Is quarterback Aaron Rodgers the most important player on the 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers roster? Most teams slot the quarterback into the top spot, but the Steelers have had recent years where someone else, like T.J. Watt, ranked higher. Former players Trai Essex and Charlie Batch offered their own top five. Each had a unique perspective.

Essex placed CB Joey Porter Jr. fifth.

“We know he’s the man,” Essex said on their BigPlay Pittsburgh podcast. 

For the first time, Porter is Pittsburgh’s clear No. 1 cornerback. Last year, Jalen Ramsey held that rank, but his struggles and midseason switch to safety changed the calculation. Porter had his best year yet and will aim to cash in on a big-money contract extension before the regular season kicks off. Once it does, he’ll be tasked with slowing down Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase and a Week One test against the Atlanta Falcons’ Drake London.

Essex slotted two more defenders next: Watt fourth and ILB Patrick Queen third. The need for Watt to bounce back is obvious enough. Essex made the case for placing Queen so highly.

“We need the green dot to be consistent this year,” he said. “We need him to put his face in the fan and really be that Steelers linebacker we’ve been craving and wanting from that position the last three years.”

Essex cited Queen’s contract year as proper motivation to play his best football and live up to the large deal Pittsburgh gave him ahead of the 2024 season.

Rodgers didn’t take Essex’s top spot, only grabbing second place. Taking gold was offensive tackle Troy Fautanu.

“I think he is suited to have a big year.”

Essex praised the Steelers’ decision to move Fautanu back to left tackle, his college home and blindside protection for Rodgers.

Batch’s list began with an offensive player – WR Michael Pittman Jr.

“They needed a second receiver…a lot of opportunities going to come his way.”

He flipped to defense and chose Watt in the fourth spot, with Jalen Ramsey taking third. Two players with star resumes aiming to prove their careers aren’t near the end. Batch focused on rookie first-rounder Max Iheanachor for second place, expecting him to play early, if not immediately.

“I think ultimately Max Iheanachor will be the starter this year,” he said. “That is my prediction. I think he will take over that right tackle.”

Number one went to No. 8, Aaron Rodgers.

“He is the number-one guy that cannot afford to get hurt at all at any point in this season.”

An easy answer but not necessarily a wrong one. If Rodgers goes down, the team will turn to Mason Rudolph, who lost his one relief start in 2025, or a young arm in Will Howard or Drew Allar.

Here’s a recap of both lists.

Trai Essex’s Top Five:

5. CB Joey Porter Jr.
4. EDGE T.J. Watt
3. ILB Patrick Queen
2. QB Aaron Rodgers
1. OT Troy Fautanu

Charlie Batch’s Top Five:

5. WR Michael Pittman Jr.
4. EDGE T.J. Watt
3. DB Jalen Ramsey
2. OT Max Iheanachor
1. QB Aaron Rodgers

My list would look a little closer to Essex’s than Batch’s. The same top two, I noted Fautanu in our recent debate, with just small changes to the rest of the list.

Alex’s Top Five:

5. DL Derrick Harmon
4. EDGE T.J. Watt
3. C Zach Frazier
2. QB Aaron Rodgers
1. OT Troy Fautanu

Harmon was added to the list as a key second-year player who must stay healthy, grow as a pass rusher, and prove he can truly take the baton from Cam Heyward. Frazier for his steady play in an AFC North that swapped Myles Garrett for Dexter Lawrence and the team’s lack of high-end center depth, even if Brock Hoffman would likely function as a worthy stop-gap.