If Pittsburgh wants to bridge the gap between regular-season competence and postseason credibility, it must inject explosiveness into an offense that may or may not feature Aaron Rodgers. And if the Jacksonville Jaguars are indeed willing to move on from Brian Thomas Jr, the Steelers should be first in line.

End of an era

The 2025 Steelers season was a study in transition and resilience. Rodgers stabilized a quarterback room that had been in flux for years. The result was a 10-7 record and Pittsburgh’s first AFC North title since 2020. Rodgers’ chemistry with offseason acquisition DK Metcalf gave the offense a vertical punch that had been missing.

The fairytale, however, ended abruptly. A 30-6 Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans exposed familiar flaws. These were limited offensive versatility and an inability to keep pace in playoff shootouts. The campaign carried added emotional weight. It marked Tomlin’s final season. He extended the franchise’s remarkable streak to 22 consecutive non-losing seasons before announcing he would step down.

Uncertainty and flexibility

Rodgers’ potential retirement may leave Pittsburgh with Mason Rudolph and developmental project Will Howard as the only quarterbacks under contract. This creates urgency for general manager Omar Khan.

Fortunately, Pittsburgh is well-positioned to act. The Steelers project to hold roughly $42.5 million in effective cap space. That gives them room to absorb contracts or pursue a trade for a veteran signal-caller. More importantly, they possess 12 draft selections in 2026, including five inside the first 100 picks.

The 21st overall pick headlines the arsenal, but the true power lies in the depth of Day 2 capital. That flexibility allows Khan to address multiple needs without sacrificing the future. Of course, quarterback will dominate headlines. However, surrounding whoever starts under center with speed and vertical threat may be equally vital. That’s where Brian Thomas Jr enters the equation.

Brian Thomas Jr’s complicated 2025

Thomas Jr burst onto the scene in 2024 with over 1,200 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He instantly flashed WR1 upside. His sophomore season, though, told a different story. In 2025, he managed 48 receptions for 707 yards and just two touchdowns in 14 games. An ankle injury sidelined him for three contests. Early-season drop issues also plagued his efficiency. At one point, he had one of the highest drop rates among qualified receivers.

The Jaguars’ evolving offensive structure didn’t help. With Parker Washington emerging and Jakobi Meyers added to the mix, Thomas increasingly found himself relegated to a WR3 field-stretching role. He still displayed big-play flashes and capped the year with a postseason touchdown against Buffalo.

In Jacksonville, though, he’s now an expensive depth piece. In Pittsburgh, he could be something more.

Why both teams do the deal

For Jacksonville, this is about asset optimization. With Travis Hunter emerging as a two-way centerpiece and Meyers secured long-term, Thomas has become somewhat redundant. Moving him now allows the Jaguars to recoup draft capital before committing to any contract option. In a roster recalibration phase, maximizing value is smart business.

For Pittsburgh, it’s about acceleration. The Steelers can’t waste a transition year under McCarthy hoping for incremental growth. Thomas would perfectly complement Metcalf’s physical dominance. Together, they create a track-meet dynamic capable of stretching defenses horizontally and vertically.

With 12 draft picks, Pittsburgh also has ammunition to spend without mortgaging flexibility.

Perfect trade framework

To acquire a former first-round pick who has already demonstrated WR1 flashes, Pittsburgh must offer legitimate Day 2 capital.

The proposed deal:

• The Steelers receive wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
• The Jaguars receive a 2026 third-round pick, a 2026 fourth-round pick, and wide receiver Roman Wilson.

This structure checks every strategic box.

Why it makes sense

First, the draft capital. Pittsburgh holds three third-round picks in 2026. Surrendering one along with a fourth is a manageable price for a 23-year-old receiver with Thomas’ ceiling. It’s a calculated investment rather than a reckless splash.

Second, the fresh-start component. Wilson’s tenure in Pittsburgh has not unfolded as expected. Including him provides Jacksonville with a cost-controlled slot option and gives Wilson a reset in a new environment. It balances the asset exchange while addressing depth concerns for both teams.

Third, the financial practicality. Thomas carries a modest $3.99 million cap hit in 2026. For the Steelers, this is an incredibly cost-effective addition. Pittsburgh gains explosive upside without compromising cap flexibility needed for future quarterback moves.

Pittsburgh’s bigger picture

This isn’t just about acquiring another receiver but about redefining identity. A McCarthy-led offense thrives on spacing and vertical aggression. Thomas’ ability to threaten deep coverage opens intermediate lanes for Metcalf along with tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith. It also creates easier reads for whichever quarterback takes over in 2026.

In today’s AFC, you don’t win by grinding out 20-17 victories alone. You win by forcing defensive coordinators into impossible coverage decisions. Metcalf and Thomas together would do exactly that.

The Steelers are entering a new chapter. They have the cap space and draft capital. What they need now is conviction.

Brian Thomas Jr may not be the league’s hottest trade commodity. However, he represents a rare combination of youth, speed, and proven production potential. For a manageable price, Pittsburgh could secure a long-term vertical weapon who fits seamlessly into its evolving offensive blueprint. Right now, the Steelers just can’t afford caution.

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Both players carry big contracts. Brown has four more years at $28.25 million per year, with $29 million fully guaranteed for 2026. And Metcalf has four more years at $28.75 million per year with nothing guaranteed.

But will the Patriots be able to swing a deal to give young quarterback Drake Maye a desperately needed big-time receiving weapon?

Patriots seem inclined to make a deal

Which receiver would the Patriots prefer? It might be Brown because of Mike Vrabel’s previous ties to him when Brown was with the Titans.

And Brown seems ready to break up with the Eagles.

“Brown made no secret of his frustrations with the Eagles’ offense in 2025,” Dan Graziano wrote. “Heck, he made no secret of them in 2024, when the team ended up winning the Super Bowl. Philadelphia has learned to live with Brown’s grousing because of his production. So, the questions are whether he’s unhappy enough there to force the issue and whether the Eagles want to move on from the situation.”

So there is concern that Brown has become a bit of a malcontent. Also, is he the same player he was a few years ago?

“Brown’s individual play seemed to fall off a touch last season, but it’s fair to believe his frustration with the offense led to some disinterested play,” Ben Solak wrote. “An acquiring team is risking that Brown is beyond his athletic prime (he will turn 29 this summer).”

As for Metcalf, are the Steelers really ready to jump ship as they did with George Pickens?

“His two-game suspension at the end of the season for an in-game altercation with a fan voided that guarantee and could in turn make Metcalf easier to trade, if the Steelers are so inclined,” Graziano said. “They’ll be installing a new offense under new coach Mike McCarthy, and while dealing Metcalf would weaken them at a spot where they’re already thin, the wideout could end up on the market if he’s not a fit for the scheme.”

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According to the survey, it was the first time the Steelers finished in last place across the board. Last year, the Steelers ranked 28th. The Arizona Cardinals finished just ahead of the Steelers at 31st. The biggest issue for the Steelers was the fact that owner Art Rooney has not spent well, and that the home field was not on par with where it should be.

“[Steelers owner] Art Rooney ranks last in the league for willingness to invest in facilities, a trend reflected in the Steelers’ poor facility ratings across the board,” the survey said.

The reasoning behind the low field grade was that the conditions struggle to keep up with the rest of the NFL, given how often other teams like Pitt use the field.

“Players cite inadequate maintenance and excessive wear from hosting local college and high school games,” the survey said. “Players across the league note the poor condition of the field and emphasize the need for investment to bring it up to standard.”

The Steelers’ locker room was graded an F. Players reported that it “has only five bathroom stalls for the entire team.”

Per the survey, players report that the Steelers’ training room lacks updated recovery technology and “modalities.” Pittsburgh’s strength coaches ranked last in the NFL, though the training staff ranked first in a big contrast.

“We are not going to comment on a report that we have not seen in its entirety,” Steelers senior director of communications Burt Lauten initially told ESPN when they were asked for comment.

It is also worth noting that the Vikings and the Dolphins were the two highest-ranked franchises in the NFL. Then the Cardinals were the only team to receive an F.

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That being said, one selection stands out as the biggest move the Steelers can make this offseason to fix their flaws. One free agent, in particular, could be the solution to their issues that have plagued them for over half a decade now. For the last few years, the Steelers’ offense has been in the gutter. They’ve ranked bottom ten in yards per game for the last five years.

While playcalling has certainly been an issue, it also can’t be denied that the Steelers have lacked a dynamic option at quarterback. The Steelers cycled between an old Ben Roethlisberger (who retired after the 2020 season), Kenny Pickett, Justin Fields, an old Russell Wilson, and an old Aaron Rodgers under center. That’s just not a recipe for success in the modern NFL.

This free agency, the Steelers can take a chance on a guy who’s developed significantly as a quarterback. At worst, he’s a bridge option for next year’s quarterback class. However, he also has the potential to be the future of Pittsburgh for years to come: Malik Willis.

Malik Willis is a sneaky-good pickup for the Steelers

Drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2022 (the same year the Steelers drafted Pickett), Willis’ first few seasons in the league were terrible. Willis was projected to be a raw prospect who had great physical tools but struggled with accuracy and reading the field. That much was apparent when he started for the Titans.

Willis’ greenness as a quarterback was on full display in Tennessee, much to the fans’ dismay. He had terrible footwork and struggled to see the field cleanly. He didn’t see the field much with the Titans; his terrible first few reps with the team were enough to dissuade the front office from investing in him as a quarterback. They went so far as to draft Will Levis the year after Willis was drafted.

After two seasons with the Titans, Willis was traded to the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers’ former team. There, Willis took a backseat to starter Jordan Love as the primary backup. While the quarterback didn’t see a lot of action with the Packers, the short time that he took over has been more encouraging than anything we’ve seen from him. He became a respectable passer from the pocket while still utilizing his wheels when needed.

After an excellent 2025 season where he had to step in after Love suffered an injury, Willis is projected to be a top free agent this offseason. Teams that lack a quarterback this season could take a flier on the former third-round pick and see if he develops even further. The Steelers could use a guy like Willis under center.

At this point, the Steelers need some semblance of a functioning offense in order to at least be competitive. It doesn’t need to be a juggernaut like the Lions and the 49ers of the league, but it just needs to be passable. A good offense breeds development from the skill position players. The Steelers have the bones of a solid offense: with Pat Friermuth, DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin, and Jaylen Warren, something can be made from that core.

Will Willis make this core a contender? No, but the Steelers at this point don’t need to compete. Instead, they need to focus on development and preparing for the future. Willis is the perfect bridge quarterback who can get them through this 2026 season and could potentially become the guy for the team. His ability to create outside of the pocket with his runs will be a welcome change of pace after Rodgers’ statue-esque movement in the pocket last season.

It’s not a home-run fix that will magically cure the Steelers’ offensive woes. But it will surely put them in the right direction moving forward, if they play their cards right this season and the next.

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Khan has been with the franchise since 2001, making his way up the ranks before embracing the general manager role in 2022. He is responsible for managing the entire roster of the organization, making big decisions on the players’ contract situations.

Khan was present at the NFL’s Scouting Combine, addressing the media on Wednesday. He recently sat down with Steelers Nation Radio to talk about the team’s plans for the future, along with how well Khan has been able to work with new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy. It was there where he revealed how Pittsburgh will be ready, especially with the upcoming draft and free agency.

“We’ve already been in contact with some of our free agents and players that we want to retain,” Khan said, via Steeler Nation. “I’d like to tell you that it gets done sooner or later, but history has told me that those things usually happen closer to the free agent date, either right before or right after. I go into it like everybody else, saying, ‘Why is this so hard? We want you back, and why can’t we just get it done?’ And these things usually don’t go that way.”

What lies ahead for Omar Khan, Steelers

It’s clear that Omar Khan has plenty of optimism for the Steelers going into the 2026 offseason.

They begin a new era of Pittsburgh football after seeing Mike Tomlin step down from the head coaching position after 19 seasons. The squad never had a losing season under him, making two Super Bowl appearances and earning one title in 2008.

Mike McCarthy now takes over the reins as the next head coach, having won the Super Bowl in 2010 with the Green Bay Packers. He has been mostly successful with getting his teams to the playoffs, paving the way for an intriguing adventure with Pittsburgh.

The Steelers finished with a 10-7 record in the 2025 campaign, securing the AFC North Division title. However, they lost to the Houston Texans at home in the Wild Card round. The squad will seek better success for the 2026 campaign and beyond under McCarthy.

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With their eyes firmly placed on the future, Omar Khan took some time on the Rich Eisen Show to talk about the team’s quarterback plans for the fall, which could involve a veteran option, a new player in the 2026 NFL Draft, or another arm already in the locker room like, say, Will Howard, who was drafted in the sixth round out of Ohio State last spring.

“We’re still trying to identify who that next franchise quarterback is for us; we don’t know. Is it Will Howard?” Khan asked. “We’ll see. But we’re not there yet. We have to figure that out.”

Digging deeper into Howard as a prospect, Khan noted that Tomlin was a big fan of OSU player’s game coming out of Columbus and hopes to see what he can do this year.

“Mike evaluated those quarterbacks last year. He was out, but he did evaluate him. He really liked Will. You know Will’s a winner; there is a lot to like about Will,” Khan said.

“There is a lot that can happen between now and then, but the opportunity is going to be there, I think, and whether its this year or at some point for him to show us what he’s got.”

Would it be an incredible feat for Howard, a player who has yet to play a regular season snap, to come in and become a franchise quarterback in Year 2? Most certainly so, but it wouldn’t be unprecedented, as Tony Romo went undrafted, as did Kurt Warner, and Brock Purdy, one of the top signal callers in the NFL today, was selected 77 picks later than Howard in 2021. Even if the Steelers add a few more quarterbacks this offseason, one way or another, who knows, maybe Howard will be the one who comes out on top in the end.

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While Pittsburgh hired head coach Mike McCarthy, who has familiarity with Rodgers, there was speculation that the quarterback could be coming back. Without an official decision yet and probably not for a while, Schefter would speak on his self-titled podcast about the many “feelings” that are sensed.

“With the man of mystery, there are some real mysteries here as to when he’s going to announce what he’s doing, whether he is or isn’t coming back,” Schefter said. “Feeling is, he’s coming back, feeling is, it should be mid-March, feeling is, it should be Pittsburgh. That means he could retire tomorrow, or he could wind up playing with the Vikings in the Spring. We don’t really know exactly, I’m just telling you the general gist of what’s being said out there right now.”

General manager Omar Khan would be asked Tuesday about the upcoming decision with Rodgers, saying there’s been communication between the team and the star, even expressing that he doesn’t expect it to be like last year.

“Steelers GM Omar Khan says he’s been in communication with Aaron Rodgers, but there’s nothing new to add,” Brooke Pryor of ESPN wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“I don’t see this going like it did last year,” Khan said to Pryor.

Last season, Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards to go along with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Pittsburgh went 10-7 last season, winning the AFC North, but being eliminated in the wild-card by the Houston Texans.

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After being asked about cap casualties, Khan seemed to take a definitive position.

“Omar Khan repeatedly made it sound like the Steelers are not eager to release any veterans under contract (as so-called “cap casualties”). Multiple times asked specifically about Jonnu Smith, he talked like the team is OK with him coming back,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter Chris Adamski posted to X, formerly Twitter.

Khan also spoke highly about defensive star Patrick Queen, the outlet reported. Both Smith and Queen are veterans on a Steelers team that once again was one and done in the NFL Playoffs in 2025.

Steelers looking to improve in many areas for 2026

Pittsburgh is facing uncharted waters this upcoming season. McCarthy is replacing Mike Tomlin, who coached the team for nearly 20 years and never had a losing season.

General manager Khan says his team is looking to improve in all sorts of ways with McCarthy at the helm. The team has to figure out who will be its quarterback. Aaron Rodgers is on the fence about signing a new deal with the team.

“Steelers GM Omar Khan says he’s been in communication with Aaron Rodgers, but there’s nothing new to add,” ESPN’s Brooke Pryor posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday.

Khan is hopeful to have an answer soon on Rodgers.

“The door’s open to have Aaron back. I’ve had conversations with him,” Khan said, per NFL.com. “I spoke to him last week. Mike McCarthy has spoke to him. He knows how we feel about him. Right now, we’re proceeding… He’s a free agent and he’s not on the roster, but he knows how we feel about him.”

The Steelers won the AFC North division in 2025. Pittsburgh then lost to the Houston Texans in the NFL Playoffs.

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His ability to operate within a structured offense that prioritizes intermediate lanes aligns with what the Steelers want to achieve under Mike McCarthy.

Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN believes the Steelers must approach the quarterback position with a focus on long-term stability rather than just finding another temporary veteran. He noted that while Ty Simpson’s 2025 season was somewhat inconsistent across his fifteen starts, the young quarterback possesses significant promise.

Kiper highlighted Simpson’s ability to navigate the pocket and his impressive ratio of twenty-eight touchdowns to only five interceptions.

By selecting Simpson, the Steelers could allow him to develop behind a veteran like Aaron Rodgers for a period before officially handing him the keys to the offense.

In addition to the draft, the Steelers could consider a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for Tanner McKee.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell suggested a deal involving a 2026 third-round pick and a conditional 2027 third-round selection. McKee has shown flashes of potential, including a strong 2025 preseason and a Total QBR that slightly edged out Rodgers in limited appearances.

Since Pittsburgh holds an extra third-round pick from the George Pickens trade, acquiring a 25-year-old talent like McKee could provide an alternative path to stability.

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“Steelers GM Omar Khan says he’s been in communication with Aaron Rodgers, but there’s nothing new to add,” ESPN’s Brooke Pryor posted to X, formerly Twitter.

Rodgers is considering a return to Pittsburgh. In 2025, Rodgers waited until the summer to formally declare he would sign a deal with Pittsburgh. It happened as OTAs were about to begin.

“I don’t see this going like it did last year,” Khan said to Pryor about a possible Rodgers return for 2026.

The Steelers are preparing for their first season since 2006 without Mike Tomlin as head coach of the team. Mike McCarthy is now leading Pittsburgh.

Steelers face a lot of questions in 2026

Steelers fans had become exhausted of Tomlin, who hadn’t won a playoff game in almost a decade. The team has big expectations for McCarthy, who is from Pittsburgh. He won a Super Bowl coaching the Green Bay Packers with Rodgers as his quarterback.

Pittsburgh’s general manager says his team will work to address all its needs, to help McCarthy and company.

“I don’t think we were good enough overall,” Khan said at the combine, per Yahoo Sports. “We didn’t win a single playoff game; that’s not good enough. So we have to be better at every position.”

The team will have to figure out who will be its starting quarterback. If Rodgers doesn’t return, the team has some options. One is to work with young quarterback Will Howard, who was drafted by the team in 2025. Howard won a national championship in college at Ohio State in 2024.

