Max Hurleman isn’t the first name Pittsburgh Steelers fans are talking about heading into training camp, but he might be one of the most interesting. He arrives in Latrobe as a long-shot roster piece, yet his blend of return work, receiving chops, and coverage ability gives him a wider lane than most fourth-string running backs.
Hurleman, 24, has yet to appear in an NFL game, but his college background makes him more than a simple depth option. At Notre Dame, he handled punt returns and recorded 13 special-teams tackles. Before that at Colgate, he caught 80 passes, rushed for 814 yards, and worked both punt and kickoff returns.
That kind of versatility is what got him noticed during OTAs, and it’s also what could keep him around once the cuts start. Pittsburgh doesn’t need him to beat out Jaylen Warren or Rico Dowdle for carries. What he needs is to make the staff pause when it starts sorting out game-day roles, especially on special teams, where one extra skill can be the difference between staying and going.
Hurleman’s most realistic route to a roster spot runs through returns and coverage. If he can keep stacking steady days in camp fielding punts, handling kickoffs, and chasing down returners, he’ll be part of a crowded mix with Kaden Wetjen, Donte Kent, and Eli Heidenreich.
There’s also value in what he can do on offense. With Warren and Dowdle already in the backfield picture, the Steelers could use a fourth back who can catch checkdowns, line up in the slot, and survive emergency snaps at receiver. Nobody is penciling in a Hurleman jersey, but that kind of flexibility matters when roster spots are tight.
The challenge is that he’s not the only hybrid option in the room. Travis Homer already carries the label of special-teams ace, which gives him a built-in edge.
Lew Nichols has time in the system, Heidenreich brings a similar all-purpose profile, and Wetjen has speed. Hurleman has to show he can handle enough of those jobs without becoming too scattered to trust.
That makes preseason crucial. A few clean plays could change how Pittsburgh stacks the bottom of the roster. A secure punt return, a tackle in space, or a catch in the passing game can all buy more opportunities when every snap matters for bubble players.
Hurleman began as a tryout player and spent a year developing without seeing regular-season action. Now he heads into camp with a chance to force a real decision, possibly pushing the Steelers to choose between established specialists and the player who can back up three spots while covering punts. With limited roster space, that kind of utility can go a long way.
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