The preseason was no easy process for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they dealt with contract situations, players adjusting to their new team, and various injuries along the way. It led to difficult decisions for the 53-man roster, but Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan have made their choices known. The final roster is set for now, but future moves could always shake up the team.
No matter if a player stuck on the roster or bounced back on the practice squad, these members of the Steelers were either big winners or losers this summer.
Those who won a job despite initially facing low expectations created a winning environment for themselves. Others who were locked into a roster spot but found ways to lose their position were some of the biggest losers.
Pittsburgh Steelers witnessed some who won and others who sunk on the roster
Winner No. 1: Calvin Austin III, WR
He missed almost all of training camp, and he didn't play a snap this preseason, but Calvin Austin III was a massive winner. He was expected to play a big role on offense, and the Steelers' lack of a realistic receiver upgrade has only boosted his status. Unless Pittsburgh adds someone to jump in front of Austin, he won a ginormous part on offense without having to prove himself this year.
Loser No. 1: Robert Woods, WR
No one might've been a bigger loser this preseason in Pittsburgh than Robert Woods.
Everyone thought he would be locked into a roster spot heading into the preseason, but he quickly fell off. The 53-man roster has some quality blocking receivers, which sunk Woods's chances of sticking around. It's nice to have him on the practice squad, but his days of playing in the NFL appear numbered.
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Winner No. 2: Skylar Thompson, QB
Another massive winner this year was quarterback Skylar Thompson. He was the fourth-string signal caller on the depth chart, but he took advantage of the extra snaps after Will Howard's injury. Thompson did a good enough job that the Steelers held onto four quarterbacks on their initial roster before placing Howard on short-term injured reserve. Thompson was fantastic this preseason.
Loser No. 2: Beanie Bishop, CB
After adding Jalen Ramsey via trade, the writing was on the wall for Beanie Bishop to be shoved into a depth role. He failed to rebound from a promising rookie campaign and got cut during the final roster transactions. The former Pittsburgh starter was re-signed to the practice squad, providing valuable depth. Bishop needs to be cautious, or he could risk losing his job entirely.
Winner No. 3: Logan Lee, DT
It was a crowded group along the defensive line heading into training camp. The odds were stacked against Logan Lee, but credit to the second-year player for finding ways to stand out. He produced a strong training camp and preseason. His ability to play long snapper in an emergency helped his cause. Lee forced the Steelers into keeping him around.
Loser No. 3: Mark Robinson, LB
The stage was set for Mark Robinson to finally take a step forward in his progression as a linebacker. He failed to do so during the preseason, and Carson Bruener beat him out for a spot on the 53-man roster. The rookie seventh-round pick jumped in front of Robinson on the depth chart. The veteran linebacker is on the Patriots' practice squad, but his future is murky.
Winner No. 4: Donte Kent, CB
He was just placed on short-term injured reserve, but Donte Kent is another massive winner from the preseason process. The rookie seventh-round pick had a strong start to training camp, but he missed most of camp and the preseason due to injury. Shockingly, the Steelers held Kent on their initial 53-man roster, but the rookie is sitting pretty as Pittsburgh buys time with him on IR.