Steelers Announce First Wave of Roster Cuts, 11 Players Released Ahead of 53-Man Deadline

The Pittsburgh Steelers have begun trimming their roster as they move closer to the mandatory 53-man limit by Tuesday, August 26 at 4 p.m. In their first wave of cuts, the team officially released 11 players across offense, defense, and special teams.

On the defensive side, the moves included linebacker Kenny Willekes along with defensive backs Kam Alexander, Quindell Johnson, Kyler McMichael, and Mikey Victor.

The offense also saw significant changes, with offensive linemen Doug Nester and Julian Pearl, quarterback Logan Woodside, running back Evan Hull, and tight end Kevin Foelsch all being let go.

Special teams were not exempt either, as long snapper Jake McQuaide was also released.

These cuts mark only the first step in what will be a tense few days across the league as franchises make tough choices to finalize their rosters. For Pittsburgh, this initial wave signals the start of difficult decisions that balance veteran depth with emerging talent.

With preseason evaluations winding down, fans will now be closely watching to see which players secure the final roster spots and how these moves shape the Steelers’ outlook heading into Week 1.