The Pittsburgh Steelers have had one of the more intriguing 2026 offseasons out of any team in the NFL. It started almost immediately after a postseason loss when long-time head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down from his post as the leader of the franchise. A series of domino effects followed, which included hiring Mike McCarthy to run the show, bringing in a fresh coaching staff, and revamping the offense as a whole. Time will tell if everything works out for the franchise, and the fan base might be content if all of the changes lead to at least one postseason victory.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin roams the practice field as his team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Something that has plagued the Steelers in recent years has been the offensive side of the ball. Tomlin seemed to consistently want to play a conservative brand of football that never allowed the team to really separate itself from the competition. This often led to tight, anxiety-ridden games that didn't always go Pittsburgh's way when the clock struck zero.
This is expected to change in the McCarthy era. Having a head coach whose main focus for his entire career has been offense could alter the trajectory of the unit and really help the franchise reach its goals. One big move that should certainly boost the collective's capabilities is the acquisition of veteran wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
Unfortunately, the deal made by Omar Khan and the Steelers' front office did not impress everyone. ESPN's Seth Walder released his report card grades for every NFL team on Tuesday morning. As far as Pittsburgh's offseason goes, it earned just a measly C+. The decision to bring in Pittman did not impress the analyst; not even in the slightest.
"The Steelers did add to Rodgers' receiving group, trading for Pittman and drafting Germie Bernard in the second round," Walder wrote. "The Pittman trade was a mistake, though. He has $24 million due in 2026, which is more than I think he would receive on the open market. Why pay Pittman $24 million when Wan'Dale Robinson made $17.5 million per year as a free agent? In essence, the Steelers traded a late-round pick swap for a negative value contract."
The analysis from Walder was not necessarily kind to the Steelers. He also took issue with Khan and co. bringing Aaron Rodgers back for another year. However, not liking the Pittman deal is sort of a head-scratcher.
Pittsburgh gave up essentially nothing while having the cap space to take on a significant contract such as Pittman's. Additionally, some of the best offenses in the NFL are paying two wideouts $20 million or more. The veteran should work extremely well with Rodgers moving forward.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. jogs on the field as the team goes through a workout during an Organized Team Activities (OTAs) practice in Pittsburgh during the 2026 offseason.
Pittsburgh desperately needed a reliable pass-catcher to work alongside DK Metcalf. The arrival of Pittman will allow the duo to get open often and take attention off of other offensive playmakers. There probably aren't many people in the Steelers' building that would have wanted someone like Wan'Dale Robinson rather than the veteran in Pittman.
The offense in the Steel City has the opportunity to be dynamic for the first time in several years, and one of the biggest reasons for that could be due to the trade that brought in Pittman. On top of that, Rodgers should connect with him immediately, as the 42-year-old quarterback tends to enjoy working with more experienced pass-catchers.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) points in the direction of one of his teammates as the group practices during a 2025 training camp workout at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Could Make Walder Look Very Silly Come December And January
A C+ grade for Pittsburgh seems a bit harsh. The roster looks more talented than it was a year ago, and moves were made with a playoff run in mind. Rodgers still having what it takes and Pittman becoming one of his favorite targets will completely turn around what Walder believes will be the case. If the duo can remain healthy, there is plenty of upside to their partnership.
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