When asked on the final day of mandatory minicamp how he plans to spend his time before the start of training camp on July 24, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin quipped: “Minding my business.”
The NFL is taking its only deep breath of the calendar over a span of five weeks where not much, if anything, is happening. Barring something unexpected, that likely includes the Steelers putting their continued search for a wide receiver to slot alongside George Pickens on hold. Business will ramp up a little after the Fourth of July, but for the most part, the 90 men who are currently on the roster will check into Saint Vincent College for training camp in four weeks.
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But how will the roster look on cutdown day, Aug. 27, or a day or two later after teams have scoured the waiver wire? Here’s how it looks right now following three months of massaging a group that could have 20 (or more) new faces on the final 53-man roster.
(Note: Rookies are in italics.)
Offense (24)
Quarterback (3): Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen
The Steelers revamped their quarterback room — Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph to Wilson, Fields and Allen. Throw in new quarterbacks coach Tom Arth and you rarely see that much turnover at a critical position from one year to the next. All three have experience, but all three also are on cheap one-year deals. The Steelers’ four quarterbacks count $6.4 million total against the cap. For perspective, the Browns’ QBs count $67.7 million, the Ravens’ $35.1 million and the Bengals’ $32.5 million
The room is much better and deeper than last year, and that was by design. Wilson was brought in to be the QB1, and that’s what he will be regardless of how camp goes. The Steelers usually keep three on the roster. Even though John Rhys Plumlee is interesting, he has virtually no shot of making the final 53.
Cut (1): John Rhys Plumlee
Running back (3): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson
Harris and Warren basically split snaps down the middle last year, and there’s no reason that should change. Patterson was brought in to be a kick-return specialist, but he has also spent the past three years under Arthur Smith as a successful running back after spending the first eight years of his career at receiver. That versatility provides roster flexibility, which is probably a bad thing for an up-and-comer like Daijun Edwards, who will likely shine in training camp and preseason, at least making the coaching staff contemplate keeping him on the initial 53-man roster.
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Cut (5): Daijun Edwards, La’Mical Perine, Jonathan Ward, Aaron Shampklin, Jack Colletto (FB)
Wide receiver (6): Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Quez Watkins, TBD
The receiver room was also revamped from 2023, with five new faces (Jefferson, Wilson, Watkins, Scotty Miller, Jaray Jenkins) and a couple of practice squad players to pair with Pickens and Austin. It’s a work in progress, even though the Steelers’ front office liked what the group did during the offseason sessions. A high-end addition seems likely at this point, but that could come near the end of training camp or maybe just before the season. One way or another, it feels like somebody who isn’t on the 90-man roster today will be on the final 53.
In terms of competition, Watkins would barely squeak past Miller for the sixth and final receiver spot based on his special teams potential, at least for now.
Cut (6): Jaray Jenkins, Scotty Miller, Duece Watts, Marquez Callaway, Dez Fitzpatrick, Jacob Copeland
Tight end (3): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward
The tight ends are pretty much set in stone at this point. It all depends on whether they want to keep three or four. A fourth would be Rodney Williams based on his special teams abilities, but he seems more destined to land on the practice squad as of right now.
Cut (2): Rodney Williams, MyCole Pruitt
Offensive line (9): LT Broderick Jones, LG Isaac Seumalo, C Zach Frazier, RG James Daniels, RT Troy Fautanu, OT Dan Moore Jr., G/C Mason McCormick, G/C Nate Herbig, OL Spencer Anderson
The Steelers have invested five draft picks on the offensive line over the past year. Add in the free-agent signings of three others, and the unit is pretty much determined before they even get to camp. Now, Ryan McCollum could be a sleeper and find his way onto the final roster, but only if they keep 10 offensive linemen. As it sits now, the only questions about the group are whether Frazier and Fautanu start the season at center and right tackle, respectively.
Cut (6): Ryan McCollum, Dylan Cook, Tyler Beach, Anderson Hardy, Devery Hamilton, Joey Fisher
Defense (26)
Defensive line (7): Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams, Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal
With Heyward and Loudermilk in contract years and Ogunjobi a candidate to be cut next offseason without crippling salary cap ramifications, the Steelers have to look ahead when it comes to constructing their defensive line room. They have, on paper, a good starting three with Heyward, Ogunjobi and Benton, but after that, it is a little cloudy. Loudermilk hasn’t lived up to draft expectations but has talent. The same is true of Leal. The Steelers will keep as many as they can, but camp might just force a decision on Loudermilk, especially with a draft pick invested in Logan Lee.
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Cut: (4) Breiden Fehoko, Logan Lee, Jacob Slade, Jonathan Marshall
Outside linebacker (3): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig
Julius Welschof (International Player Pathway — does not count toward 53)
It would be best to find a fourth outside linebacker for depth purposes, but if all three stay healthy, there’s no need for that. Herbig will be able to take all the snaps in which Watt or Highsmith sit. The group behind this trio might be better off on the practice squad, and the team could hit the waiver wire for an upgrade. If one of the others does make it, David Perales would be a name to watch for.
Cut: (4): David Perales, Kyron Johnson, Jeremiah Moon, Jacoby Windmon
Inside linebacker (4): Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson, Mark Robinson
Cole Holcomb (PUP — does not count toward 53)
The position was decimated by injuries last year, despite what the front office felt was great depth. The question heading into camp this time is Holcomb. The Steelers haven’t been overly informative about the serious left knee injury he suffered midway through 2023. He will be only eight months removed from surgery when the Steelers report, which makes him a candidate to start camp on the physical unable to perform list. If he remains on the list to start the season, Holcomb would miss at least four games and not count toward the 53, buying him time to potentially play later in 2024. Wilson and Robinson — two high-end special teamers — are locks.
Cut: (1): Tyler Murray
Cornerback (8): Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Cameron Sutton, Cory Trice Jr., Anthony Averett, Beanie Bishop Jr., Darius Rush, Josiah Scott
Only Porter remains from last year’s initial active roster, as the Steelers revamped the position as much as they did at QB. You can never have too many corners, so the Steelers will keep as many as possible with the thought of mixing youth and experience. The top three of Porter, Jackson and Sutton are solid, with Trice being an unknown coming off a knee injury as a rookie. Averett is a veteran but has dealt with injuries as well, while Bishop and Rush are young and learning, and Scott offers another option in the slot.
Cut: (3): Kalon Barnes, Ryan Watts, Thomas Graham Jr.
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Safety (4): Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew
This is a solid group that is likely set already. Elliott signed as a free agent in March, and Kazee provides depth and a potential wrinkle in big nickel packages, while Killebrew is an All-Pro special teamer. The Steelers have historically gone with five safeties, but that doesn’t look like it’s necessary this year.
Cut: (3): Grayland Arnold, Nathan Meadors, Jalen Elliott
Special teams (3)
Kicker (1): Chris Boswell
Boswell bounced back in a big way last year. After missing a career-high eight field goal attempts and posting the second-worst field goal percentage (71.4) of his career in 2022, he was deadly accurate in 2023, missing two of 31 attempts, including a 61-yarder (he made a 56-yarder before a penalty moved the ball back). Only two kickers in the league missed fewer.
Cut: (1) Matthew Wright
Punter (1): Cameron Johnston
The Steelers signed one of the best punters on the free-agent market after years of futility at the position. Johnston tied for sixth in the NFL in net punting average (43.7 yards) and was in the middle of the pack in gross average (47.7). But the Steelers liked his “analytics” the most, according to Tomlin. Johnston’s 45.5 percent rate of punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line was sixth-best in the NFL, and his 4.5 percent rate of touchbacks ranked ninth.
Long snapper (1): Christian Kuntz
Kuntz hasn’t had a bad snap since taking over the job in 2021 but did get called for a critical false start for “raising his head” in a loss to the Patriots. He’s 30 and recently signed a three-year deal. For the first time in a while, Pittsburgh didn’t bring in competition for camp.
(Top photo of Donte Jackson, 26, and Joey Porter Jr., 21: Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press)
