The Pittsburgh Steelers may have walked away from Week 15 with a hard-fought win over the Miami Dolphins, but they didn’t come out of the week unscathed. Just a day after that victory, the Steelers lost rookie wide receiver and return specialist Ke’Shawn Williams to a division rival - and not just any rival, but the Cincinnati Bengals.
Williams, who signed with Pittsburgh as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft, had quietly carved out a role on special teams over the course of the season. He suited up for eight games, handling both punt and kickoff return duties - a tough gig for any rookie, let alone one fighting to stay on the active roster week to week.
The Steelers had hoped to sneak Williams through waivers and bring him back on the practice squad, a common move for teams managing the bottom of the roster. But the Bengals had other plans. Cincinnati put in a claim and scooped him up before Pittsburgh could make their next move, adding another wrinkle to an already intense AFC North rivalry.
This is one of those classic NFL moments that shows just how razor-thin the margins can be when it comes to roster management. One day you’re part of the locker room, the next you’re suiting up for a rival.
For the Steelers, it’s a tough loss - not necessarily because of Williams’ current impact, but because of the potential he flashed in limited action. For the Bengals, it’s a low-risk pickup with possible upside, and a subtle jab at a division opponent in the process.
As the Steelers turn the page to Week 16 and a matchup with the Detroit Lions, they'll have to do so without a return man they were hoping to keep in the fold. It’s another reminder that in the NFL, roster depth is always in flux - and the waiver wire can be just as competitive as the field.