The Steelers managed to keep 11 rookies on the roster, and that alone gives this class a chance to matter sooner than expected. With the season set to begin on September 13, the early read on these young players is already taking shape, and some of the names that raised eyebrows in the spring are now in position to prove Omar Khan’s doubters wrong.
Kevin Jobity Jr. is one of the clearest examples. The undrafted Syracuse rookie was a surprise addition, especially after a mostly quiet offseason, but Pittsburgh saw enough to keep him around.
His run defense still needs work, yet his pass rush has stood out for a young player. Given the Steelers’ need for more help getting after the quarterback, there’s a real reason to keep him on the roster.
For now, his stock is high, even if he looks like a weekly inactive who will eventually settle in.
Eli Heidenreich also arrived as a surprise, which is why his stock starts in a strong place. His offensive role is expected to be limited, but special teams will decide how quickly he becomes more than a fringe name. If he can stand out there, he could lock down a roster spot for the long haul.
Robert Spears-Jennings entered camp with a better case than some of the other surprises, and the move of DeShon Elliott to IR to open the season cleared the path for him to stay active. Rayshawn Jenkins is the safer bet to get the first look, but Spears-Jennings was taking first-team reps in practice. Special teams should be his foundation, though he worked in a range of roles there throughout the summer, and there’s a chance his defensive role grows if he keeps trending up.
Gabriel Rubio has been one of the quiet wins of the summer. Plenty of people dismissed the pick, but he flashed as a run defender and looked dominant when he was on the field and filling run lanes.
Dean Lowry had been in the mix, and his history with Mike McCarthy mattered, but Rubio won the job. That only strengthens his standing now.
The Steelers may dress six defensive linemen, and Rubio could already be in line for work on obvious run downs. You could make the case that only Cameron Heyward has been better against the run along the defensive line.
Riley Nowakowski has moved past the uncertainty stage and looks like the de facto fullback with tight end traits. Pittsburgh used him in the preseason, and he could carve out value in more than one way. The bigger question is whether he can become more than a fullback for this offense.
Kaden Wetjen’s summer had plenty of highs and lows. He flashed as a returner and even scored a punt-return touchdown, but the rest of his tape was uneven.
His returns often drifted east to west, which cut into their effectiveness, and fumbling problems added more concern. The touchdown likely saved his spot, but for a fourth-round return man, his stock still feels shakier than it should.
Gennings Dunker had a much quieter summer. Even with a clear need for help at offensive guard, he faded fast as a possible starter.
There were some decent reps on film, but he never looked like a real challenger for the job. At this point, he seems like a long shot to dress on Sundays, and 2026 looks more like a redshirt year.
Daylen Everette looked better than expected early, even if he came into the process as one of the more slept-on picks. He had the feel of a raw player who was more advanced than anticipated, but injuries slowed him down and he tailed off late.
Right now, he looks like a weekly inactive to begin the season. The long-term upside is still there, and one injury away, he could find his way into a role.
For now, special teams and the bench are the likeliest landing spots.
Drew Allar showed enough in Pittsburgh to suggest some progress from his Penn State tape. His mechanics looked cleaner, and the big-play ability that once made him a top quarterback candidate showed up again.
If he gets meaningful playing time this season, that would mean a lot has gone wrong. Still, the Steelers will need to take a longer look at him next year as a possible starter.
Germie Bernard turned into one of the summer’s biggest swings between practice and game action. His practice reports weren’t encouraging, and he was mentioned as a rookie making mistakes that hurt the offense.
But once the preseason games started, he looked like a different player. The Alabama version showed up, and with Roman Wilson fading, there’s a real conversation about Bernard taking over as the third receiver.
Week 1 should tell us who has the edge.
Max Iheanachor flashed early and looked like he might quickly grab a starting job before injuries changed the picture. He only got on the field in the final preseason game, but there was enough good tape to work with. There’s still a clear path for him to get on the field in 2026.
In Other News...
Steelers Suddenly Face A Mason Rudolph Decision They Didn't Expect
Sam Darnolds hip injury in Seattle has quietly created a ripple effect that reaches all the way to Pittsburgh, where the Steelers are suddenly staring at a quarterback decision they didnt exactly plan for. Darnold was knocked out of the Seahawks season opener and Drew Lock stepped in to help finish off the win, which only sharpened the focus on veteran depth around the league and put a fresh spotlight on Mason Rudolphs place in the Steelers quarterback room.
Pittsburgh is reportedly open to trading Rudolph, and the Seahawks situation could make them a team worth watching if they want a seasoned option behind center. The Steelers currently have four quarterbacks on the roster, and with Seattle dealing with uncertainty under center, Pittsburgh may find itself weighing whether this is the right time to move a veteran or hold tight while the market sorts itself out. [Read more 🡒]
Aaron Rodgers Reignites Ugly NFL Media Fight On Cam Heywards Podcast
Aaron Rodgers used Cam Heywards podcast to reopen a messy corner of NFL media, taking aim at ESPN for what he viewed as silence around the Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel scandal. The issue first surfaced in April 2026 after photographs of Russini and Vrabel set off an internal investigation, and it has continued to linger because of how it rippled through the media world as much as around the league.
Russini ultimately resigned from The Athletic, even as the outlets final report said her professional reporting was unbiased, and there are now indications she could try to return to NFL media. She also plans to speak publicly about the scandal, which keeps the story very much alive and leaves plenty of questions about how the fallout could shape both her comeback and the broader way football coverage handles its own controversies. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Opener Suddenly Comes With A Big Tua Concern
The Steelers season opener already has the usual early-week nerves attached to it, and now the spotlight has shifted to Tua Tagovailoa after a concerning moment at Falcons practice. During individual drills, Tagovailoa briefly reached for his back and sat down, then stayed on the field without throwing again during the portion open to reporters, leaving the situation a little murky heading into game week.
Atlanta has not offered an official update, and for Pittsburgh the bigger question is whether the quarterbacks status changes by kickoff. The Falcons have already named Tagovailoa their starter for the opener, with Cooper Rush next in line if needed, but until there is more clarity, the Steelers will be preparing for a game plan that could hinge on how that back issue responds. [Read more 🡒]