The Steelers were aggressive in slightly retooling the roster this offseason, but the same core group remains intact for a team that expects to contend under Mike Tomlin.
Quarterback (3)
Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard (R)
For the purposes of this article, we are going to assume Aaron Rodgers does indeed sign with Pittsburgh. If not, Mason Rudolph is more than capable of being the starter, but Kirk Cousins would come to mind as the top potential fallback option.
Running back (4)
Kaleb Johnson (R), Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, Cordarrelle Patterson
Najee Harris is gone, but the Steelers replaced him with a player in Kaleb Johnson that we compared to the former first-rounder. Jaylen Warren will remain a big part of the offense, Kenneth Gainwell shined when given the opportunity in Philadelphia, and Cordarrelle Patterson should make it based on his versatility. Trey Sermon is the other name to watch this summer.
Wide receiver (6)
DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Robert Woods, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek
It sort of feels like another move could be coming at wide receiver following the trade of George Pickens, and Allen Lazard would certainly be an option based on his chemistry with Aaron Rodgers. Keenan Allen would be another, but the Steelers might be optimistic about Roman Wilson after spending a third-round pick on him last year, and we’ll see who Rodgers (or Mason Rudolph) has the most chemistry with in the summer.
Tight end (4)
Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Donald Parham Jr., Connor Heyward
Connor Heyward has versatility and provides value on special teams, but he caught just six passes last year and doesn’t seem entirely secure with Donald Parham Jr. brought in this offseason. However, we’d expect Pittsburgh to keep four tight ends, as Arthur Smith likes to lean on heavier personnel groupings.
Offensive tackle (3)
Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Calvin Anderson
The bookends of the future will be in place for the first time with Dan Moore Jr. signing in Tennessee to open the door for Broderick Jones to play left tackle and Troy Fautanu to start on the right side. Pittsburgh’s first-rounders from 2023 and 2024 should be backed up by Calvin Anderson as the swing tackle.
Interior offensive line (6)
Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum, Max Scharping
Spencer Anderson and Ryan McCollum both made starts for the Steelers last season, and they are near locks behind the starting trio of Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick. Assuming a ninth offensive lineman is kept, Max Scharping should have the advantage over Steven Jones and others.
Interior defensive line (6)
Cameron Heyward, Derrick Harmon (R), Keeanu Benton, Daniel Ekuale, Yahya Black (R), DeMarvin Leal
Pittsburgh clearly wasn’t happy with their defensive front in 2024, so they drafted Derrick Harmon at No. 21 overall to join Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton as the starters. Daniel Ekuale was also added coming off his best career season, and fifth-round rookie Yahya Black has tremendous raw strength to boost the depth of the group. DeMarvin Leal was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he’ll be pushed by Dean Lowry and Isaiahh Loudermilk for the final spot.
Outside linebacker (4)
T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer (R)
T.J. Watt is still seeking a new contract and has indicated the team could have saved a lot of money by extending him last year, but it’s difficult to imagine him playing elsewhere. Former Ohio State standout Jack Sawyer has the perfect mindset for the Steelers, and his selection in the fourth round has Jeremiah Moon on the outside looking in.
Inside linebacker (4)
Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Malik Harrison
For all their efforts to get tougher this offseason, the loss of Elandon Roberts won’t help Pittsburgh’s cause as a fearless early-down linebacker. Fortunately, the team will get Cole Holcomb back from a brutal knee injury suffered in 2023, and Malik Harrison follows in the footsteps of Patrick Queen by coming over from Baltimore.
Cornerback (6)
Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Brandin Echols, Beanie Bishop Jr., Cory Trice Jr., James Pierre
There are two questions at cornerback heading into the summer, with one being who will claim the final roster spot, and the other being the starting job in the slot between Brandin Echols versus Beanie Bishop Jr.—that latter of whom impressed as a rookie but saw his playing time decrease down the stretch. Seventh-round pick Donte Kent could even factor into the slot battle, but he’ll need to beat out James Pierre for a roster spot in general.
Safety (4)
Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornhill, Miles Killebrew
Juan Thornhill goes from Cleveland to Pittsburgh and could see decent action as the third safety, and Miles Killebrew is safe as a core special teamer. If another safety makes the roster, undrafted rookie Sebastian Castro profiles as a player who could work his way into a starting role in the league.
Special teams (3)
Chris Boswell, Cameron Johnston, Christian Kuntz
The Steelers brought in Ben Sauls as an undrafted free agent at kicker, but he’s obviously zero threat to Chris Boswell. There will be a competition at punter, and it’s a rare situation where the team is running it back from last summer when veteran Cameron Johnston won the job over Corliss Waitman until a season-ending knee injury suffered in the opener.