The Pittsburgh Steelers\u2019 2026 offseason practices concluded in the middle of June. Next up is the team\u2019s annual training camp, which will get underway in late July at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.<\/p>\n
Ahead of that, we will preview the team\u2019s offseason roster three players at a time as part of a multi-post series. This Steelers 90-in-30 roster preview, which includes outlooks for every player, is organized alphabetically by last name for an easy follow-along.<\/p>\n
This series figures to exceed 90 players this year as the team can carry 91 players during the offseason due to the allowance of one international player designation.<\/p>\n
The next three players we will preview ahead of Steelers 2026 training camp are: OLB Jack Sawyer, WR Ben Skowronek, and CB Doneiko Slaughter.<\/p>\n
OLB Jack Sawyer: After being selected by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, Sawyer went on to play in every game for Pittsburgh during his rookie season.<\/p>\n
In total, Sawyer registered 34 total regular season tackles, three tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, two interceptions, one sack, and four passes defensed as a rookie. When it comes to Sawyer\u2019s playing time as a rookie, he logged 294 snaps on defense during the regular season and 340 more on special teams. Of his 34 total tackles, 14 of those came on special teams.<\/p>\n
Swayer\u2019s play again the run as a rookie outside linebacker in Pittsburgh, while inconsistent at times, was the best part of his game throughout the 2025 season. As a rookie pass rusher, Sawyer had his moments that resulted in a few big plays, and he showed some ball skills along the way by intercepting two passes.<\/a><\/p>\n While Sawyer was mostly used as a left outside linebacker on defense as a rookie, the side he predominantly played on throughout his college career, he was able to log limited playing time on the right side throughout the year.<\/p>\n As is evidenced by his high special teams snap total as a rookie, Sawyer was a core player for the Steelers in that phase of the game throughout the 2025 season.<\/p>\n Outlook: Just as was the case in 2025, Sawyer figures to be the Steelers fourth -string outside linebacker in 2026 and thus he should see limited playing time on defense weekly. Additionally, we can probably count on Sawyer once again being a core special teams player in 2026.<\/p>\n Will Sawyer play as many defensive snaps in 2026 than he did in 2025? It\u2019s hard to say for sure, but we could see that total slightly decrease a little this season and especially if the three outside linebackers ahead of him on the depth chart, T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig, all stay fairly healthy this year. Something they failed to do collectively in 2025.<\/p>\n It\u2019s reasonable to expect that Sawyer\u2019s play against the run will improve in 2026. He should also show some improvement as a pass rusher in his second NFL season as well. It would be nice to see Sawyer continue to get more playing time on the right side in 2026, but it\u2019s not like such a request is crucial.<\/p>\n We should see Sawyer play quite extensively on defense throughout the upcoming preseason as there\u2019s really no reason to play Watt, Highsmith and Herbig very much, if any, during the team\u2019s three exhibition contests. Sawyer logged 100 such snaps last year during the preseason. That was roughly half of all defensive snaps for the team.<\/p>\n How Sawyer develops in 2026 could ultimately decide whether the team thinks he might could become a starter before his rookie contract ends, which is after the 2028 season concludes.<\/p>\n In closing, Sawyer\u2019s 2026 defensive stat line is likely to look somewhat similar to the one he put together as a rookie, especially if Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig can each manage to play in at least 15 regular season games.<\/p>\n WR Ben Skowronek: Originally signed by the Steelers in 2024 as a practice squad player, Skowronek played in every game for the team in 2025. In total, he logged 159 offensive snaps during the 2025 regular season and a whopping 310 more on special teams.<\/p>\n For the 2025 regular season, Skowronek registered four receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown on six total targets. On special teams, he was credited with an impressive 21 total tackles and one fumble recovery. That performance earned him a Pro Bowl berth.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n For his NFL career to date, Skowronek has recorded 67 receptions for 713 yards and two touchdowns on 104 total targets. He\u2019s also logged 1,350 regular season snaps on offense since originally being selected in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame by the Los Angeles Rams.<\/p>\n As a special teams player for his NFL career to date, Skowronek has totaled 47 total tackles.<\/p>\n Outlook: Skowronek\u2019s special teams ability is his main calling card as he enters his sixth NFL season, and it\u2019s one that can\u2019t be overlooked when it comes to his chances of making the 53-man roster again this year out of the preseason. The fact that he appears to be a good friend of QB Aaron Rodgers<\/a> also won\u2019t hurt him moving forward into the summer and early fall.<\/p>\n The top of the Steelers\u2019 wide receiver depth chart hasn\u2019t been hard to nail down since the draft took place as it includes two established players in DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. The Steelers also selected wide receivers Germie Bernard and Kaden Wetjen in the second and fourth rounds, respectively, during this year\u2019s draft. Both are obviously now expected to make the 53-man roster. Third-year WR Roman Wilson will be battling to keep his 53-man roster spot this summer as well. Unlike Skowronek, he\u2019s not a special teams asset.<\/p>\n The Steelers could keep as many as seven wide receivers on their initial 53-man roster to start the 2026 regular season. If that\u2019s ultimately the final number, Skowronek should easily be one of them if he remains healthy. Even if the Steelers decide to keep a more plausible six wide receivers in total after the preseason, Skowronek\u2019s special teams play should be more than good enough to land him one of those spots.<\/p>\n While Skowronek certainly hasn\u2019t been a prime target in passing games throughout his NFL career, he\u2019s managed to stick in the league as a part-time offensive player. His run blocking on offense is above-average. That\u2019s another thing going for him as he heads into his second training camp and third season with the Steelers.