Sorry, but this fresh breeze of optimism and hope has me wondering roster position numbers and favorability from our new Head Football Coach. So, I had AI crunch some numbers based on Big Mike's stints with the Packers and Cowboys and here is what it come up with. I disagree on the Johnson over Homer at RB, Homer has more ST upside. Otherwise, It's pretty spot on. I believe Mike put Mason at 2 is to get him some looks for a possible trade, at least that is my wish.
McCarthy’s historical 53-man tendencies (2015–2024)
| Position group | Typical 53-man count | Notes |
|---|
| Quarterbacks | 3 | Almost always 3; never more than 3 in Week 1. |
| Running backs | 4 | Usually 4; 5 only if a clear FB/ST specialist. |
| Fullbacks | 1 (often counted with TE or RB) | McCarthy loves a FB; Nowakowski fits. |
| Wide receivers | 5–6 | McCarthy has varied between 5 and 6; 6 if one WR is a clear ST ace. |
| Tight ends | 3 | Often 2 pure TEs + 1 FB/TE hybrid. |
| Offensive linemen | 9 | Usually 9 OL total (5 starters + 4 backups). |
| Defensive linemen (interior + EDGE) | 8–9 | Often 4 EDGE + 4–5 interior DL. |
| Linebackers (ILB/OLB) | 7–8 | In 3–4, includes OLBs as “edge”; in 4–3, more ILBs. |
| Cornerbacks | 5–6 | Usually 6 if young depth; 5 if veterans dominate. |
| Safeties | 4–5 | Typically 4, sometimes 5 with a hybrid LB/S. |
| Special teams (K, P, LS) | 3 | Always 3. |
Corrected 2026 Steelers 53-man roster (McCarthy-influenced)
Offense (26)
- Quarterbacks (3): Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, Drew Allar
Cuts (1): Mason Rudolph
McCarthy almost always keeps 3 QBs; Howard’s upside and Allar’s draft pedigree edge out Rudolph.
- Running backs (4): Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Kaleb Johnson, Eli Heidenreich
Cuts (2): Travis Homer, Lew Nichols
McCarthy’s norm is 4 RBs; Heidenreich’s versatility and Johnson’s draft status save them.
- Fullback (1): Riley Nowakowski
Cuts (0): None
McCarthy loves a FB; Nowakowski is the clear FB/TE hybrid.
- Wide receivers (6): DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Germie Bernard, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen
Cuts (6): AT Perry, Levi Wentz, Max Hurleman, Cole Burgess, Brandon Smith, Joaquin Davis
McCarthy has kept 5–6 WRs; Wetjen/Skowronek as ST contributors, the rest are camp bodies/futures.
- Tight ends (3): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Robert Tonyan
Cuts (3): J.J. Galbreath, Lake McRee, Jaheim Bell
Nowakowski counts as FB; Tonyan’s Rodgers connection and veteran status save him.
- Offensive line (9): Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, Max Iheanachor, Dylan Cook, Gennings Dunker, Brock Hoffman, Ryan McCollum
Cuts (6): Gregory Crippen, Jack Driscoll, Lorenzo Thompson, Doug Nester, Broderick Jones (PUP), Steven Jones
McCarthy typically keeps 9 OL for depth; Jones likely starts season on PUP.
Defense (24)
- Defensive line (7): Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Yahya Black, Esezi Otomewo, Gabriel Rubio
Cuts (4): Kyler Baugh, Anthony Goodlow, Logan Lee, Dean Lowry
McCarthy usually keeps 4–5 interior DL; Lowry’s injury and Rubio’s draft status tip the scales.
- Outside linebackers (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
Cuts (2): Jamin Davis, Julius Welschof
Locked-in group; McCarthy values high-end edge talent.
- Inside linebackers (4): Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener
Cuts (2): Malik Harrison, Jacoby Windmon
McCarthy typically keeps 4 ILBs in a 3–4/4–3 hybrid; Harrison’s cap savings make him expendable.
- Cornerbacks (6): Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey, Asante Samuel Jr., Brandin Echols, Daylen Everette
Cuts (6): Doneiko Slaughter, Daryl Porter Jr., Ahmari Harvey, Donte Kent, Devan Boykin, (1 more TBD)
McCarthy has kept 6 CBs when young depth exists; Everette fits, the rest are camp bodies.
- Safeties (4): Jaquan Brisker, DeShon Elliott, Darnell Savage, Robert Spears-Jennings
Cuts (2): Sebastian Castro, Jack Henderson
McCarthy’s norm is 4 safeties; Spears-Jennings’ speed and draft status edge out Castro/Henderson.
Special teams (3)
- Kicker: Chris Boswell
- Punter: Cameron Johnston
- Long snapper: Christian Kuntz
Cuts (1): Laith Marjan
Total: 53
