Who Makes the Cut? Our First Steelers 2025 53-Man Roster Prediction

Steelers training camp is officially underway, which means roster battles are about to take center stage. While plenty can change over the coming weeks through injuries, standout performances, and preseason games, it’s never too early to take a first look at how Pittsburgh’s initial 53-man roster could come together.

From difficult veteran decisions to intriguing rookie competitions, here’s our first projection of who makes the team: and who falls just short.

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Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers, Drew Allar, Will Howard

The biggest question during camp will be “Who is Aaron Rodgers’ backup?”
I’m not sold on the Steelers, especially a seasoned head coach like Mike McCarthy, rolling without a veteran option.
That could leave the door for Rudolph to remain, but then who becomes the odd man out?
- Will Howard, was a sixth round selection by the previous coaching staff.
- Yet, that still depends, because the front office, as well as the scouts, are the same people in the building that were there with Mike Tomlin.
- (Which means, Howard will find a way to stick, one way or another.)
Drew Allar has almost zero risk of being cut during his rookie season.

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Running Backs

Eli Heidenreich, Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Rico Dowdle, Riley Nowakowski

The odd man out here is Travis Homer, who will likely be beat out by the younger and more versatile Heidenreich.
Also keep an eye on Riley Nowakowski, who, like Heidenreich, is listed as a fullback but will probably make a tight end expendable.

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Wide Receivers

Ben Skowronek, DK Metcalf, Germie Bernard, Kaden Wetjen, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson

This room is begging for additional depth, with Skowronek and Wetjen primarily penciled in as special teamers.
If Roman Wilson struggles, more help will be coming: sooner than later.
Heidenreich has also carried a WR designation during the offseason and could split some time with this group too.

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Tight Ends

Darnell Washington, Pat Freiermuth

Robert Tonyan is someone who can be cut and re-signed easily.
- Look for him on the practice squad, as TE3 is often inactive on game days.
- He can be called upon when needed.
J.J. Galbreath may be in a similar situation.

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Offensive Linemen

Brock Hoffman, Dylan Cook, Gennings Dunker, Mason McCormick, Max Iheanachor, Spencer Anderson, Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier

This is always a tough part of the depth chart to predict: Broderick Jones‘ status makes it more difficult.
A healthy Jones could put Cook on the chopping block.
Does Jones get traded? If not, he makes the roster over Cook or… Spencer Anderson…
…Anderson will have to fend off Cook and Hoffman to remain on the roster.

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Defensive Linemen

Cameron Heyward, Dean Lowry, Derrick Harmon, Esezi Otomewo, Keeanu Benton, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Yahya Black

The number of defensive linemen always fluctuates but they will need special teams bodies.
Lowry and Otomewo are the two at the bottom of this group fighting for what could be one roster spot.
Rookie Gabriel Rubio will be a casualty and head to the practice squad.

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Linebackers

Alex Highsmith, Carson Bruener, Cole Holcomb, Jack Sawyer, Malik Harrison, Nick Herbig, Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, T.J. Watt

The Steelers generally keep between eight and ten linebackers, making nine a safe number.
Bruener will earn a spot over veteran Jamin Davis, with the latter a practice squad target.

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