Steelers Have 3 Players From 2024 That Will Absolutely Not Survive Roster Cutdowns

Making it on to any roster for a full year, let alone the Pittsburgh Steelers' is an accomplishment on its own. Staying on the roster for even longer is even more impressive, especially with the average length of an NFL career being only just a few years. It doesn't help when teams will look for any excuse to replace you with someone better. There are some players that wore black and gold all throughout the 2024 season that have to fight for their jobs, and some of them may not win. 

1. Cordarrelle Patterson

In the 2024 offseason, the Steelers signed Cordarrelle Patterson to add depth to the running back room, as well as finally give the team explosiveness in the kick return game. He struggled with the latter part, which was his primary role. He had some quality moments as a backup skill player, but that alone is not enough to justify being kept around. Analysts have been shocked about why he has still made it this far into the 2025 offseason with Pittsburgh.

In free agency, the Steelers signed Kenneth Gainwell to be in direct competition to Patterson. They have a very similar skill set, but Gainwell is younger, cheaper, and more explosive. The Steelers typically keep three running backs on the roster, which means the former generational return man has no place on the roster unless he suddenly turns the clock back five years. Father Time comes for everyone, and Patterson is now likely one of his latest victims.

2. DeMarvin Leal

DeMarvin Leal has shown some extra value by being a versatile player that can line up as either an edge rusher or a defensive tackle. After a terrible 2023, his one chance at a bounce-back season was cut short due to a season-ending injury he suffered in Week 5. After the 2025 NFL Draft, it seems like the Steelers are more than willing to cut their losses and let Leal try again elsewhere. He could be a trade candidate, even if they would only receive a Day 3 pick. 

The Steelers used three of their seven selections in the draft to address the defensive line: two defensive tackles and an edge rusher. Derrick Harmon was a first-round pick, and Yahya Black will be in competition with him and Keeanu Benton for two of the spots. Meanwhile, Jack Sawyer will likely spend his rookie season as the fourth edge player. With all the depth brought in via draft and free agency, Leal's time in Pittsburgh is likely up. 

3. Jeremiah Moon

Speaking of Sawyer, him being on the team likely means that Jeremiah Moon has no legitimate shot of making it past roster cutdown day. Moon was the fourth edge rusher for a chunk of 2024, but Pittsburgh traded for Preston Smith to replace him in that spot. Moon hung around the roster as a special teams ace, but the team has more than enough of those players on the roster already for 2025. It was surprising to see the Steelers re-sign him in the first place.

Sawyer's selection has essentially told two separate players to pack their bags. Moon was not very good to begin with, as he could not generate any pressure from either side of the line, but did however provide value on special teams. That's why the team acquired Smith though at the trade deadline. 

Steelers Are Headed In New Direction On Both Sides Of The Ball

With all of these cuts, the Steelers will get younger, faster, and stronger. If you can't keep up, have fun being a backup elsewhere. Patterson, Leal, and Moon will have to try again on other teams to prove that they belong in the NFL.

What do you think about the list of players that likely will not survive roster cutdown day? Are there any other players that should be on this list? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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