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.

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, at New England Patriots, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 4: Thursday Night Football, Oct. 1, at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m. ET

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Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, at New Orleans Saints, 9:30 a.m. ET (Paris)

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Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 10: Sunday Night Football, Nov. 15, at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:20 p.m. ET

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Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET

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Week 12: Friday, Nov. 27, vs. Denver Broncos, 3:00 p.m. ET (Black Friday Game)

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Week 13: Sunday Night Football, Dec. 6, vs. Houston Texans, 8:20 p.m. ET

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Week 14: Monday Night Football, Dec. 14, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:15 p.m. ET

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Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 16: TBD, vs. Carolina Panthers, TBD

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Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at Tennessee Titans, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 18: TBD, at Baltimore Ravens, TBD

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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