The Steelers will take on the Texans in their first preseason game this Friday evening at Acrisure Stadium, and here are 12 things I will be looking for:

1. Quarterback: That’s right, just quarterback. That quarterback will be Justin Fields since Russell Wilson and his injured calf muscle won’t play on Friday night. There have been a lot of takes regarding Fields’s performance at Steelers training camp so far–takes that are hot and conflicting–and it will be interesting to see how he looks in a game-like setting.
2. Arthur Smith’s offense: Need I say more?
3. The rookie offensive linemen: Of course, I’m referring to Troy Fautanu, the first-round left and/or right tackle; Zach Frazier, the second-round center; and Mason McCormick, the fourth-round guard. Will any of them start? Will Fautanu play on the left or right side? Is the job of starting center really Nate Herbig’s to lose? If so, why did the Steelers use a second-round pick on a Mountaineer?
4. Dan Moore Jr.: At this point, I’m wondering why the Steelers spent their last two first-round picks on offensive tackles. I mean, if they thought Moore was good enough, they wouldn’t have even considered using such premium picks to upgrade the position he plays. Yet, Broderick Jones couldn’t unseat Moore at left tackle last year, and when he did finally play during the season, it was over on the right side. That would be fine again in 2024–the running game got so much better last season when Jones became the starting right tackle after the Jaguars game–if Fautanu was getting first-team reps at left tackle. But he’s not. Make it all make sense.
5. Cameron Johnston: That’s right, I want to see this “stud” veteran punter the Steelers signed in free agency. Why? I’m a Steelers fan, and we are all so heavily invested in the team that we study the punter’s performance during preseason games. I might even take notes.
6. DeMarvin Leal: I’ve heard some good things about the 2022 third-round pick from Texas A&M. After a promising rookie campaign and a lost sophomore year, Leal is said to be in great shape this summer. He may finally be putting it all together as a defensive lineman. If so, he would join Keeanu Benton, the 2023 second-round pick from Wisconsin who seems destined for greatness. Leal, Benton, Larry Ogunjobi and a healthy Cam Heyward? That would be quite the defensive line for opposing offensive lines to have to deal with in 2024.
7. Payton Wilson: Come on. The speed. The explosiveness. The tenacity. The production at NC State. Patrick Queen isn’t playing. I doubt Elandon Roberts will see much action. Therefore, Wilson should have a chance to shine. I can’t wait to see if he does.
8. The tight ends: Yes, I know the tight ends are part of Smith’s offense, but I feel they deserve their own category.
9. Brandon Aiyuk: Will the veteran receiver be traded to the Steelers in time for Friday’s game? Will a highly-regarded “source” with 600 Twitter followers put their “reputation” on the line by posting a pic of the wing of Aiyuk’s plane as he leaves San Francisco and heads for Pittsburgh? Will they photoshop in little black-and-gold hearts to drive the point home even more? Will they add eyeball emojis to tease Steelers fans, who are highly sensitive to such trolling on an ordinary day, let alone during a preseason game? Will I be prepared to eat a little crow if an Aiyuk trade is finalized before this article is published or after? No. Also, the 1940s called, and they want their saying back. Plus, since the Aiyuk trade rumors first began in the 1940s,  sources tell me that the Steelers are close to finalizing a deal for Jimmy Stewart. What do you know about that?
10. Beanie Bishop: I believe this speaks for itself.
11. Cory Trice: See number 10.
12. Rob King: I will be listening to part of Friday’s game on the radio, and I’m curious to hear how King does during his first night as the Steelers’ play-by-play announcer. Yes, I know he filled in for the legendary Bill Hillgrove in the past, but it’s different when it’s your gig. It’s his ship now, his command. He’s in charge, the boss, the head man, top dog, big cheese, the head honcho, numero uno…Anyway, will King try out a new catchphrase for touchdowns or big plays? Will he get excited or keep his usual cool? Will Craig Wolfley call him Kinger? Will he call him the Robinator? How about the Kinginator?

There you have it, the 12 things I will be looking (or listening) for during the Steelers’ first preseason game on Friday night.