Steelers release versatile WR Max Hurleman in final cuts
The Pittsburgh Steelers released wide receiver Max Hurleman on Sunday evening, August 30, 2026, as one of their final cuts to reach the NFL's 53-man roster limit. The versatile "Swiss Army knife" lost out to rookie returner Kaden Wetjen but could land back on Pittsburgh's practice squad if he clears waivers.
Max Hurleman built his reputation on doing a little bit of everything. After playing running back and receiver at Colgate and transferring to Notre Dame as a graduate walk-on cornerback, he arrived at Steelers rookie minicamp in 2025 as an unsigned tryout. He impressed coaches enough to spend the entire 2025 campaign on the practice squad.
The team announced the move on cutdown weekend alongside a long list of waivers and releases. Steelers Now confirmed Hurleman was among the final roster cuts as Pittsburgh trimmed to 53 players ahead of the 2026 regular season.
Key Takeaways
- The Steelers waived Max Hurleman on Aug. 30, 2026, during final roster reductions.
- Rookie wide receiver and returner Kaden Wetjen made the 53-man roster instead.
- Hurleman tied for the team lead with three catches and led with 50 yards in the preseason finale at Buffalo.
- Steelers Depot graded him as the second-highest receiver in camp; a practice-squad return is plausible.
- Roster move alerts matter for fans tracking who will appear on gameday broadcasts this fall.
Why Did the Steelers Release Max Hurleman?
Pittsburgh's receiving room left little room for a developmental utility player. With DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek and Kaden Wetjen all on the initial 53, Hurleman became the odd man out.
Wetjen's place on the roster was the decisive factor. After Wetjen's punt-return touchdown helped his case, Hurleman faced a narrow path despite his versatility at receiver, running back and on special teams.
On the Steelers Afternoon Drive podcast, Hurleman once summed up the mindset coaches wanted: "I want to do it all. I want to play kick returner, punt returner — if you ask me to play two ways, I'll play two ways." That attitude kept him in the building for a year, but not on the active roster.
How Did Max Hurleman Perform This Summer?
Hurleman's 2026 camp looked far stronger than his rookie finish. Steelers Depot's film review of the preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills highlighted three catches for 50 yards, including a third-down conversion and a red-zone route that set up a touchdown.
He also contributed away from the ball, throwing a key crack block on a Travis Homer run. Depot gave him the second-highest camp grade of any Steelers receiver and called the Bills outing his best performance of the summer.
Official Steelers.com game photos from Aug. 27, 2026, captured Hurleman in action at Highmark Stadium during that Week 3 preseason matchup.
What Happens Next for Max Hurleman?
Hurleman must now pass through waivers. Steelers Now reported it would not be surprising if he returns to Pittsburgh's practice squad should another team not claim him.
That outcome would keep him close to the active roster. Depot suggested before the cut that he was a lock for the practice squad and a candidate for a later NFL debut if injuries strike the receiving corps.
Where Can Fans Follow Steelers Roster and TV Alerts?
Cutdown weekend reshuffles who fans will see on opening-week broadcasts and local pregame shows. For ongoing Steelers transaction news and what it means for your viewing schedule, bookmark our Streaming & TV Alerts hub for roster-move updates tied to coverage across the season.
Pittsburgh's official transaction log on Steelers.com remains the authoritative source for waiver and signing news as the roster continues to evolve before Week 1.