RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe Pittsburgh Steelers have finally released their first depth chart for the 2026 season, and there were plenty of surprises that caught fans off guard, myself included.
While this is an extremely early look at Pittsburgh's depth chart, and many of these positional listings could change before kickoff, there are definitely some winners and losers from the first official release — including a massive defensive lineman and a $100 million backup.
Winners
Yahya Black
Keeanu Benton's position change from nose tackle to defensive end doesn't automatically knock him down to the losers category, but it does leave Yahya Black as the clear beneficiary. Black is now the Steelers starting nose tackle and should find tremendous success thanks to his massive size and run-stopping prowess.
Jaylen Warren
There's been so much buzz in recent weeks about Rico Dowdle getting RB1 but the first official depth chart painted a different picture: Warren is still the starter. Dowdle is talented, but it's always felt like it's Warren's job to lose, which was confirmed in the positional listing.
Rookie starters
The Steelers listed two rookie as bonafied starters on the first depth chart: Kaden Wetjen as the return specialist, and Riley Nowakowski at fullback. Both Wetjen and Nowakowski won't face much, if any, competition for their respective roles, and are near-roster locks following the release of the first depth chart.
Robert Spears-Jennings
Jennings, a lightning fast seventh-round rookie, was expected to face some tough competition in a safety room featuring DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, Sebastian Castro, and Rayshawn Jenkins. But Spears-Jennings has been listed as the top backup safety ahead of Castro and Jenkins, all but paving the way for a shot at the 53-man roster.
Losers
Eli Heidenreich
It was never going to be easy for Heidenreich to make the 53-man roster with a loaded running back, but fans found out just how daunting the challenge could be. Heidenreich was listed as the co-RB5 along with special teams ace Travis Homer, behind Warren, Dowdle, Kaleb Johnson, and Lew Nichols. Hopefully, Heidenreich would need to surpass Nichols to at least have a shot at the 53-man roster, but it doesn't look good as things stand right now.
Nick Herbig
Herbig's $100 million extension may have been all for show, as the Steelers are actually paying him more than Alex Highsmith to remain as the backup. Yes, Herbig should play a massive rotational role with T.J. Watt and Highsmith. But how much longer can the Steelers afford to keep him reined in before making him a full-fledged starter?
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Biggest winners, losers from Steelers' first official 2026 depth chart
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