Although not every player will become a star in the NFL, they can certainly grow past their expectations. Going into training camp this year, the Pittsburgh Steelers have experienced plenty of changes to their roster. The depth chart will see plenty of shifts throughout the preseason process.
Keep an eye on a group of players who must show they are ready to grow into an expanded role.
For one reason or another, these players have not gained significant snaps in their careers. These members of the Steelers must produce strong training camp performances, or it could sink their chances of ever growing into a starting spot on the depth chart. Any sort of failure to show growth could hinder their chances of making the roster or ever coming close to starting snaps.
These Pittsburgh Steelers must show they are going to be an impact for the new coaching staff in 2026
WR Roman Wilson
This is a massive preseason for Roman Wilson. He showed last Summer that he can make plays, but when the regular season began, Wilson failed to stay relevant. Pittsburgh invested a third-round pick into the young wideout, but after pouring resources into the depth chart around him, Wilson could be in trouble.
It's unlikely that he would get cut from the roster, but it's not impossible to imagine either.
Any sort of role he carves out on offense will start with a strong outing at training camp. He must continue what he did last year and grow beyond that. Regressing as a receiver on this roster could cost him his job. He has teased some abilities as a player, but he hasn't done anything consistent enough. His stakes are high going into training camp and his future with the Steelers.
DT Yahya Black
Despite playing better than many expected for Yahya Black last season, the massive defensive tackle must show more. Year two is a time when players must take a step forward with their production. His fellow teammate Keeanu Benton is someone who has yet to take that step forward. Black has shown glimpses of promise, especially as a run stuffer, but he must continue growing his game.
After being a fifth-round draft pick, expectations were rather small for the Iowa product, but he did perform well as a rookie. Black showed promise during his first campaign with the Steelers and seems to be prepared to continue his role. There are some pieces in the trenches who will push for snaps, and it will be up to Black to show he is ready for a higher spot on the depth chart.
QB Will Howard
Few on Pittsburgh's roster have been more hyped this offseason than Will Howard.
Mike McCarthy has complimented the former sixth-rounder non-stop, and the excitement around his name will be palpable this preseason. Those who are pumped to see Howard play meaningful snaps at training camp should calm the hype train without any NFL experience under his belt.
Not only did Will Howard fail to register any snaps during the regular season last year, but he wasn't healthy enough to play in preseason action. No one truly knows what he could become after missing those meaningful reps. Howard must find a way to win the backup role by a wide margin to unseat Mason Rudolph. Anything besides that outcome would be a failure for the quarterback.
CB Asante Samuel Jr.
You could assume Asante Samuel Jr. is in good shape going into the preseason process, but don't hold too high expectations. The young cornerback started to gain a starting role towards the end of last season and showed some promise. His biggest issue lies with the talent that the Steelers brought in this offseason. There are only so many snaps to go around on defense.
Samuel shouldn't be concerned about losing his roster spot yet, but he could drop down the depth chart in a hurry.
The team has Daylen Everette, Brandin Echols, and others who could quickly push Samuel out of contention. He doesn't provide anything on special teams, which works against his favor. The Steelers need to see a starting-caliber player, or else there could be tough conversations.
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