The Pittsburgh Steelers are never shy about making bold roster moves, and their latest decision to release a draft pick has sent shockwaves through the NFL community. Whether it’s a surprise roster cut following training camp battles or a calculated move to reshape the depth chart, Pittsburgh’s front office under GM Omar Khan plays chess while others play checkers. The Steelers have a long history of developing young talent — but they’re equally ruthless when a player doesn’t fit the vision. This article breaks down everything you need to know about the Steelers’ release of a draft pick, what it means for the team’s roster, and how it affects their NFL Draft strategy as we move forward.
Why the Steelers Release Draft Pick Talk Is Heating Up
The conversation around a potential Steelers draft pick release centers heavily on third-round running back Kaleb Johnson. Johnson is widely regarded as the weakest link in Pittsburgh’s 2025 draft class. Steelers Depot He’s the highest-drafted player to offer the least. Johnson only played 10 games as a rookie, logging just 28 carries for 69 rushing yards — stuck behind both Jaylen Warren and Kenny Gainwell on the depth chart. CBS News That’s a painful return for a Day 2 pick.
It didn’t start well, either. In just the second game of the 2025 season, Johnson set back to field a kickoff and let it bounce — the Seahawks recovered the live ball and scored a touchdown. The Steelers immediately ended his return duties and he barely featured for the rest of the year. Steelers Depot In a league where roster efficiency matters enormously, that kind of early mistake lingers.
Steelers Draft Class 2025: Who Stayed, Who Struggled, Who Shone
Before we get to who Pittsburgh might cut, you need the full picture of what the 2025 Steelers draft class looked like.
Pick |
Player |
Position |
College |
Rookie Contribution |
| Round 1, #21 | Derrick Harmon | DT | Oregon | 3 sacks, 12 starts |
| Round 3, #83 | Kaleb Johnson | RB | Iowa | 28 carries, 69 yards |
| Round 4, #123 | Jack Sawyer | OLB | Ohio State | 34 tackles, 1 sack |
| Round 5, #164 | Yahya Black | DT | Iowa | 28 tackles, 2 forced fumbles |
| Round 6, #185 | Will Howard | QB | Ohio State | Did not play (injury) |
| Round 7, #226 | Carson Bruener | LB | Washington | 19 tackles (special teams) |
| Round 7, #229 | Donte Kent | CB | Central Michigan | Did not play (injury) |
First-round DL Derrick Harmon started 12 games and registered three sacks despite dealing with injuries — showing both splash plays and technical ability. Steelers Depot That’s a genuine win. Jack Sawyer played in every game and notched 34 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack CBS News — solid for a fourth-rounder. Meanwhile, Yahya Black also appeared in every game, recording 28 tackles and two forced fumbles. CBS News
The Will Howard Wild Card: A Draft Pick Pittsburgh Hasn’t Given Up On
Here’s the plot twist nobody expected. The most-discussed pick in Pittsburgh’s entire 2025 class came in the sixth round — Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, whom some already believe could be their future starter. Steelers Depot He didn’t play as a rookie due to injury. Still, the buzz around Howard hasn’t faded. New Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy has become one of Howard’s biggest cheerleaders, saying Howard wouldn’t have lasted until the sixth round if McCarthy had been running a team during the previous year’s draft. Steelers Depot That’s loud praise for a guy yet to throw a regular-season pass.
What a Steelers Draft Pick Release Means for the 2026 Roster
Releasing a drafted Steelers player isn’t just a football decision — it’s a financial and strategic signal. As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, Kaleb Johnson remains listed on Pittsburgh’s roster alongside Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle at running back Still Curtain — but his spot is far from guaranteed. The new coaching staff under Mike McCarthy doesn’t appear eager to lean on him. Beat writers have stopped predicting he’ll be cut outright, but he absolutely needs to prove himself or Pittsburgh will draft another running back soon. Steelers Depot
Think of it like a job probation period — except 70,000 fans are watching and every fumble makes the highlight reel.
The Bottom Line on Steelers Releasing Draft Picks
The Pittsburgh Steelers releasing a draft pick isn’t unprecedented — it’s just painful when it happens to someone taken in the top three rounds. With the 2026 draft now underway in Pittsburgh’s own backyard, Omar Khan and the front office enter the event with 12 picks and the flexibility to prioritize value over need at various stages — which means competition for roster spots is only getting fiercer. Johnson, Howard, Kent, and others from the 2025 class still have everything to play for. But in the NFL, you earn your roster spot every single day. No draft position saves you if the production isn’t there. Visit Urbangrowthgrow for more details.