Steelers Shake Up Roster: 5 Unexpected Moves That Could Change the Season

So, here we are—Pittsburgh Steelers, fresh off a rollercoaster season opener against the New York Jets, and already shaking up the roster like a snow globe in a storm. You gotta wonder: can a few savvy moves—like snagging veteran safety Jabrill Peppers and promoting some fresh faces from the practice squad—turn this team’s early stumbles into a steady march forward? Injuries have knocked a couple key players out, and frankly, the defense looked shaky enough to make you squint and question if history’s greatest QB, Aaron Rodgers himself, can bail them out every week. As the Steelers gear up to face the Seahawks, it’s clear this squad needs more than just heroics—they need resilience, grit, and maybe a little dash of fortune. So, what magic lies in these roster moves, and will it be enough to tighten the screws on a defense that’s so far given up far too many points? Let’s dig in and see what’s really brewing beneath the black-and-gold helmet.

The Pittsburgh Steelers had an up-and-down performance in their season-opening win against the New York Jets.

With that in mind, and after dealing with some injuries, they’re making some roster moves.

The Steelers signed veteran safety Jabrill Peppers to a one-year contract, signed cornerback James Pierre from the practice squad to the active roster, signed quarterback Logan Woodside to the practice squad, and placed linebacker Malik Harrison and quarterback Skylar Thompson on the reserve/injured list.

We have signed S Jabrill Peppers to a one-year contract, signed CB James Pierre from the Practice Squad to the Active Roster, signed QB Logan Woodside to the Practice Squad & placed LB Malik Harrison + QB Skylar Thompson on the Reserve/Injured List. @BordasLaw

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 10, 2025

Peppers will likely replace DeShon Elliott, who sustained an MCL injury and will be sidelined for multiple weeks.

Even when Elliott returns, having a proven veteran like Peppers, who was released by the New England Patriots at the final roster cuts, will be helpful.

The Steelers’ defense left plenty to be desired in their first game, as Justin Fields helped the Jets score 32 points.

On offense, the pass protection struggled, and it’s worrisome to think that it took a vintage Aaron Rodgers performance to secure a win.

Rodgers is arguably one of the greatest QBs of all time, but hoping that he will pass for four touchdowns every week isn’t realistic at this point in his career.

The Steelers will have to do a better job of keeping the opposing team out of the end zone, starting in Week 2 against the visiting Seattle Seahawks.

The post Steelers Made 5 Roster Moves On Wednesday appeared first on The Cold Wire.