Jack Markowski#61 of 87 NFL pundits · Aug 26, 2026
Previewing the Steelers' roster cutdown, Markowski expects sixth-round quarterback Will Howard and fourth-round returner Kaden Wetjen to survive cuts despite being on the bubble, calls Carson Bruener a lock for the 53, and says Mason Rudolph has locked down the backup quarterback job.
Published in writing · Sports IllustratedRead the original
What Jack Markowski said
our reading, beside the words we read it fromThe expectation remains that Howard will remain a Steeler
- Where it was published
- Sports Illustrated
- The piece
- 5 Steelers Who Could Be Surprise Roster Casualties
- The original
- Read the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- SaidAug 26
- GradedSep 25
- 1Will Howard to make the roster“The expectation remains that Howard will remain a Steeler, but how he plays at the new Highmark Stadium might just determine whether or not he's still with the team by this time next week.”
- 2Carson Bruener to make the roster“Carson Bruener is a lock to make the 53-man roster as a special teams ace”
- 3Kaden Wetjen to make the roster“his roster status bears watching even if he's still incredibly likely to earn a spot”
- 4Mason Rudolph to be 2nd on the depth chart“What is clear, though, is that Mason Rudolph has grabbed ahold of the backup job”
Box score
HitCloseMissWaiting| Verdict | Call | Kind | What happened | Score | Naive | Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will Howard to make the roster1 | Roster Spot Calls | 3 weeks on a 53 | 100 | 100 | 0 | |
| Carson Bruener to make the roster2 | Roster Spot Calls | 3 weeks on a 53 | 100 | 100 | 0 | |
| Kaden Wetjen to make the roster3 | Roster Spot Calls | 3 weeks on a 53 | 100 | 0 | +200 | |
| Mason Rudolph to be 2nd on the depth chart4 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| 4 calls · 3 hits · 1 waiting | 100 | 66.7 | ||||
How each call scored
a naive guessbetter than naive4 checkable claims — 3 roster spot calls and 1 depth chart call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 5 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
3 of 4 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 66.7 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.
Where this call stands in the room
Mason Rudolph · 2026 season5 calls from 5 pundits between 2 and 3. Jack Markowski said 2. the room's median is 2. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
1Roster Spot CallsWill HowardPittsburgh Steelers
Will Howard to make the roster
What happened3 weeks on a 53100Hit · naive 100100this call−100a naive guess=0better than naive×2difficulty=0skillThink this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- PIT
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Will Howard
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he makes the 53
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
2Roster Spot CallsCarson BruenerPittsburgh Steelers
Carson Bruener to make the roster
What happened3 weeks on a 53100Hit · naive 100100this call−100a naive guess=0better than naive×2difficulty=0skillThink this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- PIT
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Carson Bruener
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he makes the 53
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
3Roster Spot CallsKaden WetjenPittsburgh Steelers
Kaden Wetjen to make the roster
What happened3 weeks on a 53100Hit · naive 0100this call−0a naive guess=100better than naive×2difficulty=+200skillThink this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- PIT
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- Kaden Wetjen
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he makes the 53
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
4Depth Chart CallsMason RudolphPittsburgh Steelers
Mason Rudolph to be 2nd on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- All
The take as a whole
the average of 3 settled calls, each counted once
100naive 66.7
Who this take is about
Others on the same people
Bryan DeArdo · Trade and Signing Calls · Joey Porter Jr. · Miss 0
The piece predicts Joey Porter Jr. most likely stays with the Steelers through 2026, while listing possible trade destinations if they were moved.Bryan DeArdo · Score Predictions · Pittsburgh Steelers · Close 60
DeArdo picks the Steelers to beat the Browns at home in Week 8, citing Pittsburgh's quarterback edge and a running game that should exploit Cleveland's weak run defense.Greg Jennings · Game Outcome Picks · Pittsburgh Steelers · Hit 100
Jennings backed the Vikings to upset the Lions in Detroit, put chips on the Steelers over the Browns, and took the Chiefs to win in Denver.Chris Simms · Score Predictions · Pittsburgh Steelers · Close 74
Simms gave straight-up winners with predicted final scores for every Week 8 game, including upset calls on the Ravens in Buffalo, the Broncos over the Chiefs, the Jets over the Raiders and the Seahawks over the Bears, and they expected Josh Downs to play for the Colts despite their trade request.James Harrison · Game Outcome Picks · Pittsburgh Steelers · Hit 100
Harrison picked the Steelers to beat the Browns in their Sunday meeting, saying Pittsburgh would even the season series at 1-1 after losing the first matchup.
More roster spot calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role.Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots.Chad Jensen · Roster Spot Calls · Jordan Turner · Miss 0
Jensen predicts Daiyan Henley's arrival will cut into Justin Strnad's snaps while Alex Singleton keeps playing virtually every down, and that Denver will return to a three-linebacker rotation after the Week 10 bye. They also expect one of Jordan Turner or Karene Reid — most likely Turner — to be waived to clear a roster spot.Charean Williams · Roster Spot Calls · Odell Beckham Jr. · Miss 0
Williams writes that after releasing Odell Beckham Jr. to open a roster spot for Kirk Cousins, the Vikings will bring them back on the practice squad.