Expectations are through the roof for the Pittsburgh Steelers this season. The team has loaded up on offense, got a new head coach and got their quarterback back. But on this roster, there are plenty of players who need to prove themselves in 2026, either for this team or their next one. Here are five guys with the most to prove this season.
Running back Kaleb Johnson
Kaleb Johnson’s best chance to impress the Steelers could end up being in training camp and the preseason. The team already has Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren so reps in the regular season will be hard to come by unless there’s an injury.
Defensive tackle Keeanu Benton
Benton has been incredibly inconsistent during his career and is heading into the final year of his rookie contract. When Benton is good, he’s very good but he needs to make more plays consistently and not disappear during long stretches of games.
EDGE Nick Herbig
Herbig’s talent isn’t what he needs to prove this season. Herbig is already one of the top pass rushers in the NFL. What Herbig has to do is prove his worth this season to either the Steelers or another team as he heads into the final year of his contract.
Linebacker Payton Wilson
Truth be told, we aren’t sure what else Payton Wilson needs to do to impress the coaches. Wilson led the team in tackles in 2025 despite being listed as a starter only four times. Wilson needs to prove he can do it all at inside linebacker so he can supplant Patrick Queen as the starter in a defense that won’t play two inside linebackers very often.
Wide receiver Roman Wilson
This one is too obvious but we had to include Roman Wilson. Wilson is staring up at three wide receivers on the depth chart. Wilson couldn’t get many opportunities last season with a far worse receiver depth chart but we continue to put some of that on former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 5 Steelers with the most to prove in 2026
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