As we’ve done in previous years, we’re taking a look at Pittsburgh Steelers who are on Reserve/Future contracts for the 2026 offseason, as well as what we can expect from them during training camp and (hopefully) into the regular season. Today, an outlook on OG Aiden Williams.
Aiden Williams/OG Minnesota-Duluth – 6056, 319 pounds
It’s never easy for an undrafted rookie. Long road, big mountain, whatever travelling analogy you want to use, the odds are long. It’s especially tough for a prospect coming from the D-II level. That’s the spot Williams found himself in a year ago.
Undrafted out of Minnesota-Duluth, he got a sense of higher competition with an impressive week at the 2025 Shrine Bowl. A good week there likely influenced Pittsburgh’s decision to sign him. But a couple of practices in Friso pale in comparison to an NFL training camp. Doubly so for one as physical and intense as Pittsburgh’s summer sessions.
That was reflected in our training camp grades and evaluation. Williams’ biggest issue was a lack of strength and anchor. While listed large at 319 pounds, he looked a little lighter, or at the least carried a thinner frame due to his nearly 6-6 height. Here’s what we wrote last summer.
“He’s a good athlete who got ahead of screens and sprinted downfield to throw blocks. But he’s too light in the pants to hold up and anchor. Bull rushes gave him fits, and utilizing the hop step to counter didn’t work. His base just isn’t NFL-caliber, and until he grows into his frame, if he’s even capable of doing that, he’s going to struggle.
Williams missed the final day of training camp and didn’t play in the Steelers’ final two preseason games. He was still kept on the roster, but his summer ended with a whimper.”
Getting hurt late in the preseason clearly dinged the already-remote chances Williams had of sticking. Waived at final cutdowns, the Steelers brought him back to the practice squad days later. But injuries quickly sent Williams packing, replaced by LB Jon Rhattigan on Sept. 3, helping make up for Nick Herbig’s early season absence as a special teamer. Williams wouldn’t return for the rest of the regular season and only spent a week in October with the Carolina Panthers before being cut.
Pittsburgh’s front office thought enough of Williams to bring him back for the 2026 offseason. Now, he’ll have a second lap around the track to prove he can stick. It comes with the benefit all second-year players have. No longer are they wide-eyed to what the NFL is like. Returning to Pittsburgh, even under a new coaching staff, offers an additional layer of comfort. Like our recent Steven Jones report, Williams is outside-looking-in for a final offensive line spot. Displaying better play strength and of course, being healthy to play in all the exhibition games, will be key.
Williams’ goal should be to make the 53-man roster. Players should always set sights high. In reality, sticking on the practice squad throughout the season is a more reasonable expectation and would be a big accomplishment from the small schooler.
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