Who Is Max Hurleman? Steelers Waive Wide Receiver After Strong 2026 Preseason

Max Hurleman became a sudden topic of interest among Pittsburgh Steelers fans after the team waived the versatile wide receiver during its final roster cuts ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

Hurleman had spent the previous season developing on Pittsburgh’s practice squad and returned in 2026 hoping to earn a place on the Steelers’ 53-man roster.

His preseason performances gave him a legitimate opportunity.

Hurleman contributed as a receiver while continuing to demonstrate the versatility that has followed him throughout his football career. But when Pittsburgh finalized its initial 53-man roster on August 30, Hurleman was among the players waived.

The move left fans asking a simple question: Who is Max Hurleman, and what happens to him now?

What Happened to Max Hurleman?

The Pittsburgh Steelers waived Max Hurleman while making their final cuts to reach the NFL’s 53-player roster limit.

Hurleman was part of a large group of players competing for limited positions during training camp and the preseason.

Pittsburgh ultimately chose other options while constructing its initial regular-season roster.

The decision does not necessarily mean Hurleman’s time with the organization is permanently over.

Because he was waived rather than released as a vested veteran, other NFL teams have an opportunity to claim him.

If Hurleman clears waivers, he could potentially become a candidate for a practice-squad position, either with Pittsburgh or another NFL organization.

Who Is Max Hurleman?

Max Hurleman is a versatile American football player who has spent time at running back, wide receiver, defensive back and on special teams during his career.

That unusual background has become one of the most interesting parts of his football story.

Hurleman played college football at Colgate University before transferring to Notre Dame for his final collegiate season.

At Colgate, he primarily contributed offensively and as a return specialist.

When he arrived at Notre Dame, however, Hurleman’s role changed significantly.

He transitioned to defensive back and contributed primarily on special teams.

That experience meant that by the time he reached professional football, Hurleman had already accumulated experience on offense, defense and special teams.

Max Hurleman’s College Career at Colgate

Hurleman spent four seasons playing for Colgate.

Across five total college seasons, he appeared in 51 games and made 23 starts.

He recorded 194 rushing attempts for 814 yards and one touchdown during his collegiate career.

Hurleman was also heavily involved as a punt returner.

He returned 49 punts for 353 yards, averaging approximately 7.2 yards per return.

His ability to contribute in several different roles became one of his defining characteristics.

Rather than fitting neatly into one position, Hurleman developed into the type of player coaches could move around depending on the team’s needs.

Max Hurleman Transfers to Notre Dame

Hurleman’s football journey took another turn when he transferred to Notre Dame in 2024.

Instead of continuing exclusively as an offensive player, he transitioned to cornerback while also contributing on special teams.

The move demonstrated the versatility that would later attract attention from the Steelers.

Playing at Notre Dame also exposed Hurleman to a different level of college football competition after his years at Colgate.

However, his path to the NFL remained far from guaranteed.

He was not selected in the NFL Draft.

That meant Hurleman would have to find another route into professional football.

How Did Max Hurleman Join the Steelers?

Hurleman’s opportunity with Pittsburgh began with a tryout.

The Steelers invited him to participate in their 2025 rookie minicamp.

He arrived without the security that comes with being a draft selection or even a conventional undrafted free-agent signing.

Hurleman had to earn his opportunity from the beginning.

His performance during the tryout impressed Pittsburgh enough for the organization to sign him.

That achievement alone represented significant progress for a player attempting to make the NFL through one of its most difficult routes.

Max Hurleman Spent 2025 on Steelers Practice Squad

Hurleman did not appear in a regular-season game during the 2025 NFL campaign.

Instead, he spent the season developing on Pittsburgh’s practice squad.

The experience allowed him to learn the Steelers’ system while practicing against NFL players throughout the year.

Following Pittsburgh’s postseason appearance, Hurleman was signed to a reserve/future contract.

That gave him another opportunity to compete for the team during the 2026 offseason.

This time, Hurleman entered training camp with a full season inside the organization behind him.

Max Hurleman’s Strong 2026 Preseason

Hurleman made the most of several opportunities during Pittsburgh’s 2026 preseason.

