Rostering gems was a top priority for Omar Khan and his front office during this past offseason.
The Pittsburgh Steelers entered 2025 with a Super Bowl-or-bust mentality, and every move made in free agency and the NFL Draft reflected that urgency. Building a contender meant being aggressive, and Khan’s group executed accordingly.
They added veterans, secured needed depth, and walked away from the draft with young talent ready to push for roles.
One of the lesser-heralded, yet intriguing additions was safety Sebastian Castro, an undrafted rookie out of Iowa. He wasn’t a household name entering camp, but his game left an impression on anyone paying close attention.
Castro had a knack for being around the football, the kind of player who didn’t just react—he anticipated. Those instincts are why he carved out a reputation in college, racking up 163 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and four interceptions during his Hawkeyes career.
That same ability carried over to the preseason, where Castro flashed enough to earn a spot on Pittsburgh’s practice squad. For me, it was refreshing to see a player like him grind his way onto the radar. Every year, one or two undrafted guys stick, and Castro seemed like a candidate to eventually earn snaps on Sundays.
He brought a certain juice to the field—an energy the Steelers have always valued in their defenders.
Unfortunately, Pittsburgh won’t be the team reaping those rewards. Earlier this week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scooped up Castro, signing him to their active roster.
The Pittsburgh Steelers can afford to let Sebastian Castro walk
It’s one of those small gut punches you feel during a long NFL season. Losing a player you scouted, developed, and saw promise in isn’t easy, even if he wasn’t penciled in for a starting role.
Still, let’s be honest—the Steelers are positioned to weather this loss. Safety depth, once a concern, has turned into a strength. DeShon Elliott’s return to health is already paying dividends.
In just one game back, his presence was felt—his physicality and communication helped stabilize the secondary.
Alongside him, Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers have carved out important roles, giving Pittsburgh a trio of proven veterans to lean on as the season grinds forward.
That doesn’t mean I’m happy to see Castro go. I genuinely enjoyed watching his growth over the past few months, and I think he’s more than just a practice squad body. He has the instincts, effort, and athleticism to make it in the NFL.
Sometimes, all a player needs is the right opportunity, and Tampa Bay is willing to give him that chance sooner rather than later.
From a personal standpoint, I can’t help but root for him. Sure, I’d prefer those highlight plays in black and gold, but football has a funny way of writing its own stories. If Castro turns into a reliable piece for the Buccaneers, I won’t be surprised.
The kid can play, and I believe his best days are still ahead of him.
As for the Steelers, they’ll keep pressing forward. The roster is built to compete right now, and losing one undrafted gem won’t derail their mission.
But it’s worth remembering—sometimes the players who slip through the cracks end up reminding you just how valuable every roster spot truly is.
