The Pittsburgh Steelers completed the preseason Thursday night with a 28-27 loss to Buffalo. Now comes the more important part, reducing the roster from 90 players to the final 53 by Sunday evening.
Most of Pittsburgh’s roster is settled, but several difficult decisions remain. The most interesting involves the quarterbacks, where the Steelers must decide whether protecting two developmental players is worth using four roster spots at one position.
The Quarterback Situation
Aaron Rodgers will enter the season as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, while Mason Rudolph appears to have secured the No. 2 job. Rudolph gives the Steelers an experienced backup who understands how to prepare and can step into the lineup if the 42-year-old Rodgers gets injured.
The real decision involves Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar.
Allar is making the roster. The Steelers used the 76th overall selection on him in April, and although he remains a developmental quarterback, Pittsburgh cannot expose a third-round pick to waivers. Allar possesses the size, arm strength and long-term potential to become part of the Steelers’ post-Rodgers plan.
That leaves Howard as the player in danger.
Howard completed the preseason with two touchdown passes and three interceptions. He threw another interception against Buffalo and continued to struggle with pocket awareness, holding the ball too long and taking unnecessary sacks. To make matters more complicated, Howard was being evaluated for an undisclosed injury after the game. His medical status could influence the final decision.
The Steelers could keep all four quarterbacks, especially if they still believe Howard can develop. Ben Roethlisberger has publicly encouraged the team to retain both Howard and Allar, and Mike McCarthy has not dismissed the possibility of keeping four. However, carrying four quarterbacks would take a roster spot away from a player who can contribute on special teams.
My prediction is that Pittsburgh initially tries to protect all four. If Howard’s injury is significant enough to require an injured-reserve move, that could solve the immediate numbers problem. If he is healthy, the Steelers must decide whether they are willing to risk losing him on waivers. The most logical depth chart would be Rodgers, Rudolph, Allar and Howard, with Howard occupying the fourth spot.
Running Back Could Produce a Surprise Cut
Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle give the Steelers a strong one-two combination. Warren brings power, receiving ability and familiarity, while Dowdle adds another dependable back capable of handling a larger workload.
The surprise could be Kaleb Johnson. The Steelers selected Johnson in the third round of the 2025 draft, but he has not established himself as a dependable offensive or special-teams contributor. He managed only 11 yards on five touches against Buffalo, and his lack of special-teams work is particularly damaging under McCarthy.
Travis Homer is not as talented a pure runner, but he plays special teams and can contribute in several roles. That may be enough to place Homer ahead of Johnson.
Rookie Eli Heidenreich helped himself with a touchdown against Buffalo, while Lew Nichols has also performed well. Both appear more likely to land on the practice squad than the active roster. Fullback and H-back Riley Nowakowski should make the team because he fills a role McCarthy traditionally values.
Prediction: Warren, Dowdle, Homer and Nowakowski stay. Kaleb Johnson becomes one of the most recognizable cuts.
Wide Receiver and Returner
DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Germie Bernard, Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek should be safe.
Kaden Wetjen entered the preseason finale in danger, but his 45-yard punt-return touchdown against Buffalo probably saved his roster spot. He has had ball-security and decision-making problems, but Pittsburgh does not have another obvious return specialist. Wetjen is also a fourth-round rookie, making it unlikely that the Steelers will give up on him this quickly. His return touchdown may have settled the competition.
The remaining receivers, including Max Hurleman, Brandon Smith and Brandon Johnson, appear headed toward release or the practice squad.
Tight End and Offensive Line
Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington are locks, while Robert Tonyan has done enough to deserve a roster spot. Nowakowski can serve as the fullback and fourth tight end.
Lake McRee is an appealing practice-squad candidate but probably will not survive the numbers game.
The offensive line remains one of the Steelers’ biggest concerns. Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson and first-round rookie Max Iheanachor are secure. Broderick Jones and Dylan Cook should also stay, although neither has provided complete confidence at tackle.
