The hay is officially in the barn. After nearly a month in Latrobe and three exhibition games, training camp and the preseason are over for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The next time they are on the grass will be Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons.

But before we get there, the Steelers had to trim the roster from 90 to 53 players. Many factors went into the final cuts, including the Joey Porter Jr. PUP situation, evidence from all three, but certainly the final preseason game, and more notable injury situations. But now it’s time to meet the 2026 Steelers.

Pittsburgh Steelers initial 53-man roster

Offense (26)

Quarterbacks (4)

Starter: Aaron Rodgers
Backups: Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, Drew Allar
Out: — (room is set)

McCarthy said after the game he feels good about two veterans he can win with and two young QBs he’s excited about.

Running backs (3)

Starter: Jaylen Warren
Backups: Rico Dowdle, Eli Heidenreich,
Out: Lew Nichols, Kaleb Johnson (traded), Travis Homer

Kaleb Johnson was always on the outside looking, but Omar Khan found a willing dance partner and received a 6th-round pick in return for a player who could never find his footing in Pittsburgh.

Fullback (1)

Starter: Riley Nowakowski
Out: —

Still useful in McCarthy’s scheme plus special teams.

Tight ends (3)

Starter(s): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington
Backup: Robert Tonyan
Out: Jaheim Bell, Lance Mason, Lake McRee

Tonyan didn’t play in the finale (roster-lock signal). Nowakowski is counted at FB.

Wide receivers (6)

Starters: DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson
Backups: Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen
Out: Max Hurleman, Brandon Smith, Levi Wentz, Cornell Powell, Isaiah Winstead, Jakobie Keeney-James

Wetjen returned a punt for a TD and is the primary returner (fourth-round pick). Bernard scored vs. Buffalo, and then the special teams needs filled by Skowronek and Wetjen round out the room.

Offensive line (9)

Starters: Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook; Backups: Brock Hoffman, Max Iheanachor, Gennings Dunker, Ryan McCollum
Out: Jack Driscoll (IR), Doug Nester, Broderick Jones (traded), Steven Jones

Iheanachor returned from injury; Broderick Jones being traded threw a monkey wrench in our initial prediction, but the Steelers make up the numbers with Ryan McCollum as the backup center. Hoffman is the swing interior.

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Defense (24)

Defensive line (7)

Starters: Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon
Backups: Sebastian Joseph-Day, Yahya Black, Gabriel Rubio, Kevin Jobity
Out: Dean Lowry, Esezi Otomewo, Kyler Baugh, Andrew Goodlow

Youth (Rubio) over veteran depth; Lowry/Otomewo are practice-squad types.

Outside linebackers (4)

Starters: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith
Backups: Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
Out / IPP: Julius Welschof (International Player Pathway—does not count against 53), Jamin Davis

Group is set.

Inside linebackers (4)

In: Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson
Backups: Carson Bruener, Cole Holcomb
Out: Elandon Roberts, Malik Harrison, Jacoby Windmon

I predicted Roberts to make the team as a lock in my prediction, but the Steelers releasing him doesn’t mean the end of the road. Because he’s a vested veteran, he can be re-signed immediately and avoid waivers.

Cornerbacks (6)

Starters: Jalen Ramsey (nickel), Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean
Backups: Asante Samuel Jr., Brandin Echols, Daylen Everette
Out: Doneiko Slaughter, D’Shawn Jamison, Tamon Lynum, Daryl Porter, Donte Kent (IR), Jaylon Guilbeau

Porter Jr. was activated off PUP, meaning he will be able to play Week 1.

Safeties (3)

Starters: Jaquan Brisker, Robert Spears-Jennings
Backups: Rayshawn Jenkins
Out / IR: DeShon Elliott (IR designated to return), Sebastian Castro, Jack Henderson, Devan Boykin

Jenkins and Spears-Jennings (speed/special teams) won the last spots, but seeing Elliott head to the IR, even if it’s only for 4 weeks, is a huge blow.

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Specialists (3)

In: K Chris Boswell, P Cameron Johnston, LS Christian Kuntz
Out: —

No drama.