3 offensive players to watch from Steelers' Week 1 matchup vs. Falcons

Pittsburgh Steelers fans, rejoice! The Steel City brand of football is preparing for regular season kickoff once again, as the Steelers host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1, with a new-look offense that demands our attention.

From an aging veteran quarterback to a third-year offensive tackle with short-term struggles, here’s a look at three of the Steelers’ offensive players to watch during the regular season opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

Rodgers was surprisingly solid in 2025, but Father Time waits for no man not named Cameron Heyward. Can the 42, soon-to-be 43-year-old quarterback continue to defy the odds for another full NFL season, or will age finally catch up with him in 2026? Well, Week 1’s matchup against Atlanta should give us a better idea of what we can expect out of Rodgers this year.

Dowdle may have been listed as the RB2 behind Jaylen Warren, but we fully expect the multiple-time 1,000-yard rusher to heavily contribute in the season opener versus the Falcons. If Dowdle gets off to a hot start early, don’t be surprised if he ends up with more rushing opportunities when the dust has settled.

There’s arguably no offensive player more important to watch than Fautanu. Struggling during training camp and preseason after switching from left to right tackle, Fautanu gave Steelers fans plenty to be concerned about over the past month. If Fautanu’s level of play is anything like what fans saw last month, Rodgers could be in for a long night.

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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 3 offensive players to watch from Steelers’ Week 1 matchup vs. Falcons