My Thoughts on the Steelers’ Initial 53-Man Roster
The Steelers released their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, and I’m going to deliver some quick thoughts on that. However, it’s important to remember that this thing is not set in stone, and you can bet top dollar that things are going to look a slightly different week one, but more on that later.
via Steelers.com
Starting off with the offensive side of the ball, the obvious thing that jumps out at us immediately is that there’s four QBs listed. That has already changed, hence why I waited an extra day to deliver my thoughts on this. Will Howard was placed on IR today, as many expected, meaning he will be out for at least the first four games of the season, and that he doesn’t count towards the 53-man roster during that timeframe. Skylar Thompson is the name in there that has some folks a bit thrown off. He had an excellent summer, and even turned some heads in the preseason. I think a lot of folks out there think we’ll attempt to trade him and get some draft capital in return, but maybe Mason’s backup role isn’t all that secure.
Jumping ahead to the offensive line, you can go ahead and add Max Scharping to that list as he was added this afternoon following the move of Will Howard to IR. That helps out the iOL, but Calvin Anderson is the only backup OT that’s currently on the roster, although Andrus Peat has some experience in that role. Obviously, Troy Fautanu is coming off a season-ending injury his rookie season, so three OTs isn’t going to be enough. The Steelers are surely looking elsewhere for some depth, but I’m not sure they’re going to find anyone that’s going to make me feel very comfortable, so let’s just hope these three guys stay healthy.
Outside of the things I have just highlighted, I don’t think there’s anything noteworthy about the rest of the roster on offense. I know a lot of yinz are upset about Connor Heyward getting a roster spot, which I think is stupid. He obviously gets after it in special teams, and they like having him as an option in that FB role, but beyond that, it’s not like he doesn’t get targets. I just don’t know where all the hate comes from. That guy’s a good football player.
The WRs and RBs were written in stone long ago.
Turning our attention to the defensive side of the ball, again I’m struck by the sheer number of players we’re allocating to one position, this time defensive line. With the injury to Derrick Harmon being the obvious caveat, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Esezi Otomewo, and Logan Lee figure to be the most likely cut candidates when the team is comfortable with his health. I just can’t imagine them hanging on to eight guys for very long.
How ‘bout them Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers, though? That list is fuckin’ nuts. Playmakers everywhere, and probably the best pass rushing trio in the league. Carson Bruener made this roster, not as a nepo baby, but as a tackling machine and a special teams ace. He beats out Mark Robinson, who was entering the last year of his rookie contract. They’re going with Bruener on a brand new rookie contract instead. Payton Wilson breakout season incoming.
Onto the DBs, there was another piece of news that was being speculated upon that I was waiting on, and that was the move of Donte Kent to IR. That move allowed for the Steelers to sign S Chuck Clark again, who now finds himself on the 53-man roster. It’s also worth noting that CB Cory Trice Jr. was placed on IR (designated to return). The two big names that are missing from this initial roster are CBs Beanie Bishop Jr. and James Pierre, both of which have cleared waivers and were signed to our practice squad. The internet is torn to shreds about Beanie, but I’m sure he’ll make an appearance at some point this season, God forbid (I’d much prefer we just stay healthy). I still can’t believe Jalen Ramsey is a Pittsburgh Steeler. That’s an all-time-cool thing for me.
While Steelers fans far and wide pound the table for a viable WR2, I feel like a trade for some safety help could also be on the horizon.
Lastly, we kept three specialists, and I obviously had to shout out Cameron Johnston. We actually had an exciting competition at punter, which was strange, but Corliss Waitman gets the nod, which is great. He has been excellent.
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