Pittsburgh Steelers' Way Too Early 53-Man Roster Projection: What the team looks like with and without Aaron Rodgers
The NFL Draft has come and gone, and the Pittsburgh Steelers roster is nearing max capacity after welcoming the newest members to Pittsburgh. But there is one key player missing, that would be the starting QB of the team, who is believed to be Aaron Rodgers…. Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2025 […]
The NFL Draft has come and gone, and the Pittsburgh Steelers roster is nearing max capacity after welcoming the newest members to Pittsburgh.
But there is one key player missing, that would be the starting QB of the team, who is believed to be Aaron Rodgers….
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2025 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2025 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (assuming Aaron Rodgers signs) (3)
IN: Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard
OUT: Skylar Thompson
The skinny: The Steelers almost always carry three quarterbacks on their active roster and with the emergency QB rule, that has only continued. Should Rodgers sign, this is a no-brainer given the contract Rudolph was given and the sixth-round pick used on Will Howard.
Quarterback (if Aaron Rodgers does not sign) (2)
IN: Mason Rudolph, Will Howard*
OUT: Skylar Thompson
The skinny: If Rodgers doesn't sign, things get a little tricky. Rather than carry three on the active roster, I imagine Skylar Thompson is on the practice squad and Pittsburgh carries an extra trench player.
It's a world that few Steelers fans want to live in, but until Rodgers is on the team, it remains possible.
Running back (3)
IN: Kaleb Johnson*, Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell
OUT: Cordarelle Patterson, Aaron Shampklin, Evan Hull, Jonathan Ward
The skinny: The Steelers used the 83rd overall pick on Friday night to find their current future starter at the running back position. With Jaylen Warren on a one-year deal, he will serve in a similar role, and new signee Kenny Gainwell takes over for Patterson as the third-down back.
Wide receiver (6)
IN: DK Metcalf, George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Robert Woods, Ben Skowronek
OUT: Taylor Roc**, Brandon Johnson, Lance McCutcheon, Ben Skowronek
The skinny: This position grouping seems fairly cut and dry after the acquisition of DK Metcalf and with George Pickens escaping the trade rumors, or at least for now.
Tight end (4)
IN: Pat Freiermith, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, Donald Parham Jr.
OUT: DJ Thomas-Jones**, JJ Galbreath**
The skinny: The signing of Parham Jr. this offseason will likely replace Mycole Pruitt come the regular season. The top three of Muth, Mt. Washington, and baby Heyward are chalk.
Offensive line (9)
IN: Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu, Dylan Cook, Spencer Anderson, Calvin Anderson, Max Scharping
OUT: Ryan McCollum, Aiden Williams**, Lecitus Smith, Steven Jones, Doug Nester
The skinny: After a heavy approach in the draft and free agency along the offensive line the past two offseasons, the Steelers didn't use any draft capital or sign anyone of starting quality in 2025. Safe to say they think they have their team up front.
Defensive line (7-8)
IN: Derrick Harmon*, Keeanu Benton, Cam Heyward, Danile Ekuale, Yahya Black*, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Logan Lee
OUT: Otomewo, Esezi, Montravius Adams, Domenique Davis, Dean Lowry, Jacob Slade
Bubble Player: Montravius Adams
The skinny: How many defensive lineman the team carries will likely depend on the QBs on the roster. If Aaron Rodgers signs, there's a good chance they carry seven. If not, then they keep an extra body on the second deepest unit on their team via Mont Adams.
Linebacker (8)
IN: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer*, Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb
OUT: Jeremiah Moon, Mark Robinson, Carson Bruener*, DeMarvin Leal, Thomas Rush, Devin Harper, Eku Leota, Julius Welschof
The skinny: The selection of Jack Sawyer to kick off day three was polarizing among much of the media and fan base. Pittsburgh could have used another WR or CB, and of course, Shedeur Sanders was still on the board. Either way, Pittsburgh may have one of the best four-man pass rushing rotations in the league.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Joey Porter Jr. Darius Slay, Brandin Echols, Beanie Bishop, Cory Trice Jr., James Pierre
OUT: Donte Kent*, D'Shawn Jamison, Sebastian Castro**, Kyler McMichael, Cameron McCutcheon
The skinny: This goes back to the Jack Sawyer pick, but ideally, whether in the fourth or fifth round, Pittsburgh would have addressed the CB position more head-on than a 7th-round flyer. An injury to JPJ or 34-year-old Darius Slay, and the unit could be in real trouble.
Safety (4)
IN: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornhill, Miles Killebrew
OUT: Ryan Watts, Joshauh Bledsoe
The skinny: The acquisition of Thornhill this offseason will replace Damontae Kazee, and give the Steelers more opportunities for their big nickel package.
Specialists (3)
IN: Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz
OUT: Corliss Waitman, Ben Sauls**
The skinny: It will be interesting to see how well Johnston has recovered from his knee injury last season, but right now, he should be favored over Waitman in the punter battle.
Final Word
Obviously, this is merely a projection, and after training camp, things will look very different. What is likely to stay the same, however, is Aaron Rodgers or bust for the Steelers.
By deciding to forgo anything above a late day three pick at the position, the Steelers have told you they think, or they know, Aaron Rodgers is coming. Why? Because the Steelers always carry four QBs to camp, and right now they're missing one.