<\/p>\n Skowronek played nearly 160 offensive snaps in 2025. It might be tough for him to hit that same amount, or more, in 2026 and especially if the top of the wide receiver depth chart remains healthy all season. Assuming Skowronek does stick on the 53-man roster, we can probably look forward to him being one of the Steelers\u2019 leaders in special teams snaps played in 2026.<\/p>\n CB Doneiko Slaughter: Originally signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025 as an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas by way of Tennessee, Slaughter was unable to make a 53-man or practice squad roster at any point during last season. After the 2025 season ended, the Steelers signed Slaughter to a Reserve\/Future contract, and he\u2019s been on the offseason roster throughout the summer.<\/p>\n During the 2025 preseason, Slaughter played 75 total defensive snaps and two more on special teams. He logged preseason playing time at both outside cornerback and slot cornerback. He registered one pass defensed and eight total tackles during the 2025 preseason.<\/p>\n For his college career, Slaughter played in 56 total games on his way to registering 167 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, four sacks, 13 passes defensed, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He played outside and slot cornerback throughout his college career. Slaughter logged quite a bit of playing time on special teams throughout his college career.<\/p>\n At his 2025 college pro day, Slaughter measured in at 5112, 195-pounds with 31 3\/8-inch arms and 9-inch hands. He ran his pro day 40-yard dash in 4.39-seconds, did 17 reps on the bench and posted a vertical jump of 36-inches to go along with a broad jump of 9\u201911\u201d. Slaughter\u2019s pro day short-shuttle time was 4.41-seconds, and his three-cone time was 7.30-seconds.<\/p>\n Outlook: As is the case with a lot of unproven and inexperienced players on this year\u2019s offseason roster, Slaughter is really going to have a tough time proving that he is worth keeping around in Pittsburgh beyond the preseason. The Steelers have a deep cornerback room this summer that now includes veteran CB Jamal Dean, a free agency addition, and CB Daylen Everette, a 2026 draft pick.<\/p>\n About the best things going for Slaughter this summer is the fact that he can play inside and outside and that he is willing to throw his body around.<\/a> His play against the run throughout his college career was also something for Slaughter to hang his hat on.<\/p>\n As a coverage player in college, Slaughter didn\u2019t overly excel in that area. That statement is punctuated by the fact that he only registered two interceptions in 56 games. While Slaughter played quite a bit on special teams throughout his college career, he still only managed to make six total tackles in that phase of the game.<\/p>\n Realistically, Slaughter will be battling this summer for a spot on the Steelers\u2019 practice squad to open the 2026 regular season. He\u2019ll have a lot of competition for such a practice squad spot as well. Assuming Slaughter can stay healthy throughout training camp, we should see him play a fair number of snaps throughout the preseason as he should see playing time late in those three exhibition contests.<\/p>\n Previous Posts In This Series:<\/p>\n 90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Drew Allar, Spencer Anderson, Kyler Baugh<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Jaheim Bell, Keeanu Benton, Germie Bernard<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Yahya Black, Chris Boswell, Devan Boykin<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Jaquan Brisker, Carson Bruener, Cole Burgess<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Sebastian Castro, Dylan Cook, Greg Crippen<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Jamin Davis, Joaquin Davis, Jamel Dean<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Rico Dowdle, Jack Driscoll, Gennings Dunker<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Brandin Echols, DeShon Elliott, Daylen Everette<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, Pat Freiermuth<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 JJ Galbreath, Anthony Goodlow, Derrick Harmon<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Malik Harrison, Ahmari Harvey, Eli Heidenreich<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Jack Henderson, Nick Herbig, Cameron Heyward<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Alex Highsmith, Brock Hoffman, Cole Holcomb<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Travis Homer, Will Howard, Max Hurleman<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Max Iheanachor, D\u2019Shawn Jamison, Kevin Jobity Jr.<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Kaleb Johnson, Cameron Johnston, Broderick Jones<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Steven Jones, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Donte Kent<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Christian Kuntz, Logan Lee, Dean Lowry<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Tamon Lynum, Laith Marjan, Ryan McCollum<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Mason McCormick, Lake McRee, DK Metcalf<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Doug Nester, Lew Nichols, Riley Nowakowski<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Esezi Otomewo, A.T. Perry, Michael Pittman Jr.<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Joey Porter Jr., Daryl Porter, Patrick Queen<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Jalen Ramsey, Aaron Rodgers, Gabriel Rubio<\/a>
90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series \u2014 Mason Rudolph, Asante Samuel Jr., Darnell Savage<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Pittsburgh Steelers\u2019 2026 offseason practices concluded in the middle of June. Next up is the team\u2019s annual…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":931037,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2055],"tags":[123190,5429,5599,7,295,6,520,57,2360,426],"class_list":["post-948275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-pittsburgh-steelers","tag-2026-training-camp","tag-ben-skowronek","tag-doneiko-slaughter","tag-football","tag-jack-sawyer","tag-nfl","tag-pittsburgh","tag-pittsburgh-steelers","tag-pittsburghsteelers","tag-steelers"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116937252079413848","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/948275","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=948275"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/948275\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/931037"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=948275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=948275"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=948275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}