The first preseason game is in the books, and the Steelers are one step closer to the regular season.
Plenty of roster battles rage on, including at the quarterback position following solid performances from all three contenders Saturday night.
Let's dive in to who will make the 53-man roster.
OFFENSE
QB (3) - Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Kenny Pickett
This is a no brainer, with the caveat being a potential trade of Rudolph at some point. If that happens, Chris Oladokun (who should stay via the practice squad regardless) could somehow hang on to the roster despite getting zero team reps in camp.
RB (3) - Najee Harris, Anthony McFarland, Jaylen Warren
Here's a surprise prediction. The Steelers cut 'Benny Snell Football.' He's been dealing with a knee injury and missed the preseason game, and two backs behind him are stepping up nicely in McFarland and Warren. Snell is a strong special teams player, but Warren proved capable of that against Seattle Saturday night. As long as Warren proves that his fumble in the game was a fluke, he could be a very active part of the offense, and Snell could be hitting free agency.
FB (1) - Derek Watt
He's been dealing with a shoulder issue during camp, but is the only true fullback on the roster.
WR (6) - Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Chase Claypool, Calvin Austin III, Miles Boykin, Gunner Olszewski
Austin III had a surprise foot injury that kept him out of the preseason opener, but unless it's serious, he'll make the squad. Anthony Miller was having a decent camp, but sustained a shoulder injury last week. The battle is between he and Boykin, who made a pair of special teams tackles and has shown a solid ability to make contested catches in camp. Olszewski stepped up in the passing game Saturday, grabbing three balls, including a touchdown. He's going to be the team's primary punt returner. Steven Sims and Tyler Vaughns were impressive against Seattle, and could be practice squad guys.
TE (3) - Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Connor Heyward
Heyward is still hard to figure out. He's very undersized and just doesn't look like an NFL tight end, and there are legitimate concerns about his ability to block NFL defenders. But he has freakish athleticism, is frequently finding ways to get open and has developed a nice connection with Pickett, who made sure to have Heyward on the field for the successful two-point conversion Saturday. Pine-Richland native Kevin Rader likely ends up back on the practice squad.
OL (9) - Dan Moore Jr., Kendrick Green, Mason Cole, James Daniels, Chukwuma Okorafor, Kevin Dotson, John Leglue, Joe Haeg, JC Hassenauer
The first five listed should be the starting group, unless Dotson comes back with a vengeance from his ankle injury to unseat Green. Haeg's not great, but he's the best they have for a backup tackle right now. Leglue is probably the one player in this group most likely to not make it. He hasn't been bad, but the team may elect to carry only eight linemen.
DEFENSE
DE (7) - Cam Heyward, Tyson Alualu, Larry Ogunjobi, Chris Wormley, Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal, Mantravius Adams
Adams has been dealing with an ankle injury and hasn't been seen on the practice field of late. So that's something to keep an eye on, as the Steelers may have to get creative on the inside if he misses extended time. The rest of the group is pretty much set, barring an injury.
LB (9) - TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Devin Bush, Myles Jack, Robert Spillane, Mark Robinson, Marcus Allen, Gernard Avery, Derrek Tuszka
Robinson's big forced fumble to help beat the Seahawks propelled him forward, and covered up his miscue earlier in the game when he was beat by a running back for a touchdown. Delontae Scott has a chance to make it over Avery, but Scott was underwhelming against Seattle. Allen has a hamstring issue that's kept him out a while, opening the door for Buddy Johnson to get more reps on the inside. Johnson led the Steelers in tackles Saturday, but the Steelers seem to love Allen, for some reason, so he'll likely make it if he can get healthy.
CB (5) - Levi Wallace, Cam Sutton, Ahkello Witherspoon, Arthur Maulet, James Pierre
Maulet had a couple of nice pass breakups Saturday, but did get beat down the middle of the field for a big gain. Justin Layne's time with the Steelers likely comes to an end, unless there's an injury. Pierre, a camp darling last year, is able to hang on ahead of Layne.
S (4) - Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Damontae Kazee, Tre Norwood
Miles Killebrew could be a fifth safety added here due to his solid work on special teams. Norwood shined against the Seahawks and is a nice, versatile option for the defense. Karl Joseph, who got some first team camp reps in the slot last week, might have made it, but was carted off the field Saturday night with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury.
K (1) - Chris Boswell
Apologies to Nick Sciba, but he has no shot.
P (1) - Pressley Harvin III
Not sure why, but Harvin III didn't punt at all against Seattle. Maybe that's by design to let Cameron Nizialek put something on film for other teams. Seems like there's little chance that Harvin III doesn't make it.
LS (1) - Christian Kuntz
The Chartiers Valley grad keeps his job without competition.
