Steelers' 2025 Initial 53-man Roster: Pittsburgh makes some shocking moves in the secondary while hitting for the cycle at QB

The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially trimmed their 90-man offseason roster and assembled their first iteration of the 53-man roster for the 2025 NFL season. The team will continue to tinker with the roster throughout the coming weeks and during the season. This is merely the initial iteration of what will be an evolving roster for a team that has aspirations of hoisting a seventh Lombardi.

Without further ado, here's a look at the 53-man roster:

Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are rookies

Quarterback (4)

IN: Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, Will Howard*

Reaction: This seemed cut and dry before training camp, but with Howard missing all of the preseason following his hand injury and how well Thompson has played, it’s impossibe to say that he hasn’t outperformed Rudolph. He was 6/6 for 124 yards and a TD at one point in the preseason finale. Less than two weeks removed from a 230 yard, 3TD, 70% completion game. Keeping him around while moving Howard to the IR at some point leaves the team with all four signal callers.

Running back (3)

IN: Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson*, Kenny Gainwell

Reaction: The top three running backs in Pittsburgh have been cemented for some time now, so there was never going to be much to note here. Now, how long does Jaylen Warren remain the starter? That remains to be seen.

Wide receiver (5)

IN: DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek

Reaction: Pittsburgh decided to part ways with Robert Woods on Tuesday afternoon, opting to keep Ben Skowronel instead. There also happens to be another name on the trade block that should be piquing the interest of Omar Khan, meaning this room could look different fairly soon.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lBJCDMkyHDA

Tight end (4)

IN: Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward

Reaction: These four felt like locks barring the Steelers from doing something drastic with Connor Heyward. He brings a lot of special teams value, however, so his seat is safe for 2025.

Offensive line (9)

IN: Broderick Jones (LT), Isaac Seumalo (LG), Zach Frazier (C), Mason McCormick (RG), Troy Fautanu (RT), Calvin Anderson, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum, Andrus Peat

Reaction: Dylan Cook played fairly well during his time in Pittsburgh, so that cut was a tad surprising but the real note here is that the team believes they have their tackle duo of the future after a strong preseason from Jones and Fautanu.

Defensive line (8)

IN: Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon* Yahya Black*, Daniel Ekuale, Logan Lee, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Esezi Otomewo

Reaction: You're top four players were always going to be locks, and Otomewo was the final player to round out the group up front.

Linebacker (5)

IN: Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener*

Reaction: Mark Robinson was released on Monday, with rookie Carson Bruener taking his spot. The hard-hitting core special teamer had two forced fumbles last year and was always good for running headfirst into a pile, but the Steelers will go with the seventh-rounder instead.

EDGE/Outside Linebacker (4)

IN: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nate Herbig, Jack Sawyer*

Reaction: With the Steelers severing ties with former third-round pick DeMarvin Leal, it became clear they would go with a four-man pass rush unit. It's up to Jack Sawyer to make sure he can develop into what Nick Herbig has become.

Cornerback (5)

IN: Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, Brandin Echols, Donte Kent

Reaction: Cory Trice Jr. moves to IR while the team waived Beanie Bishop here. James Pierre was also released. Many Steelers fans will be shocked by Bishop's release, but it was purely a numbers game, and I'm sure he will find a home elsewhere.

Safety (3)

IN: Juan Thornhill, DeShon Elliott, Miles Killebrew,

Reaction: Seeing Chuck Clark be released is almost as surprising as the team carrying only three safeties. I expect Omar Khan to make some moves through the waiver wire.

Specialists (3)

IN: Chris Boswell (K), Corliss Waitman (P), Christian Kuntz (LS)

Reaction: Perhaps the most surprising cut, the Steelers decided to go with the cost-effective option of Corliss Waitman, opposed to Cameron Johnston.