A major surprise in the quarterback room, and a fan favorite on defense gets over the hump
The preseason is over, and in just under two weeks, the Steelers will be on to Week 1.
But first, they have to trim their roster to 53 players by Tuesday, August 26.
Here is our prediction based on what it will look like. . .
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2025 draft picks and players with double asterisks (*) are 2025 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (3)
IN: Aaron Rodgers, Skylar Thompson, Will Howard*
OUT: Mason Rudolph, Logan Woodside
The skinny: This seemed cut and dry before training camp, but with Howard missing all of the preseason following his hand injury and how well Thompson has played, it's impossibe to say that he hasn't outperformed Rudolph. He was 6/6 for 124 yards and a TD at one point in the preseason finale. Less than two weeks removed from a 230 yard, 3TD, 70% completion game. I'm not saying it will happen, but I wouldn't be surprised.
Practice squad prediction: Rudolph sticks around as a member of the practice squad.
Running back (3)
IN: Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson*, Kenny Gainwell
OUT: Trey Sermon, Evan Hull, Lew Nichols
The skinny: The top three running backs in Pittsburgh have been cemented for some time now, so there is not much to note on who makes the roster. Now, how long does Jaylen Warren remain the starter? That remains to be seen.
Practice squad prediction: Trey Sermon ends up here.
Wide receiver (5)
IN: DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Robert Woods, Scotty Miller
OUT: Ben Skowronek, Max Hurleman**, Brandon Johnson, Ke'Shawn Williams**, Lance McCutheon
The skinny: There is a world where the Steelers carry six wideouts, but with other parts of the roster featuring deeper positions, let's give them five. Skowronek and Williams will be the hardest cuts, but they may not have to go too far. . .
Practice squad prediction: Here is where Skowronek and rookie UDFA Ke'Shawn Willams wind up.
Tight end (4)
IN: Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward
OUT: JJ Galbreath**, Kevin Foelsch
The skinny: These four feel like locks barring the Steelers from doing something drastic with Connor Heyward. He brings a lot of special teams value, however, So I think his seat is safe for 2025.
Practice squad prediction: Galbreath earns himself a spot after a solid camp.
Offensive line (10)
IN: Broderick Jones (LT), Isaac Seumalo (LG), Zach Frazier (C), Mason McCormick (RG), Troy Fautanu (RT), Calvin Anderson, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum, Andrus Peat, Dylan Cook
OUT: Steven Jones, Julian Pearl, Aiden Williams**, Doug Nester
The skinny: The line is fairly set even after the addition of Andrus Peat. The veteran is more than a swing tackle; he's a swing offensive lineman who can play all five positions if called upon. It's all about staying healthy with this unit.
Practice squad prediction: Steven Jones and Aiden Williams land here.
Defensive line (5)
IN: Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon* Yahya Black*, Daniel Ekuale
OUT: Logan Lee, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Esezi Otomewo, Domenique Davis, Kyler Baugh
The skinny: This is where things get tricky. Logan Lee and Loudermilk aren't exactly easy cuts, and Otomewo has had a strong camp. There is no way the team cuts the top four, however, and Ekuale is a free agent addition that won't be gone that fast. Depending on the severity of Harmon's injury, a lot could change here.
Practice squad prediction: Loudermilk and Logan Lee find a spot here.
Linebacker (4)
IN: Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb,
OUT: Carson Bruener,* Mark Robinson
The skinny: The top four are cemented here after Cole Holcomb showed flashes in camp and the preseason that suggest he's back. Malik Harrison was a free agent acquisition who has been notable so far.
Practice squad prediction: Bruener edges out Robinson for the P.S. spot.
EDGE/Outside Linebacker (5)
IN: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nate Herbig, Jack Sawyer*, DeMarvin Leal
OUT: Julius Welschof, Eku Leota, Kenny Willekes
The skinny: There is a chance that the Steelers only carry four inside backers. If that is the case, I fully expect that DeMarvin Leal will be on the outside looking in. But for now, this is what we will project as he gets one more chance to try and prove he can rush the passer in Pittsburgh.
Practice squad prediction: Welschof.
Cornerback (7)
IN: Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Cory Trice Jr., James Pierre, Jalen Ramsey, Brandin Echols, Beanie Bishop
OUT: Donte Kent*, D'Shawn Jamison, Daryl Porter**, Mikey Victor, Kyler McMichael, Kam Alexander**
The skinny: I went a little off the cuff and kept seven corners for the Steelers here. You have your four pure outside players via JPJ, Slay, Trice and Pierre, your two hybrids via Ramsey and Echols, and then your slot only via Beanie Bishop. Bishop, a local legend and fan favorite, remains in Pittsburgh.
Practice squad prediction: Kent and Jamison.
Safety (4)
IN: Juan Thornhill, DeShon Elliott, Miles Killebrew, Chuck Clark
OUT: Quindell Johnson, Sebastian Castro**
The skinny: The safety room feels pretty cut and dry, though the Steelers could opt to go with Castro in favor of Clark, but the veteran probably has the upper hand at this point.
Practice squad prediction: Johnson and Castro
Specialists (3)
IN: Chris Boswell (K), Cameron Johnston (P), Christian Kuntz (LS)
OUT: Corliss Waitman, Ben Sauls**, Jake McQuaide
The skinny: The punter battle ends here with Johnston coming out on top after returing to form following his knee injury.
Final Word
There is still a lot of figuring things out for the Steelers. For one, the severity of Harmon's injury will determine a lot of what happens on that side of the ball. And then, in the quarterback room, it's going to be tough to just let Thompson walk, so don't be too shocked if it's Rudolph on his way out.
