The Pittsburgh Steelers have reached the first quarter of the 2026 season with a 2-2 record, and the early results have left more questions than answers.
One week, Pittsburgh looks capable of putting together a competitive season. The next, those expectations take another hit. That inconsistency has made the Steelers’ roster a subject of increasing scrutiny, particularly as several players have struggled to establish themselves.
With the team still searching for stability under Mike McCarthy, changes to the depth chart could become more frequent. Some players currently holding important roles may not have the same security later in the season, while others could find themselves competing for roster spots once injured teammates return.
Here are six Steelers whose situations deserve close attention.
Asante Samuel Jr.
Asante Samuel Jr. currently has some protection at the top of the cornerback depth chart, but that could change quickly.
The Steelers are waiting for Daylen Everette to become more comfortable and for Jamel Dean to work his way back from injury. Once the secondary becomes healthier, Pittsburgh will have more options to consider.
Samuel has produced some encouraging moments, but his recent play has also exposed weaknesses. If those struggles continue, the Steelers could eventually reconsider how much they want to rely on him.
His starting position may be safe for now, but that doesn’t necessarily mean his long-term role is guaranteed.
Spencer Anderson
Spencer Anderson’s position with the Steelers has become increasingly difficult to project.
He already moved down the depth chart earlier this season, and his current value is largely tied to Pittsburgh’s lack of healthy depth at guard. With Gennings Dunker sidelined for an extended period, Anderson remains useful as a backup.
That could change once Dunker is available again.
Anderson may survive the current season because of the team’s depth situation, but his long-term outlook in Pittsburgh is far less certain. Unless he can make a stronger impression when opportunities arise, the Steelers could look elsewhere after 2026.
Rayshawn Jenkins
Rayshawn Jenkins was expected to provide dependable depth while DeShon Elliott recovered from his injury.
Instead, the situation has become much less comfortable for the veteran safety.
Jenkins has struggled to lock down his role, and rookie seventh-round pick Robert Spears-Jennings is reportedly pushing for more opportunities. If the rookie continues to develop, Jenkins could see his playing time decrease.
The bigger problem is what happens when Elliott returns.
Elliott is expected to reclaim a prominent role in the secondary, potentially leaving Jenkins fighting for a smaller role. If Pittsburgh decides it needs the roster spot elsewhere, Jenkins could become a candidate for a midseason move.
Rico Dowdle
Rico Dowdle’s situation is complicated by injury, but his absence has also highlighted something Pittsburgh may have to consider.
When Jaylen Warren receives a larger workload, the Steelers’ offense has looked noticeably different. Warren’s production and involvement could make it increasingly difficult for Dowdle to reclaim a major role once he returns.
That doesn’t mean Dowdle suddenly becomes an expendable player. He has proven himself in the NFL and could still change the conversation once healthy.
But if the offense continues to function better with Warren handling a larger share of the work, Pittsburgh will have to decide how much value it sees in keeping Dowdle beyond this season.
Patrick Queen
Patrick Queen may still be a regular starter, but his long-term future in Pittsburgh is becoming harder to justify.
The issue isn’t simply his position on the current depth chart. It’s the financial commitment that could come with keeping him beyond 2026.
Queen would likely require a significant contract extension, and the Steelers haven’t consistently received the level of linebacker play they would want for that type of investment. If the production doesn’t improve, Pittsburgh could decide that the money would be better spent strengthening another part of the roster.
For now, Queen remains an important piece of the defense. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the Steelers view him as a long-term building block.
Michael Pittman Jr.
Michael Pittman Jr. might have the most to prove of anyone on this list.
Pittsburgh made a significant investment when it acquired the veteran receiver and subsequently gave him a substantial contract extension. The expectation was that Pittman would become an important part of the offense.
So far, that investment hasn’t produced the results the Steelers wanted.
Pittman has struggled to consistently look like the player Pittsburgh believed it was acquiring, making his situation one of the more surprising developments of the season.
The good news for Pittman is that there is still plenty of football remaining. A strong stretch over the next several weeks could completely change the conversation.
If his struggles continue, however, the Steelers could eventually face an uncomfortable decision involving one of the more expensive pieces of their roster.
Pittsburgh Has Plenty to Figure Out
At 2-2, the Steelers aren’t anywhere close to being out of the playoff race. But their uneven start has exposed enough problems that difficult roster decisions could be coming.
Several players currently have an opportunity to change the narrative. Others may need to do so quickly, especially with injured teammates expected to return and younger players pushing for opportunities.
The next few weeks could therefore tell Pittsburgh much more than simply whether this team is a contender.
They could also determine which players are still part of the Steelers’ plans when the roster looks very different in 2027.
