Steelers Insider Believes New Wide Receiver Core Changes Everything For Aaron Rodgers

In Mike Tomlin's final years as the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, the offense was arguably one of the league's worst. Now, going into the 2026 season, things could change for the group. With Mike McCarthy now as the new lead man in the Steel City, the offense might finally get the attention it requires. The team has been near the top of the NFL in money spent on defense since 2021, and the organization's failure to properly address the quarterback and wide receiver positions became one of Tomlin's main downfalls. McCarthy hasn't yet taken care of the long-term QB situation, but he has helped set up the team nicely at wide receiver. 

At the start of free agency, Steelers General Manager Omar Khan went out and acquired wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. from the Indianapolis Colts, sending just a sixth-round selection in return, and giving Pittman a reasonable extension. Pittman is a proven threat in the NFL, capable of playing both inside and outside effectively. The Steelers also spent a second-round pick on Alabama product Germie Bernard, who excels after the catch and has reliable hands. Both of these players will be tremendous help to not only DK Metcalf in the receiver room, but also to veteran QB Aaron Rodgers. 

Insider Ray Fittipaldo of the Post-Gazette thinks things will be different in 2026. He recently appeared on 93.7 The Fan, where he talked about the Steelers' new weaponry. He believes that as long as they can get on the same page, under McCarthy's playbook, they will be "head and shoulders" above last season. 

"Getting Michael Pittman for a late draft pick, and you're paying him $20 million a year, but that's a very good price for a number two receiver," Fittipaldo stated. "Then you get Germie Bernard, who a lot of people think is going to walk in here and contribute right away. I think if those guys can stay healthy, it's going to be a very good 1-2-3 punch for Aaron Rodgers... I think 1-2-3, they're head and shoulders above what they were last year."

Last season, Rodgers' top wide receivers outside of Metcalf were Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, and two aging veterans in Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen. The only ones returning from that group are Wilson and Skowronek. Wilson still has much to prove, and Skowronek is primarily a special teamer, rarely seeing offensive snaps.

Rodgers, going into what he says is his final season, will have arguably his best receiver core in a long time. Not only will he have talented pass-catchers, but a more modern scheme to go along with them. Rodgers and McCarthy had great success in the past in the West Coast scheme, and both the player and playbook have since evolved. Rodgers likely won't be an MVP candidate, but he certainly has the opportunity to turn back the clock a bit with the talent he has around him. 

Steelers' Rodgers Is Gearing Up For A Big Season

While Rodgers certainly had his struggles in 2025, they weren't entirely his fault. He showed the obvious signs of old age at 42, but his wide receivers weren't creating consistent separation on the outside. He will now have two well-above-average pass-catchers as his primary targets, and a second-round pick that already has the faith of the coaching staff. If they can build cohesion, they can be a respectable group this season that teams will have to respect. 

We will have to see how the season develops, but this offseason, the Steelers have set themselves and Rodgers up nicely to score more points.

What do you think about Fittipaldo's comments regarding the 2026 wide receiver room in Pittsburgh? Follow us for more news!

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