Rodgers played one season in Pittsburgh in 2025, after spending two years before that with the New York Jets. Rodgers admitted that Tomlin was a big reason why he chose to play in Pittsburgh. Time will tell if he comes back to the Steel City for another season.

In 2025, Rodgers threw for 3,322 passing yards and 24 touchdowns.

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It’s a simple business move for the redshirt junior who’s widely viewed as the QB2 of this class, trying to cement a mid-to-late first-round grade. Simpson is listed at 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, and he’s coming off the season where he finally took the reins in Tuscaloosa after waiting behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe, finishing 2025 with 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions while Alabama went 11-4.

Simpson’s appeal isn’t hard to explain once you watch him in a normal rhythm game. He’s at his best when the play has a clear “answer” built in, when the ball is coming out on time, and when he can live in that 8-to-18-yard area without feeling like he has to turn every snap into a rescue mission.

Here are four destinations that fit the way Simpson actually plays.

New York Jets

This is the cleanest match between the situation and draft logistics. The Jets sit near the very top of the board in 2026, and everything about their offseason points toward adding a quarterback, even if they also add a veteran. The wrinkle is that the very top of this class is expected to be expensive and crowded, which makes QB2 with first-round momentum a practical target.

Simpson fits New York because he gives them a chance to build something stable without needing a total personality transplant on offense. If the Jets commit to a timing-based system, Simpson can operate it early.

This is great in a market that punishes indecision. With Simpson, the path is at least legible.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh is a strong fit for one reason that matters more than buzzwords: the Steelers can draft a quarterback without making it a circus. Even when their QB room is unsettled, they tend to keep the building calmer than most, and that alone helps a young passer.

Simpson’s game lines up with what Pittsburgh wants to be when it’s at its best, and the Steelers want a run game that’s good, a play-action package that punishes aggressive linebackers, and a quarterback who can win the down without treating every snap like a gamble. Simpson has enough athletic ability to survive broken pockets, but his real value is that he can work inside the structure, especially in the quick and intermediate lanes.

Draft position matters here, too. Pittsburgh is exactly the type of team that can take QB2 late in Round 1.

When you spend a top-five pick, you’re pressured to start immediately, even if the roster isn’t ready. When you take a quarterback in the back half of the first, you can be more adult about development.

And yes, there’s a real chance Pittsburgh tries to patch the position with a veteran again, but that doesn’t kill the Simpson fit. It actually helps it, because it buys him time while still giving the franchise an exit ramp that isn’t another frantic offseason.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints are a fit because they’re one of the few franchises that still treat offensive structure like religion.

That environment is friendly to Simpson. Alabama asked him to operate with discipline, and his best stretches looked like a quarterback who was comfortable playing on script, then taking the occasional shot when the defense finally overcommitted. In New Orleans, that style doesn’t get mocked.

There’s also a roster logic that makes this more than theoretical. The Saints are often managing cap gymnastics, which tends to push them toward quarterback solutions that don’t require throwing $50 million at a stopgap.

A rookie quarterback on a first-round deal changes the math. Simpson, in particular, gives them a chance to run a functional offense while the rest of the roster is being rebalanced.

If he lands there, the early goal wouldn’t be turning him into a weekly hero, but he surely can grow.

Cleveland Browns

Cleveland is the grown-up fit for Simpson. The Browns are not usually in a mood for patience, but they’re also painfully familiar with what happens when you keep chasing short-term quarterback fixes.

Simpson could be good in Cleveland because he’s the kind of quarterback who can play meaningful football without needing the offense to become a circus.

If the Browns are serious about keeping their run game identity, Simpson’s profile fits that shape. He’s comfortable off play-action, he can work the middle of the field, and he doesn’t need to throw 45 times a week to look competent.

The other reason Cleveland works is that it can support a quarterback with infrastructure. Even when the Browns are messy at QB, they’ve invested in the idea of being tough and balanced. For Simpson, that kind of environment matters more than a “star receiver” headline. You don’t want his rookie season to become 17 games of third-and-12 because the offense can’t stay ahead of the sticks.

One of the biggest storylines of Combine week is whether Simpson can turn “QB2” into a real first-round lock. That’s the question hanging over Indianapolis: if he throws well, interviews well, and looks comfortable in the setting, teams can justify taking him in the middle of Round 1 without needing a trade-up frenzy.

But if he plays ordinary, the league has a habit of pushing quarterbacks down the board until April panic sets in. Multiple draft observers have framed this Combine as the moment Simpson can either solidify first-round status or drift into that early-second gray zone.

If Simpson hits, these four teams make the most sense because they don’t require him to become a completely different player.

That’s usually what determines a quarterback’s real landing spot anyway. Not the fan argument and definitely not the internet mock, but whether the staff has a plan that matches the player they’re actually drafting.

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Still, league talk suggests the odds are improving after several discussions with McCarthy, who played a vital role in Rodgers’ early development. Additionally, D.K. Metcalf has been encouraging Rodgers to take one more shot, which is why the Steelers are eager for an answer before free agency begins in mid-March.

If Rodgers decides to come back, a new contract structure will likely be necessary, and even with approximately $44.94 million in projected cap space, Pittsburgh will seek additional room to build a competitive roster around a 42-year-old quarterback.

The motivation for clearing cap space in 2026 is not due to financial strife, but because complacency can lead to severe cap penalties. A viable solution at quarterback, even if it’s temporary, requires protection and contingency plans. McCarthy will need functional tackles, a dependable run game system, and at least one more reliable receiving option. Aaron Rodgers leaving will definitely give the salary cap a fresh start, but let’s see about other players that could do the same.

D.K. Metcalf

If the Steelers are serious about bringing Rodgers back, they should not weaken their appeal by releasing their most prominent weapon. Instead, they should make the cap situation work in their favor. Metcalf’s contract could be restructured. Converting base salary into a signing bonus and spreading out the financial hit is a classic move for contenders, and that’s exactly what Pittsburgh aims to be.

Restructuring Metcalf’s deal is also politically experienced: it provides flexibility in March, all without cutting a productive star.

Cameron Heyward

This represents a tough, traditional Steelers decision, one the franchise usually postpones until necessary. Heyward is a respected leader, but the salary cap rewards on-field performance, not speeches. In this new coaching era, it’s essential to assess whether a beloved veteran remains a core asset or is simply a respected presence.

If he wants to continue playing, the ideal scenario would involve a pay cut and a role adjustment that reflects his current reality, fewer snaps but more targeted usage, still valuable. If he’s uncertain, retirement could be a cleaner exit. Either way, making this decision is one of the quickest ways to create meaningful cap space that can be redirected toward improving the offensive line or enhancing cornerback speed, two critical areas that can determine the outcome of seasons when the games become more competitive.

Alex Highsmith

Trading Highsmith is a painful but logical move. The edge position is valuable, and Pittsburgh generally prioritizes building talent there. However, this approach can lead to overpaying at one position while neglecting others, specially If you already have a marquee pass rusher shaping the defense’s identity and face real cap challenges, Highsmith becomes a chip from which you can trade.

The return from a trade is important, but so is the flexibility it offers: moving a significant contract could help fund multiple starters in other areas. This is particularly relevant if the Steelers are looking to rebuild a functional offense. Regardless of whether Rodgers stays, the Steelers cannot continue to patch together offensive lines with makeshift solutions.

Pat Freiermuth

Not every cap-clearing move has to be dramatic. Freiermuth is the type of player you want to keep. Tight ends who contribute significantly to the passing game are valuable safety nets, especially for a quarterback looking to get rid of the ball quickly and minimize unnecessary hits.

Restructuring his deal is a professional move. With Aaron playing again, having a reliable tight end will help him operate effectively in the quick game. If he doesn’t return, having a dependable tight end can aid any young quarterback in navigating the challenges ahead. Either way, this is a sensible contract to adjust for cap relief without creating a new gap in the roster.

With all these, the Steelers can manufacture the kind of team that separates competitiveness. With March almost there, the team will need to act, and you can’t act if you’re waiting on a quarterback decision while your cap is tied up in contracts you refuse to touch out of sentiment or inertia.

While Rodgers is the main focus, the Steelers would be remiss to consider him the only option. This is where the discussion around a second quarterback starts, particularly as rumors start to circulate. Philadelphia is known for being one of the league’s most aggressive teams in trade negotiations. Recently, a mock trade proposal suggested the Eagles could send Tanner McKee to Pittsburgh in exchange for a third-round pick in 2026 and a conditional third-round pick in 2027.

The reasoning is that McKee has demonstrated enough potential during the preseason and in limited play to be a reasonable investment. The mock even pointed out a Total QBR comparison that slightly favored him over Rodgers in that limited sample size.

The best approach for the Steelers would be to view any McKee-like acquisition as insurance rather than the primary strategy.

The real plan should be to generate enough cap space to build a roster capable of supporting any quarterback who takes the field, whether it’s a veteran star or a younger prospect.

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The Steelers’ seventh consecutive playoff defeat was a lopsided 30-6 Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans. It underscored how Pittsburgh’s ceiling remains capped. With Tomlin stepping down and Mike McCarthy ushering in a new era, the franchise now stands at a crossroads. The roster was good enough to win a division but not good enough to compete for a championship. Of course, that means difficult decisions are coming in free agency.

Resilience meets frustration

The Steelers’ 2025 season was a journey of historic milestones and significant change. It concluded with a 10-7 record and an AFC North title. The campaign was was another entry in a remarkable standard of stability during an era of volatility.

On the field, Pittsburgh leaned on a reshaped offense featuring Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and DK Metcalf as the primary perimeter weapon. The defense remained anchored by TJ Watt, while linebacker Payton Wilson emerged as a dynamic playmaker. A dramatic Week 18 victory over Baltimore clinched the division and briefly reignited championship aspirations.

January, though, told a different story. The Steelers’ offense stalled against Houston. The defensive unit struggled to contain explosive plays. The Wild Card defeat extended a painful playoff skid. Stability was just no longer enough.

Transformative offseason

Looking ahead to 2026, Pittsburgh enters a major transition with approximately $45 million in cap space. The possible departure of Rodgers leaves the quarterback position unsettled. Whether the future lies with Will Howard or in the upcoming draft, identifying a long-term answer under center is the franchise’s top priority.

Beyond quarterback, the roster requires reinforcement along the perimeter. Metcalf cannot operate as a one-man show. A legitimate WR2 must emerge to prevent defensive schemes from suffocating the offense. Defensively, the secondary remains vulnerable opposite Joey Porter Jr. Safety depth behind DeShon Elliott must also be fortified to compete in a pass-heavy AFC.

The offensive line cetainly still requires refinement. On defense, the shift toward speed and coverage versatility will shape personnel decisions. With flexibility available, Pittsburgh’s front office must choose wisely not emotionally.

Here are the tough cuts they need to make.

QB Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers’ arrival in 2025 was a calculated gamble. He delivered 26 touchdown passes and guided the Steelers to a division crown. For stretches, he provided veteran calm in late-game situations. Still, at 42 years old entering the 2026 season, Rodgers represents a bridge that has reached its endpoint.

The complication lies in familiarity. McCarthy and Rodgers share championship history in Green Bay. That history will tempt continuity. The problem is that continuity in this case delays clarity. Pittsburgh must evaluate whether Howard can evolve into a franchise cornerstone or whether significant draft capital must be deployed for a blue-chip prospect.

Retaining Rodgers allocates premium cap space toward diminishing returns. The smarter investment is constructing infrastructure for the next quarterback era. Pittsburgh needs to build a roster that supports youth, not insulate twilight seasons. Letting Rodgers walk is a necessary acknowledgment of what the Steelers must become.

OL Isaac Seumalo

Isaac Seumalo has been a stabilizing presence at left guard. However, the realities of roster construction are unforgiving. Entering his age-33 season, Seumalo battled a lingering pectoral issue throughout 2025. Durability concerns are well-documented.

Pittsburgh’s offensive line is also trending younger. Zach Frazier has emerged as a foundational center. Troy Fautanu profiles as a long-term tackle cornerstone. Spencer Anderson flashed also promise when called upon last season. The trajectory points toward youth alignment, not veteran retention.

Seumalo’s market value will remain respectable. However, committing multi-year money to a player exiting his prime contradicts Pittsburgh’s reset strategy. A younger free agent or draft investment would better match the timeline of a developing offensive core.

LB Cole Holcomb

Cole Holcomb’s tenure in Pittsburgh has been defined by resilience. His toughness and leadership resonated in the locker room. Yet his catastrophic knee injury in late 2024 and extended recovery into 2025 altered his trajectory.

The Steelers’ linebacker room has evolved in his absence, too. Patrick Queen has cemented himself as the alpha presence. Wilson’s emergence as a sideline-to-sideline force adds speed and playmaking. Depth options like Carson Bruener further compress Holcomb’s pathway back to a meaningful role.

Under a new coaching alignment, defensive philosophy should prioritize range and coverage flexibility. Holcomb, returning from major health hurdles, may no longer project as an every-down fit in that framework. Financially, retaining him at veteran value limits flexibility in addressing more urgent needs.

The cost of contention

Pittsburgh’s identity has long centered on stability, loyalty, and measured change. That kind of sustainable contention in today’s NFL demands calculated turnover. Letting Aaron Rodgers, Isaac Seumalo, and Cole Holcomb depart would free financial flexibility while accelerating generational transition.

The Steelers don’t need a teardown. They just need to recalibrate. That begins with embracing youth at quarterback, aligning the offensive line’s timeline, and modernizing defensive speed.

Winning the AFC North in 2025 proved Pittsburgh remains competitive. The playoff loss proved competitive isn’t enough. The next era begins should not begin with splashy additions but with disciplined subtractions.

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Wagner played safety for the Steelers for 10 seasons, winning four Super Bowl titles. A key piece in Pittsburgh’s vaunted “Steel Curtain” in the 1970s, Wagner was a three-time All-Pro and a two-time Pro Bowler.

Steelers president Art Rooney II issued a statement on Wagner’s passing, calling him a “tremendous player” and an “integral part” of the team’s success.

“Mike played a key role on our championship teams of the 1970s. As a member of four Super Bowl-winning teams, his toughness and consistency were paramount to our secondary. His contributions on the field were significant, but it was also his steady presence and team-first mentality that truly defined him,” read the statement, which also expressed condolences to Wagner’s family.

“He will always be remembered as a champion, a great teammate, and a proud member of the Steelers family.”

Steelers President Art Rooney II on the passing of Mike Wagner: pic.twitter.com/VAnRO6DQwW

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 19, 2026

After his stint at Western Illinois, the Steelers drafted Wagner in the 11th round in 1971. Despite being unheralded, he immediately carved out a role with his tenacity, even becoming the NFL’s interceptions leader in 1973.

He retired in 1981, tallying 36 interceptions and five forced fumbles in 119 games. He was named to the Steelers Hall of Fame in 2015.

After his playing days, Wagner earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh and worked in the financial industry. He also spent time as a defensive backs coach at Pine-Richland High School in Pennsylvania.

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Tomlin stepped down following the Steelers’ AFC Wild Card exit in the 2025-26 season. It marked the end of his long tenure with the franchise after 19 seasons. In a Feb. 17 episode of the Bullseye View podcast, former Steelers wide receiver Nate Washington said he recently attended a Zoom call with Tomlin and over 70 people, where they thanked the former coach.

“We literally just had a Zoom call with Mike T. with over 70 people … just to say thank you to Mike T, all individually,” Washington said. “We stayed on that phone for two hours, almost. That’s what type of, not only culture, the Steelers have, but the man Mike T. was. He touched a lot of lives. Not just young guys, but older guys as well. He’s a very inspirational person. Very motivational.”

”You feel a little closer,” Washington said of Tomlin’s relationship with players. “And I told him on that Zoom call … that built my confidence. Having a head coach that would actually walk up to me before games and be like, ‘Hey, let’s get it today.’ That did something to my energy; that boosted my confidence. It didn’t make me feel like I was one of the guys in the back, but at any given point of any moment, I could be a starter.”

What’s next for Steelers after Mike Tomlin’s departure

Mike Tomlin gifted the Steelers a winning season throughout his entire tenure. Not even once did he allow the franchise to have a losing record from 2007 to 2025.

He led the Steelers to the mountaintop in the 2008 campaign, his second with the team. They beat the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl 43 to earn the championship that season. Tomlin led them to one more Super Bowl appearance in 2010, losing to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl 45.

Tomlin leaves the franchise with a 193-114-2 record, winning 13 AFC North Division titles in the process. Pittsburgh now moves forward to a different era of Steelers football, having Mike McCarthy take the reins as the next head coach.

Pittsburgh finished with a 10-7 record last season, winning the AFC North title. They secured the fourth spot in the AFC bracket but lost at home to the Houston Texans.

The Steelers will look forward to the offseason, retooling the roster through the upcoming draft and free agency. They hope to return to Super Bowl contention, the level that Tomlin got them at during his early years leading the organization.

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Porter also said Roethlisberger was “not a good person,” citing the latter’s supposed dismissive attitude in the locker room and lack of leadership.

Following Porter’s surprising remarks, the 43-year-old Roethlisberger opened up on his podcast about the personal changes he has been through.

“I think about my own life, and it reminded me of the transformation that I’ve gone through in my own life. That only comes from the grace of God and only comes from the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross,” said the six-time Pro Bowler.

“Being sanctified through Him, because I think we all have to grow up. We’re all immature at times, we’re all selfish, and that’s just part of what happened in the garden. The sin that is all of us. We’re all born inherently sinful and selfish.”

While Roethlisberger, who led the Steelers to two Super Bowl titles, did not directly mention Porter, it is hard not to link the timing of his reflection to his former teammate’s recent comments.

The future Hall of Famer, who’s well-beloved in Pittsburgh, stressed that he has leaned on his faith over the years, as it has helped him become a better person.

“I say this only through the grace of God that we can look back and be like, ‘Man, look how much I’ve changed.’ I’m proud of that. Now I like to think, as we mature and as we grow in our faith, I grow in my faith that it’s less about me,” added Roethlisberger.

Roethlisberger and Porter played together on the Steelers for three years. Roethlisberger ended his illustrious career in Pittsburgh in 2021, while Porter was released by the team in 2007.

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Pierce came into the league as primarily a deep threat out of Cincinnati, but he has evolved his game and become more of a well-rounded receiver as he enters his fifth season.

Catching the ball down the field is still what Pierce does best, which is a skill that a lot of teams will be coveting on the open market. Pierce led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the last two seasons, topping out at 22.3 yards per reception in 2024 and 21.3 per grab last season. In addition to that, Pierce eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career in 2025 and scored six touchdowns despite dealing with subpar quarterback play during the back half of the season.

