Rookies generate most of the buzz during OTAs and training camp, but one of the Steelers\u2019 most intriguing offseason standouts so far isn\u2019t a member of the 2026 draft class. According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette\u2019s Ray Fittipaldo, second-year offensive weapon Max Hurleman has turned heads during spring practices.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s looked really good,\u201d Fittipaldo wrote in his weekly P-G Steelers chat<\/a>. \u201cThey have a lot of guys like him so I\u2019m not sure where he fits, but they kept him on the practice squad all year last year for a reason. We\u2019ll see if the new staff likes him as much.\u201d<\/p>\n Hurleman was the ultimate Swiss Army knife coming out of college with experience at running back, wide receiver, cornerback, and special teams. Pittsburgh lists him as a running back<\/a>, but he can be viewed in a similar niche as Eli Heidenreich with the ability to compete at multiple positions on offense.<\/p>\n In limited preseason work last year, Hurleman made one special teams tackle as a gunner and recovered a fumble on a botched kick return by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He didn\u2019t quite rise to the level of being a training camp darling, but he did enough to stick around for one full calendar year and counting so far.<\/p>\n Even with a strong start to the offseason, Hurleman faces long odds in his bid to crack the 53-man roster. The Steelers have no shortage of players competing for gadget and special teams roles, with Kaden Wetjen, Eli Heidenreich, and veteran Travis Homer among those vying for similar responsibilities. Versatility helped Hurleman survive last year\u2019s roster cuts to spend the season on the practice squad. Now his path may be contingent on what happens with the rookies ahead of him.<\/p>\n If Heidenreich makes the 53-man roster, Hurleman could hold onto his practice squad spot. Conversely, Heidenreich failing to make the 53 may bump him down to the practice squad and Hurleman off the roster entirely.<\/p>\n