Chris Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, hosts the Locked on Steelers podcast.

The Pittsburgh Steelers bye week has arrived, but Minkah Fitzpatrick spoke about how he and the team don't plan to take it lightly as they look to refocus on recover from their 2-6 record. Fitzpatrick matches the energy Najee Harris offered on the show earlier in the week in how Mike Tomlin is challenging the Steelers in how they must respond to their ugly start to the season.

But who are the most likely leaders to emerge this season with all the struggles they faced? The last time the Steelers were 2-6 to start a season, it was players like Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell, Cam Heyward, Vince Williams and William Gay who became key contributors to the Steelers' next playoff streak. Tomlin and the Steelers have made sure to invest in high-character players who can be locker room leaders, look for guys like Kenny Pickett, Najee Harris, Pat Freiermuth, Cameron Sutton, George Pickens and others to have the chance to rise to the occasion and set the tone for the next brand of leadership for the Steelers.

Also, all week 9 picks for the Locked on Steelers Pick'em League.

CALL INTO THE SHOW AT 412-223-6644 or if international, e-mail your audio message to LOSTEELERSTOPICBAG@GMAIL.COM

Follow Chris Carter on Twitter: @CarterCritiques.

Theme music is 'Soul Kick' by Ceddy P, and 'Too Easy' by Nerdboy. Both from their label Renaissance Music. Find more from their label here.

This show is part of the Locked on Podcast Network.

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