The Pittsburgh Steelers released 11 players on Friday and two others on Saturday, trimming their roster ahead of the NFL’s mandatory 53-man deadline. The cuts feature linebacker Jamin Davis, clearing space as the team prepares for its September 13 season opener.
First Wave of Cuts Drops Roster Down From Ninety-One
Following their preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills, the Pittsburgh Steelers moved quickly to reshape their squad. The Steelers released 11 players on Friday and two others on Saturday, just two days ahead of the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline. Thirteen players were cut, including Mt. Lebanon High School graduate Alex Tecza and two former Pitt defensive backs, Brandon Hill and Tamon Lynum. Among the initial group of 11 released on Friday were tight end Jaheim Bell, offensive lineman Greg Crippen, defensive backs Jaylon Guilbeau, Jack Henderson, Brandon Hill, Tamon Lynum, and Daryl Porter, alongside wide receivers Jakobie Keeney-James, Cornell Powell, and Isaiah Winstead, plus running back Alex Tecza.
Crippen has a 2026 dead money charge of $666 and a 2027 dead money charge of $1,334 since he was given a $2,000 signing bonus. This is the first series of cuts the Steelers have made, which trims their roster down from 91 players to 80. They’ve still got a bit more work to go to get down to the 53-player limit this weekend. The deadline to reach the 53-player roster limit is 6 p.m. Sunday.
The Steelers must cut the roster from 90 players to 53 by 6 PM Sunday. McCarthy says they will be sensitive to what it means to tell a player he didn’t make the team.
Jamin Davis and Levi Wentz Released Before Final Deadline
As Saturday progressed, the Steelers parted ways with two more roster hopefuls: linebacker Jamin Davis and wide receiver Levi Wentz. They are the 12th and 13th players to be cut by Pittsburgh following their first round of cuts after their preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills. While Davis was a later signing, both players spent the entire summer with the Steelers, competing during training camp and all three preseason games. Davis signed after OTAs and minicamp, with Wentz being with the team during every phase of the offseason. At times, both players flashed, but nothing ever felt likely for either to make the 53-man roster.
The Pittsburgh Steelers released linebacker Jamin Davis on Saturday, Aug. 29, according to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. Davis did not play any games with the Steelers and was with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025. Before then, though, Davis was with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 after being picked up when Ivan Pace Jr. went down with an injury. Davis, a former first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, only appeared in four games with the Vikings and made five tackles and one sack during his time with the team.
At wide receiver, Wentz had a few standout days, but the competition didn’t even seem real for most of training camp. DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek and Kaden Wetjen have felt like the six wideouts Pittsburgh will keep since day one, leaving almost no room for anyone to sneak their way onto the team. As for Davis, he played with Patrick Graham in Las Vegas last season, so there was some hope coming into the summer. While he could’ve forced a competition with Cole Holcomb and Malik Harrison, once Elandon Roberts signed, the room felt complete.
Darnell Savage Departs and Rayshawn Jenkins Arrives
The Pittsburgh Steelers have released veteran strong safety Darnell Savage, the team announced on Sunday, to make room for the signing of Rayshawn Jenkins. Savage, whose signing was initially reported way back in March, had his official entry to the team delayed by several months as he worked through an undisclosed lower-body injury. He eventually formally signed with the team just before the start of OTAs and participated in OTAs and minicamp. In the first week of Steelers training camp at St. Vincent College, Savage worked extensively in the first two days of practices, helping to replace DeShon Elliott, who is working his way back to full speed after a season-ending hamstring injury in 2025. Savage did not take part in team drills on either Friday or Saturday, with former practice squad player Jack Henderson and seventh-round draft pick Robert Spears-Jennings taking Elliott’s place when he was not with the first team.
The Steelers agreed to a one-year deal with Jenkins on Saturday, but did not formally announce it until Sunday, with the release of Savage creating the necessary opening on the 90-man offseason roster. Savage’s release will cause a $187,500 dead cap hit for the team, which can be spread across the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Savage played for three teams last year — two games for Jacksonville, eight games for Washington and two games for the Buffalo Bills.
Contract Restructure and Regular Season Outlook
ESPN reports the Steelers have restructured DK Metcalf’s contract, converting most of the $25 million he’s due from salary to a signing bonus. That will clear $18 million off the salary cap.
Pittsburgh will host the Atlanta Falcons in the season opener Sept. 13. The Steelers finished 1-and-2 and will host the Atlanta Falcons in Week One on September 13th.
Worth a look
