The time has finally come for Omar Khan’s vision of this year's Pittsburgh Steelers to take shape on the football field.
After an offseason loaded with calculated moves and strategic additions, the Steelers are ready to show fans and critics alike what 2025 could hold. Saturday night’s preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars marks the first real test.
It's a chance for Mike Tomlin’s squad to build early momentum and set the tone for a new era of Steelers football.
While the scoreboard won’t count in the regular-season standings, the implications are very real—especially for players fighting to earn spots and prove they belong.
Among those players, a few offensive names stand out, and how they perform Saturday could go a long way in determining their roles in the 2025 campaign.
Arthur Smith needs these Pittsburgh Steelers to shine bright during first preseason game
QB Skylar Thompson
The biggest splash of Pittsburgh’s offseason was undoubtedly the signing of Aaron Rodgers to a one-year, $13.65 million deal. With Rodgers locked in as the starter and viewed as a short-term bridge to the future, the Steelers are wisely planning to manage his preseason workload.
And with rookie Will Howard dealing with a finger injury on his throwing hand, that leaves Skylar Thompson in a pivotal position.
Thompson, a third-year quarterback, enters the spotlight with a valuable opportunity: reps, reps, and more reps. He’s 1-2 as a starter in his brief NFL career, but what matters now is how well he executes Arthur Smith’s offensive system. Saturday will give fans their first look at Thompson’s growth and readiness to serve as a reliable backup.
His task isn’t easy—commanding an offense still searching for its identity—but it’s the kind of challenge that can make or break a career. If Thompson shows poise, leadership, and decision-making ability, he’ll be closer to cementing his place in Pittsburgh’s quarterback room moving forward.
RB Kaleb Johnson
Smashmouth football has always been part of Pittsburgh’s DNA, but in recent years, that identity has faded. With Najee Harris now out of the picture, there’s room for a new workhorse to emerge. Kaleb Johnson is the kind of player who can carry that torch.
The All-American from Iowa was a dominant force in college, racking up 2,779 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns. He runs with power, patience, and balance—traits that perfectly complement Arthur Smith’s play-action-heavy, run-first philosophy.
Saturday will be Johnson’s first chance to showcase his skills at the NFL level, and you can bet he knows what’s at stake. He’s battling Jaylen Warren for meaningful snaps, and a standout performance could give the rookie a major edge.
He doesn’t need to be flashy—he just needs to be consistent, tough, and effective. If he is, fans might start thinking they’ve found their next franchise running back.
Roman Wilson, WR
While the DK Metcalf trade gave Pittsburgh a true No. 1 receiver, the loss of George Pickens to Dallas created an undeniable hole in the wide receiver corps. Calvin Austin III is expected to slide into the WR2 role, but there’s still room—and need—for another consistent target.
Enter Roman Wilson.
A promising prospect out of Michigan, Wilson missed all of 2024 due to an ankle injury, making Saturday night his long-awaited NFL debut. In college, he was one of J.J. McCarthy’s most trusted weapons, tallying 1,707 yards and 20 touchdowns across his career.
His sharp route running and ability to stretch the field make him an intriguing option for Arthur Smith’s system. But this preseason is about more than just routes and catches—it’s about proving he belongs, both physically and mentally, after a year away from the game.
Wilson could see reps against Jacksonville’s rookie phenom Travis Hunter, and if that matchup materializes, it’ll be must-see TV. A strong showing against a highly touted cornerback could vault Wilson into a more prominent role sooner than expected.