Despite hope for each rookie from your most recent draft class at an all-time high entering training camp, not all of them will make the team. The Pittsburgh Steelers will have some tough roster cuts to make when final decisions are made. Some are producing strong outings at training camp, while others have much left to prove.
There is time to change things around, but there are clear trends happening right before our very eyes.
After making 10 draft picks during the 2026 selection process, many assumed Pittsburgh was unlikely to keep all of those players in the mix. With only 53 players allowed on an NFL roster, there will be some difficult choices to make during roster cuts. Expect certain rookies to not only make the team, but land big roles. Others who are struggling to catch on could fail to make the club.
Pittsburgh Steelers rookies set for roster cuts or make the team halfway through training camp
Keep: Max Iheanachor
No surprise here, as a first-round pick's job security will always be great. Max Iheanachor suffered a short-term injury in practice recently, but he should be back and hopefully pushing for a starting job soon. He should be able to overtake the top spot on the depth chart at some point this season.
An impressive conclusion to training camp could get him in the mix for Week 1.
Keep: Germie Bernard
Despite his training camp performance not living up to the hype, Germie Bernard will be an impact player on offense. With Roman Wilson, Michael Pittman Jr., and DK Metcalf in front of him in the pecking order, don't anticipate a ton of chances going in Bernard's direction early on. The rookie must show better consistency at training camp, but his chances of making the roster are 100%.
Keep: Drew Allar
Everyone should have anticipated Drew Allar being a rookie full of highs and lows. Thus far, the young quarterback has been just that at training camp. He has highlighted his impressive skills as a deep passer, but routine plays don't land routinely enough for Allar.
The rookie signal caller has no shot of being part of roster cuts, but it will be interesting to see how the rest of the group shakes out.
Keep: Daylen Everette
He hasn't been able to produce an elite training camp, but Daylen Everette is holding his own against quality competition. His chances against DK Metcalf have seen the rookie cornerback lose more than win, but he has been keeping up with the star receiver. His impact will likely come on special teams to start, but he has a bright future.
Keep: Gennings Dunker
With other options still in front of him on the depth chart, Gennings Dunker's chances of being a starter as a rookie remain low. He has shown some flashes at training camp, but it appears that Spencer Anderson will win the right guard spot and hold onto it for the foreseeable future. Even if an injury were to hit the position, expect Brock Hoffman to get the start over the rookie for now.
Keep: Kaden Wetjen
They used a high to add Kaden Wetjen to the roster. Although the returner hasn't had many chances of showing his worth at training camp just yet, those three important preseason games could be where he shines.
Wetjen will have limited opportunities to prove he is more than just a returner this season, and Pittsburgh will hope they didn't waste a fourth-round pick on a special team's "ace" only.
Keep: Riley Nowakowski
It's not every day you see a versatile mid-round draft pick make it past roster cuts. Not only will Riley Nowakowski make this team, but expect him to have an immediate role as a fullback on offense. He should also provide reps on special teams, and potentially as a tight end depending on how the rest of the roster falls. Nowakowski has been solid this Summer, and it should lead to a fairly big role.
Cut: Gabriel Rubio
Everyone was scratching their heads when the Steelers took Gabriel Rubio, and that perception isn't changing much. Unless he somehow has a terrific conclusion to training camp and the preseason, Rubio doesn't have much of a shot at making it past roster cuts.
(Probably) Cut: Robert Spears-Jennings
Maybe he will find a way to stick around, but it won't be easy for Robert Spears-Jennings when the defensive backfield returns to health.
Right now, the team is struggling with injuries at training camp, which has boosted Spears-Jennings into reps with the starting unit. The Steelers want to see what he can do in a lifted spot on the depth chart. He just hasn't taken advantage of those reps as much as you'd like to see.
Cut: Eli Heidenreich
Most of Pittsburgh wants to see Eli Heidenreich make the roster since he is a local product. At the end of the day, he was a seventh-round pick who must earn a job on special teams to stick around. His chances of making the club as a running back or wide receiver remain low at this point. Heidenreich has the skill set to be a solid returner, so if he proves himself there, he could stick around.
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