# Jack Markowski: 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.

**Claimed:** Aug 26, 2026
**Pundit:** Jack Markowski — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/jack-markowski
**Outlet:** Sports Illustrated — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/sports-illustrated
**How it reached us:** published in writing
**Original:** https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/onsi/5-pittsburgh-steelers-could-surprise-roster-casualties

4 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.

> The expectation remains that Howard will remain a Steeler

*(their words, quoted for attribution)*

## The claims

- **Will Howard to make the roster**
  - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Will Howard, Pittsburgh Steelers
  - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess
- **Carson Bruener to make the roster**
  - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Carson Bruener, Pittsburgh Steelers
  - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess
- **Kaden Wetjen to make the roster**
  - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Kaden Wetjen, Pittsburgh Steelers
  - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess
- **Mason Rudolph to be 2nd on the depth chart**
  - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers
  - Verdict: not settled yet

## Who this take is about

- Will Howard — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/will-howard
- Pittsburgh Steelers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/steelers
- Carson Bruener — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/carson-bruener
- Kaden Wetjen — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kaden-wetjen
- Mason Rudolph — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/mason-rudolph

## What others said about the same people

- Bryan DeArdo on Joey Porter Jr.: The piece predicts Joey Porter Jr. most likely stays with the Steelers through 2026, while listing possible trade destinations if they were moved. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a6edcb85-bcff-47cb-ba7d-e09dc7549fe1 (scored 0)
- Bryan DeArdo on Pittsburgh Steelers: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ea81598d-c498-4a5f-a479-a76cec7979e6 (scored 59.52)
- Greg Jennings on Pittsburgh Steelers: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/f2a33e52-9cab-46bf-a1bf-a5a8e87a5244 (scored 100)
- Chris Simms on Pittsburgh Steelers: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/257149d0-81ab-4feb-a725-ef5bebba04b0 (scored 73.81)
- Connor Rogers on Pittsburgh Steelers: Rogers picked straight-up winners across the Week 8 slate, siding with the Bills over the Ravens, the Lions, Steelers, Jaguars, Bengals, Falcons, Raiders, Broncos, Rams, Patriots, Commanders and the Bears in Seattle. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/14b3a81b-ba4d-4270-b122-8cfe7fc959b0 (scored 100)
- James Harrison on Pittsburgh Steelers: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/0cd70cea-f5fe-44d1-a99f-bd527f74e175 (scored 100)

## More roster spot calls

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

- Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/978f775c-5611-4514-ad2f-b35a6eac0402 (scored 0)
- Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3c8c47b8-6041-4282-8d21-d21741d8f11b (scored 0)
- Parker Hurley on Khalid Kareem: Hurley predicts the 49ers will release Khalil Kareem when Nate Hobbs is activated and cut Brandin Cooks when C.J. West returns, while arguing Sebastian Valdez won't be the one let go and no cornerback will be cut. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5a729417-69ee-493a-9bec-d905fd1a7082 (scored 0)
- Jason Harmon on Max Brosmer: Harmon expects the Vikings' quarterback room to stay intact while Kyler Murray is hurt, and predicts Max Brosmer will be released and re-signed to the practice squad since Minnesota won't carry four QBs. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fa393501-3f38-481e-8e75-48125587e911 (scored 0)
- Chad Jensen on Jordan Turner: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a84d2c6e-5554-46aa-95b1-620858d31e0f (scored 0)
- Charean Williams on Odell Beckham Jr.: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d4fd8cfb-3c75-4209-9e1a-d60e821f315b (scored 0)

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Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages.

Full method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology

We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us:
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