The Pittsburgh Steelers have wrapped up OTAs and won’t be back together as a team until they report for training camp on July 28. When they do, there very well could be some new faces quickly added to the mix.
Since Khan has taken over as Steelers general manager, at least one player traded for or signed after July 17 has made the team’s 53-man roster.
Khan took over after the draft in 2022, and during the team’s first training camp, the Steelers signed RB Jeremy McNichols. But McNichols got hurt shortly thereafter and never played a snap for the team.
Ryan McCollum didn’t make the initial 53-man roster that year, but Khan claimed him off waivers on Aug. 16. A few weeks later, he traded for OLB Malik Reed on Aug. 31. Reed made the team’s initial 53 and spent the year in Pittsburgh.
Reed struggled during his time with the Steelers, but it’s the first example of Khan making a late acquisition that ended up on the initial roster.
In 2023, the Steelers signed LB Kwon Alexander on July 30. He played a key role for the Steelers before suffering a torn Achilles in Week 9.
In 2024, Tyler Matakevich was signed on July 17 for his second stint with the team, returning to his role as a core special teamer. Notably, Khan also signed WR Ben Skowronek, though Skowronek was initially placed on the practice squad and didn’t make the opening 53-man roster.
He did play 10 games with the Steelers that season and then suited up for all 17 last year, becoming one of the team’s most valuable special teamers and a fan favorite.
Khan also brought back OLB Markus Golden on Aug. 1 that year, but Golden decided to hang up his cleats just eight days later. Had he not retired, Golden very well could’ve joined Matakevich as a late acquisition that made the 53-man roster.
Last year, Khan signed S Chuck Clark on July 25 and OL Andrus Peat on Aug. 7. Both made the initial 53-man roster and saw playing time for the Steelers last season.
None of Khan’s acquisitions late in the process have been particularly splashy. The Jalen Ramsey-Minkah Fitzpatrick swap happened on June 30 last year, still relatively late but not quite in July.
But Khan has acquired players who carved out a role, some more so than others. And some better than others. The point is, expect another veteran to come aboard, likely at the onset or close to training camp, and win a spot on the roster.
Every team is constantly self-scouting and looking for areas to improve. Khan and Pittsburgh’s scouting staff has done a good job identifying players who are good enough to make the roster and contribute in some way.
It’s too early to speculate on who the team could potentially look to add, but it would be more of a surprise if the Steelers didn’t add another veteran than if they did.
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