Pittsburgh Steelers reveal full 53-player roster following cut down deadline

The Pittsburgh Steelers have finalized their 53-man roster for the 2022 NFL season, and there are plenty of new faces who earned a spot. The Steelers have 30 returning players who were on their initial 53-man roster from this time last season, with the majority of their overhaul coming on the offensive side of the ball.

Pittsburgh parted ways with long-time quarterback Ben Roethlisberger via retirement, opening the door for a quarterback competition between last year’s backup — Mason Rudolph — and incoming quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett. Pickett was selected by the Steelers with the 20th overall pick of this year’s draft, while Trubisky was brought in as a veteran option while Pickett grows into the job.

Additionally, Pittsburgh no longer will have receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ray-Ray McCloud and James Washington. In their place are five brand-new receivers, including rookie George Pickens. Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool are the only receivers returning who were on the roster for Week 1 of last season.

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Steelers finalize 2022 53-man roster

The Steelers finished 2021 with a 9-7-1 record, eventually losing in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. This season, multiple questions surround their offense without Roethlisberger and who will step in as the leader of the offense.

Quarterbacks – Mason Rudolph, Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky

Rudolph is the only player with experience in the Steelers’ system still in the quarterback room, but Trubisky and Pickett are poised to be potential starters this season. Although it’s unclear who is the actual starter as of yet, the Steelers have expressed that they are not in any hurry to reveal their decision outside of the organization until they need to.

Running backs – Najee Harris, Derek Watt (FB), Benny Snell Jr., Jaylen Warren

Snell made the cut last season as well and could be positioned as the second option at running back behind Harris. Derek Watt returns as well, and will likely continue to be an impact player on the offense in a more traditional fullback position. Jaylen Warren went undrafted this year but still fought his way onto the Pittsburgh roster, rounding out a solid running back room.

Wide receivers – Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, Miles Boykin, George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Steven Sims, Gunner Olszewski

Smith-Schuster, McCloud and Washington are all gone from the locker room, but in their place is a handful of promising players. Last season, the Steelers carried just five receivers into the start of the regular season — now bringing seven this season. One of the biggest additions has been the hype building around Pickens as a rookie, with flashes of his toughness and ability showing themselves throughout preseason.

Tight ends – Pat Freiermuth(R), Zach Gentry(R), Connor Heyward

Freiermuth and Gentry both return for this season, and will be joined by rookie Connor Heyward who they drafted in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. With experience behind him from last year, Freiermuth is likely to carry the majority of the load with Heyward making an impact when called upon.

Offensive line – Kevin Dotson, Chukwuma Okorafor, J.C. Hassenauer, Kendrick Green, Dan Moore Jr., Mason Cole, James Daniels, Jesse Davis

Five linemen return for the Steelers from last years’ Week 1 roster, with three new veteran faces joining them in center Mason Cole and guards James Daniels and Jesse Davis. Their veteran offensive line and talented tight ends will look to make Trubisky and Pickett’s jobs easier this season.

Defensive line – Cameron Heyward, Tyson Alualu, Chris Wormley, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Montravius Adams, Larry Ogunjobi, DeMarvin Leal

The Steelers defensive line will continue to feature star Cam Heyward, while adding some new talent from around the league. Adams and Ogunjobi both carry several years of NFL experience with them as they join the locker room, while rookie DeMarvin Leal carries some high expectations as Pittsburgh’s third-round draft pick this year.

Linebackers – T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Devin Bush, Robert Spillane, Derrek Tuszka, Myles Jack, Mark Robinson, Malik Reed

The largest addition of players on defense are in the linebackers and secondary units, with four new faces joining Watt and Highsmith. Myles Jack is expected to be a big impact player after coming in from the Jaguars — with Derreck Tuszka, Mark Robinson and Malik Reed all being the fresh faces alongside him on the roster.

Cornerbacks – Cameron Sutton, James Pierre, Ahkello Witherspoon, Levi Wallace, James Pierre

Sutton and Pierre are the returning faces at cornerback, while Levi Wallace is poised to compete for starting role as well. Witherspoon and Pierre round out the cornerbacks position, with five cornerbacks officially making the cut.

Safeties – Minkah Fitzpatrick(R), Terrell Edmunds(R), Tre Norwood(R), Miles Killebrew(wasLB), Damontae Kazee

The safety position saw probably the least overhaul of any unit on the Steelers, with Fitzpatrick, Edmunds, Norwood and Killebrew all having made the cut last year. Killebrew was officially listed as a linebacker last year at this time, but is now listed as a safety. Kazee is the lone new addition to the safeties room after spending last season with the Cowboys.

Special Teams – Chris Boswell, Christian Kuntz, Pressley Harvin III

All three special teamers make their return this season, after Harvin won the punter job last year. Kuntz will continue as long snapper after winning the job last year as well, while Boswell remains in charge of kicking as he has since 2015.