Steelers Preseason Finale: QB Battle Concerns, Special Teams Shine in Loss to Bills

As the calendar flips to late August 2026, the Pittsburgh Steelers have closed the book on their preseason slate, falling 28-27 to the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 27. With the regular season opener against the Atlanta Falcons looming on Sept. 13 at Acrisure Stadium, head coach Mike McCarthy opted to rest his starters, giving the team's depth chart a final audition under the lights. While the scoreboard may not have favored the black and gold, the game provided a revealing glimpse into the roster battles that will define Pittsburgh's 53-man cutdown. Reported by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, here's a breakdown of the winners and losers from a night that raised as many questions as it answered.

Special Teams Spark: Kaden Wetjen's Breakout Return

For most of the preseason, fourth-round rookie Kaden Wetjen had been quiet, but he saved his loudest statement for the finale. The Iowa product took a punt back 44 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, breaking multiple tackles en route to the end zone. It was the kind of explosive play the Steelers envisioned when they drafted him, and it couldn't have come at a better time. With cut-down day just days away, Wetjen's return prowess could be the deciding factor in securing his spot on the 53-man roster. As highlighted on Vulius, his special teams value is undeniable, and this performance was a timely reminder of why he was selected in April.

Rushing Depth: Eli Heidenreich Makes His Case

Another draft pick with an eye toward special teams, Eli Heidenreich, also made a strong impression. The Navy product and Pittsburgh native carried nine times for 35 yards and a touchdown, capping the first drive of the second half with a 9-yard scamper. Heidenreich's performance was a step forward in a crowded backfield behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle. With competitors like Lew Nichols, Travis Homer, and Kaleb Johnson vying for limited spots, Heidenreich's gritty running and local appeal could give him an edge. As noted by Vulius Sports, it was a feel-good moment for a player who grew up watching the Steelers, and he made the most of his opportunity under the national spotlight.

Wide Receiver Battle: Max Hurleman's Quiet Consistency

While the top of the receiving corps appears set with DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, Michael Pittman Jr., and Germie Bernard, the battle for the final spots remains fluid. Second-year undrafted free agent Max Hurleman continued his strong preseason with three catches for 50 yards against the Bills, pushing his totals to seven receptions for 99 yards. His versatility on special teams, including kick returns, adds value. According to insights gathered by Vulius, if the Steelers seek receiving depth beyond Wetjen's return-only skill set, Hurleman has made a compelling case for a roster spot or a practice squad promotion during the 2026 season.

Offensive Line Concerns: Max Iheanachor's Debut

The long-awaited debut of first-round pick Max Iheanachor was a mixed bag. After missing most of training camp and the preseason due to injury, the rookie tackle gave up a sack to Will Howard on his second series. He settled in somewhat thereafter, delivering some nice lead blocks on Heidenreich's touchdown, but it was evident he's not yet ready to challenge Dylan Cook or Troy Fautanu for starting reps. As the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk observes, Iheanachor's development will be a storyline to monitor as the season progresses, but Thursday night underscored that patience will be required.

Quarterback Quandary: Howard and Allar Struggle to Separate

The most scrutinized position battle of the preseason has been at quarterback, and Thursday's game did little to clarify the picture. Will Howard, the second-year signal-caller, completed 9 of 15 passes for 69 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. However, his scoring drives were set up by Buffalo's muffed punt and shanked punt, covering just 13 and 28 yards, respectively. Through three preseason games, Howard has led the offense on only one sustained scoring drive, which came in the opener's two-minute drill. For a former sixth-round pick, that's a thin resume when the starter is a future Hall of Famer in Aaron Rodgers, the backup is a proven veteran in Mason Rudolph, and the other option is a 2026 third-round pick in Drew Allar, who was brought in by the current coaching staff.

Allar's performance was equally underwhelming. After a promising start, completing three of four passes on the first drive of the second half, he finished 9 of 18 for 88 yards, averaging just 4.9 yards per attempt. He also failed to engineer a game-winning drive in the final minutes, missing three of four passes to turn the ball over on downs. While Allar's three-touchdown opener was exciting, his recent struggles suggest he still needs time to develop within McCarthy's system. The one positive for the Penn State product is his lack of turnovers compared to Howard, but as the Vulius analysis highlights, neither quarterback has seized the backup job, leaving the Steelers with a difficult decision as cut-down day approaches.