The bulk of the Steelers' big offseason news is done with, and now we patiently wait for July and for the start of training camp. With us officially entering the “dead zone” of the football year, it is high time for me to release my first roster prediction.
I tend to release two or three of these every year as we tread through the summer. This year, it feels like this roster is almost entirely new, as there was a massive amount of roster turnover this offseason.
That said, I’m taking my shot at predicting who is in the driver's seat for starting roles, and who is a sleeper to steal a roster spot. Here is my first official Pittsburgh Steelers roster prediction of the 2025 season.
Pittsburgh Steelers Offense (25):
QB (3): Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard
This room is far from set despite the fans' early infatuation with rookie Will Howard. Following the signing of Aaron Rodgers, though, the top two names are set in stone as Rodgers will start while Mason Rudolph will serve as the backup.
The battle comes down to Howard and Skylar Thompson. While most are quick to assume that Howard will win that fight, he is only a sixth-round pick and lost to Thompson in college for a starting role.
Given how Howard has held himself so far, I’ll give him the slight edge for now. That said, this battle is far from finished.
RB (4): Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell, Trey Sermon
With so much shuffling in this room and the desire to run the ball a lot this year, I don’t think it is out of the question for the Steelers to carry four backs initially on their roster.
Jaylen Warren is set to carry the workload as the primary starter, who is supplemented by Kaleb Johnson and Kenneth Gainwell. Gainwell’s roster spot isn’t a lock, but he should be an early favorite to be the third back on the depth chart.
Trey Sermon was signed after rookie mini-camp, and he seemed to find some footing with the Colts last year. He can be a weekly inactive until needed, but given the desire to run the ball, going heavy here makes sense.
WR (5): D.K. Metcalf, Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Robert Woods
While it isn’t uncommon for the Steelers to carry six receivers, there isn’t a sixth name worth carrying right now. While a camp darling could easily make some waves here, this group remains pretty chalk.
I’ll buy into the Roman Wilson hype and hope that he can serve as a pseudo-second option with Calvin Austin also in the mix. Ben Skowronek is a great fourth option who shines on special teams. Robert Woods is a gritty veteran depth option.
The only realistic change that I could see happen is if a veteran is brought in. It could happen, but the Steelers were content to roll with what they had last year and could do the same in 2025.
TE (4): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Marcedes Lewis, Connor Heyward
Let’s have a little fun and look for a new name that currently isn’t on the roster. Tight end looked mostly set, but Donald Parham’s injury throws a wrench in that plan. This team will want a third traditional tight end to play in this system.
Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington will be the primary starters again. I’ll throw Rodgers' favorite Marcedes Lewis in as the third tight end. No, he isn’t a target in the passing game like Allen Lazard, but he can be a dependable blocker.
Finally, Connor Heyward beats out rookie D.J. Thomas-Jones for the fullback spot. I think Heyward adds enough value on special teams and can take the full offseason to adjust to more of a fullback role. Thomas-Jones and fellow undrafted rookie J.J. Galbreath can sit on the practice squad.
OL (9): Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu, Calvin Anderson, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum, Dylan Cook
Going basic here, although the depth chart is wide open right now and is in desperate need of some extra talent.
Your starters are set right now, as the Steelers didn’t add a notable tackle to compete for a starting role. The same can be said at guard for Mason McCormick, who is an incumbent with no real competition.
Ryan McCollum and Spencer Anderson are safe as backups, and Calvin Anderson is also likely a lock given his contract. I kept Dylan Cook around as the ninth offensive lineman for depth, given his ability to play tackle or guard.
Pittsburgh Steelers Defense (25)
DL (6): Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Daniel Ekuale, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Isaiahh Loudermilk
This is a group that could easily carry seven this year, but I’ll have the secondary take on an extra member given the bodies there. This means there will be a few difficult cuts in the defensive line room.
Your starters are set for the most part. It is just a matter of when Derrick Harmon starts over Daniel Ekuale, not if. That said, both are safe bets to make the roster and play some notable snaps.
Yahya Black isn’t a roster lock as a mid-round pick, but his ability to play nose tackle and the fact that there is currently no backup at that spot benefit his cause. Isaiahh Loudermilk gets the nod due to his familiarity.
Outside of the top four names, though, all bets are off. Logan Lee could earn a spot as a hybrid nose tackle/backup end. Dean Lowry is experienced, while Esezi Otomewo is a veteran who was brought in for depth. I fully expect this to be a battle once camp starts.
EDGE (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
From one of the hardest rooms to predict to the easiest, it feels like the edge rusher room is mostly set in stone. Some fans are adamant that T.J. Watt should be traded, but he seems like a lock to get a new deal.
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As a fourth-round pick, Jack Sawyer isn’t a lock, and he will need to shine on special teams, but he feels like a guy who would have to look like a train wreck in camp to not make the team. Outside of an injury, this room seems set.
LB (5): Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Malik Harrison, Carson Bruener
The Steelers usually keep five linebackers, and assuming that sticks, the top four seem like locks right now. Cole Holcomb has looked like his old self, and he could be in the driver’s seat for the rotational third role. Malik Harrison is a capable run defender and special teams’ option.
I could see the team only carrying four here this year, but assuming they keep five like usual, Carson Bruener is in the driver's seat. He looks like a strong special teams player on paper and has the benefit of being in the first year of his rookie deal.
DB (10): Darius Slay, Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliot, Joey Porter, Beanie Bishop, Cory Trice, Brandon Echols, Juan Thornhill, Miles Killebrew, Sebastian Castro
Nine of the names on this list appear safe. Unless Beanie Bishop falters and loses his job as the starting slot cornerback, he should make the roster.
The question comes in while making up the last spot on the roster. James Pierre has the early advantage as a special team’s option, but I went with Sebastian Castro. He can factor into the slot while also serving as a special teams player.
ST (3): Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz
Going chalk here. Chris Boswell is at no risk of losing his job after a dynamic season. Christian Kuntz has no competition right now. Cameron Johnston appears healthy and has looked great so far as the punter. No need to make any big changes here.