The Pittsburgh Steelers could possibly have their final two games of the regular season mean nothing. It’s a position the team generally doesn’t face. The Steelers are never bad enough to be eliminated from playoff contention. But this year, Pittsburgh could clinch before kicking off Sunday, should the Baltimore Ravens lose/tie against the Green Bay Packers. With the No. 4 seed basically set in stone, the Steelers might not have much to play for during the final two weeks. It could be an opportunity to rest starters and give young players a chance to see snaps they otherwise wouldn’t.
Below is a list of six young Steelers who could benefit most from that chance.
QB Will Howard
Thanks to a summer hand injury and being the No. 3 quarterback once back on the roster, Howard hasn’t taken a single in-stadium snap all season. He’s as anxious as anyone to play. That probably still won’t happen against Cleveland, even if the Steelers have clinched the AFC North before kickoff. Howard simply hasn’t had the practice reps this week that would put him in a position to succeed.
But Howard may get a chance in Week 18 against Baltimore. It’s plausible he could relieve Mason Rudolph in the second half. At home against a checked-out Ravens defense would be a fun environment for him and give Howard tangible tape to study this offseason. It would help get his rookie year back on track after missing the entire preseason.
RB Kaleb Johnson
Johnson has had a minimal role all season and was inactive last weekend for his lowest point of the year. If Pittsburgh can rest Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, they’ll give them breathers. Johnson would take on a feature role for the first time all season. To receive consistent carries and get valuable reps as a receiver and blocker, two areas that really held him back this year. He might even resume his role on kick returns for the first time since his Week 2 gaffe against Seattle.
WR Roman Wilson
Wilson will see snaps regardless of the team’s circumstance. DK Metcalf’s suspension and Calvin Austin III’s hamstring injury is opening that door no matter what. But Wilson will have an even more solid chance for reps if backups are in the game. He needs to end the regular season on a high note. His 12 receptions aren’t good enough. He needs to make a strong case for a 2026 role.
DL Logan Lee
Lee has been dressing regularly in recent weeks and maintained his helmet even after Derrick Harmon returned last week. Lee’s spot may be less secure this week, but if the Steelers clinch, Cam Heyward figures to either not dress or play a minimal number of snaps. The door will swing wide open for Lee to soak up plenty of reps. As a second-year player who didn’t log a snap as a rookie and has just 43 this season, he needs the chance.
ILB Carson Bruener
Bruener has a grand total of one defensive snap this season. He’s had a great year on special teams and the makings of a future multi-time captain of the unit. His 18 tackles are an eye-popping figure.
But getting some defensive snaps would be the next step forward. Pittsburgh has been healthy enough at inside linebacker to where Bruener has been blocked. But Patrick Queen getting to catch his breath would be helpful to rest him for the playoffs.
Will Bruener get a chance? Pittsburgh could sit Payton Wilson and Queen and still play Cole Holcomb and Malik Harrison over him. But rotating in Bruener on at least run-down snaps would be nice and well-earned for the work he’s put in all year.
S Sebastian Castro
Castro circled back to the roster after being poached by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this year. Castro has settled into a part-time special teams role, playing about 8-12 snaps per game. He’s yet to take a defensive snap.
Getting him in at strong safety for a handful of snaps would be a big opportunity for him. Similar to Bruener, there’s no guarantee of that. Pittsburgh could roll with Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers as the starting safety duo, two vets who can manage the back end of an even meaningless game. Perhaps like Will Howard, Castro can sub in for the second half of the Week 18 to pick up 20-ish snaps to close out the regular season.