Steelers roster spotlight: Can Ryan McCollum secure a backup role?

With roster cutdown day looming, Pittsburgh Steelers center Ryan McCollum's backup job may be in jeopardy as the team scrambles to cram as much talent as possible into a 53-man squad .

From now until the start of the regular season, we at Steelers Wire will be analyzing every player on the roster. Here's a look at McCollum and what could be in store for his 2026 season.

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McCollum, who began his career with the Houston Texans (2021) and Detroit Lions (2021), was claimed off waivers by the Steelers and signed to the practice squad in August 2022. He signed a reserve/future contract with Pittsburgh twice and eventually earned a spot on the initial 53-man roster in August 2024.

Since 2024, McCollum has appeared in 34 games for the Steelers and made three starts. He provided vital depth behind starting center Zach Frazier, but that could soon change depending on how the final roster cuts play out.

McCollum could see Brock Hoffman usurp his role as backup center and, consequently, his spot on the 53-man roster. The Steelers are strapped for roster space and have some very important decisions to make, one of which could be trusting in the versatility of Hoffman, who is capable of starting games at both guard and center, over McCollum.

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