Final roster cuts are due Sunday, Aug. 30, leaving the Steelers just one week of practice and the preseason finale to settle any remaining questions before trimming their roster to 53 players. With training camp and the initial two preseason games out of the way, we now have a pretty good idea of which way they are leaning at several different position battles.

With the caveat that Thursday’s finale in Buffalo (or injuries) could change things, here is my final 53-man roster prediction for the 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers. This time, I’ll include practice squad predictions as well.

Check out my last three versions below to see how my thinking has evolved.
Pre-OTAs
Pre-Camp
Mid-Camp

Offense – 26

Quarterbacks (4) – Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, Drew Allar

Analysis: Mike McCarthy slightly pushed back on the idea of Howard already making the roster, but Gerry Dulac heard it from somewhere inside the building. And it makes sense given the team’s need to win now while also thinking about the future without Rodgers. It’s rare, but this is one of the few instances where it makes sense. Howard’s two-interception preseason game doesn’t change my thinking, especially after a solid debut the week prior.

Running Backs (3) – Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Travis Homer

Analysis: I don’t see them keeping more than three running backs, and it’s become clear Kaleb Johnson isn’t the No. 3. McCarthy stressed the importance of contributing on special teams if you don’t start, and Johnson didn’t play a single snap on special teams in the second preseason game. Homer is valuable in that area, and McCarthy cited him as an example of a player who can contribute in every phase.

Wide Receivers (6) – DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen

Analysis: I have my suspicions about the safety of Wetjen’s spot, but somebody needs to handle return duties, and it’d be rare to cut a fourth-round rookie. But McCarthy wasn’t shy about challenging him to do more after an impressive preseason debut. And he followed it up with one fumble and very nearly another.

Tight Ends (4) – Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Robert Tonyan, Riley Nowakowski (FB/TE)

Analysis: Tonyan has earned a spot, but will they give him one? Stashing him on the practice squad to be called up or signed to the roster later in the season isn’t unthinkable. I think he did enough to make himself a tough cut.

Offensive Tackles (4) – Troy Fautanu, Max Iheanachor, Dylan Cook, Broderick Jones

Analysis: With Iheanachor finally returning to practice and Jones struggling against future furniture movers late in the last preseason game, part of me wonders if Jones is safe. Experienced depth at tackle is enough to squeeze him in.

Interior Offensive Linemen (5) – Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Brock Hoffman, Gennings Dunker

Analysis: Dunker didn’t play in Friday’s preseason game with an injury of some sort. Even with a return to practice, he seems like a strong candidate to end up on IR as a player already in need of a developmental redshirt year. If they go that route, would they keep him on the initial 53 to make him eligible to return this year, or could they shut him down for the year to save on already-tight roster math? I have him making the initial 53 for a possible return later in the season.

If it plays out this way, the Steelers may need to look for another veteran interior to add to the roster or practice squad from elsewhere around the league, especially if Steven Jones is still dealing with an injury.

Defense – 24

Defensive Linemen (6) – Cameron Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Keeanu Benton, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Gabriel Rubio

Analysis: Rubio has shown enough to be worth keeping on the 53-man roster as a rotational run stuffer. His combination of size and youth makes him more difficult to stash on the practice squad than somebody like Esezi Otomewo or Dean Lowry.

Outside Linebackers (4) – T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer

Analysis: No changes here.

Inside Linebackers (5) – Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener

Analysis: Elandon Roberts sealed Malik Harrison’s fate, and he also makes it hard to roster any fewer than five inside linebackers. If one gets squeezed out, Cole Holcomb would make the most sense.

Cornerbacks (6) – Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Jamel Dean, Brandin Echols, Asante Samuel Jr., Daylen Everette

Analysis: Injuries could complicate things with Everette sitting out of the second preseason game and Brandin Echols being injured since early in camp, but this is the group if they’re all healthy. Keep a close eye on the Porter situation, though, with the two sides “at an impasse” in contract negotiations.

Safeties (3) – DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, Robert Spears-Jennings

Analysis: Rayshawn Jenkins is a tough cut after a strong finish to training camp and a couple nice performances in the preseason, but he was a free agent until the Steelers signed him on Aug. 1. Perhaps the lack of interest then would carry over and make it easier to stash him on the practice squad now. Spears-Jennings can contribute on special teams now, and with his combination of youth and speed, he carries too much long-term potential to risk losing.

Special Teams – 3

Kicker (1) – Chris Boswell

Analysis: The only other kicker was cut after missing a 44-yarder, and Boswell just got a big extension. Easy decision here.

Punter (1) – Cameron Johnston

Analysis: Johnston was the star of the Steelers’ second preseason game, averaging over 50 yards per punt.

Long Snapper (1) – Christian Kuntz

Analysis: The Steelers didn’t even bother bringing in competition for him this year during training camp.

Practice Squad – 17

QB – None
RB – Lew Nichols, Eli Heidenreich
TE – Lake McRee
WR – Max Hurleman, Brandon Smith
OL – Ryan McCollum, Doug Nester, Steven Jones
DL – Dean Lowry, Esezi Otomweo, Kyler Baugh
EDGE – Julius Welschof*
ILB – Jacoby Windmon
CB – D’Shawn Jamison, Doneiko Slaughter
S – Sebastian Castro, Rayshawn Jenkins

*International exemption