Veteran Now A Long Shot To Make Steelers Roster After Depth Chart Drops

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a fascinating spot heading into the 2026 season with Mike McCarthy leading the team. On the defensive side of the football, Patrick Graham arrives as a coordinator who has generated plenty of excitement. He also inherits a talented and deep roster that has been heavily backed by Pittsburgh’s spending over the last several years.

That talent has not always translated into results. The Steelers have consistently possessed recognizable defensive stars, including TJ Watt, Cam Heyward and Patrick Queen, but the unit has failed to fully live up to expectations in too many critical moments. With Graham now in town, the hope is that the entire defense can finally begin playing up to its potential.

Not every player will benefit from the increased competition, though. One veteran who suddenly finds himself in a dangerous position is linebacker Malik Harrison. The former Baltimore Ravens defender joined the Steelers during the 2025 offseason, but Pittsburgh’s first official depth chart of training camp could be an indication that his roster spot is far from secure.

Harrison was listed as the third-string right inside linebacker behind Payton Wilson and Cole Holcomb. On the other side, the Steelers listed Queen as the starter and Carson Bruener as the second-string option. Initial depth charts are never final, especially this early in training camp, but Harrison’s placement should still draw attention.

The Steelers clearly value Wilson as one of the centerpieces of their linebacker room. He led the team with 126 tackles in 2025 and has become one of Pittsburgh’s most promising young defenders. Holcomb has also worked his way back into the conversation after overcoming a major injury, while Bruener’s special teams ability makes him difficult to overlook.

Harrison brings experience and physicality to the roster. He has played in 87 NFL games and started 43 times throughout his career, giving Pittsburgh a dependable veteran option if injuries strike. He also has a strong special teams acumen from his time in Baltimore.

However, experience does not automatically guarantee a spot when a team is this deep at inside linebacker. Harrison must prove he can offer more value than younger and cheaper alternatives, especially if he is buried behind Wilson and Holcomb on the right side of the depth chart.

Steelers Can Save Money By Moving On From Veteran

The financial side makes the situation even more interesting. Harrison is carrying a cap hit of roughly $6.7 million in 2026, while releasing him would reportedly save Pittsburgh more than $4.7 million in cap space. That is meaningful money for a player currently listed as a third-string option.

The Steelers cannot make every roster decision purely based on finances. Harrison could still carve out a bigger role during preseason games, and his versatility could become important if injuries impact the linebacker room. Graham may also view him differently once the defense begins showing more of its scheme.

Still, this is a difficult situation for the veteran. Wilson, Queen and Holcomb appear to have clear paths to meaningful defensive roles. Bruener has already built a reputation as a valuable special teams contributor. If Harrison cannot separate himself over the next few weeks, Pittsburgh may decide that the cap savings and younger depth are more valuable than keeping another experienced linebacker.

The first depth chart does not mean Harrison has already lost his job. It does, however, make it clear that he has work to do. The Steelers have created real competition at inside linebacker, and Harrison could become one of the biggest names to watch when final roster cuts arrive.

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