In a relatively weak receiver market, Pierce is sure to be one of the best names available. Where could he land?

Tennessee Titans

The Titans have a franchise quarterback in Cam Ward, and the former No. 1 overall pick showed flashes of stardom during an uneven rookie season. The next step for Tennessee is helping smooth out those uneven moments that Ward had in his first season, and that starts with improving his supporting cast on offense.

Ward was playing behind a shoddy offensive line with one of the worst receiving cores in the NFL in 2025, and it showed with the lack of separation that this weapons were getting downfield. Pierce isn’t an elite separator, but his ability to make contested catches and attack the ball at the catch point makes up for that.

On top of that, Ward is a big-armed passer who can make plays down the field, and his creativity in the pocket allows him to extend plays to create even more big gains. The Titans have the most cap space in the NFL this offseason, per Spotrac, and adding Pierce would give him a go-to target to finish off some of those plays.

Buffalo Bills

It’s no secret that the Bills will be looking for plenty of receiver help this offseason after it was one of the primary reasons why they were knocked out of the playoffs, and Pierce would be a great place to start. On paper, the former Colt is a perfect fit with Josh Allen, who doesn’t mind taking a shot downfield and giving his receivers a chance to make a play.

During the back half of the 2025 season, Brandin Cooks was the primary guy on the other end of those plays. With all due respect to Cooks, who has had a great career, that’s a bad place to be for a team trying to win a Super Bowl.

Khalil Shakir is a quality slot receiver, but he works primarily on the inside. Buffalo needs someone on the outside to complement him, especially since the Keon Coleman pick isn’t exactly working out so far. Adding Pierce in free agency would be the perfect ingredient to supercharge this Bills offense in Joe Brady’s first season as head coach.

Pittsburgh Steelers

It’s unclear exactly what direction the Steelers are going in this offseason after replacing Mike Tomlin with Mike McCarthy, a decision which points toward Aaron Rodgers being back for another season in the Steel City. Rodgers had his ups and downs in 2025, but he still has enough left in the tank to run at least an average offense.

In order to do that, the Steelers need to beef up a receiver room that was very shallow outside of DK Metcalf last season. Rodgers and Metcalf developed good chemistry during their first season together, and adding Pierce would give Rodgers a pair of explosive weapons on the outside if he does decide to return next season.

McCarthy’s offenses in Dallas, with Dak Prescott at the helm, were some of the most explosive through the air in the entire NFL. If he wants to recreate that in Pittsburgh, adding Pierce would be a good start.

Pittsburgh has the eighth-most cap space in the NFL, according to Spotrac, so money shouldn’t be an issue getting Pierce in town. For an offense that desperately needs some more juice and has for years now, the deep threat should be at the top of their list this offseason.

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Former Steelers guard David DeCastro protected Ben Roethlisberger once again during a recent interview on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh.

DeCastro shot back at former Steeler Joey Porter Sr., who criticized Roethlisberger during Super Bowl week.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion,” DeCastro said. “I guess, you know, negativity seems to sell these days. But, you know, I loved playing with Ben — for Ben, protecting him. You know, it was a big task. I just loved his energy. I mean, Ben’s the ultimate competitor, no matter what it is. Whether it’s corn hole, darts, pool, shooting — playing horse, basketball. He’s the guy when you get in the huddle, he’s got the energy. He does the head tap before the games, the pregame thing, go around tap everyone’s head. . . . You miss getting those juices flowing and, you know, having a guy like that. That’s what you need as a quarterback. That energy, that will, that want to win. It was contagious, and I took a lot of pride in protecting a Hall of Fame quarterback.”

Porter flat out called Roethlisberger a bad teammate and a bad person during the interview that DeCastro is talking about.

“He’s not a good teammate. Won a Super Bowl with him, but the person? He’s just not a good teammate,” Porter said. “He knows that. Anybody in the Steeler building knows that. But we protected him because I’ve only won one Super Bowl, and that was my quarterback. So do I love my quarterback? Yeah. But is he a good person? No.”

Porter did claim that Roethlisberger was a talented quarterback. However, he clearly did not enjoy playing on the same team as him.

This situation must be especially awkward for Joey Porter Jr., who is currently a cornerback for the Steelers.

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Coming off a one-and-done playoff appearance, the Steelers are back in their quarterback-needy ways as they have been since Ben Roethlisberger hung up his cleats.

But do the experts believe they will use their No. 21 pick to restart the clock at the position?

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Field Yates, ESPN

It makes sense, for sure. But this is the NFL, where teams fall all over themselves when a potential impact quarterback appears. Even if it’s on the fringes. So will Simpson last this long?

“(Simpson) was entrenched in the top-10 conversation midseason before a significant second-half slide,” Yates wrote. “The pros for Simpson? He can throw with pristine accuracy, improvises in the pocket, and has enough arm strength to drive the ball downfield. The cons? His decision-making waned down the stretch, as he had four interceptions and a combined 62.6% completion percentage in Alabama’s final six games.

“Regardless, I think the Steelers could take a chance on him here. They might bring back quarterback Aaron Rodgers if he doesn’t retire, but that is far from a certainty. And while new head coach Mike McCarthy has praised Will Howard, he was a sixth-round pick last year. It feels unlikely Pittsburgh would completely anchor its future around him.”

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Cynthia Frelund, NFL.com

It might not be a position of need, but Frelund apparently thinks the Steelers will be mesmerized by the potential.

“Love’s potential impact in both the pass and run game is very high — like Bijan Robinson levels,” Frelund wrote. “For him to have a successful rookie season (and one that looks something like Bijan’s impressive 2025 campaign), he’ll need a strong O-line that will allow him to adjust to NFL speed and concepts. Pittsburgh had my 10th-best OL this past season.”

KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Chad Reuter, NFL.com; Tim Crean, ClutchPoints

This is definitely a position of need for the Steelers. And it’s a pick that makes sense.

“Pittsburgh typically waits until Day 2 to find receivers, but Concepcion’s playmaking ability after the catch is quite tempting,” Reuter wrote. “If Aaron Rodgers returns to reunite with head coach Mike McCarthy, the veteran QB will likely want a reliable companion receiver to DK Metcalf .”

Crean said the Steelers will try to squeeze one more year out of Rodgers, and that opens the door for a wideout.

“With Aaron Rodgers potentially coming back for one more season under Mike McCarthy now, the Steelers can draft the QB and another weapon, so he doesn’t have to rely so heavily on DK Metcalf and aged veterans,” Crean wrote. “Rodgers famously doesn’t trust young wideouts, but in the explosive KC Concepcion, the Steelers get a player who they can get the ball in multiple ways, not just from Rodgers’ throws.”

Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus

You can see the confusing mix at the receiver position. Chadwick thinks Boston is the right pick.

“New head coach Mike McCarthy needs to find his starting quarterback, and then there’s the question of the team’s infrastructure for that player,” Chadwick wrote. “It starts with upgrading a receiving corps that earned the third-worst PFF receiving grade in 2025. Boston, meanwhile, earned an 87.2 PFF receiving grade this past year, ranking ninth among more than 400 qualifying wide receivers.”

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Todd McShay, McShay Report

This would be a precipitous drop for Tyson. But that’s how McShay reads the tea leaves.

“Tyson would be an absolute steal if he’s available at 21,” McShay wrote. “Tyson—who was coached by Steelers legend Hines Ward at ASU—made huge strides with his ball-skill consistency this past year. I specifically love how he’s started aggressively attacking throws in the air. He has an impressive blend of suddenness and smoothness to his game and the versatility to play all three WR spots, which adds value.”

The overall roundup analysis

There’s a huge tilt toward wide receiver at this spot in the draft for the Steelers. The problem is no consensus. And that makes it a dangerous pick. It’s unlikely that all of those wide receivers wind up hitting the mark.

The safer pick seems like Simpson. The Steelers can find a wideout later in the draft. Quarterback? No way.

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For the past few years, the Steelers have had a quarterback issue, and with Mike McCarthy coming in, there’s no doubt that he’s going to want some sort of stability at the position. That’s why in the latest ESPN mock trade, Bill Barnwell cooks up a trade that has the Eagles sending Tanner McKee to the Steelers for their 2026 third-round pick and a conditional 2027 third-round pick.

“McKee was excellent in the 2025 preseason, going 20-of-25 for 252 yards and two scores,” Barnwell wrote. “In mop-up duty and two Week 18 starts playing with Philly’s backups over the past two years, he has posted a 45.3 Total QBR, putting McKee just ahead of Rodgers’ 44.5.

“The 6-foot-6 McKee might impress if given more of an opportunity to start, although he’s entering the final year of his rookie deal. The Steelers might consider bringing back Rodgers, trading for McKee and then signing the inexperienced 25-year-old to a short-term extension. For a team that is never in position to draft a quarterback in the top 10, taking a shot on someone like McKee is an alternative the Steelers need to consider. Pittsburgh also has an extra third-round pick as a result of the George Pickens trade, and though that shouldn’t cause teams to discount their own picks, it might make taking a swing on McKee easier to stomach.”

Though this could be a good deal for the Steelers, Roseman may want more than those two picks to complete the trade. Barnwell thinks that Roseman would ask for one of the Steelers’ edge rushers, such as Nick Herbig, but he would probably have to send a Day 2 pick with McKee.

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The roster needs are clear across local and national coverage. Wide receiver help is on the front burner, cornerback depth remains a priority, and the middle of the defense needs to get faster and more reliable snap-to-snap. The good lane is where the Steelers usually do their best work anyway. Not the splashiest name on the market, but the guy whose traits translate in the AFC North and whose role is obvious the moment you watch two series of film. We’re gonna talk about them right now.

Rashid Shaheed could help the Pits

Start with Rashid Shaheed. He’s the kind of receiver Pittsburgh has lacked for stretches, with real speed that changes spacing. Shaheed can win vertically, he can flip field position on special teams, and he forces safeties to respect the deep third instead of creeping into the intermediate windows.

Even when he isn’t getting 10 targets, he affects how defenses align. He also fits what the Steelers have needed since the Pickens era ended: a receiver who can create explosives without needing everything to be perfect around him.

Shaheed’s name has been treated as one of the notable options in the 2026 WR market, with the added value that he can help in the return game, too.

Jauan Jennings to the Steelers?

Then there’s Jauan Jennings, who is almost the opposite style-wise, and that’s why he makes sense. Pittsburgh’s passing game has too many stretches where every completion feels like a fight, and Jennings is built for fights. He’s a big, physical possession target who lives on leverage, contact balance, and late hands.

He blocks like he’s trying to earn a helmet sticker, which matters in an AFC North offense that still wants to run the ball when it’s cold and ugly. Jennings gives a quarterback an honest third-down option, the kind of receiver who can sit down in zones, wall off defenders, and turn a 6-yard throw into a first down.

He’s also one of those receivers that defensive backs hate because the rep doesn’t end when the ball arrives.

Jaylen Watson as a secondary need

The secondary need is real, and it’s not just about finding a star, but making the corner room functional across a season. Joey Porter Jr. can be a true No. 1, but Pittsburgh still needs more playable snaps around him. A name that fits that “quietly valuable” description is Jaylen Watson. He’s long, he’s competitive at the catch point, and he has the temperament for press-man reps.

The appeal is role clarity: he can play outside, he can survive in aggressive coverage calls, and he doesn’t require a defense to hide him. In a division where quarterbacks will hunt weak corners until the game breaks, that matters.

Watson has also been consistently grouped among the better corner options available in the 2026 free-agent class. He could probably be a premium piece for the Pits.

Quay Walker could be a good LB for the Steelers

Linebacker is the other spot where Pittsburgh can fix a lot of downstream problems with one good signing. The Steelers have invested in athleticism there, but the unit still needs a linebacker who can handle modern offenses: fit the run with violence, carry tight ends, and close throwing lanes in hook zones without drifting. Quay Walker is the name for that.

He’s a rangy second-level defender with real speed, and when he’s playing decisively, he looks like the type who can erase perimeter runs and clean up the middle easily. There’s a reason he’s being discussed as a realistic target for Pittsburgh; the profile matches what they need next to a young, fast linebacker core.

Kamren Curl as a surprise?

Now for the underrated glue piece: Kamren Curl. Pittsburgh’s defense asks a lot of its safeties, and the unit always looks better when there’s a safety who can tackle cleanly, rotate down into the box, and still play disciplined coverage when the offense tries to bait mistakes. Curl’s value is that he plays like a professional: he’s around the ball, reliable in space, and gives the defense flexibility in sub-packages because he can do more than one job.

That need for stability is also why the coaching staff matters, and Pittsburgh’s 2026 group is now set for Mike McCarthy’s first season, with McCarthy calling plays, Brian Angelichio as offensive coordinator, Patrick Graham running the defense, and James Campen handling the offensive line.

Put those all together, and you get a very specific Steelers team, absolutely ready for the next season. None of this requires Pittsburgh to reinvent itself. It’s still defense-first football, still a team that wants to win field position, still a team that believes in finishing drives and making the other offense earn every yard.

These are the additions that make that identity easier to sustain for 17 games, and more importantly, easier to sustain in a year where any team can be Super Bowl champions.

But they are craving to bring that trophy back to Pittsburgh, and they will do everything for it.

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Closing legendary chapter

The Steelers’ 2025 season was a study in gritty consistency that ultimately ended a legendary era. Led by 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, Pittsburgh navigated the league’s most physical division to finish 10-7 and capture the AFC North crown. The campaign’s defining moment came in Week 16. That’s when a signature win over the Detroit Lions secured Mike Tomlin’s 200th career coaching victory. It cemented his legacy as one of the franchise’s all-time pillars.

Despite a star-studded roster featuring TJ Watt, Cameron Heyward, and offensive addition DK Metcalf, the postseason ceiling remained elusive. The Steelers’ playoff drought continued with a sobering 30-6 Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans. In the aftermath, Tomlin stepped down after 19 seasons. That ushering in the Mike McCarthy era. The division title symbolized competitiveness, but the early playoff exit underscored how much work remains.

Financial flexibility

Unlike many contenders, Pittsburgh enters the 2026 offseason armed with meaningful financial flexibility. The Steelers project to hold approximately $44.8 million in cap space. That’s eighth most league-wide thanks to a rising league cap and disciplined carryover management.

Heavy contracts for Watt and Metcalf headline the books. However, General Manager Omar Khan retains multiple levers to create further room. Strategic restructures or selective veteran cuts could free tens of millions more. That flexibility is crucial because blockbuster trades require both draft capital and financial absorption capacity.

Roster needs

Quarterback uncertainty headlines the discussion. Rodgers is entering his age-43 season. Yes, his 2025 performance was steady. That said, retirement speculation continues to linger. The franchise lacks a defined successor capable of sustaining offensive continuity.

Beyond quarterback, offensive reinforcements remain essential. A complementary playmaker opposite Metcalf would stabilize the passing ecosystem. Meanwhile, the offensive line requires reinforcement following Broderick Jones’ neck injury. Defensively, succession planning looms large. Heyward’s eventual retirement and run-defense slippage highlight the need for trench reinforcements. Also, the secondary still seeks consistency opposite Joey Porter Jr.

With those structural gaps in mind, Pittsburgh becomes a logical candidate to pursue transformative trade solutions.

Post-Rodgers insurance

If Rodgers chooses retirement or simply regresses, the Steelers cannot afford to waste an elite defense waiting for quarterback clarity. That’s where Kyler Murray emerges as the ultimate contingency acquisition.

Murray’s dual-threat mobility would inject schematic dynamism into McCarthy’s offense. Pairing his improvisational ability with Metcalf’s vertical explosiveness creates immediate matchup stress for opposing defenses. It would mark Pittsburgh’s most athletic quarterback transition since the prime Ben Roethlisberger era.

From Arizona’s perspective, a rebuild trajectory and draft-capital accumulation could justify moving Murray’s contract. For Pittsburgh, it’s a future-proofing maneuver that ensures the franchise remains competitive even if Rodgers’ tenure ends abruptly. It’s succession planning with upside.

Defensive nightmare

The Steelers’ identity has always been forged in defensive intimidation. Adding Maxx Crosby would elevate that identity into modern dominance.

Of course, Watt remains one of football’s premier pass rushers. Still, offenses have increasingly schemed protections toward him. Crosby’s arrival would eliminate that luxury. His relentless motor and sack production would create a ‘Twin Towers’ front capable of overwhelming even elite offensive lines.

For Pittsburgh, pairing Watt with Crosby is the definition of win-now aggression. It’s the kind of move that reshapes divisional dynamics. It would force quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson to operate under constant pressure.

The trade cost would be significant, no doubt. That said, Pittsburgh’s cap flexibility and defensive philosophy make the gamble logical rather than reckless.

Securing the blindside

If quarterback stability is the future, offensive line security is the foundation. The 2025 season exposed Pittsburgh’s vulnerability at left tackle after Jones’ injury. Stopgap solutions simply won’t suffice for a championship push.

Acquiring Rashawn Slater would immediately solidify the blindside. He is an All-Pro caliber protector. As such, Slater brings elite footwork and pass-protection awareness. His presence would allow Pittsburgh’s line to stabilize structurally. That should freeing the offense to operate without constant edge pressure concerns.

Whether protecting Rodgers, Murray, or a future successor, Slater ensures continuity. It’s the kind of foundational acquisition that doesn’t dominate headlines but wins playoff games in January.

Pivotal offseason

The Steelers’ 2026 offseason isn’t about cosmetic upgrades. It’s about directional clarity. Trading for Kyler Murray future-proofs the quarterback position. Acquiring Maxx Crosby transforms the defense into a generational pass-rush force. Landing Rashawn Slater secures the offensive infrastructure for years to come.

Individually, each trade addresses a structural vulnerability. Collectively, they represent a philosophical shift from conservative roster management to calculated aggression.

Pittsburgh has the cap space, the defensive core, and the organizational urgency. They just need to be bold. The only remaining question is whether the front office believes this roster is one blockbuster away, or one missed opportunity, from watching its championship window quietly close.

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Offensively, McCarthy will call plays himself while Brian Angelichio serves as offensive coordinator. Tom Arth returns as quarterbacks coach, and James Campen is in charge of the offensive line, following his tenure with the Carolina Panthers in 2022–23. Ramon Chinyoung Sr., formerly an assistant offensive line coach with the Dallas Cowboys, takes over running backs, while Adam Henry joins as wide receivers coach after spending time with the Bills. Tight ends coach Robert Kugler, also a Pittsburgh native, brings experience after working with the New England Patriots, Panthers, and Houston Texans, having started his NFL coaching career in 2021. McCarthy also retained senior offensive assistant Frank Cignetti Jr., formerly a quarterbacks coach with the Green Bay Packers, and added Jahri Evans as assistant offensive line coach. Eric Simonelli, who coached linebackers at TCU in 2025, joins as offensive quality control.

