potential fantasy upside for Black if his momentum carries over. Sermon and Hurleman add backfield and committee depth, while Otomewo and Jamison provide versatile line-coverage options. The Jets opener on Sept. 7 will reveal how these moves translate to real game snaps.

For fantasy players, tracking snap counts and usage in that opener will be critical. If Black commands early-down reps and pressures the quarterback, a notable surge in tackle and sack opportunities could follow, especially with Lowry sidelined.

Rodgers returns to MetLife as a Steeler to kick off Week 1, a clash that blends nostalgia with a fresh chapter for both teams. Fields steps into Jets lore, while Pittsburgh leans on a TE-heavy attack to cushion an aging quarterback. The result should be rough around the edges but gripping for fantasy managers betting on efficient short games and big TE distributions.

Bold Week 1 fantasy takeaways: Rodgers lands a 250+ yard, multi- TD effort with careful decision-making in a run- (and TE-) heavy game plan. Fields goes over 200 passing and adds 40–50 rushing yards, while Pittsburgh’s abundance at tight end tees up steady targets for Freiermuth, Smith, Heyward, and Washington in a grind-it-out win.

Warren steps in as Pittsburgh’s RB1 in Week 1 after Najee Harris’ departure, but Jets’ run defense is a factor. Harvey lands in Denver with a Week 1 matchup against Tennessee and a projected split, making him a late-flex option in many leagues. Henderson enters New England with three-down expectations, yet his Week 1 role hinges on how quickly he integrates with Stevenson and the Patriots’ offense.

Injury reports and coaching notes color the starter dynamics, but all three backs offer fantasy appeal in PPR formats: Warren as a potential target-heavy back in a cautious Week 1 plan; Harvey as a back-end RB2 with breakaway ability; Henderson as a high-floor flex with passing-game upside. The Start/Sit tool guidance centers on format and matchup for Week 1 optimism.

The Jets upgraded their setup with a bold front-office shift and a defensive-first coaching approach, leaning on a stout unit to carry the team while Justin Fields grows into the quarterback role. Gardner anchors the secondary, Wilson provides top-tier receiving upside, and McDonald IV plus Williams form a dangerous trench trio. Harbaugh-inspired run-first vibes could slow games but fuel ball control and fantasy ceilings for Jets players.

If the defense remains elite, Fields’ rushing upside and an improved line could unlock a potent fantasy blend for Jets owners, especially early in the season as the offense finds its rhythm behind a dominant defense.