Steelers vs. Packers: Preseason Opener Offers Plenty to Watch

August 14, 2026 - 02:19

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers meet Thursday night for their 2026 preseason opener, and while the score won't count, the evaluation process will be in full swing. Both rosters have significant new faces and unresolved position battles that make this first exhibition game more meaningful than usual.

For Pittsburgh, all eyes will be on the quarterback room. Will Howard and Drew Allar are both expected to see their first game action in a Steelers uniform, and how they handle live pressure will go a long way in shaping the depth chart. Howard, who joined the team in 2025, has shown poise in practice, but Allar has the arm talent that makes him an intriguing project. The coaching staff wants to see who can move the chains against a live defense, not just in scripted drills.

The Packers, meanwhile, are dealing with their own questions. Green Bay has a young core on offense, and the preseason opener will be a chance for the backup offensive line to prove it can protect the quarterback. There is also a logjam at wide receiver, with several undrafted free agents fighting for one or two roster spots. Special teams will get a hard look as well, as the kicking competition remains open.

Neither team is expected to play its starters for long. The focus is on the bottom of the roster, the players who need to make an impression in limited snaps. For the coaches, it is about seeing who can execute under pressure and who gets lost in the moment. For the fans, it is the first real look at what this year's team might become.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Eastern, with both sidelines expected to rotate heavily by the second quarter. The final score will be forgotten by Friday, but the individual performances could shape decisions that last well into the regular season.