On defense, Patrick Graham, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders, is the defensive coordinator. Joe Whitt Jr. becomes assistant head coach and secondary coach, with Jason Simmons overseeing the defensive backs and pass game. Domata Peko will coach the defensive line, C.J. Ah You handles outside linebackers, and Scott McCurley is retained at inside linebackers. Additional defensive assistants include Shawn Howe and Pat Reilly.

Special teams will be coordinated by Danny Crossman, with Derius Swinton II as senior special teams assistant. Strength and conditioning will be led by Mark Lovat, with Grant Thorne as director of performance integration, and assistants Justus Galac (retained) and Abe Munayer. Steve Scarnecchia serves as chief of staff.

This expanded staff addresses previous concerns about limited coaching positions under Tomlin. The Steelers now have specialized roles, such as a first-ever game management coach in Tim Berbenich, who brings experience from the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams.

As free agency opens March 9 and the 2026 draft approaches, McCarthy and General Manager Omar Khan have some big decisions ahead, including the possible return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

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On Thursday, the Steelers announced the hiring of Robert Kugler as the team’s new tight ends coach. Robert Kugler, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant offensive line coach for the New England Patriots, is no stranger to the Steel City. His father, Sean Kugler, served as the Steelers’ offensive line coach from 2010 to 2012, and Robert himself played high school ball at nearby North Allegheny.

The move officially rounds out Head Coach Mike McCarthy’s staff for the upcoming year. For the Patriots, losing a bright young assistant like Kugler adds a bit more sting to a week that already included watching Sam Darnold and the Seahawks hoist the Lombardi Trophy at Levi’s Stadium.

In that Super Bowl matchup, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye fought hard, completing 27-of-43 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns, but the relentless Seattle pass rush, which sacked him six times, proved to be too much.

Now, Robert Kugler trades the sideline of a Super Bowl runner-up for a homecoming in Pittsburgh. He joins an offensive staff led by coordinator Brian Angelichio, where he will be tasked with maximizing a tight end room that features Pat Freiermuth. While Kugler has spent his recent NFL years focusing on the trenches with the Patriots, the Houston Texans, and the Carolina Panthers, he actually played tight end during his early college years at Purdue University before moving to center.

With Robert Kugler on board and the 21-person assistant staff finalized, the Steelers are clearly looking to build on a defensive identity that helped them beat those very same Patriots 21-14 earlier in the 2025 regular season. On that day, the Steelers’ defense forced five turnovers, a blueprint they hope to replicate under the new Mike McCarthy era.

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Porter was talking with Dianna Russini and Cam Heyward on Heyward’s podcast, “Not Just Football,” and called out Roethlisberger. He said that Roethlisberger was a good quarterback, and he is thankful for the Super Bowl he won with him, and he will defend him as a quarterback, but he said he was not a good person or teammate.

It is worth noting that Porter said, “Then Seven definitely broke the brotherhood because like the s—t that Seven did, that we don’t talk about is crazy. Like, out of anyone who should talk, he should never grab a microphone and talk Steelers business. Because if we’re talking Steelers business, his a– is foul of all foul. Like the s–t that he did is foul of all foul.

“He’s not a good teammate,” Porter continued. “Won a Super Bowl with him, but the person, he’s just not a good teammate. Like he knows that. Anybody in the Steeler building knows that, but we protected him because I’ve only won one Super Bowl, and that was my quarterback. So, do I love my quarterback? Yeah. But is he a good person? No.”

Porter mentioned two different things in the interview. One was a story about Ben Roethlisberger, a rookie, refusing to sign autographs for teammates who wanted to give them to family or friends.

The other was when he mentioned something “foul” that Roethlisberger did. While he does not directly reference it, the thing that he is talking about is when Roethlisberger was accused of rape in 2009 by a casino hostess at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, who filed a civil lawsuit accusing Roethlisberger of raping her in his hotel penthouse in July 2008. The lawsuit was settled, and he was not charged.

With Roethlisberger being up for the Hall of Fame next year, it will be interesting to see where some of the support from his former teammates comes from.

The post Former Pittsburgh Steelers LB Joey Porter unloads on Ben Roethlisberger labeling him ‘bad teammate’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Simpson expressed that he did not want to be remembered simply as a player who took money to move elsewhere for his final year.

As a team captain who led the Crimson Tide to an 11-4 record and a quarterfinal appearance in the College Football Playoff, he believed that entering the NFL Draft was the only way to protect his legacy.

He remains content with this choice, stating that his primary goal was to ensure the last jersey he wore in college was the Alabama one.

According to Field Yates of ESPN, there are significant questions regarding where the quarterback will land after his stock fluctuated during the season.

Yates notes that “one of the most pressing questions of this draft is how high Simpson will go” as he was once a top-10 lock before a “significant second-half slide.”

Describing his skill set, Yates observes that “he can throw with pristine accuracy, improvises in the pocket and has enough arm strength to drive the ball downfield.”

However, the analysis also points out that “his decision-making waned down the stretch” as his completion percentage dipped in his final games.

“Regardless, I think the Steelers could take a chance on him here,” he adds, suggesting that Pittsburgh is a logical fit given the uncertainty surrounding their current roster.

While Pittsburgh might also bring back veteran Aaron Rodgers if he chooses not to retire, Field Yates explains that “that is far from a certainty” and noted that current backup Will Howard is unlikely to be the long-term answer.

The odds of Rodgers returning to play under McCarthy are reportedly increasing, but the team must still prepare for a future without an established starter.

As the franchise holds roughly $45 million in cap space, they have the flexibility to either support a veteran return or invest in the development of a rookie like Simpson to lead the team forward.

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The Steelers have expressed interest in a Rodgers return, particularly with Mike McCarthy taking over as head coach, but his low efficiency numbers should convince them otherwise, ESPN’s Ben Solak wrote. However, if they do bring him back, Solak wants to see Pittsburgh acquire Rattler to sit behind him in 2026.

“If the Steelers re-sign Aaron Rodgers to another one-year deal, God bless ’em,” Solak wrote. “Rodgers’ lack of mobility and diminishing arm talent is an enormous limiting factor on their offense. Only two quarterbacks (Fields and Brady Cook) threw shorter passes than Rodgers in 2025, and Rodgers offered the Steelers nothing on extended plays: 39th of 45 quarterbacks by success rate on extended dropbacks.

“Hopefully a Rodgers return would come with an accompanying trade for a young passer who can compete in camp — I think Rattler would learn a ton from Rodgers, in that Rattler has a style of play reminiscent of prime Rodgers — but I’m not holding my breath on that.”

Rattler is still just halfway through his rookie contract and signed with the Saints through the 2027 season. However, his role with the team is severely limited after being benched in favor of rookie Tyler Shough eight games into the 2025 season. Shough ended the season with a 4-1 record in the final five weeks to emerge as a Rookie of the Year candidate.

Rodgers appears to be leaning toward retirement, but he left the door open to potentially return for yet another season. He entered the 2025 season expecting it to be his last, but he began to change his mind near the end of the campaign.

With McCarthy now in Pittsburgh, a Rodgers return is more likely than ever, even if the odds remain slim.

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Rodgers is still making up his mind on whether he’ll return to the NFL next season. But one recent update from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero makes a Rodgers return look possible.

“Rodgers has not yet informed the Steelers whether he will return for a 22nd NFL season,” Pelissero said on Sunday. “But my understanding is the odds are increasing. I am told Rodgers has spoken several times with new Steelers coach Mike McCarthy who of course helped Rodgers develop into a four-time MVP.”

Pelissero added that Rodgers has also spoken with wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, who wants the 42-year-old quarterback to return this fall.

“The plan is for Rodgers to take a little bit more time,” Pelissero concluded. “And everyone hopes that [he] comes to a decision prior to the start of free agency in mid March.”

Perhaps Rodgers could take another darkness retreat to make up his mind.

Pelissero also noted that if Rodgers does plan to return, he would need to work out another contract with the Steelers. That shouldn’t be too difficult, as Pittsburgh enters the offseason with $44.94 million in cap space.

Of course Rodgers is quite familiar with McCarthy after the two spent multiple seasons together with the Packers.

Pittsburgh claims that they were not attempting to court Rodgers by hiring McCarthy. That may be true, as McCarthy has legitimate roots to Pittsburgh himself.

But intentional or not, hiring McCarthy may be having an impact on Rodgers’ thoughts about his future in the NFL.

Rodgers’ decision will be an important milestone in the 2026 offseason for the Steelers. Pittsburgh has to be hopeful that Rodgers will make up his mind soon.

It will be exciting to see when Rodgers finally makes up his mind about his future. Whenever that may be.

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The Steelers had somehow managed to win the AFC North with a 10-7 record, but there was no area where the Steelers had dominated or even demonstrated consistent strength at any point in the year. Tomlin and the Steelers were simply the best team in a very mediocre lot and that’s why they made the playoffs as the division winner.

This is not any kind of put down or insult to Tomlin. He managed to knit together a fairly cohesive team that lacked big-time talent. There were stars on both sides of the ball in aging QB Aaron Rodgers and outside linebacker T.J. Watt, but the team lacked the ability to sustain their success.

One of the factors was an overall lack of talent, but there was more to it, and that was almost certainly the reason that Tomlin decided to step down after 19 non-losing seasons as the Steelers head coach. He compiled a 193-114-2 regular-season record along with an 8-12 postseason record. However the Steelers had not won a playoff game since the 2016 season, losing six straight games after reaching the AFC title game in 2016.

The Steelers would miss out on going to the Super Bowl that year after absorbing a 36-17 beating by Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Tomlin and the Steelers had won a Super Bowl following the 2008 season in his second year, but they would never repeat that success. The head coach did not look at his team and see another Super Bowl performance, and he stepped down. Now it is up to Mike McCarthy to turn things around.

McCarthy has to reshape the Steelers, but a familiar face should be back

The Steelers will almost certainly have a new look and a new energy under McCarthy. Tomlin had seen and done it all with the Steelers, and like any coach who has been at the same location a decade. The fact that Tomlin stayed another 9 years is fairly miraculous, but his message had grown somewhat tired.

McCarthy comes to the team he grew up idolizing, and that sense of enthusiasm should get him through the offseason, training camp and perhaps as long as the first half of the season. After that, it’s about well his system is working and if the Steelers are playing winning football and showing a a level of dominance that was not seen in Tomlin’s final seasons.

The Steelers have said they want the 42-year-old Rodgers to return, and McCarthy has reiterated that claim. Rodgers will still have to decide and determine if he can play one more season at a highly effective level. Part of his decision may be based on the personnel decisions the team makes in the offseason.

Several players almost certainly have to be cut, and we look at 3 players who are unlikely to be back in black and gold.

TE Jonnu Smith

Smith is a 9-year NFL veteran who has played with the Titans, Patriots, Falcons, Dolphins and Steelers. His performance throughout his career has been uneven. After catching 88 passes for 884 yards with 8 touchdowns in 2024 for the Dolphins, the Steelers signed him to a one-year deal as a free agent. The Steelers gave him a $12 million deal and he struggled to make a contribution.

Smith caught 38 passes for 222 yards and 2 TDs, and that was a major failure for the Steelers. It is certainly not worthy bringing him back. It’s possible that Smith could have a bounce-back season — he has done that in the past — but it would be a mistake to give him another opportunity with the Steelers.

He failed once for the Steelers and bringing back the same player to fail again would not be the way to welcome McCarthy to the Steelers.

LB Patrick Queen

Queen finished his second season with the Steelers and he did not play like the Pro Bowl player he was in 2023 or ’24. He made his first Pro Bowl in his fourth and final season with the Baltimore Ravens, and then he signed his two-year, $41 million contract with the Steelers and made his second Pro Bowl.

Queen has been a solid tackler throughout his 6 years in the NFL. He had 120 tackles last year for the Steelers and 8 tackles for loss. He also had 2 passes defensed and 1 forced fumble.

However, he was not as effective as he was the year before. He had 129 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 7 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.

The downturn in 2025 means that the Steelers would almost certainly be better off in moving in another direction and not bringing Queen back for a third season in Pittsburgh.

LB Malik Harrison

Harrison signed a 2-year, $10 million contract with the Steelers prior to the 2024 season. Much like Queen, he spent 4 years playing linebacker for the Ravens before coming to the Steelers.

He played in 11 games for the Steelers last season and started 9 of them. He he had 41 tackles and 2 tackles for loss, and that came a year after he registered 54 tackles and 3 tackles for loss. Harrison did not have an interception, pass defensed, forced fumble or a fumble recovery in either of this 2 seasons with the Steelers.

He has not been an impact player and there is no reason to bring him back for a third season. The Steelers need players who can make a difference for their new head coach, and that is not Harrison.

The post 3 Steelers cut candidates entering 2026 offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Chinyoung was a standout offensive lineman for Southern University in the 2000s. During his time with the Jaguars from 2007 to 2010, he earned two All-SWAC honors, was a four-year letterman, and received invitations to the Winn-Dixie Gridiron Classic and the HBCU Bowl. Although he wasn’t drafted to the NFL, he played professional football in the Arena Football League for the Arizona Rattlers before fully diving into the coaching ranks.

He was a successful high school coach, working at Westfield High School in Houston, Texas, and Fort Bend Willowridge High School. He led Westfield High School to a 96-15 overall record and a 58-1 record in district play. At Fort Bend Willowridge High School, he led the team to the Texas high school football playoffs in 2020.

Chinyoung then got his “call-up” to the NFL. He was hired as an offensive quality control coach with the Denver Broncos in 2022, then joined the Dallas Cowboys in 2023. He stayed with Dallas, being promoted from a quality control coach to the assistant offensive line coach. The offensive line and the running back room saw tremendous improvement while Chinyoung was in the locker room.

Now he heads to Pittsburgh, which is trying to enter a new era in its football history. The Steelers have been coached by Mike Tomlin for nearly two decades; now, Mike McCarthy looks to continue their legacy of winning and success, bringing in Chinyoung and several other coaches he believes can help sustain the team’s success.

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Mike DeFabo of The Athletic revealed who’s heading to Steel City on Wednesday afternoon.

“Can confirm the Steelers are hiring former Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr. as assistant head coach/secondary coach, per source,” DeFabo shared on the social media website X, formerly Twitter.

And the veteran Whitt isn’t the lone new addition here via McCarthy.

“Additionally, Danny Crossman will hold the title of special teams coordinator,” DeFabo shared.

How Mike McCarthy’s Steelers staff looks so far

The Pennsylvania native takes over for a man he once beat in Super Bowl XLV Mike Tomlin.

Is McCarthy, though, keeping members of Tomlin’s staff? Or is the 2026 leader adding past Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys representation here?

It’s shaping up to be the latter. McCarthy is bringing a mix of both as of Wednesday.

Former Packers strength coach Mark Lovat will join the past G.B Super Bowl winning head coach. Lovat got named to the Steelers on Monday. James Campen is another ex-Packers assistant coming over, as he’ll coach the offensive line.

But McCarthy is bringing over a past Cowboys assistant of his. Domata Peko is leaving Colorado to rejoin McCarthy as defensive line coach. Peko previously served as assistant DL coach of Dallas during McCarthy’s final season of 2024.

McCarthy still has other coaching spots to fill as Pittsburgh transitions out of the Tomlin era for the first time since before the 2007 season.

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This choice left McCarthy searching for a different leader to help implement his offensive vision while he maintains his previously confirmed role as the team’s primary play-caller.

To fill this vacancy, the Steelers are moving toward an agreement with Brian Angelichio to serve as the new offensive coordinator, as noted by NBC Sports

This hire brings a familiar face to McCarthy’s side, as the two worked together in Green Bay from 2016 to 2018 during a highly successful stretch with Aaron Rodgers.

Angelichio arrives with significant recent experience as the passing game coordinator and tight ends coach for the Minnesota Vikings.

Although he becomes the fourth offensive coordinator for the franchise in just four seasons, his history with McCarthy suggests a much-needed level of stability and trust.

His extensive resume across the league includes coaching stints with several teams, ensuring a veteran presence in the meeting rooms as the team prepares for the 2026 campaign.

The reconstruction of the staff extends well beyond the offense, as McCarthy prioritizes veteran leadership across all phases of the game. Danny Crossman has been tabbed as the new special teams coordinator, bringing experience from the Dolphins, Bills, and Lions.

By integrating these seasoned coaches alongside new strength and conditioning specialists Mark Lovat and Grant Thorne, McCarthy is clearly aiming to restore the competitive edge of a franchise that has suffered nine consecutive first-round playoff exits.

With the 2026 season approaching, the focus is now on transforming these high-level hires into a disciplined and balanced roster ready for a deep postseason run.

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Cam Heyward was on the Jim Rome Show to talk football, and he was asked about his future with the Steelers.

Cam Heyward to the legend Jim Rome (who I’ve filled in for before): I don’t want to play anywhere other than Pittsburgh.” Sounds like Cam Heyward will be back in 2026. Good. pic.twitter.com/tbSJIL3Ko4

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) February 3, 2026

“That is a loaded question, you know what you did there,” Heyward said. “I don’t want to play anywhere else. Pittsburgh is a very special place in my heart. But you always have to think about what can happen. That is just being prepared for every opportunity. I am prepared that the Pittsburgh Steelers might not want me on their team next year; that is just the way you have to look at it. You have to be able to deal with change.”

Fans will love to hear that from their legendary player. He has been with the team since 2011 and continues to play at a high level.

Heyward has one year left on his contract with the Steelers. He is one of the game’s best defensive tackles, and when he enters free agency, he will see lots of teams interested in his services. As Jim Rome said in the video, playing for a new team before retiring with the Steelers could happen.

Newly hired head coach Mike McCarthy brought in Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator. Graham did a great job coaching up the Las Vegas Raiders’ defense.

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Kennedy filed a $100 million lawsuit against Metcalf, the Steelers and the media company that produces Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson’s “Nightcap podcast,” FOX 2 Detroit reported on Tuesday. The suit accuses Metcalf of assault and battery and Pittsburgh of liability, while accusing Sharpe and Johnson of defamation and negligence.

Kennedy’s accusations against Metcalf and the Steelers stem from the incident itself, in which the receiver walked over to the railing, grabbed Kennedy’s shirt and hit him in the face. Metcalf claimed he reacted to being called a racial slur, an accusation Kennedy declined.

Kennedy instead claims Metcalf reacted to being called by his first name, DeKaylin. Kennedy’s nephew claimed on Facebook that his uncle has been calling Metcalf by his first name for years.

The racial allegations went a step further when Sharpe and Johnson discussed the incident on their podcast and bashed Kennedy for the supposed actions. In his lawsuit, the Lions fan claims Sharpe and Johnson’s brash comments, which he insists are inaccurate, have “damaged his reputation,” hurt his mortgage company and led to death threats.

