The Pittsburgh Steelers announced their final 53 man roster yesterday (sort of). As is usually the case, there is tons to talk regarding who the team chose to make the roster. Even more interesting is the players left off the roster. Of course let’s keep in mind this 53 probably won’t be the 53 that takes the field versus the Jets week one. With that in mind, let’s go through the highlights of the 2025 Steelers roster as it stands today:
Quarterbacks:
The Steelers currently have four quarterbacks on the roster, but that won’t last. The hot rumor is Will Howard ending up on the IR. Something I predicted on my final 53 man roster prediction here: Steelers 53 man roster prediction 3.0: The final one
There is a slight chance the Steelers could work out a trade for either Mason Rudolph, or Skylar Thompson. That opportunity may have passed with the Raiders acquiring old friend Kenny Pickett. Either way, the Steelers will not open the season with four quarterbacks.
Wide Receiver fail:
For the third straight year Omar Khan has failed to build an adequate wide receiver room. He started off great with the DK Metcalf trade, but countered that by shipping George Pickens to Dallas. Khan’s one free agent signing Robert Woods was among the team’s final cuts. So we head into 2025 almost exactly where we were in 2024, praying our number one wide receiver does not get injured. This group without DK Metcalf is a thought id rather not spend any time on.
Death, taxes, and Conner Heyward:
Every year we do the mental gymnastics trying to find all the rational ideas on why Conner Heyward does not belong on this roster. And every year Mike Tomlin gives us the middle finger, and keeps him. Rinse, repeat.
Offensive line depth is an issue:
I have gone a full 360 on the tackle depth on this team. Hated it at first, talked myself into Calvin Anderson and Dylan Cook, and now once again terrified of an injury to a starter. Dylan Cook is no longer with the team, and Calvin Anderson has been injured nearly the entire preseason. Expect an addition from the outside here at some point before the season starts.
Eight defensive lineman…..EIGHT!:
This is somewhat understandable when you consider two of the starters in Derrick Harmon and Keeanu Benton are iffy to start week one. It’s is also the deepest position group on the team by far. If/when there is an addition to the roster, look for one of these defensive lineman to be cut however.
Carson Bruener over Mark Robinson:
This was a bit of a surprise honestly. Bruener had about a good of a preseason as you can possibly have, especially when you consider he was a special teams demon. I thought Mark Robinson’s experience would give him the nod, I thought wrong.
Beanie Bishop shocker:
Yes, Beanie Bishop was just a UDFA from last season. Yes, he had some warts in his game for sure. But there was plenty there to like including 4 interceptions and 7 passes defended in a limited role in 2024. Maybe it speaks to the Steelers new found depth at corner, but this seems like a bit of a mistake to me.
James Pierre and Chuck Clark shown the door:
Neither of these cuts are overly shocking. Everyone thought Pierre’s special teams expertise would land him a spot on the roster, apparently not. Chuck Clark seemed to be a fine 4th safety candidate. The fact that Jalen Ramsey will play significant snaps at safety probably sealed his fate.
Cam Johnston, we barely knew you:
Cam Johnston logged exactly one punt for the Pittsburgh Steelers. That comes out to roughly $6 million per punt, not ideal to say the least. Corliss Waitman has been the best punter on the Steelers for about three years now, it’s taken that long for Mike Tomlin to realize it. I’d like to take a victory lap for predicting this on the Steelers Sanctuary Podcast last Friday: https://streamyard.com/zz7nwyj8w3r9
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