Against the Green Bay Packers, he caught three passes for 46 yards.

He followed that performance with one reception against the New York Jets.

Then came another productive outing in Pittsburgh’s preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills.

Hurleman caught three passes for 50 yards, averaging more than 16 yards per reception.

Across the three preseason games, he recorded seven receptions for 99 receiving yards.

Those performances helped keep him in the conversation as Pittsburgh approached its final roster decisions.

Why Did the Steelers Waive Max Hurleman?

The Steelers have not indicated that Hurleman’s waiver resulted from an injury or disciplinary issue.

Instead, the move came as part of the normal NFL roster-reduction process.

Every team faces difficult decisions when reducing its expanded offseason roster to the regular-season limit.

Hurleman’s competition included other receivers and players capable of contributing on special teams.

One important factor was the emergence of rookie receiver and return specialist Kaden Wetjen, who earned a position on Pittsburgh’s initial 53-man roster.

Hurleman’s versatility helped him remain competitive, but ultimately there were not enough roster spots available for everyone.

What Position Does Max Hurleman Play?

Hurleman’s position can be somewhat confusing because he has played several roles throughout his career.

Pittsburgh primarily used him as a wide receiver, although he also has extensive experience as a running back and return specialist.

Earlier in his career, he played running back and receiver at Colgate.

At Notre Dame, he transitioned to defensive back while contributing on special teams.

His professional approach has therefore been built around versatility.

Hurleman has expressed willingness to contribute as a receiver, kick returner, punt returner or wherever coaches believe he can help.

That flexibility could become important as he searches for his next NFL opportunity.

Is Max Hurleman Still With the Steelers?

As of Pittsburgh’s August 30 roster announcement, Max Hurleman had been waived by the Steelers and was not included on the team’s initial 53-man roster.

However, NFL roster situations can change quickly.

A waived player may be claimed by another organization.

If Hurleman clears waivers, Pittsburgh could also potentially bring him back as part of its practice squad if both sides are interested and a position is available.

Therefore, being waived does not necessarily mean his relationship with Pittsburgh is permanently finished.

His status should become clearer as teams finalize their practice squads and make additional roster moves.

Could Another NFL Team Sign Max Hurleman?

Yes.

Hurleman’s preseason performances provide recent game footage for other NFL organizations to evaluate.

His versatility may also make him attractive to teams looking for depth at wide receiver or additional special-teams options.

Players on the edge of NFL rosters frequently move between organizations following final cuts.

Injuries can also create opportunities throughout the regular season.

Hurleman’s ability to contribute in multiple roles could help him remain on the radar of teams searching for players capable of filling more than one position.

Max Hurleman’s NFL Journey Isn’t Necessarily Over

Missing an initial 53-man roster can be disappointing, but Hurleman’s path to professional football has never followed a conventional route.

He went from Colgate to Notre Dame.

He switched between offense and defense.

He went undrafted.

He entered Steelers rookie minicamp as a tryout player.

He earned a contract.

He spent a season on the practice squad.

And during the 2026 preseason, he produced when given opportunities as a receiver.

Being waived represents another uncertain stage rather than necessarily the end of that journey.

What’s Next for Max Hurleman?

The immediate question is whether another NFL organization claims Hurleman off waivers.

If he clears the waiver process, practice-squad opportunities could become another route back into the league.

Pittsburgh itself could potentially remain an option depending on how the Steelers construct their practice squad.

Hurleman’s recent preseason production should at least give teams material to evaluate.

For now, the 2026 roster cut explains the sudden surge in searches surrounding his name.

Max Hurleman may not have secured a position on Pittsburgh’s initial 53-man roster, but the versatility that carried him from Colgate to Notre Dame and eventually into the NFL could still provide another opportunity.

Disclaimer

This article is based on information available at the time of publication regarding Max Hurleman’s roster status with the Pittsburgh Steelers. NFL rosters, waiver claims and practice-squad assignments can change quickly. Hurleman’s status may therefore change following publication as teams complete additional roster transactions.