The 2025 preseason is in the books for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It won’t be long now before Steelers fans begin to see the final 53-man roster take shape as cuts are announced.
With training camp serving as the proving ground and the preseason as an opportunity to showcase what each player can provide on gameday, there must be winners and there must be losers. Let’s take a look at which Steelers took advantage of their opportunities this preseason, and which will likely be seeking employment elsewhere in the league after a disappointing showing.
Who rose — and who fell — in Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 preseason
Winner: Defensive Tackle Yahya Black
It just might be fair to say no Steeler had a more impressive showing during the preseason than fifth-round pick Yahya Black. His back-to-back sacks in the third quarter of the preseason finale were an excellent cap to his first summer in the NFL, and Steelers fans hope it’s a sign of great things to come.
Initially, fans were concerned that the 340-pounder - one of the largest players on the roster - was being handcuffed from the start by primarily playing at defensive end instead of nose tackle. But, through his performance in training camp and the preseason contests, he showed he has the capability to step in at all three spots along the Steelers’ interior defensive front.
Considering the depth issues the team has faced for years on the defensive line, Black seems to be an answer as the first man up in the rotation with Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, and Derrick Harmon.
Loser: Cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr.
Beanie Bishop didn’t play poorly in the two preseason games he played in. He picked up seven tackles and deflected two passes while displaying his growth in coverage overall. However, the fact that he only played in two preseason games is what places him in the loser category.
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said Bishop would have to fight to make the final 53-man roster just days before Bishop was held off the field in the preseason finale. Bishop didn’t log a single snap against the Panthers.
It’s unfortunate, especially after Bishop stepped up for the Steelers to play in a spot he wasn’t necessarily ready to play in last year and then came into camp having clearly made improvements in his game. Unfortunately, the additions at the top of the depth chart squeezed him against the roster bubble, and it doesn’t appear Bishop will survive the pop that is coming for that bubble in the coming days.
Winner: Offensive Tackle Broderick Jones
Early on in training camp, Broderick Jones did not appear comfortable at left tackle. Fans have been frustrated with his development path since he was taken No. 16 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, with his switching back and forth from the right to the left.
Luckily, as the summer chugged along, Jones became more comfortable and stacked great practices before eventually performing adequately in the preseason. With Jones bringing more confidence to the left tackle position, the comfort level in the offensive line is certainly much greater than it was earlier this summer.
Still, Jones has a tall task being the blind-side protector for 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers. It’s one thing to practice well against the guys you face every day in practice and reserves in the preseason; it’s another to take on the top pass rushers the NFL has on offer each and every week.
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Loser: Wide Receiver Robert Woods
One of the more intriguing veteran additions this offseason has unfortunately turned out to be a total dud. The Bobby Trees era in Pittsburgh looks to be over before it even truly began.
This preseason, Woods received one target, which he caught for four yards. That’s it, easily making him one of the most unproductive wide receivers among the seven still on the roster as of this writing, outside of DK Metcalf, who didn’t suit up for the preseason.
The 12-year vet has seen a steady decline in his production over the past few years, but at this rate, it’s difficult to see him contributing anywhere after having such a quiet training camp with the Steelers.
Winner: Wide Receiver Roman Wilson
Arguably the second-biggest winner of the preseason, Roman Wilson may have locked up the WR2 position with his play this preseason. He caught four of his six targets, all coming in the first two games, for 96 yards.
There is certainly still a chance that Calvin Austin III impedes on his standing as the No. 2 receiver when he returns from injury, but Wilson already has Steelers fans buzzing about his playmaking ability. It will be interesting to see which wideout ends up with the larger target share by season’s end.
Loser: Cornerback Cory Trice Jr.
The one thing that couldn’t happen to Cory Trice this preseason happened. He got hurt. Trice has dealt with injuries his entire career, and after sitting out the past couple of weeks with a hamstring, he’s running out of opportunities in Pittsburgh.
Much like Bishop, the squeeze at the top of the depth chart is doing him no favors. However, it’s his unavailability that will be his undoing. Without being able to show what he can do on special teams, there’s virtually no shot he can overtake James Pierre for a roster spot, and if the Steelers are interested in keeping depth, Bishop is at least more consistently available.
A seventh-round pick in 2023, Trice could very well be a practice squad candidate. After another offseason derailed by injuries, it might be his best-case scenario.