OLB JULIUS WELSCHOF
Experience/age: No regular-season NFL experience, 28
Contract status: $840,000 cap hit if he makes the team in 2025, after which would be an exclusive rights free agent
The past: Welschof grew up in Germany and during a trip to the United States as a 16-year old was introduced to American football. That he already was well on his way to being 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Welschof was a natural to pursue it. He joined club football teams in his native land and ultimately gained notice to the point he earned a football scholarship to Michigan. He finished his college career in 2023 at Charlotte and signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent.
Armed with a roster exemption via the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program, Welschof spent 2024 summer workouts and training camp with the Steelers. He was one of the team’s most-deployed players during the three-game preseason (140 snaps). He made them pay off in the form of three sacks. Unfortunately, though, a knee injury got him cut via an injury settlement in late August. The Steelers, though, brought Welschof back onto their practice squad in November.