Steelers rest starters in Saturday preseason game

Pittsburgh will rest most regulars in the second preseason game while Mason Rudolph starts at quarterback.

Aaron Rodgers and most Steelers starters won't play Saturday against Buccaneers

Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said most starters will not play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Buccaneers. Mason Rudolph will start at quarterback, with Aaron Rodgers sidelined, and several other veterans listed as inactive for the matchup. The team will use Thursday’s joint practice to push the first-team units, while Nick Herbig could see some time in the game.

The plan mirrors Week 1 in its emphasis on evaluation over results. By limiting live reps for stars, the Steelers aim to test the depth and give rookies and backups a chance to prove themselves ahead of the regular season. The absence of star names such as Rodgers, DK Metcalf, T. J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Jalen Ramsey, and Cam Heyward signals a deliberate approach to build flexibility into the roster.

The decision reveals what the coaching staff values most in August: development and durability over early wins. It also highlights a broader NFL trend where teams treat preseason as a real audition for depth players who might contribute during the season.

Yet the approach carries a quiet risk, notably around fan engagement and the clarity of the team’s pecking order. If substitutes flourish, the narrative shifts to who on the bench is ready for real-time responsibility when injuries hit.

Highlights

As depth charts take shape, the Steelers’ choices this preseason will echo into September