The Pittsburgh Steelers' minicamp was chock-full of storylines. It's too early to know for sure how their 53-man roster will ultimately shape up, but several developments across the depth chart should be concerning for several veterans. A handful of players who made the team last year might struggle to stick around this preseason. It could result in joblessness for players.
General Manager Omar Khan will have tough decisions to make at key positions on the roster.
Their depth along the defensive line could result in notable names getting cut. The numerous receivers and linebackers the team employs must shrink. Khan and Mike Tomlin will have tough decisions to make at the end of the preseason, but there are some crystal-clear choices on the wrong side of things exiting their minicamp.
Pittsburgh Steelers could prepare goodbyes to veterans from their roster after poor minicamp
Dean Lowry, DT
It's a crowded group across the defensive line for the Steelers. Dean Lowry might be happy to reunite with his former teammate, Aaron Rodgers, in Pittsburgh, but there are no guarantees the veteran defensive tackle will stick around. Lowry played a vital role in the trenches, but they were completely rehauled this offseason. A young group with new options could kick the veteran off the roster.
Nothing atrocious happened during the team's minicamp for Lowry. He is still a solid depth choice for Pittsburgh, but new blood has made his spot on the 53-man roster unstable. He must earn a vacancy on the depth chart, but his chances of earning a significant role like last season are starting to dwindle. Expect Derrick Harmon and Yayha Black to take up a lot of snaps as rookies.
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Scotty Miller, WR
It's a crowded room for the Steelers' receivers. They have a lot of options on the roster, but it lacks quality. They are suffering the same issue that they had last year around this time. Unless someone like Roman Wilson or Calvin Austin III emerges from the shadows, Khan will have to locate an upgrade from outside the team. No one is talking highly about Scotty Miller, which speaks volumes.
The addition of Rodgers will press the Steelers to find an upgrade at the position.
Miller will struggle to find a spot on the 53-man roster before they locate an upgrade, let alone after another player jumps in front of him on the depth chart. Miller made a minimal impact on the offense last season, and he won't be turning things around at his age. It was a quiet experience at their minicamp for Miller, and it will lead to disaster for the veteran.
Mark Robinson, LB
There are quality options at the linebacker position for Pittsburgh heading into the preseason. Cole Holcomb will battle for the third linebacker role with Malik Harrison, which means both will likely make the roster. That leaves one spot available, and two or three players will fight for the job. Mark Robinson will compete against Carson Bruener and lower-tier players for one of the final roster openings.
Robinson has earned his spot several times before, but he continues to squeak by without much competition during past preseasons. Expect Bruener to give him a run for his money with the special teams ability that the rookie provides. Robinson didn't have an eye-opening experience at their minicamp, but he has a chance to win a job at training camp. 2025 is a make-or-break year for the Steelers' linebacker.