Steelers 53-man roster projection: Quarterback pecking order is about to change after preseason Week 1 vs. Green Bay Packers
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be back on the grass today for the first time in 2026. While we await seeing who will be on the field in terms of starters, everyone will be watching the quarterback battle closely. So let’s project how the roster will look.
It has been a long offseason, with plenty of moves, changes, and takeaways that we haven’t seen in two decades in Pittsburgh. But for the first time, Steelers football is back. Yes, it’s an exhibition, but don’t tell that to rookies out to prove themselves and backups fighting for roster spots.
The battle that everyone will be watching closely is, of course, the quarterback position. Many believe that Will Howard, Drew Allar, and Mason Rudolph are three players battling for two spots. But is that true? Let’s project what the final roster will look like ahead of the preseason, and then compare it to our final prediction just before the start of the regular season.
Steelers 2026 preseason schedule
All start times 7:oo pm EST.
- Week 1 vs. Green Bay Packers (Thursday, August 13).
- Week 2 vs. New York Jets (Friday, August 21).
- Week 3 at Buffalo Bills (Thursday, August 27).
Pittsburgh Steelers projected 53-man roster heading into Preseason Week 1
Preseason games and final cuts (late August) will shift this, especially at QB2, RB depth, OL numbers, and secondary given PUP/injury situations. Numbers aim for ~25 offense / ~25 defense / 3 specialists (common balance under Mike McCarthy).
Offense (26)
Quarterbacks (4): Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Drew Allar, and Will Howard. Rudolph currently leads the QB2 battle over Will Howard in camp reports; Howard is the main bubble candidate (practice squad possible). Allar (rookie) is a lock, but it feels like the Steelers aim to keep four. Will Howard shining in games could make cutting him impossible, if not promote him to QB No.2.
Running backs (4): Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Kaleb Johnson, Eli Heidenreich. Warren and Dowdle form the 1-2 punch. Johnson holds RB3 edge in most recent takes; Homer could offers special teams value, while Heidenreich (versatile local rookie) is more practice-squad likely but could be a lock with a big preseason.
Fullback (1): Riley Nowakowski Fifth-round rookie has impressed as a lead blocker and is widely projected as a lock.
Wide receivers (6): DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen. Top three (or Bernard challenging Wilson) are solid. Skowronek (special teams) and Wetjen (primary returner) round it out. Others (e.g., Brandon Smith) are bubble/practice-squad.
Tight ends (2): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington. Freiermuth and Washington are locks; Robert Tonyan benefits from familiarity with Rodgers/McCarthy, but Nowakowski covers some FB/TE hybrid work.
Offensive line (9):
- Tackles: Troy Fautanu, Dylan Cook, Max Iheanachor, Broderick Jones
- Interior: Zach Frazier (C), Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Brock Hoffman, Gennings Dunker
Fautanu (LT transition), McCormick, Frazier, Anderson, and Cook form the core. Jones is healthy after neck issues; Iheanachor (1st-rounder) has dealt with shoulder/neck concerns but is projected to stick. McCarthy has signaled openness to 9–10 OL.
Defense (24)
Defensive line (6): Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Gabriel Rubio (Logan Lee bubble) Heyward anchors; Benton/Harmon need steps forward. Black has started at NT in the depth chart; Joseph-Day and Lowry provide veteran depth. Rubio (rookie) has flashed.
Outside linebackers / Edge (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer Locks across the board; no expected trades.
Inside linebackers (5): Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener, Elandon Roberts. Queen and Wilson lead; Holcomb is the clear third. Bruener’s special teams value helps. The return of Elandon Roberts likely means the end of Malik Harrison’s time in Pittsburgh.
Cornerbacks (6): Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey, Asante Samuel Jr., Brandin Echols, Daylen Everette. Deep and talented group. Porter (back) and Ramsey (knee) started camp on Active/PUP and are progressing (expected ready for regular season). Samuel has starred in camp; Everette (rookie) and Echols (ankle concern) compete for depth/nickel.
Safeties (3): Jaquan Brisker, DeShon Elliott, Robert Spears-Jennings (Rayshawn Jenkins or Sebastian Castro possible 4th) Brisker and Elliott are the starters (Elliott limited early with hamstring). Spears-Jennings has earned first-team looks. Ramsey’s versatility reduces the need for a large safety group.
Special Teams (3)
Chris Boswell (K), Cameron Johnston (P), Christian Kuntz (LS) Locks. Wetjen is the primary returner.
Key Notes / Bubble / Variables
- Injuries impacting projection: Porter Jr. (back), Ramsey (knee), and Donte Kent on Active/PUP early; progressing but not full participants yet. Iheanachor (shoulder/neck), Echols (ankle/boot), Elliott (hamstring), and others (e.g., Brisker, Joseph-Day at times) have missed time. Most are expected to be available by the regular season or manageable.
- Biggest battles still open: QB2 (Rudolph currently ahead of Howard), final RB/OL/ILB spots, and whether to keep 3 or 4 safeties / 6 or 7 DL.
- Practice squad candidates (examples): Will Howard, Eli Heidenreich, Travis Homer/Lew Nichols, Brandon Smith, Logan Lee, various OL/DB depth, Julius Welschof, etc.
- Preseason Week 1 performance (especially backups and bubble players) will heavily influence final cuts before the Week 1 regular-season roster deadline.
