Continuing our series deconstructing the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2026 offseason roster, we’re climbing the ladder to those on the outside looking in. A reminder of how I arrive at the below percentages.
– The numbers reflect the chances of making the Week One roster for the Atlanta Falcons game. It does not include the odds of landing on the practice squad, which are higher for many players.
– It doesn’t account for injuries or trades, which are difficult to impossible to predict. It accounts for player skill, depth chart, salary and the odds of the team adding an outside name.
– Those with identical odds will be listed alphabetically.
Part One – The Long ShotsÂ
PLAYERS OUTSIDE-LOOKING-IN (11%-40% CHANCE OF MAKING ROSTER)
RB Travis Homer: 40%
QB Mason Rudolph: 33%
S Darnell Savage: 33%
OT Jack Driscoll: 25%
DL Kevin Jobity Jr.: 25%
DL Dean Lowry: 20%
C Ryan McCollum: 20%
TE Jaheim Bell: 15%
Homer’s path is purely on special teams, but it’s a viable one given Kaleb Johnson’s lack of experience and value there. Still, he’s competing with last year’s third-round pick and intriguing rookie Eli Heidenreich. That keeps him under 50 percent.
Rudolph is a difficult player to assess. Will Howard will be given every chance to win the backup job, but how he performs this summer is anyone’s guess. There remains the slim chance the team opts to carry all four quarterbacks, too. Still, Rudolph feels at the mercy of others and has been considered odd man out since Pittsburgh drafted Drew Allar.
Savage will battle Robert Spears-Jennings and Sebastian Castro this summer. Savage has experience but doesn’t have the special teams background the others bring. That will hurt him.
Driscoll’s chances are tied to Broderick Jones. If Jones lands on PUP, Driscoll has a chance. If not, Driscoll probably falls short. Even if Jones begins the year injured, the Steelers may opt to carry just eight offensive linemen.
Jobity is a notable undrafted free agent featuring a well-rounded game and hot motor. He’ll compete to be the sixth or seventh defensive lineman. Gabriel Rubio, Esezi Otomewo, Logan Lee and Lowry will do the same. Jobity lands with higher odds than Lowry or Lee but below Rubio and Otomewo.
McCollum spot-started at center in 2024 and was carried on the roster all last year. Pittsburgh signing Brock Hoffman hurts McCollum’s odds of sticking again.
Bell is in a messy battle for the No. 3 spot. He brings a little experience and H-Back value, but he lacks the in-line size ideal for the position and is doubtful to be kept over fifth round pick Riley Nowakowski.