Grok simulates the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 53-man roster and starting lineup following the first week of training camp in Latrobe
The Pittsburgh Steelers have finished their first week of training camp, and the pads are about to come on. But before they do, we have four practices’ worth of evidence to let us know where things stand. Here is what Grok helped us project.
Pittsburgh Steelers training camp is about to hit another level. The pads are coming on this week after a fast-paced, highly intense, but lower-physicality Week 1. We already have some early returns on key position battles like WR. No.3 and RB No. 1, but all of that can change this week.
But before we start to make actual determinations, let’s simulate what the Steelers’ 53-man roster and starting lineup may look like after Week 1 of camp, using Grok.
Key Steelers camp dates
- First day of pads (Monday, August 3).
- Saturday night lights (Saturday, August 8).
- First preseason game (August 13 vs. Green Bay Packers).
Pittsburgh Steelers simulated 53-man roster and starting lineup after Week 1 of 2026 training camp (as of ~August 3, 2026).
This is a projection based on the current 90-man roster, depth charts, early camp reports, position battles, PUP placements, recent transactions (e.g., Rayshawn Jenkins signing), and pre-camp/post-Week 1 analyst projections. Training camp opened July 28–29 with helmets-only practices; the first padded practice is August 3. Key early notes: Aaron Rodgers on a limited rep count; Mason Rudolph opened as QB2 but Will Howard impressed and is gaining traction in the backup competition; Asante Samuel Jr. stood out with Porter Jr. and Ramsey on PUP; Broderick Jones is practicing after neck surgery (not on PUP).
Actual final cuts occur after the preseason (late August). Numbers can shift with injuries, trades, or further camp performance.
Projected Starting Lineup (base 11 personnel / 3-4 defense)
Offense
- QB: Aaron Rodgers
- RB: Jaylen Warren
- WR: DK Metcalf
- WR: Michael Pittman Jr.
- WR/Slot: Roman Wilson
- TE: Pat Freiermuth (or Darnell Washington in heavier sets)
- LT: Troy Fautanu
- LG: Mason McCormick
- C: Zach Frazier
- RG: Spencer Anderson
- RT: Dylan Cook (with Broderick Jones and Max Iheanachor competing/pushing; Jones returning from neck surgery)
Defense (3-4)
- LOLB: T.J. Watt
- LDE/DT: Derrick Harmon
- NT: Keeanu Benton
- RDE/DT: Cameron Heyward
- ROLB: Alex Highsmith
- ILB: Patrick Queen
- ILB: Payton Wilson
- LCB: Joey Porter Jr. (on PUP early; Asante Samuel Jr. filling in strongly)
- RCB: Jamel Dean
- Slot/NB: Jalen Ramsey (on PUP early; Brandin Echols filling)
- FS: Jaquan Brisker
- SS: DeShon Elliott
Special Teams
- K: Chris Boswell
- P: Cameron Johnston
- LS: Christian Kuntz
- Returners: Kaden Wetjen (primary PR/KR), with options like Eli Heidenreich or others
Full Projected 53-Man Roster
Offense (25) QB (3): Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, Drew Allar (Howard edges Rudolph based on early camp upside and long-term evaluation under McCarthy; Allar is a lock as the developmental third.)
RB (4): Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Kaleb Johnson / Eli Heidenreich, Travis Homer (Warren and Dowdle as the primary tandem. Heidenreich’s versatility/ST value or Johnson’s power could decide the third/fourth spot; Homer for ST.)
FB (1): Riley Nowakowski (rookie; McCarthy-era versatility fit)
WR (6): DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen (Solid top group; Wetjen for returns. Bubble names like Brandon Smith or A.T. Perry could force a change.)
TE (3): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Robert Tonyan
OL (8): Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook, Broderick Jones, Max Iheanachor, Brock Hoffman / Gennings Dunker (Strong competition on the right side and interior depth. Expect ~8–9 OL total; position flexibility emphasized.)
Defense (25) DL (6–7): Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Yahya Black, Esezi Otomewo (Logan Lee or Dean Lowry as possible 7th)
EDGE/OLB (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
ILB (4–5): Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Malik Harrison (Carson Bruener as depth)
CB (5–6): Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., Brandin Echols, Daylen Everette / Daryl Porter Jr. (Ramsey returns from PUP as a key piece; Samuel Jr. has been a camp standout)
S (3–4): Jaquan Brisker, DeShon Elliott, Rayshawn Jenkins (Sebastian Castro or similar for depth)
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell (K), Cameron Johnston (P), Christian Kuntz (LS)
Notes from Early Camp / Context
- QB battle: Rudolph started as the clear QB2 in the first practices, but Howard responded well (big throws, decision-making) and is viewed as the longer-term preference in many projections. Allar is developing.
- Secondary: Porter Jr. and Ramsey opened on PUP (back/other issues noted for Porter). Samuel Jr. has been one of the biggest early winners with multiple PBUs.
- OL: Fautanu/McCormick/Frazier form a strong left side/center core. Right side is fluid with Cook, Jones (cleared and practicing), and first-rounder Iheanachor.
- Other: Defense remains a strength with Watt, Highsmith, Herbig, Queen, Wilson, Heyward, Benton, and Harmon. Offense has more competition at skill positions and OL depth. Special teams return roles lean toward the rookies/young speed.
This aligns with consensus early projections favoring youth/upside at QB and RB while protecting proven starters and core defensive pieces. The final roster will firm up after preseason games and any additional injuries or moves.
