In April, we wrote about three “forgotten” Pittsburgh Steelers on the roster receiving very little attention: CB Cory Trice Jr., CB Donte Kent, and DL Logan Lee. All had valid reasons for being shuffled to the back of everyone’s mind, and one is no longer with the team. The Steelers cut Trice after a failed physical this offseason.
With the roster even more settled post-draft, here are three more Steelers barely being talked about heading into training camp.
CB Brandin Echols
Signed to a two-year deal ahead of the 2025 season, Echols had an overall good year with Pittsburgh. He took lumps in a primetime loss to Los Angeles and the Wild Card defeat to Houston. But for most of the season, he looked like a shrewd free-agent pickup similar to DeShon Elliott in 2024.
Now, Echols is hardly even mentioned in the cornerback pecking order. Jamel Dean was added, Asante Samuel Jr. re-signed, Daylen Everette drafted, and Jalen Ramsey retained to play a nickel/safety role. Where does that leave Echols? That’s hard to say. He could still compete for slot reps or become excellent depth and first man off the bench when injury strikes.
No matter the role, he’s still young, athletic, and played well for the team last year.
ILB Carson Bruener
Bruener made the roster as a seventh-round pick and excelled on special teams. He logged nearly 300 special teams snaps and tallied an impressive 19 tackles, including seven solo stops. Pittsburgh made little change to its inside linebacker room this offseason, a signal that they’re confident in the group.
Bruener could be poised for a second-year jump. Malik Harrison’s larger base salary makes him a potential cap casualty late. With a strong summer, Bruener could compel the team to make that move. He logged just one defensive snap a year ago, but has the chance to become the next man up behind Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson.
WR Max Hurleman
A camp darling for a brief moment last year, Hurleman had the classic rookie experience of a strong start with a quiet finish. Fellow rookie Ke’Shawn Williams, who also impressed in the summer, got the midseason call-up as a replacement returner while Hurleman remained on the practice squad.
Williams is now in Cincinnati, but Hurleman is back for his second lap in Pittsburgh. A new coaching staff creates a partial reset, but if Hurleman can run through the tape and end the summer on a high note, he’ll keep his buzz going. Spring workouts have already yielded positive reports.
He’s versatile and capable on special teams. He might push for a No. 6 wide receiver spot, and if there’s an injury in front of him, the door might really swing open.
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