More than 30 former Pittsburgh Steelers have made initial rosters for the 2026 United Football League (UFL) season. As shared by the UFL’s Reddit page displaying the 50-man groups for each of the eight teams, 35 players were Steelers for at least a brief moment of their professional career.

Among the notable names are: RB Anthony McFarland, S Tre Norwood, K Matt McCrane, RB Benny Snell, DL Isaiah Buggs, DL Carlos Davis and CB Mark Gilbert.

McFarland has stuck in the UFL for several seasons now and returns as a potential lead runner for the Birmingham Stallions. A fourth-round pick of Pittsburgh in 2020, McFarland’s speed and one marquee game against Ohio State made him an enticing prospect. But a lack of size and multiple injuries prevented his pro career from ever taking off.

He appeared in just 17 games for the Steelers, carrying the ball 42 times and never finding the end zone. He last played in a regular season game in 2023.

Norwood was a seventh-round pick of the Steelers in 2021. He found the field as a rookie and recorded an interception during Ben Roethlisberger’s final home game against the Cleveland Browns, finishing the year with 38 tackles. Norwood made the team in 2022, but his playing time slowly reduced, and he’s yet to play in a regular season game since.

McCrane served as an injury-replacement kicker for Pittsburgh in 2018, kicking three field goals in a 16-13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. His 35-yarder with under two minutes to play served as the game’s winning points. His most recent NFL stop came in 2024, a brief stay on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad.

Snell came out of retirement to give football another chance. One of the most successful running backs in Kentucky history, Pittsburgh selected him in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. He rushed for 982 career yards with seven touchdowns, finishing second on the Steelers in rushing as a rookie. He was also a solid special teamer who posted eight tackles in 2022.

Buggs was a talented but inconsistent defensive lineman who appeared in 29 games for the Steelers from 2019-2021. He found traction in 2022 with the Detroit Lions, starting 13 games, but has struggled to stick since. Buggs was suspended by the NFL for the first 10 weeks of 2025 following multiple arrests.

Davis was taken in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He appeared in 12 games, notching 12 tackles and one sack. For a time, he and twin brother Khalil Davis were Steelers teammates.

Gilbert, cousin of Darrelle Revis, was a brief training camp star in 2021 before latching on with the Detroit Lions. He forced a key fumble in a regular season tie against Pittsburgh. He hasn’t been on an NFL roster since the summer of 2023.

The UFL season begins March 27 between the Birmingham Stallions and Louisville Kings.

Below is a list of the 35 former Steelers on initial roster.

Birmingham Stallions

RB Anthony McFarland, WR Deon Cain, LB Tae Crowder, LB Kyahava Tezino, S Tre Norwood

Columbus Aviators

WR Roc Taylor, TE Alize Mack, EDGE Kenny Willekes, S Henry Black

Dallas Renegades

WR Tyler Vaughns, WR Denzel Mims, DL Domenique Davis, EDGE Taco Charlton, LB Donald Payne, CB Chris Steele

DC Defenders

RB Xazavian Valladay, WR Cornell Powell, OL Tykeem Doss, K Matt McCrane

Houston Gamblers

OT Kellen Diesch

Louisville Kings

RB Benny Snell, WR Tarik Black, OL Nate Gilliam, S Kenny Robinson

Orlando Storm

OL Joey Fisher, DL Isaiah Buggs, DL Isaiah Mack, CB Mark Gilbert, S Nate Meadors

St. Louis Battlehawks

WR Hakeem Butler, DL Carlos Davis, EDGE Travis Feeney, LB Tariq Carpenter, CB Luq Barcoo, S Kam Kelly