Cutdown day ahead of the 2025 season didn’t just trim the Steelers roster—it delivered several surprises that reshaped the team and revealed early clues about their overall direction
As the number bet for Pittsburgh hovered around eight wins entering the season, every roster decision carried added weight, subtly shaping expectations for the year ahead.
One of the biggest takeaways came at punter, where Cameron Johnston—an established free agent addition—lost out to Corliss Waitman. Despite both players performing well in camp, Waitman’s consistency in 2024 and lower cap hit ultimately won out, signaling that reliability and roster value outweighed pedigree.
Former third-round pick DeMarvin Leal was another notable departure. After three seasons of inconsistent usage between the defensive line and outside linebacker roles, along with injuries slowing his development, the Steelers moved on. Veteran wide receiver Robert Woods also failed to secure a role, as younger options like Roman Wilson and Brandon Johnson passed him on the depth chart.
In the secondary, the numbers crunch hit hard. Chuck Clark—still working back from injury—was released despite logging meaningful preseason reps, leaving Pittsburgh thin at safety on paper. Meanwhile, a fan favorite, Beanie Bishop was squeezed out due to increased competition, particularly following the addition of Jalen Ramsey and strong camps from more versatile defensive backs like Brandin Echols.
But as surprising as the cuts were, the follow-up moves told just as important of a story.
The Steelers quickly brought back several familiar names to the practice squad, including Bishop, Woods, and Leal, reinforcing that their departures weren’t necessarily permanent. Clark too, would re-sign with the team shortly. From there, the group filled out with a mix of intriguing young talent and experienced depth.
On defense, Sebastian Castro, D’Shawn Jamison, and James Pierre provided versatility and insurance in the secondary, while Kyler Baugh and Julius Welschof added developmental upside in the front seven. Offensively, Lew Nichols turned heads with a strong preseason and looked like a potential call-up candidate if short-yardage issues arose, while Trey Sermon brought veteran depth to the backfield.
The offensive line group featured project players like Dylan Cook and versatile options such as Steven Jones, while tight end JJ Galbreath offered depth for Arthur Smith’s system. Perhaps the most intriguing name was Max Hurleman, a true Swiss Army knife who saw time at multiple positions and embodied the type of versatility the Steelers covet. Ke’Shawn Williams also stuck as a return specialist option, an area still very much in flux.
And then there was Woods—returning as a veteran presence with over 8,000 career receiving yards—providing leadership and insurance for a relatively unproven wide receiver room.
In the end, cutdown day wasn’t just about who made the initial 53—it was about how the Steelers constructed the next tier of their roster. The decisions reflected a clear emphasis on flexibility, special teams value, and developmental upside, setting the tone for how Pittsburgh would manage and evolve its roster throughout the 2025 season. Unfortunately, we can see how the moves in August don’t always translate to long-term plans by December.
Stay tuned as we revisit another key moment from last season in next week’s Recall.