Pittsburgh Steelers make final cuts, finalize 53-man roster

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made their final cuts and announced their initial 53-man roster for the 2024 NFL season. The team waived several players and placed defensive back Ryan Watts and linebacker Julius Welschof on injured reserve. The Steelers also placed linebacker Cole Holcomb on the PUP list.

One of the biggest roster stories for the Steelers is the quarterback battle between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. After the Steeles’ final preseason game, head coach Mike Tomlin gave an update on when he’ll decide on who will be the starting QB. Here’s a look at the Steelers’ initial 53-man roster.

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Quarterback: Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen

Running back: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson

Offensive linemen: Zach Frazier, Ryan McCollum, Mason McCormick, Isaac Seumalo, Spencer Anderson, James Daniels, Dan Moore Jr., Troy Fautanu, Broderick Jones

Tight end: Pat Freiermuth, MyCole Pruitt, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward

Wide receiver: Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson, Scotty Miller, George Pickens, Roman Wilson

Defensive linemen: DeMarvin Leal, Keeanu Benton, Montravius Adams, Cam Heyward, Logan Lee, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Dean Lowry, Larry Ogunjobi

Linebackers: Nick Herbig, Alex Highsmith, Tyler Matakevich, Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Mark Robinson, T.J. Watt, Payton Wilson

Cornerbacks: Beanie Bishop, Donte Jackson, Joey Porter Jr., Darius Rush, Cory Trice Jr.

Safeties: DeShon Elliott, Jalen Elliott, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew

Specialists: Chris Boswell, Christian Kuntz, Cameron Johnston

“We’ll make a decision at the end of our work week,” Tomlin said, per ESPN. “This upcoming week we have three days of Steelers vs. Steelers work and why not do it then?

“It minimizes the Steelers versus Steelers work when we started making decisions prior to the completion of that. We’ve got ample time to prepare for Atlanta and make whatever decisions or announcements regarding divisional labor or pecking orders and so forth and so we’ll do it at the end of the work week.”

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Mike Tomlin opens up about Pittsburgh Steelers roster cuts

Before the Steelers’ final preseason game, Tomlin also talked about how roster cuts aren’t as dramatic as some would make it out to be. “I think it’s cut and dry if you’ve got a good process,” he said, per Steelers.com. “And by that I mean if you have a fair process and guys are given an opportunity to carve out a role or state the case for themselves, I think by the time you get to that point in the journey, decisions are pretty obvious, and anybody who’s within the collective usually is not surprised by those decisions. Maybe there’s one, maximum of two, decisions that require some discussion or maybe are less clear. But if you get a good process, people carve out roles for themselves.”

With the roster (mostly) set for the 2024 season, the Steelers can focus all their attention on the season opener which is on Sept. 8 against the Atlanta Falcons. And with the Steelers having two weeks to prepare for the opener, Tomlin revealed the team’s plans during that time.

“Next week, we’ll have a long weekend, and then we’ll start the process for Atlanta,” Tomlin revealed. “And so really, the bye week or the fourth game, the structure of the week in and around the calendar is exactly the same for us other than the fact the game’s not going to be played.”