Steelers to Retain Running Back Eli Heidenreich and Defensive Tackles Gabriel Rubio, Kevin Jobity Jr. The Pittsburgh Steelers have confirmed their intention to retain running back Eli Heidenreich and defensive tackles Gabriel Rubio and Kevin Jobity Jr. on their 53-man roster for the upcoming season. The decisions follow evaluations of the players’ performances during training camp and the team’s preseason games, which provided insight into their potential contributions to the 2026 season. Eli Heidenreich, the Steelers’ seventh-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, was chosen with the 230th overall pick. A graduate of Mt. Lebanon High School, Heidenreich showcased his athleticism and versatility during his college career at the U.S. Naval Academy. In his senior season with the Midshipmen, he amassed 1,440 yards and nine touchdowns from scrimmage, demonstrating his ability to impact both the running and passing games. Despite missing several practices during training camp, Heidenreich returned to full participation and made an immediate impact in the preseason. In the Steelers’ final preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, he carried the ball nine times for 35 yards and scored a touchdown, highlighting his reliability as a short-yardage back. Defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio, a sixth-round pick in the 2026 draft (210th overall), joined the Steelers after a standout collegiate career at Notre Dame. During the 2025 season, Rubio emerged as a key rotational player for the Fighting Irish, primarily serving as a run stuffer who provided depth and physicality along the defensive line. Though he did not participate in the NFL Combine due to scheduling conflicts, his presence at the line of scrimmage during training camp caught the attention of Steelers coaches.#pittsburgh_steelers #eli_heidenreich #gabriel_rubio #kevin_jobity_jr #us_naval_academy
