The Pittsburgh Steelers are in one of the most unforgiving parts of the calendar year. Between the day after the final preseason game (which is Thursday, August 21st) and the deadline to get the roster down to 53 players (Tuesday, August 26th), 38 players will be cut. Pittsburgh had 91 players active during Preseason Week 3, with linebacker Julius Welschof counting as the extra man, as he took up the one international designation spot for the team. Up to 16 of these players can be signed back to the practice squad, as long as they don't get claimed off waivers.
Associated Press
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan stands on the field in Pittsburgh, PA before a professional football game.
There have been some interesting position battles during training camp and the preseason, including wide receiver and defensive line. Unfortunately, there are more players deserving of roster spots than there are actual places for them on the 53-man lineup. No matter who gets released and who survives this time period, we hope for the best for all players involved.
Steelers' Official Roster Cuts On August 22nd
Linebacker Kenny Willekes
Long Snapper Jake McQuaide
Defensive Backs Kam Alexander, Quindell Johnson, Kyler McMichael, Mikey Victor
Offensive Linemen Doug Nester, Julian Pearl
Quarterback Logan Woodside
Running Back Evan Hull
Tight end Kevin Foelsch
All 11 of those moves were reported by the Steelers themselves via their website. The roster stood at 80 men once this happened. McQuaide was originally brought in due to a preseason injury to Christian Kuntz, but he seems to be ready for Week 1 now. Johnson seems like the best candidate to make the practice squad out of these players.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz (46) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
On Monday, August 25th, NFL Insider Tom Pelissero announced that kicker Ben Sauls would be released if the Steelers could not find a trade partner for him. There may be a team willing to acquire him, as the Miami Dolphins had to place kicker Jason Sanders on Injured Reserve (IR). However, the team announced that he has been released even before that.
The #Steelers informed kicker Ben Sauls they plan to waive him if they can't trade him before Tuesday's cutdown, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 25, 2025
A former Pitt Panther, Sauls had a strong preseason, including going 4-of-4 on field goals Thursday night at Carolina.
In a surprise turn of events, punter Cameron Johnston has also been released. The veteran signed a three-year deal in 2024 and suffered a season-ending injury during Week 1 of that year. He looked like an elite punter during training camp and the preseason, but the Steelers determined that Corliss Waitman was the better punter this time.
Defensive Lineman Kyler Baugh
Linebackers Mark Robinson, Julius Welschof
Defensive backs D'Shawn Jamison, Daryl Porter Jr.
Offensive Linemen Steven Jones, Aiden Williams
Tight End JJ Galbreath
Running back Lew Nichols
Wide Receivers Max Hurleman, Lance McCutcheon
Robinson was a little bit of a shocker as well, but he was a bubble player from the get-go. Seventh-round rookie Carson Bruener seems to have won the last linebacker spot on the team. Galbreath, Nichols, and Hurleman all made great cases for a roster spot, but in the end, there just were not enough for them. They will most likely end up on the practice squad.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Max Hurleman (34) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Jacksonville Jaguars, on Saturday August 9, 2025 in Jacksonville, FL.
On Tuesday, August 26th, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler announced that former third-round pick DeMarvin Leal has officially been released as well. After massive stagnation and injuries held him back, it seemed like now was the right time to let him go, so he can get a fresh start on a new team, as it was obvious he had no future in Pittsburgh.
#Steelers are releasing DL DeMarvin Leal, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 26, 2025
Shortly after that, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that offensive tackle Dylan Cook was released. The Steelers must be comfortable with Calvin Anderson despite his injury to make this move in the first place.
Steelers are releasing OL Dylan Cook.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 26, 2025
Eku Leota, who was also fighting for a spot as an outside linebacker with Leal, has been waived, according to Ian Rapoport. Leota had a great run during the preseason, but the position group was just way too stacked for him. The Steelers will likely hope that he makes it to the practice squad, but he could easily get claimed off waivers by a team that is low on depth at that position.
The #Steelers are releasing OLB Eku Leota, who spent last year on their practice squad.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 26, 2025
Robert Woods was originally seen as the old-timer veteran to help mentor the inexperienced receiver room. However, he was easily leapfrogged on the depth chart by Roman Wilson and Scotty Miller. With the fact that the Steelers are likely keeping four tight ends on the roster, there was not room for a sixth wideout, so Woods is back on the open market, according to Rapoport.
The Steelers released their finals cuts shortly after the deadline at 4 PM Eastern Time.
Defensive Tackle Domenique Davis
Cornerbacks Beanie Bishop Jr., James Pierre
Safeties Sebastian Castro, Chuck Clark
Guard Max Scharping
Running Back Trey Sermon
Wide Receiver Ke'Shawn Williams, Brandon Johnson
Clark and Bishop were both surprising cuts. Cornerback Cory Trice Jr. was placed on Injured reserve to help cut down the roster as well. Those are the final cuts of the period for the Steelers, and their 53-man roster is set.
What do you think about the Steelers' roster cuts thus far, as well as the initial 53-man roster shaping up? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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