Kennedy believes that Sharpe and Johnson’s comments led to him being portrayed as a racist by national media outlets. He is seeking court-ordered public retractions, according to the FOX report.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback coach Scott Tolzien is planning to remain with the franchise after interviewing for the Steelers’ offensive coordinator job, via NFL insider Jordan Schultz. A move to OC would be a promotion, but Tolzien preferred to continue developing Tyler Shough.

The second-round rookie quarterback surpassed expectations in his first taste of the league. He went 5-4 as a starter, completing 67.6 percent of his passes for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. At the very least, Shough has earned the right to enter 2026 as the Saints’ starting barring some unforeseen.

Tolzien wants to see just how far the quarterback can go. While he would’ve had much more of a say on offense as the OC, McCarthy has already confirmed that he will call plays. Perhaps Tolzien will wait for an opportunity when he can call the shots. Especially if it means leaving a talent like Shough.

As for the Steelers, they must now look elsewhere for their next offensive coordinator. After they’re hired, Pittsburgh must find a quarterback, whether that be veteran Aaron Rodgers or someone else. Then, McCarthy and company must begin implementing their brand of offense.

Everyone involved with have plenty of expectations on their shoulders coming after the Tomlin era. Tolzien will have to watch how things unfold from afar. McCarthy will now look for the next name on his list.

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The coaching cycle was full of top-tier jobs, including two with MVP quarterbacks in Baltimore and Buffalo. The hires ranged from new faces, like Jesse Minter and Jeff Hafley, to retreads like Mike McCarthy, Kevin Stefanski and John Harbaugh.

Who should feel good about their hires, and who will regret the move in the years to come? Let’s go through the report cards for all 10 teams that made changes at head coach this offseason.

Arizona Cardinals: Mike LaFleur

The Cardinals struggled to find a good fit as the next head coach in Arizona, and it seemed like Kubiak may have been their top choice. However, LaFleur isn’t a terrible place to land for a team hiring so late in the cycle. He has worked with both Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan in the past and has some playcalling experience during his time with the Jets, as bad as it was.

McVay’s history of offensive coordinators leaving to become head coaches is excellent; All three of Liam Coen, Kevin O’Connell and Matt LaFleur were home-run hires for their respective teams. This isn’t a sexy hire because of the Jets stint, but there’s some upside here if LaFleur can make it 4-for-4 for the McVay tree.

Grade: B-

Atlanta Falcons: Kevin Stefanski

Stefanski’s reputation took a bit of a hit during his final few seasons in Cleveland, but he was far from the problem with a Browns franchise that is going nowhere at the moment. He won two Coach of the Year awards with the Browns, one of them while navigating five different starting quarterbacks on a team that made the playoffs.

How he fits with Michael Penix Jr. is a bit of a cloudy issue with this job, but Stefanski isn’t tied to the former top 10 pick and could likely move on to somebody else if 2026 doesn’t work out. With plenty of skill players at his disposal and a defense that should be competent, this is a strong hire for the Falcons.

Grade: B+

Baltimore Ravens: Jesse Minter

Minter came into this cycle as one of the top available candidates, in large part to his role in turning the Chargers into a top 10 defense over the last two seasons. Once John Harbaugh was let go in Baltimore, Minter was the obvious fit there, and now it’s a reality. The well-renowned defensive mind will now have even more talent to work with on that side of the ball, which should make this an elite unit.

The other side of the ball will likely be decided on the Declan Doyle dice-roll, at least in 2026. In the long term, however, combining a top 10 defense with Lamar Jackson is a recipe for winning. This one feels like a home run.

Grade: A

Buffalo Bills: Joe Brady

There’s two different ways to look at this hire. On the surface, Brady has been a head coaching candidate for years after leading a very good Bills offense led by Josh Allen. Buffalo will maintain its continuity on offense and should be one of the top offenses in the NFL once again in 2026 and beyond.

On the other side, didn’t Sean McDermott get fired simply because the Bills needed change in the building? Because this iteration of the franchise had hit a perceived ceiling in the postseason? McDermott wasn’t a bad coach by any indication and he was coaching a defense that was overachieving relative to its personnel at the end of the season. Promoting Brady feels complacent, and sort of defeats the purpose of canning McDermott in the first place.

Grade: C

Cleveland Browns: Todd Monken

I really have no idea what the Browns are doing. Cleveland is in need of a complete reset, especially on the offensive side of the ball, so much so that it fired an established head coach in Stefanski even though most of the blame for the Browns’ failures clearly falls on the roster-building by the front office.

A team in Cleveland’s spot needs one of two things: a young, wunderkind coordinator that can inject some life into the building, or an established culture-setter that can implement basic winning habits and give the team a respectable floor. Cleveland got neither of those, hiring someone who is about to turn 60 years old and has never been an NFL head coach. Monken feels like a bridge hire who will be out of Cleveland in a few years when the Browns are in a little better spot.

Grade: D

Las Vegas Raiders: Klint Kubiak

Kubiak has been incredibly impressive with the Seahawks in 2025, and will get one last chance to show off against the Patriots in the Super Bowl. From there, he will become the head coach in Las Vegas, where he has essentially a clean slate and gets to start off with Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers and presumably No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza on offense.

Kubiak’s offense grew stale in 2024 with New Orleans, but he has shown some real adaptability with the Seahawks. This Seattle team is running the ball well toward the end of the season, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is used as creatively as any star player in the NFL. He should have some great things in store for a core on offense that is much more promising than 2025 would make it seem.

Grade: B+

Miami Dolphins: Jeff Hafley

The Dolphins are in need of a transition away from the Mike McDaniel-Tua Tagovailoa era, and they landed on former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Hafley has experience as a head coach in power college football at Boston College, but he has only been back in the NFL for two seasons in Green Bay.

For a first-time NFL head coach, you want a quality that really sticks out. Hafley called a good defense in Green Bay, but is he an innovative mind on that side of the ball like Minter or Mike Macdonald? I’m not sure I see that. There’s a chance that he is a great culture-setter who will galvanize this group, but there just isn’t a track record here to get me inspired.

Grade: C-

New York Giants: John Harbaugh

Harbaugh becoming available is a dream for a Giants team that has some talent, but is in desperate need of a stable leader that will get them all on the same page. Harbaugh has been exactly that in Baltimore for more than a decade, and he has a lot to work with in New York. A Harbaugh-coached team with an elite defensive line, a solid offensive line and a few cornerstone young players on offense should be at least competitive right away.

Harbaugh has his flaws; he wouldn’t have been available if he didn’t. At some point, he will have to overcome the reputation the Ravens have built for blowing big leads and not playing their best in the playoffs. But for where this Giants team is at heading into 2026, this is as good of a hire as you can have.

Grade: A+

Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike McCarthy

This is another hire where the candidate himself is fine on the surface, but the direction of the franchise as stated by the hire doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. The Steelers have been a fringe playoff team ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired, and another embarrassing loss in the Wild Card Round seemed like it could be a good spot for a clean reset. The departure of Mike Tomlin made that even more clear.

Instead, the Steelers landed on another established floor-raiser in McCarthy, who will immediately make this a competent offense and get this team around .500 once again. What is that accomplishing for an old Steelers roster that has no answer at quarterback going into the future? McCarthy would have been a good fit in some spots, but I’m not sure much is changing for Pittsburgh with this hire.

Grade: C+

Tennessee Titans: Robert Saleh

Saleh got the short end of the stick during his stint with the Jets, where he was stuck with the worst quarterback situation in the NFL. However, he still led a competent Jets defense that magically fell off of a cliff when he was fired during the 2024 season. In 2025, Saleh did a remarkable job calling a 49ers defense that was riddled with injuries, keeping them afloat and even helping them win a playoff game.

The Titans’ defensive personnel isn’t anything to write home about, but another edge rusher or two could give Saleh a really good defensive line to work with. Brian Daboll will bring some experience and some pedigree to an offense that should improve with Cam Ward at the helm in his second season. This is an intriguing hire that could fail, like it did in New York, but Saleh absolutely deserved a second chance. This is a spot that makes sense for it.

Grade: B-

The post Grading all 10 NFL coaching hires in 2026 cycle, from John Harbaugh to Todd Monken appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Lovat, a veteran with 25 years of experience in Green Bay, brings a deep connection to McCarthy and significant expertise in performance enhancement. He previously served as the Packers’ strength and conditioning coordinator and worked closely with elite talent during his tenure.

These hires come at a critical time for a franchise seeking a fresh start after nine consecutive first-round playoff exits, as McCarthy builds a staff designed to restore the team’s competitive edge.

According to a report from Brooke Pryor on X, the Steelers are now working to hire Danny Crossman as their new special teams coordinator. Crossman brings a wealth of experience to the role, having most recently served as the special teams coordinator for the Miami Dolphins.

His extensive resume also includes coaching stints with the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and Carolina Panthers. Crossman’s arrival is part of a broader effort to stabilize the team’s peripheral units, as McCarthy prioritizes veteran leadership across every department to support the team’s championship aspirations in the post-Tomlin era.

This coaching overhaul also extends to the defensive side of the ball, where the Steelers are expected to finalize an agreement with Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator. Graham, who recently led defenses for the Raiders, Giants, and Dolphins, also has a shared history with McCarthy from their time together in Green Bay in 2018.

He will be tasked with maximizing a defensive unit that features high-level talent like T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward, but struggled with consistency throughout the 2025 season.

By integrating Graham’s defensive schemes with Crossman’s special teams expertise, McCarthy is clearly aiming to build a more balanced and disciplined roster for 2026.

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On Monday morning, more information came to light on another candidate whom the Steelers are circling for that role.

“The Steelers are interviewing Saints QB coach Scott Tolzien today for their offensive coordinator job, per source,” reported NFL insider Tom Pelissero on X, formerly Twitter. “Tolzien, 38, played for Mike McCarthy in Green Bay and coached with him in Dallas. He spent last week as the American team’s OC at the Senior Bowl.”

Coaches have long been known to bring in people with whom they have a previous connection to their new staffs, and Tolzien would certainly fit that bill if McCarthy were to hire him.

It makes sense that the Steelers would have interest in Tolzien, considering that Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, with whom Tolzien worked this past season, largely blew away expectations in his rookie year, playing very well for New Orleans down the stretch of the season.

Of course, the Steelers have some major questions of their own at the current juncture. Most pundits seem to think that last year’s quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, will not be back in the Steel City next season, and the team doesn’t exactly have a solid fallback option in place.

The team drafted former Ohio State quarterback Will Howard last year, but it’s unclear if McCarthy and the rest of the Pittsburgh brass view him as a real solution at the position over the long haul.

In any case, the Steelers will want to get the offensive coordinator position filled sooner rather than later as the offseason continues.

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Lovat’s move to Pittsburgh puts him back in McCarthy’s orbit, just like in Green Bay. McCarthy was head coach of the Packers from 2006 to 2018, overlapping with Lovat’s tenure there. Lovat also spent the previous decade (1999-2009) as the assistant strength and conditioning coach with the Packers before stepping into his coordinator role. A former collegiate baseball player at Butler University, Lovat holds a master’s degree in exercise science and performance enhancement from California University of Pennsylvania, giving him strong ties to the state. His father, Tom Lovat, was an NFL offensive line coach from 1980 to 2003, though the two never worked together in Green Bay.

Alongside Lovat, the Steelers also hired to Grant Thorne, another former Packers and Titans assistant strength coach. Thorne was in Green Bay from 2013 to 2023 and joined Tennessee for the 2024-25 seasons. He played college football at Long Beach City College and Nicholls State, worked with the New York Jets in 2010, and served as a sports performance coach at Purdue from 2011 to 2014 after a stint at Stanford.

The specific roles for Lovat and Thorne with Pittsburgh are not yet known. They could either work as assistants, or one may take over as head of the strength and conditioning staff. The current Steelers strength staff includes Garrett Giemont, the team’s Senior Conditioning Coordinator since 2007, and recent staff members Phil Matusz, Justus Galac, Tyler Judkins, and Roderick Moore. With Lovat and Thorne’s expected arrival, changes to the existing personnel are likely.

These moves come after Mike Tomlin’s unexpected decision to step down following Pittsburgh’s ninth consecutive first-round playoff exit in the 2025 season. Tomlin informed players that he felt unable to push the franchise forward, stating clearly that the team “deserves better.”

Since taking over, McCarthy has begun building his staff, hiring James Campen as offensive line coach, Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator, and Scott Tolzien as offensive coordinator. Former Texas Tech outside linebackers coach C.J. Ah You has also interviewed for a role in Pittsburgh.

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While McCarthy wants Aaron Rodgers to return to Pittsburgh in 2026, it’s unclear if the four-time MVP will sign up for a reunion with his former Green Bay Packers coach. However, Maxx Crosby believes Rodgers should come back for one more season, as the Pro Bowl pass rusher suggested a QB succession plan for the Steelers.

“You let Rodgers get another year. And then you have Will Howard step in after that, sitting for two years and then let him go in and be the guy. Because, I know some people have their opinions on Will Howard and this and that. I’m a Will Howard believer. I’m not going to lie. I think he’s a hell of a player,” Crosby said on The Rush, per Steelers reporter Matthew Luciow.

Is Will Howard the future for the Steelers?

The Steelers selected Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 draft. Armed with the 21st overall pick, Pittsburgh passed on Jaxson Dart, taking Derrick Hamon instead. Dart came off the board four spots later at No. 25. The Steelers also repeatedly passed on Shedeur Sanders, who slid all the way to the fifth round.

Pittsburgh finally grabbed Howard with the 185th overall pick. He was the eighth quarterback taken in the draft. However, unlike Riley Leonard (pick No. 189), Quinn Ewers (231), and undrafted rookie QBs Max Brosmer and Brady Cook, Howard did not see the field in 2025.

Howard broke his hand in training camp and wasn’t activated from IR until mid November. He rejoined the team when Rodgers fractured his left wrist. But Mason Rudolph backed up the injured starter. And Rodgers managed to play through the ailment, missing only one game.

Having the 42-year-old veteran return for a final season before handing starting duties off to a young, in-house solution at quarterback probably sounds pretty good to McCarthy. On paper, Rodgers could provide stability for the Steelers during the coaching transition and then Howard could be ready to hit his stride with a revamped lineup in 2027.

Of course, the rather optimistic plan could easily devolve into a nightmare. And, considering that a Raider made the suggestion, Steelers fans should probably be wary.

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The Steelers have hired Hall of Fame finalist Jahri Evans as their new assistant offensive line coach. He served in the same role with the New Orleans Saints during the 2025 season.

Pittsburgh hired James Campen as their next offensive line coach earlier in the offseason. He has ties with McCarthy dating back to their time on the Green Bay Packers. Now with Evans, the Steelers have are taking a two-pronged approach for improving their offensive line.

To their credit, the Steelers gave up ‘only’ 31 sacks last season, tied for sixth-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, they ended their season ranked as the eighth-best offensive line in the league, via Pro Football Focus.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect is their youth across the line. Center Zach Frazier, guard Mason McCormick and tackle Troy Fautanu have established themselves as key members of the unit for the foreseeable future. There will be question marks at the quarterback position all offseason. But at least Pittsburgh knows that their offensive line will give any passer a strong platform to stand on.

Still, McCarthy won’t let his team rest of their laurels; especially entering the post-Mike Tomlin era. By hiring two experienced offensive line coaches, Pittsburgh’s new leader is expecting the unit to be a strength of the team. For Evans to leave the Saints, he must believe in that vision too.

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The Steelers are expected to finalize an agreement with Patrick Graham to become their next defensive coordinator, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. He is in the team facility on Friday.

Graham was rumored to be the frontrunner for Pittsburgh’s vacant defensive coordinator role. He flew to Pittsburgh to interview with the team on Thursday.

Graham was previously the defensive coordinator for the Raiders from 2022-25, for the Giants from 2020-21, and the Dolphins in 2019. He also spent briefly worked under McCarthy in Green Bay during the 2018 season.

The Steelers went all in on upgrading their defense before the 2025 season. They acquired cornerback Jalen Ramsey in a trade with the Dolphins and signed Darius Slay.

Unfortunately, Pittsburgh’s defense was quite mediocre during the regular season. The Steelers allowed an average of 22.8 points per game (17th) and 356.9 yards per game (26th).

But the Steelers still have several talented players on the defensive side of the ball.

T.J. Watt is still playing at a high level despite being 31 years old. The Steelers also have a combination of younger players (Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Joe Porter Jr.) and established veterans (Patrick Queen, Cameron Heyward) who should be big contributors in Graham’s defense.

That, combined with the opportunity to coach under McCarthy again, was clearly attractive to Graham.

McCarthy is still on the hunt for his next offensive coordinator. Once that is complete, the new regime can begin the long process of auditing the roster.

The 2026 NFL offseason should be full of excitement for Steelers fans as they enter uncharted territory with a new head coach.

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Campen served as Green Bay’s offensive line coach from 2007 through 2018, working under McCarthy for 12 seasons. During that period, the Packers consistently fielded strong and durable offensive line units and won Super Bowl XLV in the 2010 season, defeating Pittsburgh 31–25. In his final year with Green Bay, Campen also held the title of run game coordinator.

Before transitioning into coaching, Campen played center at Tulane and later in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints (1986–88) and the Packers (1989–93). He appeared in 67 NFL games and built his coaching resume shortly after retiring, joining Green Bay’s staff in 2004 as an assistant offensive line coach and quality control coach. He was promoted to assistant offensive line coach in 2006, McCarthy’s first season as Packers head coach, and elevated to offensive line coach the following year.

After leaving Green Bay, Campen moved through several NFL stops, including the Cleveland Browns in 2019 as associate head coach and offensive line coach, followed by single-season spells with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020 and Houston Texans in 2021. His most recent NFL role came with the Carolina Panthers, where he coached the offensive line during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Campen’s long-standing relationship with Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers also makes his hiring meaningful. The two worked together in Green Bay for more than a decade, and Rodgers publicly praised Campen in a 2021 Instagram post, calling him “more than just a coach.”

Rodgers started all 16 games for Pittsburgh in the 2025 season, throwing for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while leading the Steelers to a 10–7 record and an AFC North division title. However, Pittsburgh lost 30–6 to the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card round. The 42-year-old is currently weighing whether to return for the 2026 season, which would be his 22nd year in the league, and the Steelers have reportedly given him a one-month deadline to make a decision.

From a roster standpoint, Campen inherits a young offensive line that Pittsburgh has stocked through the draft. Top guns include left tackle Broderick Jones (2023 first-round pick), right tackle Troy Fautanu (2024 first-round pick), center Zach Frazier (2024 second-round pick), and guard Mason McCormick (2024 fourth-round pick).

