The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up their second week of training camp, and unsurprisingly, the 2026 rookie class remains a focal point. Cornerback Daylen Everette continues to earn praise for his impressive performance, while fans were relieved to see first-round pick Max Iheanachor back on the field.
But one player who continues to fly under the radar is sixth-round pick, Gabriel Rubio.
On Monday, head coach Mike McCarthy was asked about Rubio and what he needs to show. And he just made his stance on the rookie crystal clear, per TribLIVE's Chris Adamski.
“The biggest thing for those young guys down in the trenches is: do they belong? …. And Gabe [Rubio] definitely belongs.”
Mike McCarthy insists Pittsburgh Steelers rookie DT Gabriel Rubio belongs on the NFL stage
Even with McCarthy's praise, it's hard to have too high of expectations for Rubio. After all, we're talking about a Day 3 draft choice whom most experts believed should have been a priority free agent. But pre-draft opinions no longer matter; now it's about what Rubio is showing at Steelers training camp.
And McCarthy is clearly impressed.
Rubio has been running as the second-team nose tackle. This is the perfect role for him, given his skill set. The Notre Dame product possesses subpar lateral movement skills, but at 6'5'' and 321 pounds with stopping power, Rubio belongs in the middle of the defense.
The fact that Rubio has been working with the second-team defense bodes well for his chances of making the final roster. Among a crowded defensive line group, we can safely assume that five spots have already been claimed.
Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Sebastian Joseph-Day, and Yahya Black are already locks to make the team. If the Steelers keep only six interior defenders, Rubio has a brutal task to earn the final spot. His biggest competition could come against veterans Dean Lowry and Esezi Otomewo.
Thankfully for him, Rubio has size and anchoring ability on his side, which should go a long way for a team looking to defend the run. The rookie has strung together some impressive reps at practice and is finally starting to draw some attention.
Despite McCarthy's apparent endorsement, Rubio is hardly guaranteed a spot on the 53-man roster, and what he does during the final stretch of training camp and the preseason could determine whether he makes the initial roster or begins his Steelers career on the practice squad.
This is the time of year for smokescreens and inflated praise for players, but it's at least worth noting that McCarthy says Gabe Rubio 'definitely belongs' in the trenches at the NFL level.
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