The Steelers made a roster move this week that might sting a little more than expected - not because of who they let go, but because of where he ended up.
On Monday, Pittsburgh waived rookie wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams to make room for veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the 53-man roster. A tough call, sure, but one that made sense on paper.
Valdes-Scantling brings postseason experience and a vertical threat to a Steelers offense that's been searching for consistency. But in doing so, they lost a young player who’d quietly carved out a role - and now he’s headed straight into enemy territory.
The Cincinnati Bengals claimed Williams off waivers on Tuesday, adding the rookie to their active roster. That’s right - one of Pittsburgh’s fiercest AFC North rivals just scooped up a player the Steelers likely hoped would clear waivers and return to their practice squad.
Williams, who signed with Pittsburgh as an undrafted free agent out of Indiana after the 2025 NFL Draft, had been a steady contributor in a special teams role. He appeared in eight games for the Steelers, handling return duties with some solid production - averaging 10.2 yards on 11 punt returns and 23.6 yards on 18 kickoffs. Not eye-popping numbers, but enough to show he belonged on an NFL field.
There’s a reason Pittsburgh kept a practice squad spot open after releasing him - the team clearly saw value in his development. But once a player hits waivers, it’s out of your hands. The Bengals, sitting at 4-10 and looking to build for the future, saw an opportunity and pounced.
Now, Williams joins one of the most talent-rich wide receiver rooms in the league. He’ll be learning behind Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Andrei Iosivas - a trio that gives Cincinnati plenty of firepower on the outside. For Williams, it’s a chance to grow in a system that emphasizes vertical threats and quick-hitting plays, and for the Bengals, it’s a low-risk move with potential upside, especially on special teams.
The timing is interesting, too. Cincinnati is prepping for a matchup with the Miami Dolphins this weekend, and while Williams likely won’t have a major role right away, his familiarity with Pittsburgh’s system could come in handy when the Bengals face their division rivals down the stretch.
For the Steelers, it’s a calculated loss - one of those roster decisions that makes sense in the short term but could come back around in the long run. And for Williams, it’s a new chapter, just across the division line.