Iheanachor had some rough moments in his preseason debut, including allowing an early sack, but he also displayed his power and movement ability on a tremendous downfield block. The question is no longer whether he makes the roster. It is how quickly he can challenge Cook or Jones for a starting position.
Brock Hoffman and rookie Gennings Dunker should round out the group. Ryan McCollum, Doug Nester and Steven Jones are likely cuts, with at least one potentially returning to the practice squad.
Defensive Line and Linebackers
Cameron Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Sebastian Joseph-Day and Yahya Black form the foundation of the defensive line. Rookie Gabriel Rubio has likely earned the sixth spot because of his size and ability to defend the run.
That probably leaves veteran Dean Lowry and Esezi Otomewo outside the final 53. Lowry could return on the practice squad if he does not receive another opportunity.
The Steelers’ top four outside linebackers are set with T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer. Jamin Davis has created a legitimate argument for a fifth spot after producing two sacks and 11 tackles through the first two preseason games. If Pittsburgh keeps only four quarterbacks, Davis could be the player who benefits.
Inside linebacker is crowded. Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson and Elandon Roberts are safe. Carson Bruener’s special-teams value should earn him a position, leaving Cole Holcomb as a possible surprise cut. Pittsburgh may keep five inside linebackers, but Holcomb becomes vulnerable if the Steelers need an extra position elsewhere.
Questions in the Secondary
The cornerback group looks deep on paper with Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey, Asante Samuel Jr., Daylen Everette and Brandin Echols.
Porter’s back injury and contract situation complicate the picture, but he will not be cut. His availability for the beginning of the season remains the larger concern. Samuel has looked capable of starting, while Everette’s draft status and developmental potential secure his place.
The toughest defensive decision may come at safety. DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker are established players, while seventh-round rookie Robert Spears-Jennings brings youth, speed and special-teams value.
That could leave veteran Rayshawn Jenkins on the outside. Jenkins has played well enough to make the roster, but the Steelers may believe they can release him and bring him back to the practice squad. Sebastian Castro is another strong practice-squad possibility.
Most Notable Projected Cuts
These are the names I would watch most closely:
QB Will Howard, unless Pittsburgh carries four quarterbacks or uses an injury designation
RB Kaleb Johnson
RB Lew Nichols
RB/WR Eli Heidenreich
WR Brandon Johnson
WR Max Hurleman
TE Lake McRee
C Ryan McCollum
OL Doug Nester
DL Dean Lowry
DL Esezi Otomewo
LB Malik Harrison
LB Cole Holcomb, possible surprise
S Rayshawn Jenkins, possible surprise
S Sebastian Castro
CB D’Shawn Jamison
CB Doneiko Slaughter
Overall Roster Outlook
The Steelers appear stronger at receiver, cornerback and defensive line than they were a year ago. Metcalf and Pittman give Rodgers two proven targets, while Bernard could develop into another playmaker. The secondary possesses impressive name recognition and depth, provided Porter and Ramsey remain healthy.
The biggest concern is the offensive line. Pittsburgh has invested heavily in the group, but the tackle situation remains unsettled. Rodgers can still diagnose defenses and distribute the football, but at 42 years old, the Steelers cannot expect him to continually escape pressure or absorb hits.
The quarterback room also reflects a team caught between two timelines. Rodgers and Rudolph are here to win now. Allar and Howard represent possible pieces for the future. Keeping all four would protect that future, but it would come at the expense of immediate depth elsewhere.
My prediction is that Pittsburgh opens with four quarterbacks, releases Kaleb Johnson and keeps Wetjen because of his return ability. The final spot could come down to a versatile special-teams player such as Jamin Davis against a fourth quarterback or extra defensive back.
This roster has enough veteran talent to compete for the AFC North, but much will depend on Rodgers remaining healthy and the offensive line finally becoming the dependable unit Pittsburgh has spent years attempting to build.
If not for sports, how would we survive.