The 2026 NFL Preseason slate for the Pittsburgh Steelers is now complete. By 6pmET on Sunday, the roster must be trimmed to 53 men. Whatever this roster is Sunday night, it will be far different by the time Week One rolls around. There will be new guys signed who’ve been cut from other teams and there will be guys also headed for Injured Reserve too. All that in mind, here are the 53 guys I believe the Steelers will name to their initial roster.
Offense (26)
Quarterbacks (4) – Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Drew Allar, Will Howard
I was legitimately ready to just select three but Mike McCarthy let the cat out of the bad after last night’s game in Buffalo. I think it’s very realistic to suggest that this will change soon. What that means exactly I don’t know.
Running Backs (4) – Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Travis Homer, Riley Nowalkowski
Kaleb Johnson’s opportunity to save himself last week ended with a thud. He did get five carries last night but for just 11 yards. Personally, I like Lew Nichols over Homer but the Coaches will value Homer’s Special Teams’ skills. Nowalkoski lined up at tight end some especially last night so I’m curious if they see him as a guy who can play that if needed or as a true number three TE.
Wide Receivers (6) – D.K. Metcalf, Michael Pittman, Jr, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen, Max Hurleman
Here’s my curveball. Roman Wilson was not drafted by Mike McCarthy and despite a good Training Camp, his two preseason games left a lot to desire. Hurleman has had another great Camp and has done a great job in the preseason game as well. He plays Teams and can serve as a return man if necessary too.
Tight Ends (3) – Darnell Washington, Pat Freiermuth, Robert Tonyan
The top two are locked in and rookie Lake McRee has done some nice things in the preseason but the veteran Tonyan gets the spot. Rodgers really likes him and he’s played well throughout the preseason.
Offensive Line (9) – Zach Frazier, Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Gennings Dunker, Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook, Max Iheanachor, Brock Hoffman, Broderick Jones
Hoffman’s versatility wins out over Ryan McCallum who is pretty much only a center. Hoffman can play both guard and center. Anderson is the starter at right guard and while Dunker makes the roster, he’s got a ton to work on in terms of pass protection. Right tackle is literally in flux right now too.
DEFENSE (24)
Defensive Line (6) – Cam Heyward, Sebastian Joesph-Day, Derrick Harmon, Keannu Benton, Yahya Black, Gabe Rubio
Rubio has been a very nice surprise. Injuries largely derailed his time at Notre Dame but he is a really good run stuffer. The rest of this group has the potential to be really strong.
Linebackers (8) – T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Jack Sawyer, Nick Herbig, Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Carson Bruener, Elandon Roberts *Julius Welschof
The return of Roberts was needed and he’s already proven why in two preseason games. I feel for Cole Holcomb who I think gets cut. With four QBs there has to be a loss somewhere else. * = International Player
Defensive Backs (10) – Joey Porter, Jr, Jamel Dean, Daylen Everette, Brandin Echols, Jalen Ramsey, Asante Samuel, Jr, Jaquan Brisker, DeShon Elliott, Robert Spears-Jennings, Rayshawn Jenkins
The biggest challenge for this group is familiarity and getting things right by week one. JPJ has not played with these guys in the new defense. Jalen Ramsey hasn’t either and DeShon Elliott has just returned from injury. Communication issues have plagued this unit for years and now they have a couple of weeks to get things ironed out.
Special Teams
Specialists (3) – Chris Boswell, Cam Johnston, Christian Kuntz
These three have been a lock since the Spring. No further commentary necessary.
Practice Squad Targets
Please remember that these players have to clear waivers before they can be signed to the Steelers’ Practice Squad. Also, keep in mind that players could choose to sign elsewhere. Guys like Cole Holcomb may feel he has a better chance of getting on a roster somewhere else for example.
RB Lew Nichols, RB Eli Heidenreich, TE Lake McRee, DL Kevin Jobity, DB Devan Boykin, OLB Jamin Davis, C Ryan McCollum, S Jack Henderson, WR Levi Wentz, WR Brandon Smith, OL Doug Nester, LB Jacoby Windmon, DL Anthony Goodlow
