Marine officer Eli Heidenreich makes Pittsburgh Steelers' 53-man roster after strong preseason
Eli Heidenreich, a newly commissioned Marine Corps officer and Naval Academy graduate, secured a spot on the Pittsburgh Steelers' initial 53-man roster on August 31, 2026, as a seventh-round NFL draft pick. He and fellow Marine 2nd Lt. Alex Tecza made history as the first pair of Marine Corps officers to appear together in an NFL preseason game. Tecza was later cut. Heidenreich's versatility as a running back, wide receiver, and special teams contributor was key to his roster spot.