The Pittsburgh Steelers put all of their eggs into the Aaron Rodgers basket when they passed on one quarterback after the next in the NFL Draft before finally taking Will Howard in the sixth round. This is a strategy that could come back to haunt them if Rodgers doesn't sign, and Mike Tomlin finds his team in nightmare territory in my way-too-early Steelers 53-man roster prediction.
When Rodgers joined The Pat McAfee Show before the NFL Draft, he was crystal clear that he had no plans to sign, and retirement wasn't out of the question. Even after making Rodgers-appeasing moves on offense by trading for wide receiver DK Metcalf and drafting running back Kaleb Johnson, this might not be enough to sway the quarterback.
If Rogers has checked out, this team faces a dilemma. The rest of Pittsburgh's roster looks much stronger after the 2025 draft, but my early Steelers 53-man roster prediction gives Tomlin's team the ultimate hurdle to overcome this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers 53-man roster predictions after 2025 NFL Draft
Quarterback (3): Mason Rudolph, Carson Wentz, Will Howard
Here it is: the worst possible outcome with the 2025 quarterback room—that is, unless you wanted nothing to do with Aaron Rodgers. In this 53-man roster prediction, Rodgers fails to make up his mind, and the Steelers go with veteran Carson Wentz. Wentz fits Arthur Smith's offense, and he can compete with Rudolph for the starting gig. I have Will Howard besting Skylar Thompson for the QB3 job, and if things go south with both Rudolph and Wentz, Howard seeing the field in 2025 isn't impossible in this scenario.
Running back (3): Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell
These three feel pretty much set in stone. With the Steelers signing Kenneth Gainwell and drafting Kaleb Johnson in the third round, an aging Cordarrelle Patterson is on the way out. Jaylen Warren and Johnson would see a lion's share of the touches from the backfield, with Gainwell earning kick return duties and some third-down work.
Wide receiver (6): DK Metcalf, George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Robert Woods, Ben Skowronek
It's easy to envision a scenario in which the Steelers keep six receivers on their roster this year, especially after inking veteran Robert Woods to a contract after the NFL Draft. DK Metcalf and George Pickens will soak up the target share in Pittsburgh this year with Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson duking it out for slot duties. Ben Skoronek signed a two-year deal and should make the roster thanks to his ability as a gunner on special teams. Woods isn't guaranteed a roster spot with a one-year, $2 million contract, but he can block and brings a veteran presence to the receiver room.
Tight end (4): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, DJ Thomas-Jones
The Steelers' tight end room is sure to see a shake-up this year with MyCole Pruitt not returning. Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington will play significant roles as the top two tight ends on the team. While Connor Heyward isn't guaranteed a roster spot, I have him making the team thanks to his versatility. In this roster prediction, undrafted free agent DJ Thomas-Jones claims the final spot thanks to his versatility and ability to play fullback.
Offensive line (9): Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu, Calvin Anderson, Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook, Ryan McCollum
Heading into the summer last year, the Steelers had excellent offensive line depth. The opposite can be said about their group this year. With Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu starting at tackle, Pittsburgh has a concerning swing option in Calvin Anderson. I also have backups like Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook, and Ryan McCollum making the team.
Defensive line (6): Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Daniel Ekuale, Yahya Black, Logan Lee
Pittsburgh's interior defensive line is destined to see the biggest shake-up of all the positional groups this year. The Steelers added two rookies in Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black. Harmon is a roster lock, but I also have Black making the team for his run-defense ability. Meanwhile, Daniel Ekuale, who started all 16 games he played with the Patriots last season, claims a roster spot. I also have second-round defensive lineman Logan Lee making the roster after landing on IR last season. This means Pittsburgh finally turns the page on former draft picks Isaiahh Loudermilk and DeMarvin Leal.
Edge rusher (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
This might be the easiest positional group of all to predict. The Steelers only ever keep four edge rushers on their 53-man roster, and the top three (T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig) are as easy roster locks as they come. The final spot should go to Jack Sawyer, considering the lack of competition. Sawyer, who was the 75th overall player on the NFL Draft Expert Consensus Board, has no issue edging out Jeremiah Moon for the fourth and final spot in this prediction.
Linebacker (5): Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener
With Elandon Roberts out the door, Malik Harrison was signed to fill his role as the downhill, tone-setter on Pittsburgh's defense, but don't forget about Cole Holcomb. The veteran is on track to return from a devastating knee injury suffered halfway through the 2023 season. Both linebackers will play a rotational role behind Payton Wilson and 2024 standout rookie Payton Wilson. I have Washington's Carson Bruener—the son of former Steelers tight end and current team scout, Mark Bruener—making the roster for his special teams ability.
Cornerback (5): Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Cory Trice, Brandin Echols, Beanie Bishop
Fans wondered if the Steelers would address the cornerback position early this year. Instead, they didn't take a CB until taking Central Michigan's Donte Kent with their final pick of the draft. There's a path for Kent to make the roster, but I have him beginning his career on the practice squad as the Steelers go with Brandin Echols and Beanie Bishop in the slot. Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay will work as the starting boundary cornerbacks, with Cory Trice as the primary backup to both spots.
Safety (5): Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornhill, Miles Killebrew, Sebastian Castro
The Steelers make up for one draft pick (Donte Kent) not making the final roster by finding a UDFA who does. Many NFL Draft analysts believed Sebastian Castro should have been selected on Day 3, but the Iowa product went undrafted and signed with the Steelers. I have Castro making the final roster spot at the safety position that includes Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornhill, and special teams ace Miles Killebrew.
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz
There's a case to be made for punter Corliss Waitman here after a stellar 2024 season, but the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't pay Cameron Johnston the big bucks last season for nothing. Johnston will return from a season-ending injury to claim the punter job on the 53-man roster with Chris Boswell and Christian Kuntz once again assuming their positions as the kicker and long snapper, respectively.