The Pittsburgh Steelers released 13 players on August 28 and August 29, 2026, trimming their roster ahead of the NFL’s 53-man deadline. The moves include waived wide receiver Levi Wentz and linebacker Jamin Davis, alongside 11 players cut following the team’s preseason finale against Buffalo.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are actively reshaping their roster ahead of the league’s final cutdown deadline.
First Wave of Preseason Cuts Clears Out Eleven Players
The initial roster moves came immediately following the team’s 28-27 preseason loss to Buffalo. According to Steelers Depot, the franchise trimmed its roster from 91 players down to 80 by releasing 11 athletes on Friday, August 28.
- Tight End: Jaheim Bell
- Offensive Lineman: Greg Crippen
- Defensive Backs: Jaylon Guilbeau, Jack Henderson, Brandon Hill, Tamon Lynum, and Daryl Porter
- Wide Receivers: Jakobie Keeney-James, Cornell Powell, and Isaiah Winstead
- Running Back: Alex Tecza
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Many of these players saw extended action during the preseason finale at Buffalo. Steelers Depot noted that defensive backs Guilbeau, Henderson, Lynum, and Porter were part of a defensive unit that relinquished a double-digit, fourth-quarter lead against the Bills. Meanwhile, offensive lineman Greg Crippen carries a 2026 dead money charge of $666 and a 2027 dead money charge of $1,334 stemming from a $2,000 signing bonus.
Jamin Davis and Levi Wentz Waived Ahead of Deadline
The Steelers added two more transactions on Saturday, August 29, waiving linebacker Jamin Davis and wide receiver Levi Wentz, as Sports Illustrated detailed. Davis spent the summer competing in training camp and preseason games after signing following OTAs and minicamp.
Wentz spent the entire offseason with Pittsburgh, but the wide receiver room remained heavily contested. Sports Illustrated reported that DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, and Kaden Wetjen effectively locked down the team’s receiver spots from the start of camp, leaving minimal room for depth candidates to break through.
Darnell Savage Released as Safety Room Shifts
In a separate transaction announced on Sunday, August 30, the Steelers released veteran strong safety Darnell Savage, according to Steelers Now. Savage originally signed with the team in March, though an undisclosed lower-body injury delayed his formal arrival until just before OTAs. His release creates the necessary roster space for the team to sign Rayshawn Jenkins to a one-year deal agreed upon Saturday.
Steelers Now reported that Savage’s release triggers a $187,500 dead cap hit that the franchise can distribute across the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Selected 21st overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by Green Bay, Savage has appeared in 97 career games with 83 starts.
Contract Restructuring and Final Roster Outlook
To manage financial flexibility heading into the regular season, the Steelers restructured wide receiver DK Metcalf’s contract. According to WCCS Radio, Pittsburgh converted the majority of the $25 million salary due to Metcalf into a signing bonus, clearing $18 million off the salary cap.
Head coach Mike McCarthy noted the difficulty of informing players who miss the final roster cut. Sunday, the Steelers prepare to open their regular-season schedule by hosting the Atlanta Falcons on September 13.
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