The AS Call-in Show dives into the Steelers’ looming schedule shift and the winter of decisions that could reshape fantasy value. Two weeks from the regular season, Noah Strabine and callers outline a plan for nimble content drop, with live streams now pared to a sustainable cadence as the team adjusts to later practices. The chatter centers on how Pittsburgh can maintain a high-output pass game without burning the hosts’ personal lives, while still delivering on-field intel for fantasy builders.

Calvin Austin III, George Pickens, and Darnell Washington anchor the WR chatter, with Calvin’s upside capped only by how Pittsburgh stacks the rest of the offense. Gabe Davis surfaces as a potential veteran add, not as a megadeal, to balance outside targets alongside DK Metcalf-adjacent talk and Terry McLaurin trade chatter. The show leans into athletic ceiling moments (Pickens) and creative concepts (Washington) while weighing cost, scheming fit, and how a signing would shift ROIs for Week 1 and beyond.

Gabe Davis looms large as the Berg stars chase a blockbuster in late August. Pittsburgh woke up to a report from Jerry Dulac that Davis could still be in play, but the odds of a Steelers landing him look slim—roughly 10%, per the hosts’ read after Davis’ Pittsburgh meeting and Buffalo visit. Davis would vault Pittsburgh’s receiver room if he signs, but Buffalo’s urgency to keep him and Davis’ familiarity with Josh Allen make a Pittsburgh pivot unlikely.

Cam Hayward’s return to practice injects a jolt into Pittsburgh’s defense as the holdout era settles. Injury updates around Calvin Austin III, Alex Highsmith, and Cory Trice Jr. offer optimism for week one, though the WR2 spot remains a clearinghouse of depth options. With the 53-man roster deadline approaching, the conversation centers on whether the Steelers address the position via August cuts or internal develop­ment—Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson, and Cory Trice Jr. must prove they can grow into meaningful contributors in a Super Bowl-contending framework. The episode keeps circling back to a single question: can Pittsburgh fashion a WR2 that can compete with the high-end AFC landscape, or will the current group ride into the season with incremental upgrades only?

Pittsburgh’s offense showed a real pulse in the joint session with Tampa Bay, especially in seven-shot sets, while the two‑minute drill underscored a need for precision late in drives. Roman Wilson emerged as a potential outside-the-slot wild card, flashing clean routes and reliable hands as Calvin Austin III remains sidelined. Calibrating the attack behind Freiermuth and a healthy first unit line will matter, but the takeaway is clear: the Steelers’ plan includes a quicker, more versatile receiving corps than early expectations suggested.

Defensively, Jaylen Ramsey’s assignment on Mike Evans highlighted the Buccaneers’ ceiling, and Cam Hayward’s presence remains a cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s identity—though the coaching staff signaled the plan to test Joey Porter Jr. against elite targets. Ramsey’s impact, alongside the Steelers’ depth, could catalyze growth at the boundary and help unlock the offense’s upstairs options. The two teams meet again on Saturday, a crucial proving ground for how the Steelers will balance growth with winning football in the regular season.

Fantasy implications lean toward Wilson as a deeper stash option if Calvin Austin’s return drags, Freiermuth staying on target as a steady TE1, and the outside WR spot remaining open—making the Steelers a tiered offense with upside if Wilson cements separation. On the defense, expect continued growth from the young secondary, with Ramsey guiding the way and Porter Jr. watching and learning from one of the game’s best. Week 1 plans should hinge on who can sustain the week-to-week improvements seen in practice.

Cam Hayward’s contract drama looms large over the Steelers as camp closes, with Hayward acknowledging options beyond Pittsburgh and the coaching staff weighing how a possible absence would reshape the defense. The veteran anchor’s fate could tilt Pittsburgh’s cap plan and rotation, raising urgency for younger linemen to prove they can anchor the line if he’s not out there Week 1.

Injury and depth headlines: Darius Slay’s ankle setback casts a shadow over Philadelphia’s secondary, while Jaylen Ramsey’s return pace is watched closely by Pittsburgh as a barometer for edge-case depth at landing spots. Calvin Austin III’s undisclosed ailment keeps the Steelers’ wideout picture unsettled, nudging Scotty Miller and Roman Wilson into bigger roles. Kenneth Gainwell’s versatility adds intrigue to the backfield, with Cam and Terry McLaurin rumors, Tyreek Hill chatter, and Rodgers’ Jets debut colorfully framing a wild fantasy summer where every edge case could shift Week 1 projections and weekly upside.