Trey Hendrickson’s extension talks with the Bengals have become a test of value in an evolving edge-rush market. Cincinnati let Hendrickson explore a trade to prove he wouldn’t fetch market-rate, but market moves since then have raised the stakes. Crosby’s $35.5M APY, Garrett’s $40M, and Watt’s $41M markers set a new floor for top-tier pass rushers. Hendrickson now faces a tricky choice: accept market value with Cincinnati, or test the market again and risk a season-long uncertainty. With the season looming, the decision could ripple through both the Bengals’ defense and fantasy projections for sack-heavy players in the AFC North and beyond.

For fantasy-minded followers, the saga matters because a Hendrickson departure or raise reshapes lineups and defensive rosters. If he stays at market value, his sack upside remains strong but crowded by higher salaries on the market; if he moves, teams with aggressive edge plans could boost their defenses while creating new targets and value adjustments around Cincinnati’s pass rush depth chart. Either outcome tightens the podium for fantasy edge players and shifts win-probability narratives around Cincinnati’s line of scrimmage.

Pittsburgh closes its 2025 preseason slate with a Week 3 matchup against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium, with NFL+ streaming and regional TV on KDKA-TV. After last weekend’s setback to Tampa Bay, the Steelers are focused on evaluating depth behind their stars as they give veterans a rest in this finale. Four healthy scratches headline the action: Rodgers, Metcalf, Watt, and Heyward, a clear signal that the club will lean on a bevy of youth and depth players to fill in. This game doubles as a late-season hardware test, with backups and role players trying to seize opportunities that could carry into Week 1, and fantasy managers will want to track who pops in the minutes while the big names sit. Steelers Wire will also provide updates, recaps, and injury notes around the game and beyond as depth charts take shape for the regular season.

From a fantasy lens, the Thursday night showdown is less about stars and more about the next-man-up narratives. Watch for emerging receivers, running backs, and edge players who could earn roles or push for increased snaps as Week 1 approaches. The Panthers bring a road-tested backing of depth to counter, so the game should yield meaningful data on who could contribute if injuries strike or the starting units rotate. Coverage, recaps, and the latest injury chatter are available through Steelers Wire’s channels and recap posts.

Nik Bonitto’s extension saga with the Denver Broncos remains ongoing as he nears the end of his rookie deal. Denver has publicly prioritized re-signing him, but the sides are weighing timing, injury security, and market dynamics in a league-wide edge rush crescendo sparked by record deals for Watt and others. Bonitto himself believes the market favors him, aided by solid communication with his representation and the Broncos, who see him as the next extension target after Allen and Sutton. The timeline is deliberately patient, with competing pressures from Week 1 leverage and the season’s start just ahead. A bone spur briefly sidelined Bonitto, but he returned to full activity and demonstrated disruptive burst, adding to the case that he could command a strong contract if he continues ascending into 2025. The broader backdrop is a market where younger pass-rushers with recent success can push the price higher, potentially impacting Denver’s decisions on Sutton, Payton, and the rest of the defense’s long-term plans.

Cameron Heyward returned to Pittsburgh’s practice field, but the hold-in isn’t over. With two years left on his current deal, Heyward is pushing for an amended contract that reflects the evolving defensive line market after a flurry of big offseason signings. He posted a standout All-Pro season in the first year of this deal, logging 36 tackles, eight sacks, and a career-best 11 passes defended, while signaling he’s prepared to sit out into the regular season if necessary to secure proper value.

Two of Heyward’s notable backers, Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay, publicly urged Steelers ownership to get a deal done, underscoring the friction between roster value and cap realities. As Pittsburgh faces a regular season countdown, the clock ticks on negotiations that could reshape Heyward’s cap hit and ripple through the DL market. Heyward’s stance—being valued after a year like 2023—frames a broader national conversation about veteran leverage and housing elite defensive front talent in the salary era.

In this landscape, Heyward’s health and presence matter beyond Week 1. If a new contract isn’t in place, the Steelers must weigh the impact on their run defense, Watt’s edge rush pairing, and the long-term structure of the DL. The result could set a template for similar negotiations around the league, turning Heyward’s contract saga into a bellwether for substantial veteran extensions at premium non-quarterback positions.

With the season approaching, the Steelers aim to balance rewarding Heyward’s peak with sustainable cap health. The debate isn’t just about numbers; it’s about how teams value longevity, leadership, and on-field impact when the defensive line has shifted so dramatically in a single offseason.

Pittsburgh’s Week 1 defense is reimagined around six new starters, with Loudermilk stepping in for Heyward as the anchor up front and a reshaped secondary led by Ramsey, Slay and Thornhill. Watt and Highsmith form the edge duo, while Queen and Wilson patrol the middle, complemented by a retooled back end featuring Porter Jr. and Thornhill. The unit leans on speed and versatility to pressure Zach Wilson and throttle the Jets’ passing game from the start, keeping the scoring ceiling high for fantasy defenses.

The secondary’s youth comes with upside and risk, as Slay, Ramsey and Porter Jr. bring playmaking and length, but their cohesion will be tested early. Thornhill provides range at free safety alongside Elliott at deep safety, creating a flexible, hybrid look on nickel. On the defensive line, Harmon’s debut in the rotation, Benton’s interior presence, and Loudermilk’s length inject disruption behind an upgraded linebacking corps. This group projects as a solid Week 1 fantasy play with a real chance for sacks, turnovers and a stout run stop.

From a fantasy perspective, Week 1 figures to be a grind-the-stats matchup for the Jets, with Pittsburgh's revamped front seven and savvy defensive backs posing frequent challenges. The Steelers’ mix of veteran leadership and youthful athleticism offers a high floor for tackles and a ceiling for big plays, especially with Watt and Highsmith teeing off. The new-look secondary can generate interceptions and pass deflections, heightening fantasy upside in a low-scoring affair.