A new Pittsburgh Steelers staff can bring optimism and pessimism for the youngest players on the roster. A slate wiped clean for those who struggled a year ago. At the same time, the coaching staff has no ties to the drafting and early development of their careers and is far less attached than Mike Tomlin would’ve been. If Mike McCarthy has final roster control the way Tomlin did, these players will have to impress in a hurry to stick around.
We will only list players who logged regular-season snaps with the team in 2025. Here’s four names that fall into that camp.
WR Roman Wilson
Through two seasons, Wilson has caught just 12 passes. A rookie year sabotaged by repeated injuries. A healthy sophomore season but one in which he was unable to earn the trust of coaches and QB Aaron Rodgers to consistently see the field. Despite the Steelers fielding one of the NFL’s worst receiver rooms, Wilson barely played and was out-snapped by Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen by year’s end.
It makes 2026 make or break for Wilson in Pittsburgh. If Rodgers returns, that will be harder. And assuming Pittsburgh brings in several outside wide receivers through free agency and the draft, Wilson will start the year lower on the depth chart. The silver lining is playing in a more receiver-friendly offense utilizing 11 personnel more than the roughly 50 percent of the time Pittsburgh did in Arthur Smith last season.
Still, Wilson has to show in a hurry he’s worth keeping around. If not, Pittsburgh could trade him ahead of August cutdowns for a late 2027 draft pick. If you had to predict a scenario, that’s currently the most likely one.
RB Kaleb Johnson
Johnson’s rookie season was a mess and doesn’t need relitigated all over. He finished with 28 carries and a massive kickoff blunder. Drafted for Arthur Smith’s outside-zone system, he’ll need to quickly make his mark this summer. If Kenneth Gainwell re-signs with the Steelers, Johnson will open as the No. 3 back with minimal special teams value. If Gainwell leaves, the Steelers are likely to add substantial outside help.
Johnson can grow in a hurry and it’s common to see players like him make a second-year jump. Pittsburgh’s own history is evidence. Le’Veon Bell and James Conner were much different backs during their sophomore seasons. But there’s plenty working against Johnson and he has to counter that in a hurry.
OT Dylan Cook
It took until his fourth season, but Cook finally played regular-season snaps in 2025. He took advantage of the opportunity and played well in relief of Broderick Jones after his season-ending neck injury. To the point he could compete or win the left tackle job out of camp, especially if Jones’ injury lingers.
Still, the goodwill Cook built up under the old coaching staff has reset. Mike McCarthy didn’t carry him for the 2023 season on the roster. He didn’t turn to him last season. Cook has to start from scratch. If his play picks up where it left off, he’ll impress. But he has to do it all over again this summer. Jones is still the pedigree guy who undeniably improved last season. On the chance Pittsburgh picks up his fifth-year option, Jones will be in the driver’s seat.
S Sebastian Castro
Adding a name we don’t talk about as much in Castro, an UDFA out of Iowa. He began the year on Pittsburgh’s practice squad, poached by Tampa Bay in September, but returned to the Steelers to finish out the season.
Castro will enter the year fighting for a roster spot. Pittsburgh’s likely to add safety help and depth, probably with a Day 2 draft pick and perhaps other additions. Special teams are Castro’s ticket, but McCarthy doesn’t have the reputation of keeping pure special teamers the way Tomlin did. That will hurt Castro’s cause. He must focus on becoming Pittsburgh’s personal protector/upback on the punt team, a spot held by Miles Killebrew and Jabrill Peppers last season. If Castro can make his mark there, he’ll make the 53.
Similar could apply to ILB Carson Bruener, but he has an easier path, is more proven, and his position coach is returning.
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