When the Steelers trim their roster all the way down to 53, there may very well be some notable veteran names who don’t make it. Whether or not the Steelers commerce or launch them, they aren’t hesitant to maneuver on from even important gamers. With coaching camp approaching, beat author Mike DeFabo shared which veterans he believes are most on the bubble.
Cordarrelle Patterson, as soon as one of many NFL’s elite return males, might discover himself on the skin wanting in. The Steelers’ backfield is full with rookie Kaleb Johnson and offseason signing Kenneth Gainwell becoming a member of Jaylen Warren. It stays to be seen if OC Arthur Smith will foyer for the hybrid RB/WR to stay on the roster as a Swiss Military knife. Different gamers to look at embody DeMarvin Leal, a 2022 third-round decide who by no means carved out a distinct segment as a tweener on the protection entrance, and Cole Holcomb, who was as soon as a do-everything, three-down inside linebacker earlier than a grotesque knee damage derailed his profession in 2023. I feel Holcomb nonetheless makes the group, however I’m uncertain concerning the others.
One Steelers veteran who may very well be on the roster bubble, whom DeFabo didn’t identify, is Connor Heyward. Although they might properly carry 4 tight ends, the Jonnu Smith commerce makes him much less beneficial. If he contains DeMarvin Leal on the record, from the identical class, Heyward ought to in all probability qualify. He has performed greater than Leal has.
DeFabo additionally touched on the apparent, which is T.J. Watt, however shot down any notion he wouldn’t be on the Steelers’ roster. “Though some have speculated that Watt may very well be traded, that feels unlikely”, he wrote. “The Steelers have acknowledged publicly on quite a few events that they’d just like the star outdoors linebacker to complete his profession in Pittsburgh, and Watt has mentioned he doesn’t wish to play for anybody apart from coach Mike Tomlin”.
Holcomb is an fascinating identify to think about simply due to the depth they’ve. The Steelers noticed him return to well being late final season, however didn’t promote him to the roster. Within the spring, he gave the impression to be a full go. However they have already got Patrick Queen, Malik Harrison, and Payton Wilson at linebacker. With both Mark Robinson or Carson Bruener as a particular teamer, the room is crowded.
Holcomb doesn’t have a lot of a special-teams background, however is keen to do it to make the Steelers’ roster. With Cordarrelle Patterson as one of many worst kick returners within the NFL final season, although, that’s not arduous to see. Even DeFabo questioned why he’s even nonetheless on the Steelers’ roster. And with a deep line of defense room, Leal is solely operating out of time.
The Steelers have a number of defensive linemen jockeying for a roster spot, nonetheless. We might additionally embody Isaiahh Loudermilk on this record, although maybe he lacks the pedigree to benefit consideration. They already parted methods with some distinguished veterans they didn’t anticipate to make the roster, particularly within the trenches. They launched Larry Ogunjobi, a three-year starter, after which added Montravius Adams to the record. However maybe we are able to embody P Cameron Johnston, who might battle Corliss Waitman for the job.
