The time is here.
The Steelers -- along with every other NFL team -- must trim their rosters to 53 players by 4 p.m. Tuesday. But we'll get a a jump on things today.
The focus for much of this offseason has been on who the Steelers' starting quarterback will be. And that, of course, is a big deal. But there have been a number of other jobs up for grabs, as well.
What will the final 53-man roster look like when the smoke clears Tuesday? Where might the team look at add someone from the outside?
Let's take a look -- and remember, this is just after Tuesday. There will be some additional jockeying that needs to take place:
Quarterbacks (2): Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett
I expect Mason Rudolph to be moved before the 4 p.m. deadline. The Lions could certainly use him. So could the Panthers, who lost backup Sam Darnold for at least a month this weekend. Tyrod Taylor also was carted off with a back injury for the Giants this weekend. Someone will offer the Steelers at least a fifth-round pick for Rudolph. The Steelers released Chris Oladokun last week but can easily bring him back as the No. 3 once they get their roster adjusted. They believe as an organization in carrying three quarterbacks, though this could be a good year to go with two and carry Oladokun on the practice squad to save a roster spot. We'll see.
Running backs (5): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland, Derek Watt
Watt's spot on the roster was safe -- until he missed most of the preseason with a shoulder injury. Special teams coordinator Danny Smith wouldn't like it, but Watt could be released. Watt could still make the roster, and there would be a $1.96 million dead cap hit if he isn't, but the Steelers might need the roster space. If they choose to go with two quarterbacks, as they do in this scenario, that could save a roster spot and allow them to keep Watt, one of the top special teams players in the NFL. Warren has passed Snell in the running back pecking order, but Snell's special teams skill keeps him on the team -- though I could see the team releasing him to add a third quarterback down the road.
Wide receivers (6): Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, George Pickens, Calvin Austin, Gunner Olszewski, Miles Boykin
Austin was close to returning this week. And the team can't afford to expose him to waivers and put him on the practice squad. He could go on injured reserve to start the season, but that would mean he still has to be on the initial 53-man roster before that would happen. Boykin over Steven Sims is a tough call, but with Olszewski serving as the punt returner, Sims won't have that job on game days. And Olszewski can also be the jet sweep guy -- though Sims has done a nice job of that. Perhaps if Austin goes on IR, Sims could be his replacement if he doesn't sign elsewhere.
Tight ends (3): Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Connor Heyward
This group is pretty straight forward. Freiermuth is the starter, Gentry the blocker and Heyward is the jack-of-all-trades.
Offensive line (9): Dan Moore, Kevin Dotson, Mason Cole, James Daniels, Chuks Okorafor, Joe Haeg, Kendrick Green, J.C. Hassenauer, John LeGlue
Could the Steelers add another offensive tackle? Perhaps. But it's not like other teams are going to be releasing viable starters. That's just not going to happen. There is an offensive line shortage across the league. The line will continue to be a work in progress. But Trubisky's mobility factor will give the Steelers a chance at success while that happens.
Defensive line (6): Cam Heyward, Tyson Alualu, Larry Ogunjobi, Chris Wormley, DeMarvin Leal, Isaiahh Loudermilk
Montravius Adams has been out for several weeks with an ankle injury. But he's finally started to do some work on the side. Can he be released and added to the practice squad? Perhaps. If he doesn't make it back to them, it's not the end of the world. Remember, they signed him off the Saints practice squad last year. Wormley could draw some trade interest if the Steelers want to move him, but given what happened with their line last season, they'll probably want to hold onto him.
Outside linebackers (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Derrek Tuszka, Hamilcar Rashed
Tuszka is fine on special teams and also serves as the emergency long-snapper, which could get him a roster spot. The Steelers have to be able to find an upgrade here. There will be a veteran with at least a handful of career starts under his belt that will be cut loose and be added to the roster later in the week. Keep an eye on San Francisco's roster, where a player such as Kemoko Turay or Jordan Willis could find themselves out of a job. Both have some pass rushing juice and at least some starting experience.
Inside linebackers (5): Myles Jack, Devin Bush, Robert Spillane, Mark Robinson, Marcus Allen
Buddy Johnson was a fourth-round pick last year, but the second-year jump hasn't been there for him. Could he make it over Allen? Perhaps. But Robinson has looked better -- especially as a special teams player -- though he is lacking in coverage, which was apparent Sunday night. Allen missed much of the preseason, but is solid on special teams.
Defensive backs (10): Cam Sutton, Ahkello Witherspoon, Levi Wallace, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Tre Norwood, Miles Killebrew, James Pierre, Elijah Riley, Damontae Kazee
Kazee has to be on the final 53-man roster before he can be placed on injured reserve. If he goes on injured reserve before that, he can't return this season. And the Steelers had a plan on ways to use him. Riley showed enough Sunday against the Lions that he could perhaps play a similar role. Or, the Steelers can slide Sutton back to free safety in their big nickel package, allowing Fitzpatrick to play the slot. They'll have to wing it for 6 to 8 weeks while Kazee heals up. Killebrew is too good on special teams to let go. Arthur Maulet has missed a lot of practice time, but he's valuable in the slot and on special teams. But the use of Fitzpatrick there are a blitzer and run stopper could make him expendable. He also should easily clear waivers and be able to be re-signed.
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell, Pressley Harvin, Christian Kuntz
No surprises here. Boswell is one of the best in the game, while Harvin averaged a solid 45.9 yards per punt in the preseason to go along with a 43.5-yard net average thanks to his ridiculous hang time.
