Steelers coach Mike McCarthy smiles as he walks along the sideline during Thursday night’s preseason game at the Buffalo Bills. (AP)
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Mike McCarthy was worried he wouldn’t sleep well after Thursday night’s game. And not just because it was going to be well after midnight by the time he’d get home to his bed.
The first-year Pittsburgh Steelers coach, McCarthy knew that starting Friday over the ensuing 48-plus hours he going to have to initiate some difficult conversations with at least 37 young men.
The NFL’s mandated roster cutdown is due by 6 p.m. Sunday, when the 91 players on the Steelers’ current roster — the vast majority of whom have been with the club for several months or more — must be trimmed to 53.
“You want to get it right,” McCarthy said after describing his feelings as “anxious.”
“I want to make sure when the news is delivered that it’s done the right way and that they get their questions answered. And hopefully maybe we’ll see them again someday.”
For maybe a third or more of those who get the news they’ve been released, that “someday” could come as soon as Monday when the Steelers can set their practice squad. League rules allow for a 16-man practice squad, though the Steelers have an exemption for Germany’s Julius Welschof as part of the International Player Pathway program.
Here is a position-by-position breakdown of the decisions that McCarthy, general manager Omar Khan and the rest of the Steelers’ football operations and coaching staff must make:
Quarterback
The Steelers have made the decision that they intend to keep all four quarterbacks on the active roster — 42-year-old starter Aaron Rodgers, reliable veteran backup Mason Rudolph, recent college national championship winner Will Howard and rookie third-round pick Drew Allar.
McCarthy described the dynamic as “two veterans we can win with” as well as “two young guys that we’re real excited about their future.” The only possible question at this point is if Howard’s head injury suffered Thursday is serious enough it lands him on injured reserve.
Running back
Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle form a quality duo who will handle the vast majority of the duties. But odds in the NFL are that one way or another, injury will strike to some degree. To that end, while Travis Homer is a fine No. 3 running back to keep around for his special-teams proficiency, he doesn’t have a track record that he can reasonably be relied upon to carry a significant role on offense.
Does that leave an opening for Lew Nichols? He’s probably destined for the practice squad. Same for Mt. Lebanon’s Eli Heidenreich, who showed signs he can be a rostered player at some point.
Fifth-round pick Riley Nowawkowski had earned a spot as a fullback/H-back/tight end.
Wide receiver
With the revelation that Roman Wilson appears safe, this is expected to be a relatively drama-free area in regards to cuts. DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. are the veteran top two, Wilson and rookie second-round pick Germie Bernard in that next tier and “gunner” Ben Skowronek and return man Kaden Wetjen assured “a hat” on gamedays primarily because of special teams.
But will the Steelers explore an external option — via by trade, or after Sunday by way of someone else’s cuts?
Tight end
That veteran Robert Tonyan popped so much during camp signals he’s very likely to make the team as the TE3 behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, with Nowakowski lining up at times at the position.
Offensive line
There still isn’t an apparent decision as to who will start at right tackle. Rookie first-round pick Max Iheanaschor having practiced solely at right tackle, while Dylan Cook and Broderick Jones have repped extensively at both tackle spots. Barring a trade, all three are probably safe to fill out the tackle position alongside starting left tackle Troy Fautanu.
Spencer Anderson by all indications has locked up the starting right guard gig, leaving Brock Hoffman as the top backup on the interior. As a third-round pick, Gennings Dunker is assuredly on the 53-man. That probably leaves center Ryan McCollum as the odd man out.
Defensive line
The Steelers were intent on building depth here, and it shows.
None among the group of rookie Gabriel Rubio and veterans Dean Lowry and Esezi Otomewo has done anything to deserve being left behind — but the numbers game dictates that one or two will not make the team.
Outside linebacker
The only question here is if veteran Jamin Davis did enough to somehow slide in as a surprise member of the 53. That’s unlikely, though — especially in light of the Steelers keeping four quarterbacks.
Inside linebacker
The mid-camp addition of veteran Elandon Roberts complicated things here. It’s difficult to find room for all three Roberts, veteran Cole Holcomb and second-year Carson Bruener. Roberts started for the Steelers in 2023-24, and Bruener was a special-teams stalwart as a rookie last season.
Malik Harrison seems destined to be cut as a cap casualty.
Cornerback
The biggest question here isn’t a standard roster choice. It’s whether No. 1 CB Joey Porter Jr. will “hold in” and/or hold out when the season begins as he leverages for a contract extension. If Porter remains on the physically unable to perform list through Sunday (he reported a back ailment on report day for training camp), he must sit out the first four games of the season.
There’s some veteran depth at this position, and rookie third-round pick Daylen Everette is being trained to be a future starter. Veteran Doneiko Slaughter probably has earned a job, but can the Steelers squeeze him in?
Safety
Rookie seventh-round pick Robert Spears-Jennings might very well be the collateral damage to keeping a fourth quarterback. Veterans DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker might be supplemented only by veteran Rayshawn Jenkins.
About the Writer
Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.