Aaron Rodgers has joined the Pittsburgh Steelers and quickly embraced a leadership role atop a still-young offense. After watching Skylar Thompson take a hard hit, Rodgers challenged the line to protect quarterbacks and playmakers, framing the o-line as the team’s policing unit and its big-brother voice on the field. The vow wasn’t punitive; it was a call for collective accountability that has sparked a wave of self-policing from the rookies to the vets. The dynamic shift is not about one man carrying a unit, but about a group learning to lead themselves while Rodgers guides with experience and example.

Rodgers, a 21-year NFL veteran, says leadership will come from the next wave of Steelers on offense. He pointed to Jaylen Warren, Connor Heyward, Dion—er, Broderick—Jones, and others like Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and Cam Heyward as the players most likely to unlock a true train this season. If those youngsters tap into their power, the Steelers could transform from a promising, learning-on-the-fly unit into a special offense capable of finishing Rodgers’ Hall of Fame arc on a high note.

Five Steelers on the roster bubble face a decisive preseason finale against the Panthers as Pittsburgh trims to 53. Skylar Thompson, Cory Trice Jr., Corliss Waitman, Mark Robinson and DeMarvin Leal enter must-show auditions with the team’s depth chart in flux. The game also looms as a barometer for Will Howard’s status and for how far the special-teams unit can carry value into September. Panthers proximity adds urgency as Pittsburgh weighs QB, CB, punting, LB and DL spots in a high-stakes cut week storyline.

Thompson’s fate could hinge on whether Pittsburgh carries four quarterbacks or backs Will Howard via IR, while Trice Jr. contends with a stacked corner room and durability concerns. Waitman must fend off Cameron Johnston’s return as the punter; Robinson’s special-teams prowess is up against a crowded LB corps; Leal must flip the script on a revamped DL to secure a spot. For fantasy minds, the drama translates into late-round stash opportunities, punt-coverage upside, and how roster volatility could reshape Week 1 roles.

Five Steelers on the roster bubble loom large as August cuts near. Skylar Thompson, Mark Robinson, Ben Skowronek, Corliss Waitman, and DeMarvin Leal are the five most likely to land with another team if Pittsburgh moves on. Thompson showed splash in camp, but Will Howard’s health could keep him in danger of being released. Robinson’s veteran ILB presence could be a magnet for teams in need of depth. Skowronek’s value hinges on special teams, while Waitman could hook on as a clear-cut option elsewhere, and Leal’s development may prompt a fresh start in a different scheme.

For fantasy minds, these names signal potential late-round adds or waiver-wire streams depending on where they land. Thompson could become a rookie quarterback prospect in another room, Robinson could become a rotational defender in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme, Skowronek might latch on as a punt returner and occasional target, Waitman could upgrade a stagnant kicking game, and Leal could unlock a new role with a system that fits his skill set. The stage is set for several surprise moves as teams hit final rosters.

These cut-downs matter beyond Pittsburgh, as each player’s next destination could shift depth charts across the league and open up fantasy upside in the weeks that follow.

Pittsburgh’s preseason Week 2 tilt vs. Tampa Bay centers on a few standout performances and deeper depth-chart battles that fantasy managers will want to monitor closely. Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson will split carries as the RB fight for the Steelers’ lead spot unfolds, with Warren’s natural quickness tested against the more enigmatic Johnson. Brandin Echols has impressed as a versatile corner option, especially with Slay and Ramsey aging, potentially lifting Pittsburgh’s pass defense value. The receiving corps has a wild-card in Max Hurleman, who flashed as a multi-position contributor and could push for a roster spot if injuries persist. Skylar Thompson has drawn attention for his precision and poise, setting up a potential trade scenario if he continues to light up the preseason. On the interior, rookie Derrick Harmon is in line for extended run as Heyward’s contract situation looms, giving the run defense a clearer picture early in camp. All eyes will also be on Mason Rudolph and Will Howard to see if any signal-caller emerges behind the veterans, while Darnell Washington’s red-zone threat adds a dynamic target for the offense.

Calvin Austin III’s injury absence keeps a few pass-catching reps up for grabs, amplifying the stakes for undrafted players like Hurleman who could surprise if opportunity aligns with need. The defense’s push to stabilize the line behind Harmon and Black could shift the defensive upside in fantasy, especially if the rotation locks in a few extra snaps. In short, Week 2 offers a practical test bed for Steelers rookies and fringe contributors, with Warren’s split workload, Echols’ growing role, and quarterback intrigue likely to influence late-season roster decisions and dynasty picks.