The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for their 2026 training camp, and it won't be long before the team is forced to cut its 90-man summer roster down to 53 players. When it comes to the off-ball linebacker position, everything seems pretty straightforward.
However, one decision from defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and the coaching staff could change the whole outlook: whether to keep four or five off-ball linebackers on the 53-man roster.
While keeping five linebackers is standard (and it's something the Steelers have done routinely over the years), Graham kept just four on the initial 53-man roster in 2022 with the Las Vegas Raiders. Graham also likes to deploy subpackages and could choose to allocate an extra spot on defense to the secondary, rather than the linebacker position.
Admittedly, all five of these players feel relatively safe, but one notable veteran could be on the chopping block during cutdowns if the Steelers roll with just four off-ball linebackers this year.
Early projected chances of each Pittsburgh Steelers off-ball linebacker making the 53-man roster
Patrick Queen: 100%
This feels like a given. Though some may argue that the Steelers could look to trade Patrick Queen, Omar Khan had the opportunity to do so when teams were poking around before the 2026 NFL Draft, but he passed. Queen needs to play better this season, but he's not going anywhere. The veteran is expected to be the full-time linebacker with 'green-dot' responsibilities.
Payton Wilson: 100%
Like Queen, Wilson is a roster lock. The NC State product took a step back in 2025 after a promising rookie season, but he could rebound with a strong campaign in 2026. At 6'4'' with blazing speed, Wilson is guaranteed to be on the field for subpackage work and could border on a full-time role on defense.
Carson Bruener: 98%
Is it wild to think that Carson Bruener has the third-best chances of making the team among the off-ball linebackers? Perhaps not.
Though Bruener was a late-round selection in 2025, he has a defined role as a core special teams player who can also act as a reserve linebacker in a pinch. Bruener is on a dirt-cheap rookie deal, and the Steelers aren't cutting a 25-year-old linebacker who logged 287 special teams snaps as a rookie last year.
Malik Harrison: 90%
Malik Harrison was healthy and active for just 11 games last season, but when he played, he managed to carve out 40 percent of the team's defensive snaps. Harrison wasn't spectacular, but he's a big-bodied linebacker who can do the dirty work coming downhill as a run defender who's not afraid to mix it up in the trenches. Still, he's not a roster lock, considering his $6.79 million salary cap number this year.
Cole Holcomb: 70%
There's a certain level of redundancy with Cole Holcomb and Harrison that I'm not sure the Steelers need. Both players can offer 150-160 special teams snaps, but they share the same part-time responsibilities on defense as early-down linebackers in running situations.
Holcomb turns 30 years old at the start of training camp and has an extensive injury history. Though the Steelers gave Holcomb a two-year contract, the Steelers would lose just $625,000 in dead money if they decided to part ways with the veteran linebacker.
My gut says that all five off-ball linebackers make the team, but Holcomb is at risk if he doesn't have a strong summer or if Pittsburgh decides to keep just four off-ball linebackers.
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