Cam Heyward returned to Steelers practice in pads after weeks of holding in while seeking a renegotiated contract with a raise. He appeared in individual drills and then joined a media-free padded team session, signaling a step toward football readiness. The contract talks have shown little movement since Aug. 7, even as Heyward dedicated himself to proving value after a strong 2024 season that earned first-team All-Pro honors. Pittsburgh’s leverage hinges on market benchmarks and Heyward’s age and durability.

Context matters: Kansas City’s Chris Jones ranks as the marquee interior defender with about $31.75 million per year, while Heyward sits at $14.5 million on his current deal. ESPN noted Heyward’s plan to return to negotiations after an All-Pro year, highlighting the tension between production and cap reality. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Heyward’s pad work, with Week 1 looming against the Jets, making conditioning and leverage pivotal as camps close.

As the preseason dwindles, the Steelers balance cap constraints with a veteran anchor who still commands respect on every snap. The Jets game adds urgency to the storyline: can Heyward sustain elite impact and justify a raise, or will the team recalibrate around younger talent in a crowded DL?

Pittsburgh’s long snapper Christian Kuntz is sidelined by a chest injury from the weekend’s preseason tilt with Tampa Bay, with early chatter suggesting a broken sternum. The Steelers signed a second LS, Jake McQuaide, to provide insurance while Kuntz recovers. Coach Mike Tomlin labeled the injury short-term and hinted at Week 1 readiness, and Pittsburgh has not placed Kuntz on injured reserve, signaling confidence in a quick return and preserving the 53-man roster dynamics.

While long snapping itself rarely moves fantasy numbers, the outcome shapes Steelers’ special-teams depth and Week 1 roster plans. If Kuntz returns as hoped, McQuaide remains a fallback rather than a week-to-week starter, keeping Boswell’s cadence and punt-team chemistry stable. Fantasy players should monitor practice updates for any shift in depth or snaps, but the prevailing tone is cautious optimism rather than a protracted absence.

In the short week ahead, the Steelers appear set to prioritize health and continuity, aiming to have Kuntz back in Week 1 while McQuaide stays on standby as needed. The Bay Area-to-Pittsburgh storyline underscores how even non-skill-position moves ripple through special-teams depth and roster logistics as the season opens.

Pittsburgh’s second preseason outing spotlighted two rookie standouts: Derrick Harmon and Kaleb Johnson. Harmon dominated on the edge, knotting up a sack on Ben Scott while Johnson surged for 59 yards from scrimmage across 12 touches, signaling the Steelers' desired early impact from their 2025 draft selections.

Tomlin’s postgame reflection emphasized the growth that comes with a second stadium appearance, reinforcing faith in the two rookies as they prepare for the 2025 regular season opener against the Jets at MetLife. Fantasy managers should monitor how Harmon and Johnson press for meaningful snaps as Pittsburgh leans on youth to fuel depth and versatility.

With the Jets looming, these preseason flashes could translate into early-season opportunities, particularly in sub-packages and third-down scenarios. Steelers coverage and fantasy angles will hinge on how Pittsburgh deploys Harmon and Johnson in Week 1, making them notable late-draft targets or waiver adds as September nears.

Pittsburgh’s defense enters a window of heightened expectation. Mike Tomlin’s bold optimism underscores a unit rebuilt to stop the run and sharpen back-end communication after a troublesome finish to 2024. The influx includes Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, Juan Thornhill, Chuck Clark and Brandin Echols, joining a defensive core led by T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward with Patrick Queen in the mix. Ramsey’s role as a multifaceted striker at free safety has already yielded an early highlight, and Metcalf’s praise of the defense adds a level of respect from a firsthand rival. Aging stars on the Steelers, including Heyward at 36, add a caveat about longevity, even as Harmon, Black and Sawyer push to prove themselves. Tomlin’s history of dominant defenses, from his Buccaneers stint to Pittsburgh’s early-season excellence, provides a blueprint, but skepticism remains about the 30-plus group’s ability to sustain a historic run. The potential payoff is a defense that could redefine Pittsburgh’s ceiling, possibly even sparking a long-awaited playoff breakthrough if the scheme and communication click under pressure.

Aaron Rodgers’ training-camp leg scare for the Steelers shook nerves with a month to go before Week 1, but Mike Tomlin downplayed the incident as harmless and said Rodgers finished practice. Still, observers noted Rodgers moved slower and appeared to favor the right leg as images circulated online. The Steelers’ upcoming second preseason game against Tampa Bay highlights depth and roster decisions, though the real headline remains Rodgers’ status as Pittsburgh prepares for a Week 1 clash against his former Jets in New York.

With Rodgers’ health status in flux, fantasy managers must gauge the risk to Pittsburgh’s passing attack and any ripple effects on teammates. If Rodgers is limited or unavailable, Pittsburgh’s offense could pivot to contingency plans, while the Jets loom as a high-upside Week 1 opponent if Rodgers suits up. The storyline also casts a wider net on early-season betting lines and roster tweaks as camp unfolds and the Steelers monitor every update from the sideline and locker room.