3 Steelers struggling early during 2026 NFL training camp

Training camp battles are heating up in Pittsburgh, and while the Steelers’ core roster is largely set, several key spots remain up for grabs heading into preseason action. A trio of players in particular find themselves fighting for their NFL futures this August. Here’s a look at three Steelers on the roster bubble who must deliver strong preseason performances to stick around.

Will Howard needs reps and results

Howard’s situation is arguably the most precarious of the three. Pittsburgh remains a veteran-driven team, and that philosophy extends to the quarterback room, where keeping Mason Rudolph as the primary backup behind the starter makes plenty of sense given his experience and familiarity with the offense. That reality leaves little breathing room for Howard, who hasn’t taken a single preseason snap in his career.

The math isn’t in his favor either. While there’s a scenario where Pittsburgh carries four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, the more likely outcome is that the team keeps only three, meaning Howard needs to separate himself in a hurry. Every preseason drop back matters for him now, whether it’s showing off arm talent, decision-making under pressure, or the kind of poise that convinces coaches he’s worth a roster spot over a strict numbers game.

The best-case scenario for Pittsburgh would be seeing both Howard and fellow young quarterback Drew Allar prove they can develop into legitimate options down the road, reducing the team’s reliance on Rudolph as insurance. For Howard specifically, that process needs to start now, in live preseason snaps that finally give evaluators real information instead of practice-field projections.

Eli Heidenreich must prove his versatility

Heidenreich has generated buzz throughout OTAs and minicamp, but early hype only goes so far once roster cuts approach. He remains squarely on the bubble, and the running back room in front of him is stocked with proven, capable options that won’t simply hand him a spot based on offseason flashes.

To change that equation, Heidenreich needs to show he’s more than just a traditional runner. His path to making the 53-man roster likely runs through special teams value and receiving work out of the backfield, in addition to standing out as a returner. Versatility is the name of the game for bubble players at a crowded position, and Heidenreich fits the profile of someone who needs to check multiple boxes rather than just one.

If he can consistently show he’s a threat catching passes, a reliable option in the return game, and dependable enough as a runner to eat up carries when called upon, he gives Pittsburgh a reason to find him a role. Anything short of that, and a deep backfield could push him off the roster entirely.

Darnell Savage faces stiffer competition than expected

Savage’s free-agent signing came after weeks of speculation, and while it might seem like a veteran addition to the secondary should be a lock for the roster, that’s not necessarily the case in Pittsburgh. The Steelers boast a talented safety group, and several younger players are pushing hard for playing time, creating legitimate competition for a spot many assumed Savage would claim easily.

Pittsburgh may ultimately lean on Savage’s experience if things stay status quo, but that’s far from guaranteed. If the coaching staff doesn’t feel fully confident in his fit or performance, the front office could always look externally for an upgrade before final cuts. That makes this preseason critical for Savage, who needs to remind everyone why he was worth signing in the first place.

Strong tackling, sound coverage instincts, and leadership in the secondary during preseason snaps will go a long way toward solidifying his spot. Anything less, and Pittsburgh might decide a younger, cheaper option makes more sense moving forward.

For all three players, August performances carry outsized weight. Roster spots in Pittsburgh won’t be handed out based on reputation or draft status alone this summer.

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