Campen also joins linebackers coach Scott McCurley as a member of McCarthy’s Steelers staff with experience working under him.

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Season recap and draft priorities

The Steelers’ 2025 season was a high-stakes all-in gamble that ultimately signaled the end of a legendary era in the Steel City. Despite a gritty 11-6 regular season and an AFC North title led by the veteran tandem of Rodgers and Tomlin, the campaign reached a sobering conclusion against the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round. The fallout was immediate. Tomlin announced his retirement after 19 seasons, followed by the hiring of McCarthy to oversee a transitional reset.

As the franchise pivots toward 2026, the draft priorities are unmistakable. Pittsburgh must identify its quarterback of the future. They need to inject speed and dynamism into the wide receiver room, reinforce the offensive tackle pipeline, and add a ball-hawking defensive back capable of stabilizing a secondary exposed by explosive postseason offenses.

Round 1, pick 21: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami (FL)

Mauigoa feels like a Steelers pick in temperament alone. He plays with edge, physicality, and a willingness to initiate contact. Pittsburgh covets these traits in its linemen. His ability to anchor against power rushers and displace defenders in the run game gives the Steelers a tackle who fits gap-based concepts McCarthy has historically favored. Sure, his balance issues show up when he overextends. However, his size, toughness, and motor project well in a system that prioritizes imposing will over finesse.

Round 2, pick 53: Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Mississippi

Chambliss is not a headline pick. That may be the point, though. His tape shows a competitor who thrives under pressure, even if his ceiling is more functional than flashy. For Pittsburgh, Chambliss represents a developmental bridge. This is a quarterback capable of stabilizing games while the organization continues searching for long-term clarity at the position. His poise and upward trajectory make him a sensible gamble early on Day 2.

Round 3, pick 76: Blake Miller, OL, Clemson

Miller complements Mauigoa stylistically. Where Mauigoa wins with mass and aggression, Miller wins with technique and intelligence. His footwork, posture, and hand usage in pass protection stand out immediately. Yes, his lack of lower-body strength limits his run-blocking impact. Still, Pittsburgh can afford patience here. With added strength, Miller could become a reliable starter. At worst, he is a high-quality swing tackle.

Round 3, pick 85: Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor

Trigg is one of the more intriguing bets in this class. His athleticism and catch radius offer mismatch potential, especially in the red zone. However, his inconsistency as a blocker remains a concern in a Steelers offense that demands physical accountability at every position. Under McCarthy, Trigg’s development will hinge on embracing the unglamorous work.

Round 4, pick 99: Brian Parker II, OL, Duke

Parker’s versatility is his selling point. With experience on both sides of the line, he provides immediate depth. His limitations against speed rushers suggest a future inside at guard. However, Pittsburgh values linemen who can play multiple roles. In a rebuilding year, that flexibility carries real weight.

Round 4, pick 121: Michael Taaffe, S, Texas

Taaffe’s story mirrors the Steelers’ ethos, which is to bet on yourself and earn everything. While undersized, his footwork and adaptability allow him to contribute in sub-packages and deep coverage. Pittsburgh has long valued defensive backs who think the game quickly. Taaffe fits that mold despite physical constraints.

Round 4, pick 135: Jalon Kilgore, CB, South Carolina

Kilgore adds versatility to a secondary desperate for answers. His ability to play slot, safety, and box defender allows defensive coaches flexibility in coverage disguises. Yes, his ball production is modest. That said, his downhill trigger and positional awareness give him a chance to carve out a defined role.

Round 5, pick 159: Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU

Thomas brings experience and reliability rather than star potential. His production profile suggests a complementary weapon who can operate within structure. For a Steelers offense transitioning away from veteran crutches, Thomas provides a steady option who understands spacing and timing.

Round 6, pick 213: Elijah Pritchett, OL, Nebraska

Pritchett is a projection rooted in body type and movement skills. His struggles in anticipation and pass protection show up on tape. However, his athletic profile makes him worth a late-round investment. In Pittsburgh’s developmental environment, his upside justifies the patience.

Round 6, pick 214: Raion Strader, CB, Pittsburgh

Strader is a cerebral defender whose instincts compensate for average athletic traits. His length and anticipation in zone coverage align well with Pittsburgh’s defensive principles. Yes, he may never thrive in press-man situations. Still, his ability to read quarterbacks and disrupt passing lanes offers value.

Round 7, pick 224: Dillon Bell, WR, Georgia

Bell’s versatility makes him a chess piece. His challenge will be consistency, both as a receiver and blocker. If he embraces physicality, Bell could earn situational snaps across multiple alignments.

Round 7, pick 237: Reggie Virgil, WR, Texas Tech

Virgil rounds out the class with polish. His understanding of route tempo and zone manipulation gives him a chance to stick on a roster despite modest measurables. In a rebuilding receiver room, that nuance matters.

Patience, not panic

This PFF mock draft does not promise instant salvation. That is its strength. Pittsburgh invests heavily in the trenches, takes measured swings at quarterback and receiver, and reloads the secondary with intelligence and versatility. In the wake of monumental change, the Steelers choose restraint over desperation. It may not satisfy overnight, but it lays the groundwork for relevance to return the right way.

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Highsmith shared his perspective during an appearance on The Christian Kuntz Podcast, explaining that McCarthy’s roots as a former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers head coach with deep ties to Pittsburgh immediately struck a chord inside the locker room. His comments followed McCarthy’s introductory press conference, where the veteran coach described the opportunity as a homecoming and credited the city with shaping his football values.

NFL account Matthew Luciow shared the Steelers linebacker’s remarks on X (formerly known as Twitter), highlighting why players believe the background of the 62-year-old head coach matters during the transition.

“He’s a Pittsburgh guy he’s a Yinzer. So just the passion that he has for this city for the organization for the Steelers I think is something that is really awesome.”

Alex Highsmith on Mike McCarthy:

“ He's a Pittsburgh guy he's a Yinzer. So just the passion that he has for this city for the organization for the Steelers I think is something that is really awesome.”#steelers

Christian Kuntz podcast pic.twitter.com/EAFp6GAfDy

— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) January 29, 2026

The coaching change follows the departure of Tomlin, who stepped down earlier this month after 19 seasons. Replacing a figure of that stature carries inherent risk, but early reactions indicate players are embracing McCarthy’s arrival.

For Highsmith, the appeal extends beyond resume. McCarthy’s understanding of the city’s culture aligns with how the Steelers define leadership, accountability, and pride in representing the city. His Super Bowl-winning experience adds credibility while reinforcing organizational continuity.

Kuntz, the host and the Steelers active long snapper, echoed similar excitement during the episode, signaling that enthusiasm extends across position groups.

As the offseason progresses, locker room buy-in will be just as important as schematic changes. Highsmith’s endorsement offers an early indication that McCarthy’s message is landing. For a franchise defined by stability, authenticity still matters. In Pittsburgh, being a Yinzer is not a detail—it’s a foundation.

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The Steelers still have multiple vacancies on their coaching staff, including the offensive coordinator, and recently, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported on a name with McCarthy ties whom the team plans to interview for the position.

“The Steelers have notified the Saints that they plan to interview assistant Scott Tolzien for offensive coordinator, per sources,” reported Fowler on X, formerly Twitter.

“Tolzien was a Mike McCarthy quarterback in Green Bay and assistant in Dallas. He coached Saints quarterbacks Tyler Shough this year,” he reported.

It’s certainly not outside the ordinary for new head coaches to bring in people they are familiar with to round out their staffs, and it seems that McCarthy is at least considering following that trajectory with his offensive coordinator hire.

The fact that Tolzien worked with Shough, who blew away expectations during his starts with the New Orleans Saints this year, is a positive sign for what he might be able to do with the Pittsburgh offense if he were to land the job.

The Steelers currently have some major question marks on that side of the ball, with Aaron Rodgers’ NFL future in doubt and no clear answer behind him. Former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard is also on the roster, but it’s unclear if the team views him as a realistic answer at the position moving forward.

Still, making smart hires along the coaching staff would go a long way in making McCarthy’s first year at the helm in Pittsburgh a success.

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Recently, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported on a name that has reportedly risen to the top of the pack in the Steelers’ search for a new defensive coordinator.

“Patrick Graham is flying to Pittsburgh today to interview for the Steelers defensive coordinator job and is considered the frontrunner, per sources. While he still has to interview, the expectation in some league circles is that he will be the DC if all goes well,” reported Fowler on X, formerly Twitter.

Meanwhile, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported on X that Graham had already accepted the job, so it remains to be seen what Thursday’s interview will entail.

Graham spent the last several seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders, working with such defense stars as Maxx Crosby during his tenure there, and has also held the same post for the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins throughout his career.

The Steelers are certainly in an interesting spot moving forward as to what their future strategy will be. On the one hand, the Steelers still have several veteran elite players on their defense, led by TJ Watt, and that unit figures to at least keep them competitive heading into next season.

On the other hand, the end of the Tomlin era seemed to signal Pittsburgh’s potential willingness to embrace something of a rebuild for the first time in multiple decades, with the team having no clear answer at quarterback with Aaron Rodgers’ future in doubt.

Still, if the Steelers do end up hiring Graham, he will have a plethora of veteran talent to work with on the defensive side of the ball.

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Former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger strongly endorsed the McCarthy hiring during a recent podcast episode.

“I’m so excited for an offensive minded coach because I think we have to score more than six points in a playoff game,” Roethlisberger said on his Footbahlin podcast on Tuesday. “I know people want defense and this and that. What I hope he does and I’m sure he hasn’t named his staff yet and I think McCarthy will will do this is he should say this, Okay, I’m the head coach and I’m offensive minded so I’m going to lean towards the offensive side. I think and I hope he hires a young gun offensive coordinator that can come in here and they can kind of work together like you see happening all over in happens in Kansas City.”

McCarthy has already confirmed that he will be calling plays in Pittsburgh in 2026. That means Roethlisberger will get the type of setup he wants for the Steelers. But it remains to be seen if McCarthy will hire a young offensive coordinator or a more establish coach.

Meanwhile, he praised the Steelers for not hiring a young head coaching candidate.

“There’s just as many, probably more, young head coaches that have failed than have really truly succeeded,” Roethlisberger added. “So I’m all for Mike McCarthy.”

It should be no surprise that Roethlisberger wants Pittsburgh to hire a veteran coach to run the defense. That would give McCarthy the flexibility to focus on offense.

“I hope what he does is bring in a veteran defensive coordinator and whoever came in as the head coach, I was hoping they brought in a veteran defensive coordinator and was like, you know what, that’s your defense. I’m not going to micromanage. I’m focused on the offense, I’ll be available if you have some questions.”

One early name to watch is former Raiders and Giants DC Patrick Graham. McCarthy is rumored to be considering him at defensive coordinator.

It will be exciting to see what Pittsburgh’s coaching staff looks like once all the dust settles.

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Season recap

The Steelers’ 2025 season was a high-stakes wager that delivered short-term success but long-term questions. The bold acquisition of Aaron Rodgers paid dividends early. He helped Pittsburgh compile an 11-6 record. They captured the AFC North title behind a defense that once again ranked among the league’s most suffocating units. Rodgers flashed vintage command in stretches, while the offense increasingly ran through Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, and DK Metcalf. With a division crown secured and a home playoff game awaiting, Acrisure Stadium buzzed with belief that the gamble might actually pay off.

That optimism evaporated in brutal fashion in the Wild Card round, though. Houston’s younger, faster roster overwhelmed Pittsburgh in a 30-6 rout. It exposed every structural weakness on the offense. Rodgers spent the afternoon under siege. The running lanes disappeared, and the defense was left on the field far too long. Within 24 hours, the franchise was changed forever when Mike Tomlin announced his retirement after 19 seasons. The loss didn’t just end a season but closed a chapter in Steelers history. It also eventually ushered in a new regime under Mike McCarthy and forced hard decisions about who belongs in the next iteration of this team.

Offseason fixes

The Steelers’ offseason to-do list is extensive. Quarterback is the most obvious concern, with Rodgers’ likely retirement leaving the depth chart in limbo. The wide receiver room is dangerously thin, especially after watching Adam Thielen step away from football. That places immense pressure on Metcalf to carry the passing game. Defensively, the secondary needs reinforcements at both cornerback and safety. Meanwhile, the defensive line must prepare for life after Cam Heyward. Add in offensive line questions and uncertainty at linebacker, and it’s clear McCarthy is inheriting a roster in transition. That makes retaining the right veterans even more critical.

RB Kenneth Gainwell

Key stats: 1,023 scrimmage yards, eight total touchdowns, 4.7 yards per carry.

Gainwell was among the unexpected stars of Pittsburgh’s offense in 2025. He provided explosion, versatility, and consistency in a unit that often struggled to find rhythm. As both a runner and receiver, he became one of Rodgers’ most trusted outlets. Even in the playoff loss to Houston, Gainwell was one of the few players able to manufacture positive yardage against a loaded box.

With the quarterback position uncertain, the Steelers cannot afford to lose one of their most adaptable offensive weapons. Gainwell’s skill set meshes perfectly with a West Coast–influenced scheme. He also offers stability for any quarterback stepping under center in 2026. Letting him walk would create an unnecessary hole at a position the team already solved.

S Kyle Dugger

Key stats: 59 tackles, two interceptions, five passes defensed, one defensive touchdown.

Dugger brought an edge the Steelers’ secondary sorely needed. His physical presence allowed the defense to disguise coverages and freed Jalen Ramsey to play more aggressively. Time and again, Dugger delivered momentum-swinging plays during the late-season push for the division title.

Pittsburgh’s defensive identity has always been rooted in toughness. Dugger embodies that ethos. As the roster skews younger and longtime leaders begin to fade out, keeping a tone-setter on the back end is essential. Replacing his production and leadership while simultaneously rebuilding the cornerback room would stretch the new staff too thin.

OL Isaac Seumalo

Key stats: 1,020 snaps, zero holding penalties.

Seumalo was the quiet anchor of the offensive line. Sure, attention focused on developing young guys. However, he consistently neutralized interior pressure and provided a steadying influence up front. His reliability allowed the Steelers to survive against some of the league’s most imposing defensive fronts.

McCarthy’s offenses live and die by interior protection. Whether the Steelers pivot to a rookie quarterback or a short-term veteran solution, stability inside is non-negotiable. Seumalo’s professionalism elevates everyone around him. Losing that presence would jeopardize the development of the entire line.

Foundation before rebuild

Re-signing Kenneth Gainwell, Kyle Dugger, and Isaac Seumalo won’t solve every problem in Pittsburgh. It will, however, prevent new ones from forming. As the Steelers step into a post-Tomlin era, continuity matters just as much as reinvention. These three players represent stability, leadership, and production at premium positions. Before chasing the future, Pittsburgh must first secure the pieces that make it possible.

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He’ll have plenty of expectations on his shoulders after Tomlin’s run. But McCarthy is taking them all head-on. Including serving as Pittsburgh’s offensive play caller, via Mike DeFabo of The Athletic.

“Mike McCarthy said he will call the plays,” DeFabo wrote.

With McCarthy still building out his staff, the Steelers don’t currently have an offensive coordinator on their staff. But when they do hire one, they’ll be reporting to the head coach. That’ll certainly impact the type of candidates that will be brought in.

McCarthy is coming to Pittsburgh with 18 years of head coaching experience. Between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, his teams have gone a collective 174-112-2. Furthermore, he led the Packers to a Super Bowl title in 2010.

On the Steelers, McCarthy will be taking over an offense that finished the 2025 season ranked 25th in the league, averaging 305.6 yards per game. There are questions surrounding who will play quarterback in Pittsburgh. But whoever is under center, McCarthy must put them in a position to succeed.

The head coach is entering a situation with hefty shoes to fill. Pittsburgh has been consistently above .500, but they remained stagnant over the final years of Tomlin. McCarthy will be expected to not only keep the Steelers above that .500 mark, but see some real playoff success.

Whether or not he succeeds is yet to be seen. But McCarthy’s fingerprints will be all over Pittsburgh’s 2026 performance.

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At his introductory press conference, McCarthy became emotional when discussing his return home. It was an option for him to come home, and it worked well for both sides. Now, the focus for McCarthy is keeping things steady in Pittsburgh and staying in contention for a Super Bowl.

“Pittsburgh is my world. It’s just so awesome to be back here,” McCarthy said.

“Oftentimes, coaches and players put on new team colors, and it takes a minute to feel comfortable in them,” McCarthy continued while holding back tears. “But, if you are blessed beyond measure, one day you put on the colors you’ve worn since you were brought home from Mercy Hospital.”

McCarthy grew up in the era of the Chuck Noll Steelers and is from the Greenfield neighborhood. Sitting next to Art Rooney II, it’s no wonder that McCarthy was overcome with emotion.

Over his career, McCarthy is 185-123-2, and he has been a head coach for 18 of those years. McCarthy and Steelers general manager Omar Khan worked together in New Orleans in 2000, so they have crossed paths.

“My heart is full, and my focus is singular: to bring another championship to this great city. Victory parade ’1137.,” McCarthy said.

It is worth noting that Mike McCarthy’s coaching career began with the Green Bay Packers, when Aaron Rodgers was under center, and they had some great years together, highlighted by a Super Bowl win over the Steelers in 2011. Now, with both McCarthy and Rodgers having connections to the Steelers, McCarthy might be able to convince Rodgers to stay one more season, instead of retiring.

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During their thirteen seasons with the Packers, the pair reached the postseason nine times and secured a Super Bowl championship, establishing a foundation of success that could entice the forty-two-year-old quarterback to postpone retirement after a solid 2025-26 performance.

Does Mike McCarthy want Aaron Rodgers to return as the Steelers’ starting quarterback? According to reporting from Tom Pelissero on X, McCarthy stated, “Definitely. I don’t see why you wouldn’t,” regarding a possible second season for the veteran in Pittsburgh.

McCarthy has already engaged in initial conversations with Rodgers, though he noted that older players often need significant time away from the facility to decompress and evaluate their physical and mental readiness for another campaign.

Despite past rumors of a strained relationship, McCarthy emphasized his respect for Rodgers’ career and viewed him as a significant asset for the team moving forward.

However, the decision to bring McCarthy to the Steel City was not strictly a calculated move to retain Rodgers, according to league sources cited by Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. Insiders noted that the franchise focused on McCarthy’s extensive track record of offensive success and his ability to develop quarterbacks, rather than using the hire as bait for a single player.

Owner Art Rooney II reiterated that while the organization would welcome a reunion if it makes sense for both sides, the coaching search was driven by a long-term vision for leadership and stability.

With the 2026 offseason underway, the Steelers have provided a one-month timeline for a final decision on the quarterback position.

