Takeaways from Steelers-Packers preseason opener spotlight Steelers RB Kaleb Johnson and two rookie quarterbacks

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers offered a familiar August theme, evaluation. For a franchise built around preparation, the early work on both sides of the ball matters, but so does how quickly players can earn trust in game conditions. The most visible storyline was quarterback reps, including what was described as the first time Will Howard and Drew Allar took the field as NFL quarterbacks, even if it came in an exhibition setting rather than a regular-season snap count.

Howard and Allar’s presence gave the Steelers a chance to see their young report-callers in motion against a live opponent. Preseason games can compress decision-making, timing, and rhythm because teams mix personnel and look to test fundamentals. The article framed the Steelers’ quarterback night as a moment for the younger options to show they can operate when the lights are bright, even if there are fewer stakes than in September.

On the defensive side, the morning-after takeaways highlighted that the Steelers also had young players making enough plays to turn the focus away from the quarterbacks for stretches. Preseason performances are often more about process than polish, but flashes in coverage, pressure, or run fits can change how a staff structures the next week’s reps. The broader point was that Pittsburgh’s development track did not belong solely to the offense’s newcomers.

Still, the conversation in Pittsburgh circles quickly narrowed to a running back. The write-up suggested that the lack of playing time for Kaleb Johnson could be read as a warning sign for how the Steelers view his immediate role. Even in an opener where coaches typically rotate heavily, the distribution of carries can indicate the pecking order. In this case, Johnson’s limited usage became the clearest “writing on the wall” theme discussed after the game.

It is important to put that interpretation in context. Preseason carries do not always map cleanly to the regular-season depth chart. Coaches can manage touches for workload, prioritize matchups, or structure drives around specific personnel packages. The takeaways, however, treated Johnson’s situation as notable enough to suggest he may be fighting for relevancy rather than carving out a growing role.

With the early picture set, the next steps become clearer. For Howard and Allar, the question is whether they can build on the same kind of execution in subsequent preseason action, demonstrating that the first outing was not just a one-game moment. For the defense, the goal is to turn young flashes into consistent production across drives.

And for Johnson, the next exhibition week matters because it can either confirm the idea that his opportunities were limited for a reason, or force a reconsideration if his touches remain scarce. In a roster where every decision has ripple effects, the Steelers will watch who earns reps, who holds onto them, and who starts to separate from the rest of the young group as August winds down.