New head coach, new coordinators, and a roster reshaped by one of the most active offseason in years. Here are the five names Mike and Rich keep coming back to heading into training camp.
T.J. Watt
The reigning heartbeat of the defense heads into 2026 as the engine of a pass rush that new coordinator Patrick Graham will lean on heavily. Watt remains one of the most consistent sack producers in football, and with Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and rookie Jack Sawyer rotating around him, opposing tackles won’t get a breather. Watch how the Steelers deploy him under a new defensive scheme designed to get him home even faster.
Aaron Rodgers
Entering his second season in Pittsburgh and his first under new head coach Mike McCarthy, Rodgers has the benefit of continuity at quarterback for the first time in years. McCarthy’s system, one Rodgers has run at a high level before, could unlock more downfield opportunities than the offense showed in 2025. At this stage of his career, every season carries the question of how much is left in the tank — 2026 is a big answer.
DK Metcalf
Metcalf’s first year in black and gold fell short of expectations: under 900 yards and constant double coverage with no other proven downfield threat to worry about. That changes in 2026 with veteran Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Germie Bernard now sharing the receiver room. If defenses can no longer key entirely on him, Metcalf has the physical tools to have his best season since 2023.
Troy Fautanu The Steelers’ decision-makers have shifted Troy Fautanu back to left tackle—his natural college position at Washington—and the expectations are sky-high. Tasked with protecting Aaron Rodgers’ blindside, Fautanu is arguably the most important piece of a re-engineered offensive line. Fautanu has the athleticism and violent hands to anchor the line for the next decade. How quickly he settles into the left side alongside rookie draft picks like Max Iheanachor and Zach Frazier will determine just how comfortable Rodgers looks in the pocket
Payton Wilson
Wilson is positioned to take over as a full-time starter at inside linebacker in 2026, adding range and sideline-to-sideline speed to a defense that has prioritized rebuilding its front seven. With Patrick Queen holding down the other inside spot, Wilson’s development is one of the more important storylines for a defense trying to get back to its Steel Curtain roots.
One More Thing
The Storyline Behind the Storylines
Every one of these names ties back to the same bigger question hanging over the 2026 season: can a new coaching staff finally get more out of a roster that has talent but hasn’t broken through in the playoffs in years? We’ll be tracking all five — plus every roster move between now and kickoff — every week on the show.