While McCarthy has expressed interest in developing younger players like Will Howard, the mutual respect and historic success shared with Rodgers remains a powerful factor.

This veteran partnership could provide the ultimate spark needed for Pittsburgh to break its recent postseason stagnation.

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Now, more intel is coming to light about some changes that will be made on McCarthy’s staff moving forward.

“Defensive line coach Karl Dunbar is among the #Steelers coaches not being retained by new head coach Mike McCarthy,” reported Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports on X, formerly Twitter.

“Coached in Pittsburgh the last eight years, working with stars like Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt. Also coached several other Pro Bowl picks as the DL coach for teams such as the Vikings, Jets and Bills,” he noted.

Indeed, Dunbar was a highly respected voice within the Steelers’ locker room, and helped in the development of several of the most prominent players along the Pittsburgh defensive line. It remains to be seen who will be brought in to fill the vacancy now left in his absence.

Overall, many were curious when it was announced that the Steelers would be bringing in McCarthy to be their next head coach. Pittsburgh is thought by some to be entering somewhat of a rebuilding phase over the next several seasons, and McCarthy doesn’t exactly profile as a coach who would be receptive to multiple seasons of losing and trying to work with younger talent.

While the Steelers figure to have a solid defense once again in 2026, the offense is a major question mark, with the team’s quarterback situation still very uncertain heading into next year. McCarthy did coach Aaron Rodgers during their time in Green Bay, but it remains to be seen whether or not that will be enough to make a reunion happen between the two next year.

Overall, times are clearly changing in Pittsburgh.

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The Steelers are expected to interview Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells for their offensive coordinator job this week, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Wells worked under McCarthy in Dallas for five seasons. But he is not in demand simply because of his connections with Pittsburgh’s new head coach.

Wells also interviewed for the Commanders’ offensive coordinator job earlier in January. It is good to see more than one team is interested in Wells as an offensive coordinator.

One additional perk of potentially hiring Wells could be getting an inside look at college prospects before the 2026 NFL Draft. Wells will be head coach of the west team in Tuesday’s East-West Shrine game.

That could be especially appealing to Pittsburgh, as they currently have 12 picks in April’s draft including seven selections on Day Three.

McCarthy is also rumored to be interested in former Giants and Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. He worked under McCarthy in Green Bay, which could make him an appealing candidate for a defensive coordinator interview.

Of course, the elephant in the room is the possibility of McCarthy reuniting with QB Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh.

There is no guarantee that the 42-year-old veteran will return to the NFL in 2026. If he did, the news of Tomlin’s departure made a reunion seem all the more unlikely.

However, the addition of McCarthy is rumored to have opened the door to the possibility of Rodgers returning once again.

But the Wells interview does prove one thing. McCarthy is not simply trying to recreate the glory days from Green Bay. He is also willing to pull from his connections in Dallas to build the best possible coaching staff.

It will be interesting to see who else McCarthy requests to interview in the coming weeks.

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Dallas interviewed outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin for the same position, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The Cowboys crave defensive stability, and someone who played a key role in shaping Pittsburgh’s identity seems like a logical candidate.

Martin has been with the Steelers since 2016, working closely with TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. The former is a future Hall of Famer who claimed Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021-22, and the latter is one of the team’s most consistently impactful performers. Pittsburgh ranked sixth in the NFL with 48 sacks this season. Dallas ranked 24th in the same category (35).

One coach may not immediately transform the Cowboys’ defense, but it could certainly alter the franchise’s philosophy in that area. The organization sorely missed All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons this season, and even if it does find a suitable replacement in free agency or the NFL Draft, sound coaching and strong leadership will still be required.

Denzel Martin likely had an interesting case to pitch Dallas. If he is awarded the job, he will join new defensive coordinator Christian Parker in trying to fix a unit that allowed an NFL-worst 30.1 points per game.

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Former Giants and Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has been named as a possible candidate for the Steelers’ DC job, per reporter Art Stapleton.

Graham coached under McCarthy during their time with the Packers. He was most recently the defensive coordinator for the Raiders in 2025.

The pair could be in for a reunion in Pittsburgh.

Recreating the magic from Green Bay could be a theme during the offseason now that McCarthy is in charge.

The other obvious name in the equation is QB Aaron Rodgers.

It is unclear whether the 42-year-old quarterback will return to the NFL in 2026. Once Tomlin stepped down, the general belief was that Rodgers may not want to return to Pittsburgh at all.

However, the McCarthy hire is rumored to have opened the door to the possibility of Rodgers returning.

“While Art Rooney originally said he believed Aaron Rodgers would not play again for the Steelers, this does open the door for a return,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on Saturday.

But the Steelers want to make it clear that the McCarthy hire was not made to court Rodgers into returning.

In fact, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo reported that the decision to hire McCarthy was based strictly on his merits as a candidate.

“League sources emphasized to The Athletic — on two separate occasions over the last week — that the Steelers were not considering McCarthy as a way to entice Rodgers to return for a second season,” DeFabo wrote. “At the same time, countless players and several others inside the organization would welcome the quarterback’s return.”

It will be interesting to see which coordinators McCarthy hires over the next few weeks.

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“I’m not moved at all,” Smith said. “I’m not going to be disrespectful to Mike McCarthy and act like the man can’t coach. The man has won 61% of his games. He’s a Super Bowl champion. There is no doubt about that. Eleven and 11 in the postseason.”

It seems ironic that the Steelers hired a coach whom Smith spent years criticizing when McCarthy coached in Dallas. Now, Smith has to suffer with the guy he repeatedly said couldn’t win the big playoff games with the Cowboys.

Stephen A. Smith says Mike McCarthy is too old for the Steelers

It doesn’t fit the mold of what the Steelers have traditionally done, Smith said.

“My problem is when I look at the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers, clearly when you had Chuck Noll, who was there for many, many years, and you hired him at the age of 37,” Smith said. “You found Bill Cowher out of nowhere, you hired him at the age of 35. You find Mike Tomlin out of nowhere.

“And what route do you go now? You go with a 62-year-old. The last time we saw him, he was in Dallas. Obviously, they had back-to-back-to-back 12- or 13-win seasons. So they had some success there. But they didn’t do anything in the playoffs. And that’s who you pick? It’s nothing to be excited about, to be quite honest with you. Especially when you’re still looking for your quarterback.”

However, maybe McCarthy could be a good influence if the Steelers get a young quarterback in the draft. The Fox Sports mock draft has the Steelers taking Alabama’s Ty Simpson at No. 21.

“It’s still unclear if he’ll return to school, but Simpson is the clear No. 2 QB in this draft,” Fox Sports research wrote. “He’s had a mix of incredible games along with some terrible ones, but his decisiveness and accuracy are tools teams can work with.”

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McCarthy’s mission is clear. He must make the Steelers Super Bowl contenders, not just perennial playoff participants. While Mike Tomlin has had the team .500 or better in every season of his tenure, they haven’t been a true Lombardi threat since the Ben Roethlisberger era.

The Steelers could go in a number of directions at the 2026 NFL Draft, but McCarthy is an offensive guy, so picking a player on that side of the ball with his first selection would make a lot of sense.

But where do you go on a unit that could use an upgrade at pretty much every position group?

Well, in this Steelers 2026 NFL Mock Draft roundup, we get picks that include wide receivers, a quarterback, and at least one defensive player.

WR Denzel Boston, Washington

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN; Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com; Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports

When DK Metcalf got suspended for the final two games of the regular season, it became clear that the Steelers were a one-WR team. Aaron Rodgers’ bunch of veteran buddies and the younger pass-catchers the Steelers have collected in recent years just didn’t get the job done.

In Denzel Boston, Pittsburgh would get another big, physical threat who would take pressure off of Metcalf and whoever the quarterback is next season.

There are some downsides to the 6-foot-4, 209-pound Boston. He doesn’t have the elite explosion of athleticism that Metcalf does. So while he’s a big target and a good contested-catch player, he’s not a true deep threat or a wideout who is going to get separation on every route.

Still, he’s a talented player and a solid blocker for his position as well, which sounds like a Steelers receiver in waiting. This could be an excellent pick, depending on what happens with the quarterback position.

QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

Tim Crean, ClutchPoints; Dalton Wassrman, PFF; Mark Schofield and James Dator, SB Nation

After Fernando Mendoza comes off the board at No. 1, there is only one quarterback who may earn a first-round grade as he moves through the NFL draft process. That is Alabama’s Ty Simpson.

Simpson is a high-end game manager, and that is a compliment, not a put-down. He has poise in the pocket, QB smarts, and excellent accuracy. He may not have a Josh Allen-level cannon, but there is enough arm strength to make all the NFL throws. So, while he may never be Allen or Drake Maye, Kirk Cousins or Sam Darnold-type play is wholly possible.

For Mike McCarthy, upgrading from Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Skylar Thompson to Simpson would be a nice way to start his tenure. However, the Aaron Rodgers question remains. If anyone could get Rodgers to give it one more go, it’s McCarthy, who won a Super Bowl with the QB.

Whether Rodgers comes back or not, Simpson coming in to take over or sit for a year behind the veteran makes sense, especially if McCarthy and the Steelers plan on competing for a title next season and, in doing so, miss out on the top QBs in the 2027 NFL Draft.

WR Makai Lemon, USC

Matthew Freedman, Matthew Berry’s Fantasy Life; Charles McDonald, Yahoo! Sports

Another popular pick among the pundits surveyed in the Steelers’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft roundup is USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. This speaks to the need at the position while also differentiating skills from Metcalf.

Lemon is smaller than Boston at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, but his toughness is unmatched. He is a jack-of-all-trades and would do the dirty work that can help free Metcalf up for the big play. Also, his scrappiness would be a huge hit in the Steel City, and his run blocking will bring back memories of Hines Ward.

And Lemon isn’t just a try-hard either. He is an excellent route runner and shifty and nimble after the catch. He can get open. Quickly turn short passes into big gains.

The biggest issue with a pick like this or Boston, though, is that if Rodgers is the QB next season, will he trust a first-round rookie enough to justify the pick?

CB Colton Hood, Tennessee

Ayrton Ostly, USA Today

This is an interesting pick because of the player involved, not necessarily the position. The Steelers could use another elite corner, as could most teams in the league. Asante Samuel Jr. and James Pierre are both free agents, and Jalen Ramsey has fully transitioned to nickel/safety.
Taking a top corner at 21 is not a bad idea, but Colton Hood probably isn’t the guy. The former Volunteer is a solid player with good size (6-feet, 195 pounds) and some upside. He can also play man or zone well, especially thriving in man.

The issue here is that at this point of the 2026 NFL Draft, while Hood’s teammates, Jerod McCoy, and Clemson’s Aveion Terrell are off the board, better prospects than Hood, such as Mansoor Delane, Brandon Cisse, and D’Angelo Pond,s would be better selections, even though only Mansoor is a guaranteed Day 1 pick.

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Despite the obvious connection between McCarthy and Rodgers, the Steelers claimed their decision was based solely on McCarthy as a coach, according to Mike DeFabo of ‘The Athletic.’

“League sources emphasized to The Athletic — on two separate occasions over the last week — that the Steelers were not considering McCarthy as a way to entice Rodgers to return for a second season. At the same time, countless players and several others inside the organization would welcome the quarterback’s return.”

McCarthy coached Rodgers for 13 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Their time together included a Super Bowl and Rodgers winning four MVP awards.

Steelers’ Mike McCarthy hiring still impacts Aaron Rodgers

DeFabo added that the connection still has to be made, considering Rodgers’ recent comments. The Steelers reporter recalled Rodgers recently saying he would like to play for McCarthy again before retiring, which increases his odds of re-signing with the team in the offseason.

“It’s worth noting that, toward the end of 2024, Rodgers told at least one reporter that he’d like to play for McCarthy again. In that way, even though the Steelers did not make this decision because of Rodgers, there is no doubt it increases the likelihood that the now-42-year-old will be the one leading the team out of the tunnel in 2026, especially as a once-promising 2026 QB draft class continues to collapse.”

McCarthy’s relationship with Rodgers reportedly soured at the end of their tenure. Rodgers, however, has repeatedly rejected that notion. While it was widely believed that their strained relationship led to McCarthy’s firing from the Packers in 2018, both parties have denied that rumor.

When Rodgers signed with the Steelers in 2025, he claimed it would be for one final season before calling it a career. However, he has recently been more open to returning for yet another year after having success late in the regular season.

Without Rodgers back, the Steelers would be left without a viable starting quarterback entering the offseason. Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are both under contract in 2026, but neither option sets the team up for success.

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Any coach would have big shoes to fill coming in after Mike Tomlin’s 19 years at the helm. But in Cowher’s eyes, McCarthy has all the tools necessary for success, via NFL on CBS.

“I really like this hire,” Cowher said. “He’s an offensive-minded guy. He grew up under Marty Schottenheimer, so he understands the value of running the football. He coached Joe Montana, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, Dak Prescott. Everywhere he has been, he has uplifted the offense.”

“When you look at the Pittsburgh Steelers right now, there have been inconsistencies and its been the instability of having a reliable offense,” he continued. “I like where they’re at, and he walks into the room with credibility. I like what they did, they’ll put together a good staff. He’s from Pittsburgh too. He knows the traditions, he knows what the expectation is. He knows what that fanbase is all about. He’s a Yinzer, I think he’s a very good hire for the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

"I really like this hire … everywhere he's been he's uplifted the offense."@CowherCBS on the Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy as next head coach. pic.twitter.com/21OX8wZ3wm

— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) January 25, 2026

McCarthy has been out of the league since being fired from the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. Over his 18 years total a head coach, which includes a 13-year run with the Green Bay Packers, McCarthy’s teams have gone 174-112-2. He led the Packers to a Super Bowl title in 2020.

Alongside his work as head coach, McCarthy has spent his entire NFL life on the offensive side of the ball. He began his tenure as offensive quality control coach with the Kansas City Chiefs before serving as offensive coordinator for both the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers.

McCarthy will have plenty to prove as he steps into the role. He won’t get any leeway, as fans expect immediate results. But while the pressure may be on, Cowher knows McCarthy is up for the test.

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Former player Le’Veon Bell even offered a grim outlook on X, predicting a 4-13 season. Despite these reactions, the front office believes McCarthy could be the bridge to a championship-level offense while maintaining the team’s streak of winning seasons.

Reconnecting with a familiar face from the past could be the next major move for the organization as rumors of an Aaron Rodgers reunion grow. While team president Art Rooney II originally felt Rodgers would not play in Pittsburgh again, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network noted that hiring McCarthy definitely opens the door for a return.

According to a report from ESPN, McCarthy and Rodgers have won 107 games together, which ranks as the ninth most by any coach-QB duo in the Super Bowl era. During his 2025 campaign, Rodgers proved he still has plenty left in the tank, throwing for 24 touchdowns and leading the team to an AFC North division title.

Recent comments from the veteran quarterback suggest that any past animosity from their time with the Packers has significantly faded. Speaking in 2022, Rodgers mentioned that “as time goes by, the gratitude of that time… goes up a little bit,” indicating their relationship has matured since McCarthy’s 2018 firing.

ESPN notes that Rodgers has spoken fondly of his former coach recently, even sharing McCarthy’s stories about his hometown with teammates.

Another ESPN analysis also suggests that the “Steelers’ needs once again center around the quarterback position, regardless of whether Rodgers is in the mix next season.” Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is a name to watch at pick 21, as his strong play in the pocket would fit well with McCarthy’s West Coast offense.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are trying to gather a different team for the 2026 season, with high hopes this time.

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Former Steelers standout Le’Veon Bell offered a particularly harsh prediction, suggesting a 4-13 season is incoming and criticizing the move as a step backward. Despite the criticism, management believes McCarthy’s history of developing elite passers could be the key to convincing Aaron Rodgers to return for one final run or properly molding the next face of the franchise.

What are the Steelers’ biggest offseason needs, and who could they target with the 21st pick? According to a report from ESPN, ”the Steelers’ needs once again center around the quarterback position, regardless of whether Rodgers is in the mix next season.”

At pick No. 21, there will be consideration for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson if he’s still on the board.

”His strong play in the pocket would fit well with McCarthy’s West Coast offense. But if Simpson is gone by the time Pittsburgh is on the clock, the wide receiver class could get a look. The Steelers still need someone opposite DK Metcalf, and USC’s Makai Lemon would be an ideal No. 2 with his route running and run-after-catch abilities,” also noticed ESPN.

The draft strategy highlights the urgency to surround whoever is under center with more reliable weapons.

While Metcalf remains a dominant force, the lack of a consistent second option was evident during his late-season suspension. Makai Lemon, who has been praised for having some of the most reliable hands in the draft class, would immediately upgrade the depth chart.

The franchise’s “win-now” mentality is clear, but the path to a deep playoff run remains complicated by a challenging divisional landscape.

For the first time in nearly two decades, a new voice is leading the way in Pittsburgh, and the results of this transition will shape the team’s identity for the next five years.

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While Steelers fans offered some mixed reviews to the hire, one NFL insider is making it clear they are not impressed.

“I thought the team would chart a new course with an assertive young coach they could build something with,” an industry source said Saturday to ESPN. “McCarthy’s a good coach, but this isn’t an inspired hire.”

McCarthy had success coaching the Green Bay Packers, leading that team to a Super Bowl with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Ironically, that Super Bowl win was over Tomlin and the Steelers many years ago. In recent years, McCarthy also coached the Dallas Cowboys where he found turbulence and inconsistency.

The Steelers lost in the AFC Playoffs this season to the Houston Texans.

The Steelers hope to keep winning with Mike McCarthy as head coach

McCarthy now has the task of trying to keep the team’s streak of winning seasons going. Tomlin had never had a losing season since he got the job ahead of the 2007 season.

While Tomlin wasn’t posting losing seasons, he also wasn’t winning in the playoffs. Pittsburgh has not had a postseason win since the 2016 season. That caused Steelers fans to turn their ire on Tomlin, which eventually led to him stepping down following the 2025 campaign.

Rodgers was the Steelers quarterback in 2025. He led the team to a 10-win season, as well as a AFC North title. Steelers management is open to Rodgers returning in 2026, and the hire of McCarthy adds some intrigue to that proposition.

“While Rodgers is still a wild card, there’s belief in the Steelers’ building that hiring McCarthy as the coach could help to bring the quarterback into the fold for at least one more year,” ESPN’s Brooke Pryor wrote.

Time will tell what happens moving forward for the Steelers.

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A former player for the Steelers made his thoughts on the move heard loud and clear. Le’Veon Bell, who played for Tomlin in Pittsburgh, voiced his displeasure with the move.

“4-13 incoming .. but hey, at least Mike Tomlin isn’t the coach of the Steelers anymore right?” Bell posted on X in response to a tweet about the Steelers planning to hire McCarthy.

