The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into their first training camp under head coach Mike McCarthy with a roster that has depth at several positions, more depth than a 53-man roster can realistically hold. This surplus, created through strategic free agency moves and the 2026 NFL Draft, is already creating trade pressure on several veterans before preseason even begins.
Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (RB16) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
After 18 seasons, the Steelers moved on from Mike Tomlin and hired Mike McCarthy with a completely new coaching staff. Aaron Rodgers is under contract as the starter, Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle are set as the top two running backs, and Michael Pittman Jr. arrived via trade to anchor the receiver room. With those pieces in place, competition for the remaining spots has left three recognizable names facing uncertain futures.
Athlon Sports identified the three players most likely to be moved this summer. The publication noted Kaleb Johnson, Roman Wilson, and Mason Rudolph could all become trade candidates once camp battles clarify which bodies Pittsburgh actually needs at each position. McCarthy has said everyone enters camp with a clean slate, but roster math does not always cooperate with clean slates. The Steelers built redundancy at running back, receiver, and quarterback this offseason, and someone at each position will not be there in September.
Kaleb Johnson’s situation is the most straightforward. Steelers Depot noted that Pittsburgh added Dowdle coming off a 1,000-yard season, extended Warren before the offseason began, and then used the draft’s final pick on Eli Heidenreich, a versatile back with slot capability. That is four running backs competing for what is typically two or three roster spots. Johnson, selected in the third round in 2025, is the one with the least organizational buy-in under the current regime.
Roman Wilson’s situation is more uncertain. Behind the Steel Curtain reported that Wilson actually took WR3 reps ahead of rookie Germie Bernard during mandatory minicamp and earned genuine praise from McCarthy. That momentum matters, but Pittsburgh also traded for Pittman and drafted Bernard in the second round. Those investments suggest the team’s long-term receiver priorities lie elsewhere, regardless of what Wilson shows in camp.
Fighting for Roster Spot in Crowded Steelers WR Room
The quarterback room is the clearest example. Aaron Rodgers is locked in as the starter, third-round pick Drew Allar is the long-term developmental quarterback, and Will Howard brings scheme fit and experience. This leaves Rudolph as the clear odd man out.
The Steelers need more than a sixth-round pick and a veteran backup at quarterback, with Howard’s ceiling questioned openly. That analysis left Rudolph as the odd man out even before camp opened.
Despite his experience including multiple career starts and a solid relief outing last season (12-of-16 for 127 yards and a touchdown vs. Chicago), Rudolph is the most tradable asset in the position group. Those credentials make him a useful asset for teams that need experienced quarterback depth before the regular season. His market value would not produce significant draft compensation. A late Day 3 pick is the realistic return.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay named Rudolph among Pittsburgh’s likeliest cap casualties this summer. Kay identified the Denver Broncos as the logical landing spot, noting they need a reliable option behind Bo Nix. Whether Rudolph departs via trade or release depends entirely on whether another team values him enough to surrender a pick before the preseason ends.
Training camp opens in Latrobe at the end of July. While McCarthy has said everyone enters with a clean slate, the roster mathematics are unforgiving. One or more of Kaleb Johnson, Roman Wilson, and Mason Rudolph could be traded or released before Week 1. One strong camp from a younger competitor at any of their positions could accelerate Pittsburgh’s decision.
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