The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2026 season with plenty of unknowns. Mike McCarthy is now their head coach, which brings a very different dynamic in terms of leadership style and offensive identity. McCarthy is known for a more offensive-minded philosophy, something the Steelers have not consistently had for several decades.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy looks out toward the media during his opening press conference on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, which was held at Acrisure Stadium.
The roster also improved significantly during the 2026 offseason, particularly in the wide receiver room. That makes things a bit complex for the remaining roster spots. During the 2025 season, one player who quickly earned the trust of quarterback Aaron Rodgers in surprising fashion was veteran special teamer and wide receiver Ben Skowronek.
He was even selected to his first Pro Bowl for what he brought as a gunner on special teams. Skowronek recorded just four receptions on six targets for 69 receiving yards and one touchdown, but those numbers were often meaningful and came in key moments, showing just how much Rodgers trusted him.
Skowronek’s real impact comes on special teams, which is something the Steelers would prefer not to lose in 2026 under new special teams coach Danny Crossman. However, according to Steelers insider Chris Carter via his Steelers chat for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Friday, Carter believes that Skowronek could be a potential cut candidate.
"Eli Heidenreich could be a replacement for Ben Skowronek, maybe," Carter said. "But Skowronek was very helpful on special teams and developed a rapport with Aaron Rodgers."
The Steelers’ wide receiver room obviously got better when they traded for veteran wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and then moved up in the 2026 NFL Draft in the second round to select rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard. Those two additions should help significantly in the passing attack in 2026 and complement wide receiver DK Metcalf very well.
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Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (15) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
In the seventh round, Pittsburgh also took a chance on an athletic freak and underrated playmaker in Eli Heidenreich. Carter believes he could potentially force Skowronek off the roster, although that is not guaranteed.
"So, that might not be easy to replace," Carter said. "I think Heidenreich's real competition is Kaden Wetjen."
The main factor working in Skowronek’s favor is that 2026 is expected to be Rodgers’ final season in the NFL. The Steelers did not go through this drawn-out offseason process with Rodgers just to upset him, and it is unlikely he would be comfortable with Skowronek not making the roster.
That alone speaks to how impactful Skowronek has been on special teams, as well as what he provides in the passing game when he is on the field, even if those contributions often go unnoticed.
Steelers' Rodgers Will Likely Help Keep Skowronek On This Roster
Rodgers notices those details, and he would likely not be comfortable with Skowronek being left off the final 53-man roster. Either way, it is interesting to hear Carter float that idea. For now, it appears Skowronek is relatively safe, with Heidenreich more likely competing with 2026 fourth-round rookie Kaden Wetjen for a roster spot.
Charles Leclaire / Imagn Images
Ben Skowronek celebrates after making a big play for the Steelers.
Still, Carter mentioning Skowronek in this conversation is notable, and it will certainly spark discussion among Steeler Nation. One additional angle to consider is that roster decisions in Pittsburgh this year may lean more heavily toward long-term evaluation than short-term loyalty, even with Rodgers in the building.
The Steelers have invested in multiple young receivers, and that naturally creates pressure to prioritize upside and cost control over veteran depth pieces who primarily contribute on special teams. In that sense, Skowronek’s value is real but also situational, and he could become a victim of numbers rather than performance.
If Pittsburgh decides it needs more offensive ceiling from the bottom of the roster, the final cuts could reflect that shift more than any single player’s connection to Rodgers or reputation within the locker room.
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