Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is facing a crucial deadline as he must trim his roster down to 53 players by 4 p.m. on Tuesday. With only three to five spots up for grabs, Tomlin has some tough decisions to make regarding the final composition of his team.

One position that is set in stone is the quarterback position. The Steelers will keep three quarterbacks on their roster, as they believe it is the most important position in the sport. Russell Wilson is the unquestioned starter, with Kenny Pickett traded and Justin Fields brought in as his backup.

At running back, the Steelers kept two players on their roster last season, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. However, this year they have added Cordarrelle Patterson primarily as a kick returner, which could potentially impact the final roster decision. Undrafted rookie Jack Colletto may secure a spot if the Steelers choose to keep a fullback.

Wide receiver is another position that requires careful consideration. Three players, George Pickens, Van Jefferson, and Calvin Austin, are guaranteed spots. The remaining two spots could be filled by Quez Watkins, Scotty Miller, Dez Fitzpatrick, or potentially players acquired through waivers or trades. Watkins has yet to make a significant impact since being signed in free agency, while Fitzpatrick made a strong case in Detroit with a 59-yard catch in the preseason.

As a former tight ends coach, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is likely to prioritize multiple tight ends on the roster. Three spots are already secured by Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and MyCole Pruitt, who played under Smith in Atlanta. If Smith opts to keep a fourth tight end, Rodney Williams could be in contention. However, the presence of H-back Connor Heyward, who can also play as a flex tight end, may impact this decision.

On the offensive line, eight players are already locked in. The ninth spot could come down to center Ryan McCollum or tackle Dylan Cook, but the versatility of Mason McCormick and Spencer Anderson, who have been practicing at center, may eliminate the need for an additional lineman. Ultimately, the decision may depend on whether the Steelers opt to keep a fullback or stick with eight offensive linemen.

The defensive line presents another challenge. Although the Steelers traditionally keep seven linemen, this year's unit has not seen significant improvements. Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, and Keeanu Benton are the starters, while DeMarvin Leal and Montravius Adams are the top backup options. Veteran Dean Lowry, despite limited preseason action due to injuries, is expected to secure a spot. The decision on the final roster spot may come down to Isaiahh Loudermilk's experience or Logan Lee's potential.

Linebacker is a position that could benefit from a veteran pickup after the roster cuts. With T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith as the starters, the Steelers lack experienced depth behind them. Jeremiah Moon, Kyron Johnson, and Julius Welschof, who impressed with three sacks in the preseason, are potential options. Additionally, the status of cornerback Donte Jackson and slot corner Cam Sutton's return from injury may influence the final decision.

In the secondary, strong safety DeShon Elliott's addition is considered an upgrade, allowing Damontae Kazee to play in sub packages. Meanwhile, Miles Killebrew, a Pro Bowl special teams standout, has secured his spot on the team. The uncertainty surrounding cornerback positions, specifically the slot corner, may lead the Steelers to consider acquiring a veteran player after the roster cuts.

Special teams are anchored by punter Cameron Johnston, who is seen as an improvement compared to previous seasons. Kicker Chris Boswell and long-snapper Christian Kuntz are expected to retain their roles.

As the deadline looms, Mike Tomlin faces a challenging task of shaping the Steelers' final roster for the regular season. With several positions still up for grabs and potential additions from the waiver wire, the next few days will be crucial for the team's composition.