We still have a ways to go until the Pittsburgh Steelers kick off their 2026 training camp, and even further until roster cuts. Mike McCarthy's team already exceeds the allowed 90-man summer roster limit (plus one international exception), and within months, this group will be cut to 53 players.
Most of these roster decisions are easy to make, but several big positional battles are brewing that could throw a curveball at our expectations.
With the NFL Draft and free agency long behind us, we're already getting a good sense of which players could crack the final roster. Minicamp, training camp, and the preseason performances could alter my options on which players could make the team. But as OTAs ensue, I've taken my best stab at predicting the Steelers' final 53-man roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers 53-man roster prediction during OTAs includes a few big surprises
Quarterback (3): Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, Drew Allar
Aaron Rodgers is obviously safe, and it would make almost no sense to cut Drew Allar (the No. 76 overall pick) before seeing him suit up for a single game. This decision will come down to Mason Rudolph or Will Howard, and I have Pittsburgh making a wise choice to bet on the youth and uncertainty of Howard over keeping an experienced but underwhelming backup in Rudolph.
Running back (4): Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Kaleb Johnson, Travis Homer
The Steelers have kept just three running backs routinely in the past, but I have them devoting a fourth spot to the position. Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle will split a lion's share of the touches, and I don't think Pittsburgh will be willing to give up on Kaleb Johnson after one season. I also have the team keeping Travis Homer, thanks to his impressive special teams ability.
Wide receiver (6): DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Germie Bernard, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen
There's no doubt McCarthy will want to pass the football more than Mike Tomlin did late in his tenure with the team, and keeping six receivers is logical. The top three are locks—DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., and Germie Bernard. I also have Pittsburgh giving Roman Wilson another chance while keeping Ben Skowronek and Kaden Wetjen for their special teams ability.
Tight end (4): Darnell Washington, Pat Freiermuth, Riley Nowakowski, JJ Galbreath
While I'm not opposed to keeping just three tight ends on the roster (and calling up a player from the practice squad if/when injuries strike), I'm not sure if the Steelers would be willing to do that. Because of this, I have them keeping four tight ends. Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth should play sizable roles.
I also have Pittsburgh keeping rookie Riley Nowakowski as a do-it-all replacement for Connor Heyward. The last spot is up for grabs, but I went with JJ Galbreath, who was with the team last summer and spent time on the Steelers' practice squad in 2025.
Offensive line (8): Troy Faunatu, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Max Ineahachor, Gennings Dunker, Dylan Cook, Brock Hoffman, Spencer Anderson
Keeping nine offensive linemen might be the direction the team goes here, but with the uncertainty of Broderick Jones' health, I have the 2023 first-round pick beginning the season on the PUP list. Still, this is a quality core with backups who possess position flexibility. The Steelers might roll with eight until Jones is ready to go.
Defensive line (6): Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Yahya Black, Esezi Otomewo
The first five interior defenders are essential roster locks, but that's where things get interesting. Because of the strength at the top of this group and the impressive rotation Pittsburgh will have among its top five guys, it may keep only a sixth and final interior defender. This could prove to be a four-way battle between Dean Lowry, Esezi Otomewo, Logan Lee, and rookie Gabriel Davis. Ultimately, I have the Steelers hanging onto Otomewo in my early predictions.
Edge rusher (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
We don't need to spend much time on this. The Steelers historically keep four edge rushers (outside linebackers), and while that could change under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, I'm not expecting it to. T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig are all roster locks. Meanwhile, Jack Sawyer is an essential lock, as Pittsburgh has no threatening fifth option who will push him for this spot.
Linebacker (5): Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Malik Harrison, Carson Bruener
Just like last year, I'm predicting the same five off-ball linebackers will make the roster in 2025. This is one of the weakest positional groups on the roster, and I wasn't thrilled with the idea of bringing back Patrick Queen for another season. Regardless, no notable additions have been made at linebacker this offseason. Perhaps Graham's new-look defense could spark something in this group.
Cornerback (6): Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Daylen Everette, Asante Samuel Jr., Brandin Echols, Donte Kent
It's possible the Steelers could roll with just five cornerbacks, but Graham likes having extra defensive backs, and Pittsburgh could be in their sub-package defense frequently in 2026. Joey Porter Jr. and Jamel Dean will be the boundary cornerbacks, while third-round rookie Daylen Everette is a lock to make the team and could carve out a role early.
I also have the Steelers keeping veterans Asante Samuel Jr. and Brandin Echols, with second-year draft pick Donte Kent sticking around in the final spot for special teams purposes.
Safety (4): Jalen Ramsey, DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, Robert Spears-Jennings
Pittsburgh may roll with five safeties, and we still don't know exactly what Jalen Ramsey's role will be. Meanwhile, it was reported in March that veteran safety Darnell Savage would be joining the Steelers, but he still hasn't officially signed a deal. Because of this, I have Pittsburgh keeping four safeties, with newcomer Jaquan Brisker and rookie seventh-rounder Robert Spears-Jennings rounding out the group.
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz
I'm not sold that Cameron Johnston is a roster lock after a disappointing short stint with the Bills (three games) and Giants (one game) in 2025. But due to the lack of competition, I have Johnston sticking for now. Kicker Chris Boswell recently signed a record-setting deal, and long-time long snapper Christian Kuntz likely isn't going anywhere.
Notable names who missed the cut: Broderick Jones (PUP), Mason Rudolph, Eli Heidenreich, Gabe Rubio, Dean Lowry, Logan Lee, Sebastian Castro
Broderick Jones headlines the most notable name to miss the initial 53-man roster, but this is due to his unknown health status. If he's healthy enough to make the team, he could be a starter early in the season or a swing tackle. Rudolph narrowly misses the mark at quarterback, while fans would be upset to see running back/wide receiver Eli Heidenreich begin his career on the practice squad. I also have sixth-round pick Gabe Rubio beginning his NFL journey on the practice squad.
Add us as a preferred source on Google