The Pittsburgh Steelers did not even have to wait for cutdown day to make their move. Rookie undrafted free agent Laith Marjan only got one in-game chance to make an impression on Friday, and he failed when he missed a 44-yard field goal against the New York Jets. The Steelers waived him Sunday after the 17-0 loss, opening a roster spot before the real, tougher decisions arrive on August 30.

SB Nation reporter Jarrett Baily first shared the news on X on Sunday. Marjan actually looked fine in his first preseason appearance on August 13, going 3-for-3 on extra points against the Green Bay Packers. But Friday told a different story. He handled all the kicking duties against New York and missed his only field goal attempt.

Training camp hadn’t been much kinder to him either. Steelers Now reporter Alan Saunders had already flagged him as a ‘loser’ from camp earlier this month after he missed his first few kicks during practice. However, this shouldn’t come as a total shock.

Marjan signed with Pittsburgh in April as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas, where he made all 40 of his extra points and 14 of his 17 field goals. Before Kansas, he kicked at South Alabama and East Carolina. A good resume, sure, but that only gets you so far when Chris Boswell is standing in front of you on the depth chart.

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And that’s really the whole story here. Boswell isn’t going anywhere. He’s a 2024 All-Pro, a two-time Pro Bowler, and about as automatic as kickers get in this league. Marjan was never brought in to challenge him. He was camp leg insurance, someone to take reps off Boswell’s leg during the offseason, training camp, and the preseason grind.

Pittsburgh’s done this before, and it’s actually worked out for some guys. Matthew Wright used his camp stint the same way, basically showing off for other teams that might need a kicker, and it got him a couple of stints back in Pittsburgh whenever Boswell went down hurt.

Ben Sauls did something similar last year, ending his preseason 4-for-4 on field goals, including two kicks from 49 and 50 yards against the Carolina Panthers, before getting cut at final roster deadlines. He landed with the Giants that November.

Marjan just never built that same momentum. If nobody claims him off waivers, don’t be surprised if he sticks around Pittsburgh on the practice squad. But for now, the Steelers have their answer at kicker, and it was never really in question.

More Difficult Cuts Could Be Coming For the Steelers

Interestingly, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported over the weekend that the Steelers will keep both Will Howard and Drew Allar on their 53-man roster. If the Steelers actually go into the season with four quarterbacks on the roster, including Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph, something else has to give. So which spots take the hit?

Running back could be the most obvious answer. Kaleb Johnson, Lew Nichols and Eli Heidenreich are all fighting for what’s likely one remaining spot, and that group might just be the easiest to trim. Johnson did get more run against the Jets, seeing 12 total touches compared to only two in the opener, but his special teams absence keeps hanging over him. Special teams coordinator Danny Crossman explained Johnson’s absence, citing the lack of appropriate game situations.

However, that gap in his game, exemplified by his rookie campaign numbers of 78 yards on 29 touches, is why it’s fair to wonder whether the coaching staff ultimately prefers Nichols or Travis Homer instead, or moves on from Johnson altogether.

Defense isn’t immune either. Inside linebacker is stacked right now. Elandon Roberts is back in Pittsburgh after a year away with the Raiders, and he’s not here to stand around. Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson aren’t going anywhere either. That leaves Malik Harrison and Carson Bruener fighting for a roster spot.

Harrison’s time in Pittsburgh looks like it’s coming to an end, with Carson Bruener quietly putting together a solid preseason, including an impressive sack against the Jets in the second quarter. On top of that, cutting Harrison would save the Steelers close to $5 million.

Carrying four quarterbacks could force the Steelers to keep just four inside linebackers, making that battle even tighter.

The offensive line could feel it too. Pittsburgh’s probably keeping nine or 10 linemen, but that number could shrink. Watch center Ryan McCollum here, since new depth could make him expendable.

We’ll get more clarity once the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason wraps up against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday.