Steelers’ cutdown day delivers a few surprises

The Steelers’ final roster is set—and it didn’t come without a few curveballs. As cutdown day wrapped, Pittsburgh made several unexpected moves that reshaped depth charts and left fans buzzing. From surprise releases to under-the-radar keeps, the decisions offer early clues about how this team plans to approach the season. Let’s break down the most notable surprises and what they signal heading into Week 1.

Cameron Johnston

One of the most competitive training camp and preseason competitions had been between Cameron Johnston and Corliss Waitman. Punters usually don’t generate highlights, however, Johnston was a key free agent acquisition in 2024, hoping to erase the inconsistencies of the previous punter Pressley Harvin III.

Unfortunately, Johnston suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1 of last season, leading the way for Waitman, a previous substitute, to sign with Pittsburgh. Waitman had a serviceable season, punting 65 times for 3,105 yards (46.4 avg / 41.7 net), with 27 inside the 20 and 8 inside the 10.

He also held for K Chris Boswell‘s All-Pro season, leading the way to be brought back to compete with the rehabbing Johnston. While both punters looked sharp throughout camp and the preseason, ultimately Johnston wasn’t worth the larger cap hit to retain.

DeMarvin Leal

A third round selection from the 2022 NFL Draft, Leal has flirted as a defensive lineman and an outside linebacker, but never found footing in either role within the Steelers 3-4 defense.

Injuries also hampered Leal’s progress, appearing in 28 out of a possible 53 games over three seasons. He finishes his Steelers tenure with 33 tackles, three tackles-for-loss and one sack.

Robert Woods

A twelve-year veteran, the 33-year-old Woods was signed this offseason to compete for a role as a receiver or a return specialist, but found himself barely doing either. His reps throughout the preseason were limited, including appearances later in games, as his was surpassed by second-year receiver Roman Wilson and Brandon Johnson. (The latter who is a slightly bigger target who was on the practice squad last season.)

It’s suggested Woods may return on the Steelers practice squad if he has no other suitors.

Chuck Clark

Another player who could potentially return back to the team, Clark logged some significant time during the preseason, following rehab for a pectoral injury sustained near the end of 2024.

Currently, the Steelers only have three safeties listed on their 53-man roster: DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornhill, and Miles Killebrew.

Killebrew is mainly a special teams ace, which means someone, perhaps Jalen Ramsey, will split more time at the safety spot.

Depending on how defensive coordinator Teryl Austin would like to deploy players in the secondary, Clark could return if further moves are made with the initial roster.

Beanie Bishop

Bishop is a local fan favorite who was an undrafted hopeful out of West Virginia University. As such, the fanbase got behind and rooted for him to make the roster.

However, Bishop was supplanted not once, but twice since making the 2024 team.

Midway through last season his playing time was cut in favor of the returning Cameron Sutton. Bishop was then setback on the depth chart with the acquisition of nickel corner Jalen Ramsey, the latter whom has the makings of a possible Hall of Fame career.

Brandin Echols, who can play outside and in the slot, had a great camp and preseason, making Bishop a redundant cut casualty.