The initial cuts span multiple positions, including wide receivers, defensive backs, and offensive linemen, as the team works to finalize its regular-season lineup.
First Wave of 13 Cuts Prior to the Roster Deadline
Lebanon High School graduate Alex Tecza and two former Pitt defensive backs, Brandon Hill and Tamon Lynum.
The Steelers roster cuts on August 28 included Jaheim Bell (TE), Greg Crippen (OL), Jaylon Guilbeau (DB), Jack Henderson (DB), Brandon Hill (DB), Jakobie Keeney-James (WR), Tamon Lynum (DB), Daryl Porter (DB), Cornell Powell (WR), Alex Tecza (RB), and Isaiah Winstead (WR). On August 29, Jamin Davis (LB) and Levi Wentz (WR) were also waived, marking the 12th and 13th players to be cut by Pittsburgh following their first round of cuts after their preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Examining the Roster Math at Wide Receiver and Linebacker
While Davis was a later signing, both players spent the entire summer with the Steelers, competing during training camp and all three preseason games. Davis signed after OTAs and minicamp, with Wentz being with the team during every phase of the offseason. At times, both players flashed, but nothing ever felt likely for either to make the 53-man roster.
At wide receiver, Wentz had a few standout days, but the competition didn’t even seem real for most of training camp. DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek and Kaden Wetjen have felt like the six wideouts Pittsburgh will keep since day one, leaving almost no room for anyone to sneak their way onto the team. As for Davis, he played with Patrick Graham in Las Vegas last season, so there was some hope coming into the summer. While he could’ve forced a competition with Cole Holcomb and Malik Harrison, once Elandon Roberts signed, the room felt complete.
Davis did not play any games with the Steelers and was with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025. Before then, though, Davis was with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 after being picked up when Ivan Pace Jr. went down with an injury. Davis, a former first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, only appeared in four games with the Vikings and made five tackles and one sack during his time with the team.
Contract Restructuring and Cap Space Adjustments
ESPN reports the Steelers have restructured DK Metcalf’s contract, converting most of the $25 million he’s due from salary to a signing bonus. That will clear $18 million off the salary cap.
Other transactions carried financial impacts as the front office balanced the books. Crippen has a 2026 dead money charge of $666 and a 2027 dead money charge of $1,334 since he was given a $2,000 signing bonus. Meanwhile, the release of veteran strong safety Darnell Savage—announced by the team on Sunday to make room for the signing of Rayshawn Jenkins—will cause a $187,500 dead cap hit for the team, which can be spread across the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Preseason Finale Fallout and What Lies Ahead
The Steelers built an early lead but ended up losing to Buffalo, 28-27 in the preseason finale. Top draft choice Max Iheanachor played for the first time after his return this week from a neck/shoulder injury. Both Will Howard and Drew Allar appear to have made the team, according to coach Mike McCarthy, and other standouts included rookie seventh-round draft pick Eli Heidenreich and receiver, return man Kaden Wetjen, who ran back a punt 45 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
On the injury front, veteran Ben Skowronek was helped off the field after making a tackle on special teams and Howard was evaluated for a possible head injury. The Steelers finished 1-and-2 and will host the Atlanta Falcons in Week One on September 13th.
McCarthy says they will be sensitive to what it means to tell a player he didn’t make the team.
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