The Steelers close out their preseason tonight at 7:00 PM (EST) against the Carolina Panthers. This is my attempt at the Steelers’ final 53-man roster. “Cut Day” isn’t until Tuesday, August 26th at 4:00 PM ET, but I wanted to get an early crack at it as rosters typically begin to take shape immediately after the last preseason game is played.
This is as much of a prediction as it is what I would like to happen. Hopefully, this is a playoff-game-winning (or more) final 53.
Offense
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard.
Rodgers and Rudolph are obvious, of course, as QB1 and QB2. The question comes at QB3 – Skylar Thompson has had back-to-back impressive showings, combining for 30/42, 346 yards, and 3 TDs in his preseason action, which makes it a tough decision for the Steelers.
Will Howard, who leads the league in yinzer hype, unfortunately, has not had a chance to show himself due to a fractured pinky he suffered in practice. Still, unless he starts the season on injured reserve, I believe he makes the initial 53-man roster, if for no other reason than the Steelers want to keep him out of the reach of other clubs.
Runningback
Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, Kaleb Johnson.
Not much to see here; there is no other way this can go. Warren is the clear RB1, until he isn’t. Gainwell will see a lot of snaps, and Kaleb Johnson will pick up more momentum as the season goes on and most likely finishes the season leading this group in touches.
Wide Receiver
D.K. Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek, WR2 to be named
This is where it begins to get interesting. The Steelers’ receiving corps has been a talking point for two years now, and the debate only intensified in this year’s training camp. The addition of Metcalf, followed by the subtraction of Pickens, made the biggest splash, but Roman Wilson‘s emergence late in camp is worth noting as well.
But it wasn’t enough of an emergence to keep Omar Khan off the phone. He has reportedly checked in on Terry McLaurin twice, and Gabe Davis has visited the Steelers facility twice, although he continues to leave unsigned. They are very much in the market for another wide receiver, and I believe he takes the field when they start to prepare for the Jets in week 1.
Calvin Austin III was a shoo-in and should finish 2nd among this group in targets. Scotty Miller makes the team as a long shot after impressing in camp, where the coaches were looking for receiving bodies to stand out. Ben Skowronek was once described by Dejan Kovacevik of DK Pittsburgh Sports as “Hines Ward with rabies“, which will win him a spot on any team of mine.
Tight End
Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward.
The bulk of this group has been set in stone since the arrival of Jonnu Smith right before the start of training camp. Freiermuth, Smith, and Washington are all listed as starting tight ends on the depth chart, which won’t feel as odd once we see it play out in the regular season.
Connor Heyward squeezes his way onto the roster once again, due to his versatility. His position as a tight end is just a formality; he’s more easily recognized as a special teams contributor, who plays part-time at fullback and H-back.
Offensive Line
Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu, Calvin Anderson, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum, Andrus Peat.
Broderick Jones has answered questions late in camp and into preseason, not that there was any doubt who would man left tackle. Fautanu and McCormick look to make their mark as first-year full-time starters. Seumalo is the veteran of the group, but has battled some injuries through training camp, which I believe is ultimately why Andrus Peat was brought in, if not also for his positional versatility.
Frazier mans the middle and could be in All-Pro consideration after the season. Spencer and Calvin Anderson, and Ryan McCullum round out the depth, in case the worst happens and injuries accumulate.
Defense
Defensive Line
Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Logan Lee, Isaiahh Loudermilk.
Heyward and Benton are the mainstays, but Harmon and Black were added through the draft to give this defensive line much-needed depth. Logan Lee had an impressive camp and rendered himself even more valuable by serving as the team’s emergency long snapper in the preseason. Loudermilk provides an experienced body to help plug the middle.
Edge
T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer, Eku Leota.
No brainer here. Watt and Highsmith will still play a vast majority of snaps, even though Herbig and Sawyer bring solid depth. Sawyer is still very much a work in progress, so Leota offers some insurance and special teams value.
Linebacker
Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Malik Harrison, Mark Robinson.
Newcomer Malik Harrison replaces a fan favorite in this room of Elandon Roberts. He brings similar thump plus great special teams play. Queen, Wilson, and Holcomb will hold down the center of the defense, all having substantial impacts throughout the season. Robinson narrowly wins the last spot over rookie Carson Bruener.
Cornerbacks
Joey Porter Jr. Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, Brandin Echols, James Pierre
A deep makeover has the cornerback position looking brand new in 2025. Joey Porter Jr. is the only holdover from last year and should benefit greatly from veteran newcomers Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, and Brandin Echols.
James Pierre squeezes by for the competitive final corner position due to his experience and special teams prowess.
Safeties
Deshon Elliott, Juan Thornhill, Chuck Clark, Miles Killebrew.
Juan Thornhill takes the reins at free safety after the departure of All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick. Deshon Elliott resumes his position at strong safety and enters as the leader of the room. Chuck Clark has shown to be a valuable late addition, while Killebrew brings first-team All-Pro honors of his own on the special teams side.
Specialists
Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Jake McQuaide
Boswell and Johnston make up one of the better K/P combinations in the league. Longtime long snapper Christian Kuntz went down with a sternum injury that could hold him out of the beginning of the season. Just in case, the Steelers signed Jake McQuaide in the meantime.
Practice Squad Notables
QB Skylar Thompson – May not clear waivers, the NFL has a QB shortage, and Thompson showed he belongs on a team
RB Lew Nichols – Impressive during preseason & camp
RB Trey Sermon – Important veteran depth at the position
RB Max Hurleman – Listed as RB, Hurleman doesn’t have a true position which hurts him here
WR Brandon Johnson – All he did was make plays, was probably one of the final cut guys. Would not be surprised if he breaks camp on the 53
OT Dylan Cook – Andrus Peat likely booted him off the final 53, but the staff likes Cook.
OL Max Scharping – Interior depth who can contribute at guard or center
LB Carson Bruener – Has been impressive on special teams. Would have liked him to make the team but the position is just too deep for him to break in right away
CB Beanie Bishop – This is wishful thinking for the second-year player who will get scooped up
CB Donte Kent – The 7th rounder earns a spot on the practice squad to work his way towards breaking into the deep corner room
SS Sebastian Castro – as an UDFA favorite, Castro lands on the PS in 2025, but most likely on the active roster in 2026.
Final Thoughts
My all-encompassing thought on the 2025 final 53-man roster is that it’s a much more difficult team to make than recent years. Not only the influx of talented veteran talent, but also the strong draft classes of the last few years give this team depth on a level it hasn’t seen in some time.
I find myself thinking “there’s no way this guy makes it to the practice squad” with almost every cut, which is a testament to the top-to-bottom talent on the roster. There are few positions where underwhelming play or injury could make a real impact on the overall outcome of the season (unless they pile up).
It’s an exciting roster to have followed through training camp, and even more exciting to watch them work into the regular season.
