It will take a full team and organization effort for the Pittsburgh Steelers to have a successful 2026 season. There are 10 men among that group most critical to such an outcome.

Below are the 10 individuals who will define how we talk and think about the year.

1. QB Aaron Rodgers

He’s the most important and obvious name on the list. Rodgers returned for his 22nd and final NFL season in the hopes reuniting with head coach Mike McCarthy can bring out the best in each other. They know the scheme, but can it make sense to everyone else?

Rodgers must be able to push the ball downfield with more frequency this season and improve advanced metrics like his ANY/A. All while flashing the ability to make extended plays, drive the offense, and finish with touchdowns instead of field goals.

2. HC Mike McCarthy

Just as obvious as Rodgers, McCarthy enters his first season in Pittsburgh with big expectations. Can he take the offense to new heights while improving a defense that disappointed a year ago? Can he win close games? Dominate the division? Will this veteran-laden team buy into McCarthy when things get tough? And things will get tough for any team over the course of a long season. Will he commit to the running game enough?

McCarthy has the chance to play the role of hero. If he falls short, there will be immediate scrutiny.

3. EDGE T.J. Watt

For perhaps the first time since his rookie year, there’s true scrutiny over Watt’s play and future with the team. Can he roar back as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate? Or has he settled into a clear tier below with a ceiling of ten sacks?

Will moving Watt around the defense help unlock his game? Or will it be another year of all talk and little action? Let’s see what Watt looks like when there’s reasonable doubt about what he can bring the defense this year.

4. OTs Dylan Cook & Max Iheanachor

Lumped together as whoever starts at right tackle or in the event Cook begins the year with Iheanachor replacing him midseason. Right tackle is Pittsburgh’s biggest area of concern along the offensive line. Cook must show more power. Iheanachor must show he’s ready for the NFL. Whoever starts must keep a soon-to-be 43-year-old Aaron Rodgers upright. Every mistake will be magnified.

5. DC Patrick Graham

There’s no question about who runs the defense this year. It’s Graham’s show. A well-respected defensive coordinator, results must follow for Graham. Pittsburgh has heavy investments in its defensive line and the best talent Graham’s had in years. The run defense must be no worse than top 10. The secondary must come together and make up for lost summer reps. The turnover culture must continue while curing the unit’s ills on third down.

There’s no time to “warm up” to the moment.

6. WR DK Metcalf

Metcalf fell short of expectations last year. Perhaps circumstances around him can be cited for that. That won’t skate him by this year. A returning quarterback, friendlier offense and massive contract means Metcalf must feel like an alpha No. 1 receiver. That’s going to mean a 1,000-yard season and a hearty helping of touchdowns.

If not, Metcalf will feel like an underwhelming addition.

7. CB Joey Porter Jr.

No matter how it plays out, we’ll be talking about Porter’s 2026 campaign. Does he receive a new deal? Does he hold out? Does he play out the year? Assuming he returns to the field, will he look like a player who hardly participated all spring and summer? He says it’s not a concern, but it’s a valid worry.

Porter will be under the microscope even more than usual, and that’s barely even getting into his place as the No. 1 corner on the team. When we talk about the season in review, Porter will be among the top names part of that summary.

8. ILB Patrick Queen

Micro and macro, 2026 is a critical year for Queen. On a personal level, he’s in a contract year with a hefty payday on the other side of a big season. On a team level, he’s the central communicator of a revamped scheme. The defensive line in front of him looks talented. Gone is a defensive coordinator Queen clearly didn’t get along with.

It’s his third year in Pittsburgh. No more excuses. Just produce.

9. K Chris Boswell

More field goals and fewer Boswell field goal attempts is the goal. Still, Pittsburgh will rely on its stud kicker to make big kicks in pressure moments. For a team that remains unlikely to win many games in dominate fashion, the difference between a late win and gut-wrenching loss often comes down to a field goal. Boswell was rightly paid this summer to tie as the league’s highest-paid kicker. He must keep performing like it.

10. WR/RET Kaden Wetjen

All of Wetjen’s big plays — and big mistakes — will be significant. Return a punt or kick for a touchdown and change the tenor of a game. Likewise, muffing a punt and turning the ball over can lead to a loss. Pittsburgh drafted Wetjen with the intent of kickstarting a dormant return game, and even though Wetjen will see a small offensive role, his primary mark will come on special teams.

Pittsburgh needs big moments, but Wetjen must make sure he doesn’t put the team’s chances of winning in harm’s way, either.