Steelers' Players With Most to Prove in Preseason Week 1
All eyes will be on the Pittsburgh Steelers offense in their preseason opener on Friday against the Houston Texans.
The quarterback battle between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson will obviously steal the headlines, but who those players throw to will be under intense focus as well.
The Steelers need to find depth behind George Pickens, which is why they are involved in Brandon Aiyuk trade talks, but even a deal with the San Francisco 49ers gets done in the next 48 hours, the depth players will participate in preseason Week 1.
Arthur Smith's offense could also bring out more in second-year tight end Darnell Washington, who should get a large amount of reps with Pat Freiermuth resting.
Justin Fields and Russell Wilson
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The Steelers quarterback battle will be about quality over quantity in Week 1 of preseason.
That means every snap that Justin Fields and Russell Wilson take in game action will be under intense scrutiny.
Such is the case when you have not named a starting quarterback yet and are one of the few teams across the NFL without a clear-curt starter.
Fields and Wilson will probably only have a few drives to create separation in the quarterback race on Friday, but if one plays better than the other, it could help with the decision Mike Tomlin has to make.
The Steelers would ideally like to have a decision made before the final preseason game, but if Fields and Wilson are level, it may come down to that point.
Darnell Washington
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Darnell Washington has the potential to be the Steelers' offensive breakout star in preseason.
The Georgia product failed to make much of an impact on offense in his rookie season, but a change in system may help him out.
Washington will likely take a bulk of the snaps at tight end not just in Week 1, but throughout the entirety of preseason.
The Steelers need to protect Pat Freiermuth after a year of injuries, and in the best-case scenario, they will have two tight ends to rely on in 2024.
If Washington breaks out in Arthur Smith's offense, it could give the Steelers a brand new dynamic and it would also help absorb some of the pass-game production if they can't land Aiyuk in a trade.
Calvin Austin III
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The Steelers have to operate on Friday with the mindset that the players on the current roster are the ones that will go into Week 1 of the regular season.
If the Aiyuk trade goes through, it goes through, but the Steelers can't approach Friday and the other two preseason games like he's coming.
Calvin Austin III has a huge opportunity in front of him to secure the No. 2 wide receiver spot in preseason.
George Pickens will likely play a minimal amount of snaps and rookie Roman Wilson is injured, so that leaves Austin and Van Jefferson as the top pass-catchers in preseason.
A strong preseason out of Austin could propel him into a high-volume role next to Pickens and a potential breakout season.
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