Pittsburgh Steelers Roster Cuts: Makari Paige Waived Ahead Of 53-Man Roster Deadline
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers front office finalized a high-stakes round of roster trimming at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Tuesday, cementing the team's initial 53-man regular-season roster. Safety Makari Paige was officially waived during the final wave of steelers roster cuts makari paige, signaling General Manager Omar Khan’s preference for proven veteran depth in the secondary. The former Michigan standout will now enter the 24-hour waiver wire process before potentially returning via the practice squad.
| Player Name | Position | Preseason Snaps | Primary Roster Competition | Expected Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makari Paige | Safety / DB | 114 Snaps | Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew | Waiver Wire / Practice Squad Target |
| Jalen Elliott | Safety | 89 Snaps | Special Teams Rotation | Released |
| Cory Trice Jr. | Cornerback | 98 Snaps | Sub-package Depth | Retained on 53-Man Roster |
| Ryan Watts | Defensive Back | 105 Snaps | Nickel/Flex DB | Injured Reserve / Deferred |
The Catalyst: Inside the Decision to Waive Makari Paige
Observing the current market trend across the AFC North, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has prioritized hybrid defensive backs capable of instant contribution on special teams. While Paige showed promise in structural zone coverage during preseason wins against the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions, his lack of core special teams reps ultimately sealed his fate.
Reports from the field indicate that Head Coach Mike Tomlin valued the core special teams output of veterans like Miles Killebrew over developmental defensive prospects. Paige logged 114 total defensive snaps across three exhibition contests, yielding a modest 68.4 passer rating when targeted, but played fewer than 15 snaps on Danny Smith’s coverage units.
The roster squeeze became unavoidable when Pittsburgh opted to carry six internal defensive linemen and three quarterbacks. With starting safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott locking down the top tier of the depth chart, Paige was left competing for a fringe roster spot against versatile sub-package defenders.
Expert Analysis: Tactical Implications for Teryl Austin’s Secondary
From a structural standpoint, releasing Paige reflects Pittsburgh’s shift toward immediate win-now flexibility. Paige, who demonstrated strong communication skills and alignment discipline at the college level with the Michigan Wolverines, frequently served as the deep-third equalizer in split-safety looks during camp.
However, NFL scouting personnel noted that Paige struggled occasionally when forced to play downhill against elite perimeter speed in single-high looks. In sub-packages, Austin prefers dynamic, aggressive tacklers who can drop into the box to neutralize heavy 12-personnel packages.
"You have to evaluate the totality of a player's contributions when down to those last three spots on the 53," Tomlin noted during his post-cut press conference. "Young guys have to make their mark on special teams while they refine their positional craft. That remains the standard."
Pittsburgh Steelers roster cuts who should be brought back on practice ...
Waiver Wire & Practice Squad Guide: What Happens Next
For fans following the mechanics of the waiver wire, the next 24 hours are critical for Paige's trajectory within the organization:
- The 24-Hour Waiver Window: All 31 competing NFL franchises have until 12:00 PM ET on Wednesday to submit a waiver claim for Paige. Claims follow the 2026 NFL Draft order.
- Clearing Waivers: If Paige passes through unclaimed, he becomes an unrestricted free agent immediately eligible to sign with any practice squad.
- Steelers Practice Squad Allocation: Pittsburgh holds 16 practice squad slots, one of which is expected to be earmarked for Paige if he clears waivers.
- Elevations: Under current league guidelines, Paige could be elevated to the active game-day roster up to three times during the regular season without occupying a permanent 53-man spot.
Should another franchise claim Paige, they must immediately grant him an active spot on their 53-man roster for a minimum of three weeks.
The Road Ahead: Finalizing Pittsburgh’s Secondary Before Week 1
Omar Khan’s front office is far from finished adjusting the personnel chart ahead of the regular-season opener at Acrisure Stadium. Historical patterns show the Steelers regularly target exterior waiver claims, particularly along the secondary edge and offensive line, in the 48 hours following mandatory cutdowns.
If Paige clears waivers as expected, his return to the practice squad offers long-term developmental security for Pittsburgh's secondary. His knowledge of Austin's system makes him the primary insurance policy should injuries hit the backend of the defense during the grueling 17-game schedule.
The front office will continue monitoring external roster dumps across the league to fill out the remaining practice squad spots, prioritizing defensive back versatility and gunner traits on special teams.
