Early 53 man roster projections for the Steelers after the 2023 NFL Draft
By John Miceli
The Pittsburgh Steelers will look thoroughly different this year than last.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have experienced plenty of offseason movement, including a host of incoming free agents and seven selections in the 2023 NFL draft. As we move through the offseason, the Steelers will trim down their current roster to get to an end state of 53 players to start the season.
Pittsburgh narrowly missed an opportunity at the playoffs last year after finishing 9-8 in improbable fashion given the team’s early-season struggles. Pittsburgh entered their Week 9 bye week with a 2-6 record. The improvement was partially explained by the emergence of the team’s 2022 first-round draft pick, quarterback Kenny Pickett. Pickett showed flashes of greatness last season and began to cement his role as the Steelers’ franchise quarterback moving forward.
This offseason, the Steelers placed a high emphasis on putting pieces around Pickett to aid his continued development. Namely, the Steelers put resources into building out their offensive line. The team signed multiple offensive linemen this offseason and traded up in the draft to select OT Broderick Jones with the 14th pick.
There remain questions as to what the team’s offensive line will look like this year. Decisions like that will be made in training camp. This article will explore those roster decisions in detail.
Steelers 53-man roster quarterback (2): Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky
In theory, the Steelers could add another quarterback via free agency, but I think the team is content to move forward primarily with Pickett and Trubisky. Pittsburgh also added Tanner Morgan as an undrafted free agent and recently re-signed Mason Rudolph, but I think if either make the team, it is likely to be with the practice squad.
Pickett is the Steelers’ will lead this group as the unquestioned number one for his sophomore year and Trubisky will serve as a capable backup in case of injury. Beyond that, any need for an additional quarterback that could arise during the season should be addressed through either free agency or the elevation of a practice squad player.