Steelers Rookies Face Development Test Before They Can Earn Bigger Roles

The Pittsburgh Steelers have wrapped up their second week of training camp, and one of the biggest groups under the microscope for fans has been the rookie class. The Steelers added a lot of young talent in the 2026 NFL Draft, and while several rookies have shown flashes of brilliance, they have also looked like what they are: inexperienced players adjusting to professional football.

That said, one of the biggest questions surrounding the class has been which rookie will be the first to make an early impact. Alan Saunders of Steelers Now believes much of this class could have a bigger impact later in the season rather than immediately.

On his Morning Rush podcast, Saunders gave the rundown on the rookies. First-round pick Max Iheanachor has surprised Saunders with how well he has progressed. Germie Bernard has also performed well but is battling a red-hot Roman Wilson for the slot receiver job. The Steelers' third-round picks are still works in progress, particularly Drew Allar and Daylen Everette, who have flashed potential while also having the occasional raw rookie moment.

While someone like Kaden Wetjen could make an early impact on special teams, it appears the rest of the class still has some development ahead of it. That is not necessarily a bad thing, especially with the Steelers taking a long-term approach to building their roster. General manager Omar Khan has put together several strong draft classes, and the team has benefited from getting young players onto the field early in their careers.

Which Steelers rookies could have an impact sooner rather than later?

Wetjen has perhaps the clearest path to an immediate role. Special teams can provide rookies with an opportunity to contribute without requiring them to immediately establish themselves as starters on offense or defense. If Wetjen continues to show that he can be trusted in the kicking game, he could see the field early and often.

Iheanachor is another rookie worth watching. As a first-round pick, the expectation is naturally higher, but he is also a very raw talent due to his limited football experience. His progress through the first two weeks of camp has been encouraging. The fact that he has already surprised Saunders with his development suggests he could push for a meaningful role sooner than expected. The Steelers do not need him to become a finished product immediately, but continued improvement could put him in position to become an important part of the offensive line sooner rather than later.

Bernard also has an opportunity to make an early impact. His ability to work from the slot gives him a potential path onto the field, although Wilson's emergence has made that competition considerably more difficult. If Bernard can continue to separate himself from the rest of the room, the Steelers could find ways to get him involved as a rookie.

The defensive rookies may have a tougher path. Everette has shown flashes, but cornerback is a position where young players can have difficulty earning immediate trust. With established veterans ahead of him, he may need to demonstrate consistency before the Steelers give him a substantial defensive role. Everette, though, could also carve out an early role on special teams.

Allar's situation is different because of the position he plays. As a quarterback, he is unlikely to see meaningful action unless circumstances force the Steelers' hand. His development will be more important than how quickly he gets onto the field beyond 2026. Learning the offense, improving his decision-making and footwork, and becoming comfortable with the speed of the NFL will determine when he is ready to contribute.

What will it take for these rookies to get on the field?

For most of the Steelers' rookies, the answer is consistency.

Flashing ability during training camp is one thing. Showing coaches that they can be trusted repeatedly is another. Young players have to eliminate mental mistakes, understand their assignments and demonstrate that they can execute their responsibilities without needing constant correction. That is particularly important under a coaching staff that appears to prioritize details, fundamentals, and technique. The Steelers do not necessarily need their rookies to dominate immediately. They need them to show steady improvement and prove they can execute within the structure of the team.

For Iheanachor, that means continuing to develop his technique and consistency along the offensive line. Bernard needs to continue making plays while proving he can be trusted in the offense and on special teams. Everette needs to show he can handle the mental and physical demands of playing cornerback at the NFL level. Allar's focus should remain on development and preparation rather than immediate playing time.

The good news for the Steelers is that not every rookie needs to become an immediate contributor. The team has enough veteran talent to give many of these players time to develop. If the rookies can continue trending upward, their opportunities should increase as the season progresses.

That could ultimately make this a more intriguing class than one that simply produces a handful of immediate contributors. The Steelers may not need all of their rookies to make an impact in September. If several of them are ready to play significant roles by November or December, the class could become an important part of the team's long-term foundation.