Tomlin was fired by the Steelers after 19 seasons with the team. Tomlin’s tenure in Pittsburgh was successful in a lot of ways: Pittsburgh never had a losing season under his guidance, and they won a Super Bowl early in his career. However, his last few years were full of disappointments: he ended his time with the Steelers with no playoff wins in nine consecutive seasons. The lack of playoff performance despite being a regular postseason fixture eventually led to his departure.

McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native, will coach his hometown team next season after taking a year off from coaching. McCarthy was fired from Dallas in 2024 after four seasons with the team. McCarthy’s crowning achievement is winning the Super Bowl as the Green Bay Packers’ head coach along with Aaron Rodgers, who’s now on the Steelers. He sports a .608 winning percentage in his 17 years as a head coach in the NFL

Will McCarthy give the Steelers their first playoff win in nearly a decade and finally make an impact in the AFC playoff scene? Or will Pittsburgh fall into the same purgatory they were stuck in with Tomlin?

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Yes, the parallels are undeniable. The Steelers are going from a defensive-minded HC who has a poor playoff track record in recent years to an offensive-minded HC who has a poor playoff track record in recent years. Despite making a philosophical change on the sidelines, Pittsburgh is still drawing the same polarizing reaction from the public.

Many fans see the expected McCarthy hire as a sharp break from the Steelers Way. They fear the team will sacrifice it’s signature defensive identity and tradition of longstanding coaches for an aging leader who was unable to reverse the Dallas Cowboys’ postseason woes. But others in the land of Black and Gold are hopeful that McCarthy can help develop Pittsburgh’s next starting quarterback, whoever that may be, while also keeping the franchise in playoff contention.

Fans have much to say after Mike McCarthy agrees to become new Steelers HC

“Shortest coaching tenure in Steelers history coming up,” @24Shaft declared on X. “Right back to 10-7 like Mike Tomlin never left,” @mikee_takes remarked. “Nah… Its never been more over,” @arasaka222 opined. “Get the owners to sell the team. All these younger guys available and Mr.Second Chance gets another go at it.”

“I like this hire,” @RantBruschi101 proclaimed. “Since Mike McCarthy defeated Mike Tomlin in Super Bowl XLV (2011), McCarthy has been fired twice but has twice as many playoff wins as Tomlin in that timeframe.”

“Mike McCarthy won with Rodgers and got Dallas to the playoffs multiple times,” @AdebunmiAjibola commented. “Give him Arthur Smith or a real play-caller and this could actually work. Better than the endless 9-8 purgatory we’ve been in.”

McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native, will ideally bring great passion to the job. He grew up watching this team and understands what drives the city. That familiarity does not mean much in regards to on-field performance, but McCarthy could ingratiate himself to the locals with his Steel City Pride. He owns a 174-112 record across his time with the Green Bay Packers and Cowboys, and he is 11-11 in the playoffs.

People will understandably make comparisons to Mike Tomlin and throw around words like “stagnant” and “underachieve,” but McCarthy has the opportunity to start fresh with the Steelers. Fans desperately hope the franchise can do the same.

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Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network floated the idea that the possibility of Rodgers returning to Pittsburgh next season is still in play. Although initial reports have claimed that the 42-year-old quarterback is not expected play for the Steelers again, Rapoport believes McCarthy stepping in as head coach might change that.

“While Art Rooney originally said he believed Aaron Rodgers would not play again for the Steelers, this does open the door for a return.”

If that were the case, then Rodgers would reunite with his former coach during his time with the Green Bay Packers. The two won a Super Bowl together in 2010, and they have 13 years of experience working together. Seven of Aaron Rodgers’ 10 Pro Bowl nods came during Mike McCarthy’s tenure in Green Bay, along with two of his four MVP Awards.

A reunion with his former head coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers sounds like a storybook ending for Aaron Rodgers. As for McCarthy, the 62-year-old head coach has another opportunity to win the second Super Bowl of his career. Considering the club’s quarterback situation is questionable, at best, without Rodgers, could be enough reason for the two to reconnect.

Additionally, it wasn’t like Rodgers’ first season with the Steelers was terrible, by any means. Truthfully, it could have been a lot worse. The 21-year veteran finished the 2025-26 campaign with 3,322 passing yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 65.7% of his pass attempts. His seven interceptions were the lowest he has recorded since he last played for the Packers in 2022.

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This is a homecoming for McCarthy, who is from the city of Pittsburgh, looking to hopefully bring the same amount of success as Tomlin did.

“Sources: Steelers plan to hire former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy as their head coach,” Schefter wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Under two hours later, it would be officially announced by the team that McCarthy and the Steelers have “verbally agreed” to be the next head coach.

We have verbally agreed for Mike McCarthy to become our next head coach. pic.twitter.com/oOqZPRm7aX

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 24, 2026

Another link between McCarthy and the Steelers organization is that the coach had worked with Pittsburgh’s current general manager Omar Khan when the two were together with the New Orleans Saints in 2000. There’s no doubt that the connection runs deep with the city, as Schefter pointed out, McCarthy being a graduate assistant for the University of Pittsburgh.

Mike McCarthy is likely returning home to coach the Steelers 

With the rumors around the Steelers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers regarding his future, one has to wonder if McCarthy’s eventual hiring will be a huge factor, since the two won a Super Bowl in 2010 with the Packers. Either way, McCarthy being Pittsburgh’s new head coach is likely to be “surreal,” which is how former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher described the interview.

“I talked to Mike yesterday,” Cowher said on The Pat McAfee Showon Friday. “He got done, and he just talked about how surreal it was for him. He grew up in Greenfield, and he went into the facility for the first time, which they share with Pitt. And just being in that building in itself. Again, you know, I remember when I went in there for the first time. There was a mystique about that building, and you get inside there, and you operate underneath that whole scenario you operate under.”

At any rate, McCarthy looks to fill in the shoes of Tomlin, who has been with the franchise since 2007.

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Former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy recently interviewed for the Steelers HC job.

Former head coach Bill Cowher joined The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN to discuss his past as the Steelers head coach and why he believes the Steelers hiring McCarthy would be a full-circle moment. McCarthy grew up in the Pittsburgh area.

“I talked to Mike yesterday. He got done, and he just talked about how surreal it was for him. He grew up in Greenfield, and he went into the facility for the first time, which they share with Pitt. And just being in that building in itself. Again, you know, I remember when I went in there for the first time. There was a mystique about that building, and you get inside there, and you operate underneath that whole scenario you operate under.”

“It’s a special place. It’s a unique place, total transparency, total collaboration, and I think it’s a great place to kind of grow your resume. Whatever it may be, whether it’s from the beginning or if Mike happens to go back there, I think it would almost be like a full circle coming back home.”

Bill Cowher also discussed why he believes a young coach could still be a good idea for the Steelers. McCarthy isn’t necessarily Cowher’s top choice to replace Mike Tomlin.

“The only thing I’ll say about the young guys is, it’s nice to mold a guy underneath what your system is all about. What those core values are all about.”

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Tomlin drafted Shazier and stood by the linebacker as he went through medical treatment. With the head coach stepping down from his post, Shazier had to give Tomlin his flowers, via Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“Two decades of leading this organization with an unshakable belief and a standard that never wavered,” Shazier’s statement reads. “Coach Tomlin, you changed my life in ways that go beyond football.”

“From the moment you drafted me, you saw something in me and pushed me to be great,” he continued. “Those late-night film sessions, just you and me, grinding through defensive schemes when everyone else went home. That meant everything.”

If you haven’t seen this from Ryan Shazier about Mike Tomlin, read it…. pic.twitter.com/IKHjwZeEVo

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) January 22, 2026

Selected in the first-round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Steelers, Shazier went on to play four seasons with the franchise, making two Pro Bowls. However, the linebacker suffered a serious spinal injury during the 2017 season. It changed the trajectory of his career forever, as Shazier never played again after the 2017 campaign.

Still, Tomlin stood by his linebacker. Shazier remained on the roster despite his inability to play. Tomlin kept him involved in defensive meetings and didn’t cast him to the side despite his injury. Those decisions by the head coach have made a supreme impact in Shazier’s life.

The linebacker’s unfortunate injury makes him one of the bigger ‘what if’s’ in Steelers’ history. But Tomlin never doubted his importance as a football player or man. From the moment he was draft, Shazier remained a Steeler under Tomlin.

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McCarthy, 62, brings one of the most extensive resumes among the Steelers’ candidates, and the organization acknowledged the meeting on its official social media.

“We have completed an in-person interview with Mike McCarthy for our head coach position.” Pittsburgh Steelers posted Ton X, formerly twitter.

The statement also concludes that McCarthy is the second candidate to receive an in-person interview, following Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who interviewed earlier in the week as the team president Art Rooney II and general manager Omar Khan continue evaluating the potential successors.

McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native, has deep ties to the city, having spent four years as an assistant coach at Pitt before launching his NFL career. He later became head coach of the Green Bay Packers for 13 seasons and the Dallas Cowboys for five, compiling a 174-112-2 regular-season record and an 11-11 mark in the postseason, ranking 15th all-time in NFL coaching wins.

Ironically, McCarthy’s defining achievement came against his hometown team. His 2010 Packers defeated the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV, with QB Aaron Rodgers earning Super Bowl MVP honors. McCarthy never returned to the Super Bowl after that victory, though his teams remained regular contenders. In Green Bay, he guided the Packers to nine playoff appearances, four NFC Championship games, and two of Rodgers’ four MVP seasons.

After being dismissed by the Packers late in the 2018 season, McCarthy resurfaced in Dallas in 2020. He led the Cowboys to three straight 12-win seasons from 2021 to 2023, fielding high-powered offenses that finished first in scoring twice. However, postseason success eluded him, as Dallas went just 1-3 in playoff games. A 7-10 injury-plagued 2024 season, limited by Dak Prescott’s hamstring issues, marked the end of his tenure as his contract expired.

The Steelers have also conducted virtual interviews with several other candidates, including Chris Shula, Jesse Minter, and Ejiro Evero, but McCarthy stands out as the most experienced option with strong organizational connections to Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl.

McCarthy’s offensive background and familiarity with Pittsburgh could make him a compelling choice, especially if the Steelers prioritize stability, experience, and an immediate schematic identity as they chart the franchise’s next chapter.

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While Rodgers led the Steelers to 10 wins and a division title, DeFabo notes that Houston could offer a more stable defensive floor. Since C.J. Stroud struggled in the postseason and failed to build on his early momentum, the Texans might be intrigued by a veteran passer to make a title run now.

This leaves Pittsburgh in a precarious position as they look to develop a new plan under center.

In a recent mock draft for ESPN, analyst Mel Kiper Jr. opted to address the receiving corps rather than the quarterback position. “I really wanted to get a quarterback to the Steelers in this spot,” Kiper explained.

“It’s possible Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss finds himself in the first-round conversation, obviously depending on what happens with his NCAA eligibility lawsuit. But the other QBs in this class would be big reaches. I don’t know what Pittsburgh will do under center or whether Aaron Rodgers will play another season, but there doesn’t appear to be an easy fix in Round 1 this year.

So, let’s pivot to the rest of the offense and land a WR2 alongside DK Metcalf. We saw what happens when this offense loses Metcalf, as the Steelers managed just one passing touchdown over Weeks 17 and 18 while Metcalf was suspended. But Boston runs strong routes and uses his physicality to box out defenders and make plays on the ball. He had 11 touchdowns this past season, including seven in the red zone. He’d elevate the unit right out of the gate and take some weight off Metcalf.”

This pivot in the draft comes as insiders fuel buzz regarding Rodgers potentially joining the Minnesota Vikings. DeFabo predicts there is a 35 percent chance Rodgers plays for the Vikings, especially given the discouraging performance of J.J. McCarthy, who threw 12 interceptions and struggled with accuracy in 2025.

President Art Rooney II has emphasized that the quarterback position will be a major part of discussions with new coaching candidates, but the franchise faces a difficult road to stability.

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After bouncing from quarterback to quarterback in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era, playing everyone from “Duck” Devlin Hodges to Mason Rudolph, Kenny Pickett, Russell Wilson, Justin Field, and, most recently, Aaron Rodgers, many fans want to see the Steelers really commit to building a winner around a new long-term option under center, instead of constantly chasing a .500-ish record with mercenary arms.

And yet, in the opinion of Roethlisberger on his podcast, Footbahlin, going QB in the 2026 NFL Draft might not be the best way to accomplish that goal. No, while it would be incredible to see the Steelers draft a player like Ty Simpson in the first round on their home turf, the future Hall of Famer would like to see Pittsburgh build up their roster instead, as it would allow them to succeed, not struggle, with a rookie under center.

“I would not draft a quarterback for at least two to three years. That’s just my opinion,” Roethlisberger said via Steelers Depot. “I think as a GM, if I’m GMing this team … the issue that I see with a lot of teams is they get a quarterback, and they try and build around that quarterback.

“I think it should be the other way around. I think you should build a team and put your quarterback in it. Okay? It happened to me. They had a great football team. They plugged me in. We had a veteran group. It just works. It works better than trying to grab a quarterback and be, okay, we’re gonna build around this quarterback, because then it’s gonna take you four or five years to build around that quarterback. He’s probably gonna look like poo up to it, and then you’re like, ‘Is he really our guy? Is he not our guy?'”

After spending the last decade with a .500 record or better, the Steelers aren’t a team with a roster completely bereft of talent. If they get a quality head coach in place and hit a Jaxson Dart-level home run in the draft, the Steelers could immediately hit the ground running and return to the playoffs once more. With that in mind, that is far from a guarantee, and Roethlisberger’s more tempered plan might serve Pittsburgh better in the long run.

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Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported the move Tuesday, confirming that Smith is headed to Tampa Bay after an extended tenure in Pittsburgh.

“Bucs hiring Danny Smith as special teams coordinator, source confirms (as NFL Network said).
Smith heads to Tampa after long run with Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh.”

The hire comes days after the Buccaneers conducted a virtual interview for their special teams opening last Friday. Smith departs the Steelers following 13 seasons on Mike Tomlin’s staff. Tomlin stepped down as Pittsburgh’s head coach after the team’s Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans.

Tampa Bay is coming off an 8–9 season that saw the club miss the playoffs, prompting adjustments across the coaching staff as the organization looks to rebound in 2026.

Danny Smith brings decades of NFL special teams experience to Buccaneers staff

Smith brings one of the longest and most consistent résumés in NFL special teams coaching. According to the Buccaneers’ initial release surrounding the interview process, Smith has served as an NFL special teams coordinator for each of the past 25 seasons. His run began with the Buffalo Bills from 2001–03, followed by the same role with the Washington Redskins from 2004–12, before joining Pittsburgh in 2013.

Overall, Smith has 50 years of coaching experience. His career began in 1976 as a graduate assistant at Edinboro State, where he previously played quarterback and defensive back. After early collegiate stops at Clemson, William & Mary and The Citadel, Smith spent eight seasons at Georgia Tech from 1987–94 coaching multiple position groups.

Pittsburgh consistently ranked among the league’s strongest special teams units during Smith’s tenure. In 2025, the Steelers placed sixth in punt return average yards allowed and eighth in kickoff return average allowed, while ranking second leaguewide in average opponent drive start. Kicker Chris Boswell continued to thrive under Smith, earning another Pro Bowl nod and first-team Associated Press All-Pro honors, while Miles Killebrew was also a first-team AP All-Pro as a special teamer in 2024.

Smith now joins a Buccaneers staff aiming to strengthen a key phase of the game as Tampa Bay works to return to postseason contention.

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Rodgers is as close to moving on to the Vikings as he is to retirement, according to Mike DeFabo of  The Athletic.

“Again, trying to predict what Rodgers will do is a fool’s errand — but we’ll do it anyway! It sure seems like he’s growing tired of the spotlight. My best guess — and it’s nothing more than a guess: A 40 percent chance he retires, 35 percent chance he plays for the Vikings, and a 25 percent shot he’s back with the Steelers.”

Would the Vikings cast their net toward QB Aaron Rodgers?

The Vikings banked on McCarthy being that guy when they parted ways with Sam Darnold. And now they must watch as Darnold has moved to within one game of the Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, McCarthy offered a very discouraging 10-game sample size in 2025. He completed only 57.6% of his passes with 11 touchdowns and an unsightly 12 interceptions.

One thing is Rodgers doesn’t seem fully committed to retirement, according to a post on X by DeFabo.

“Listen, I’m thinking about this week, but obviously I’m 42 years old, and I’m on a one-year deal, so you know what the situation is,” Rodgers said. “Whenever the season ends, I’ll be a free agent, so that will give me a lot of options, if I still want to play … I mean, not a lot of options, but there’ll be options, I would think maybe one or two if I decide I still want to play.”

It seems unlikely Rodgers would return to the Steelers. The chance to play for Mike Tomlin was a key point in going to Pittsburgh, according to Steelers owner Art Rooney II.

“Aaron came here to play for Mike,” Rooney II said. “I think it will most likely affect his decision.”

Other possible options other than the Vikings don’t seem to make much sense. The Athletic mentioned the Texans, but they have CJ Stroud. And with three straight playoff appearances, it doesn’t seem like a good idea to give up on him just yet.

Another mention was the Dolphins. But that organization is a mess. It seems like something Rodgers would avoid at all costs.

So, perhaps it’s down to Vikings or retirement.

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Steelers beat writer Mike DeFabo thinks that the Houston Texans could be a good destination for Rodgers.

“In Houston, Rodgers would have a much more complete defense providing a stable floor. That unit carried C.J. Stroud at times this year — and the third-year quarterback let them down in the playoffs,” DeFabo wrote for The Athletic. “Signing Rodgers would put the franchise in a precarious position with Stroud, who has shown flashes but hasn’t built on his early-career momentum. But if the Texans feel like they have the defense to win it all and want a more veteran passer to make a run right now, maybe they’d be intrigued.”

Houston defeated Pittsburgh in the AFC Wild Card round. The Texans whipped the Steelers 30-6, which could have been Rodgers’ final NFL game. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down from the job after the loss.

Criticism mounted about the Texans’ current starting quarterback, C.J. Stroud, after Stroud struggled in the team’s playoff loss to the New England Patriots.

The Steelers could still bring back Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers admitted before the 2025 season that playing for Tomlin was a huge reason why he chose to sign with Pittsburgh. He had played for two seasons with the New York Jets, before heading to the Steel City.

Rodgers and the Steelers won 10 games together, and also took the AFC North division in 2025. There was hope that Pittsburgh could finally make another run to a championship. It clearly didn’t work out, as the Steelers fell apart in their playoff game.

While many estimate Rodgers won’t come back to Pittsburgh, Steelers president Art Rooney II has left the door open in recent remarks.

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