Like all the other NFL teams, the Steelers trimmed their preseason roster from 90 men to 53. They kept four quarterbacks on the roster (which means I don’t have to change my fantasy football teams’ name from “He Drew Allar Deez Nuts on You”), and several of their 2026 draft picks have made the opening day roster.
That’s right, I get to watch Max Iheanachor, a kid who didn’t even play football until after his family emigrated from Nigeria, dominate the Steelers’ front line. I get to watch Gennings Dunker and his killer red afro also on the front line – opposing defenses ain’t getting past him, no way, no how. I also get to see the winner of this year’s “All Cool Name” squad, wide receiver Germie Bernard, being a second option whenever DK Metcalf isn’t open or isn’t doing something stupid. I also get to see another wide receiver, Kaden Wetjen, who has enough speed and versatility to make that #10 jersey sparkle since the time it was worn by that loser QB Mitch Trubisky (blech I said Trubisky, ptui).
Trust me, this Steelers lineup with its eleven rookies is built for the future. A long future, I hope.
But the big news is that the Steelers kept their seventh round draft pick and he’s on the opening day roster.
Seriously. This guy.
That’s Eli Heidenrich, a kid from Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania (just outside of Pittsburgh) who in three seasons at Navy as a wide receiver / running back, ran seven TD’s and caught sixteen TD’s.
And then came this emotional moment at the 2026 NFL Draft, which coincidentally was held in Pittsburgh. After over 200 men were selected by the 32 NFL teams, and the picks went into the seventh round – the Steelers chose their hometown kid with the 230th overall selection.
You can just feel the pride right then and there.
This is actually the first player from the Naval Academy ever chosen by the Steelers in the draft, and only the third from any of the service academies that the Black and Gold have selected. In the past, service academy athletes had to complete their military obligations before suiting up for pro teams, which is why Roger Staubach was drafted in 1964 by the Dallas Cowboys, but didn’t take the field for them until 1969. But with new rules in place that allow Midshipmen to fulfill their obligations after their NFL playing career, Eli Heidenreich could suit up for the Steelers this season.
If he made the team.
Seventh round draft picks rarely make an opening day roster. These are the guys who end up on the practice squad, if they’re lucky, or they bounce around the league, hoping to fill a spot somewhere.
Well … when given the opportunity to play in preseason, Eli Heidenreich ran onto the Acrisure Stadium turf and played like he belonged there. Look at #29.
No, seriously. Look at #29.
He really played his way onto the team. So much so that the Steelers actually traded away their third-round draft pick from a couple of years ago, Kaleb Johnson, to make room for this kid. And since Heidenreich can play wide receiver and running back, that frees up a roster spot to allow the Steelers to carry four quarterbacks – Aaron Rodgers (in his final season), rookie Drew Allar, second-year-man Will Howard, and perennial backup Mason Rudolph.
The kid made the team, representing #3 on the running back depth chart. Not bad for a kid from Mt. Lebanon.
Then came the final move for Steelers players who transition from the preseason to the regular roster.
In the preseason, the Steelers have black helmets with the team logo, and that’s it.
On the opening roster, those helmets will have the white numbers added to the forehead. And Eli Heidenreich will represent #29. The same number worn by Barry Foster, the Steelers’ running back workhorse from 1990 to 1994.
Trust me, if I wasn’t totally hyped for the 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers season before Sunday …
I’m ready to watch the Steelers stomp all over the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday. Stomp stomp stomp.
Let’s make this happen. Double Yoi!
Chuck The Writer 
What a nice piece. Good job. I forsee alot of Steeler football in our future.
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I had never been to New State fair before. What an wonderful experience. The weather held, the exhibits, people, food choices were amazing. The two best parts of the whole day were finding Chucks art work and his expression and happy dance upon seeing the first place blue ribbon. I am so proud of him. The second was when we thought we were teenagers and rode the Mouse ride, now I know how a lettuce feels in the spinner. Thank you so much for another memorable day.
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