QB Aaron Rodgers to join most Steelers veterans on sideline for preseason opener at Jacksonville

The backups will be on full display for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they open the preseason Saturday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Coach Mike Tomlin announced Thursday that most of the team’s veterans won’t see the field at Everbank Stadium. That includes many of the big names that the Steelers acquired in the offseason.

Among those not playing will be quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver DK Metcalf, tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay. Joining them on the sidelines will be holdovers such as tight end Pat Freiermuth, guard Isaac Seumalo, running back Jaylen Warren, cornerback Joey Porter Jr., inside linebacker Patrick Queen, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, kicker Chris Boswell and outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig.

And those are just the healthy players who won’t be participating. Tomlin also ruled out wide receiver Calvin Austin III, outside linebacker Alex Highsmith, defensive back Donte Kent and cornerback Cory Trice Jr.

“They need less runway to take off,” Tomlin said about the healthy scratches, “because of their experience and where they are in their careers. Oftentimes I preserve them in this process while providing more opportunity for those that need more preparation or opportunity to display their talents.”

First-round pick Derrick Harmon sat out practice Wednesday with an unspecified injury, but he is expected to play on the defensive line against Jacksonville, Tomlin said.

“I’m excited to go against people other than my teammates,” Harmon said.

With Rodgers sitting out the opener and rookie sixth-round pick Will Howard dealing with a broken finger, the Steelers signed journeyman quarterback Logan Woodside. The addition will give the Steelers three healthy quarterbacks for the game.

The Steelers also signed offensive tackle Andrus Peat, a 10-year veteran and former first-round pick who spent his first nine seasons with New Orleans before joining Las Vegas last year. Peat has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times, and he will provide depth at guard and tackle, where the Steelers have suffered some injuries.

Tomlin again listed Howard’s injury as a “week-to-week” setback, but he acknowledged the rookie from Ohio State could play at some point in the preseason.

Mason Rudolph is in line to start at quarterback against the Jaguars before ceding snaps to Skylar Thompson and potentially Woodside. The first-team offensive line, minus Seumalo, will block for Rudolph and rookie running back Kaleb Johnson.

“There is no plan yet in place in terms of the amount of playing time for those guys that are playing,” Tomlin said. “Our mindset is if you are in uniform, you are prepared to play throughout the course of the game.”

With the top three outside linebackers sitting Saturday, the Steelers expect to take a long look at fourth-round pick Jack Sawyer of Ohio State.

“I feel confident in what I know, knowing the defense and being able to do my job out there,” Sawyer said. “It’s continuing to study and continue to practice it and hopefully by the time the game rolls around this weekend I’m ready to roll.”

Tomlin outlined his expectations for the Steelers players who do dress for the game.

“Part of being a good team is not beating your own butt,” he said. “We’re focusing on some things relative to that. We’re looking for guys to make routine plays routinely. We’re looking for pre-snap cleanliness on both sides of the ball from a penalty perspective.

“I expect the offense to manage the play clock, to manage shifts and motions in a clean manner. I expect the defense to be ready if there is some change of pace.”

Tomlin also will alternate punters through the opener and for the remainder of the preseason. Cam Johnston, who was injured in the 2024 season opener, and his replacement, Corliss Waitman, are competing for the job.

“We’ll trade punt for punt and probably are going to be in that posture until we get clarity,” Tomlin said. “It’s highly competitive. They are both varsity. That’s the type of competition you want. You want guys to win jobs because of what they do and not because of what others don’t do.”