Though they’re knee-deep in their search for a new head coach for the first time in nearly two decades, there is no time to wait around for the Pittsburgh Steelers when it comes to filling their offseason 90-man roster.

The Steelers announced the signing of 13 players to reserve/futures deals on Wednesday.

Those players include the following:

Running Back: Max Hurleman; Lew Nichols
Wide Receiver: Cole Burgess; John Rhys Plumlee
Offensive Tackle: Aiden Williams
Offensive Guard: Steven Jones
Defensive Tackle: Kyler Baugh
Defensive End: Anthony Goodlow; KJ Henry
Outside Linebacker: Julius Welschof
Defensive Back: Daequan Hardy; Jack Henderson
Long Snapper: Cal Adomitis

The Williams and Goodlow signings were reported prior to the Steelers announcing the moves as Pittsburgh moved quickly to add depth and bring back familiar names on either side of the football.

Of the 13 players signed to reserve/futures contracts, all but Cole Burgess spent time with the Steelers during the 2025 season, with the 12 others spending time on their practice squad at one point or another.

Hurleman and Nichols played for the Steelers in training camp and the preseason, earning spots on their practice squad, where they remained all season. Nichols was elevated to the active/inactive roster ahead of Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts and played six snaps on special teams, recording one tackle.

Plumlee bounced on and off the Steelers’ practice squad this season. His biggest contribution came ahead of Week 12 against the Chicago Bears in which he mimicked Bears quarterback Caleb Williams during practice, earning praise for giving the Steelers proper preparation ahead of the road game.

Williams made it through training camp with the Steelers after going undrafted out of Minnesota-Duluth in 2025, landing on the practice squad. But he spent just a few days on the practice squad with the Steelers before being waived on Sept. 3. He later landed with the Carolina Panthers for a short practice squad stint but was then out of the NFL until he signed with the Steelers Wednesday.

Goodlow, Baugh and Henry all spent time on the Steelers’ practice squad this year. Goodlow signed to the practice squad on Nov. 24 and stuck around through the end of the season but never appeared in a game for Pittsburgh. Henry spent just under a month on the Steelers’ practice squad, signing on Oct. 10 before being released on Nov. 4.

Welschof returns for another offseason with the Steelers, giving them depth at outside linebacker as they continue to develop the German-born player. He had an international roster exemption the last two years with the Steelers and should be in line for another exemption next year, potentially allowing the Steelers to carry 17 players on their practice squad.

Both Hardy and Adomitis are Pittsburgh natives and now get a chance to spend the offseason with the Steelers and potentially carve out a role, particularly on special teams. Hardy bounced on and off Pittsburgh’s practice squad late in the season, signing to the practice squad Nov. 4 before being released and circling back on Dec. 2.

Adomitis was signed late in the year after starting long snapper Christian Kuntz suffered a knee injury ahead of the Week 16 matchup with the Detroit Lions. Adomitis was elevated to the active/inactive roster ahead of that game, but Kuntz played and Adomitis never appeared in a game for the Steelers.

Burgess is a new name and one to learn. Coming out of Division III SUNY Cortland as an undrafted free agent in 2024, Burgess was listed at 6004, 192 pounds and clocked a 4.45 40-yard dash. During his time in college, Burgess had 178 receptions for 3,133 yards and 35 touchdowns.

He landed with the Cincinnati Bengals as a UDFA. He had three receptions on four targets for 20 yards in the 2024 preseason and had two receptions for 24 yards on five targets this preseason. 

Of course, we have a scouting report on Burgess coming out of Division III, thanks to Tom Mead. Check it out below.