Quarterback

The Steelers moved on from long-time head coach Mike Tomlin this off-season. Tomlin had famously never had a losing season in 19 years as the Steelers’ head coach, but he also just as famously had not won a playoff game since 2016, losing his final 7 playoff games as Steelers head coach. With Tomlin gone, it looked possible that the Steelers might look to rebuild this off-season, with a younger coach and a younger roster, after ranking 2nd in snap adjusted age on offense and 3rd in snap adjusted age on defense last season. 

Instead, the Steelers replaced Tomlin with an even older, more experienced head coach in Mike McCarthy, brought back most of their older players, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who will once again be the oldest quarterback in the league in his age 43 season, and supplemented their roster with more veterans added in free agency and via trade. The Steelers went 10-7 last season, but benefitted from a 7-3 record in one score games and a +12 turnover margin, two things that tend to be inconsistent year-to-year and that would have been especially unlikely to continue with a new head coach. They ranked 22nd in schedule adjusted efficiency and overall were starting from a lower base point than their record a year ago suggested. 

However, their off-season moves improved this team, while their decision to move on from Mike Tomlin allowed them to replace defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, whose schemes were hurting this defense, with Patrick Graham, who has consistently gotten the most of his talent in his seven years as an NFL defensive coordinator. Because of those moves, the Steelers should be better in terms of schedule adjusted efficiency this season than last season and should remain in the playoff mix even if they don’t have the same success in close games or in the turnover margin. The end result should be a familiar one for this team, 9-10 wins and a potential playoff spot, but no playoff wins.

Rodgers returning this season was never a given and he did not officially sign until mid-May, but it always seemed like the most likely option, as the Steelers never seriously pursued other veteran options, while Rodgers lacked an alternative that would have allowed him to continue starting for a playoff caliber team, ultimately choosing the Steelers over retirement. Last season, Rodgers was simultaneously a far cry from his prime self, but also good enough for the Steelers to justify bringing him back this off-season over all other veteran alternatives. He made 16 starts and completed 65.7% of his passes for an average of 6.67 YPA, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 94.8 that was actually his best since 2021. At his age, there is always the possibility that he drops off completely in 2026, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he remained a decent, albeit low upside option at the quarterback position.

With this season expected to be Rodgers’ final season, the Steelers are at least trying to prepare themselves for the future, using a 6th round pick in last year’s draft on quarterback Will Howard and a 3rd round pick in this year’s draft on Drew Allar. The Steelers also still have veteran backup Mason Rudolph, who is probably best equipped to be the backup in the short-term in his age 31 season, with a career 84.7 passer rating in 19 starts, but the Steelers will probably want to keep both young development quarterbacks on the roster, meaning Rudolph could be on the outside looking in for a roster spot, unless the Steelers opt to keep four quarterbacks, which would be unusual. 

Of the two young quarterbacks, Howard is probably the best suited to be a backup this season, but it is tough to know what to expect from a quarterback that wasn’t drafted highly and that didn’t take a snap as a rookie and he is only the best suited to be a backup by default, as Allar has the tools to be a starter long-term, but fell to the 3rd round because of how much development he needs to reach his potential. This is overall a subpar quarterback room, but the re-signing of Rodgers at least keeps this team in the mix for another playoff berth.

Grade: C+

Receiving Corps

The biggest off-season addition the Steelers made on offense was trading for Colts receiver Michael Pittman. Wide receiver was a desperate need for the Steelers going into this off-season because five of their seven leading receivers last season were either tight ends or running backs, while nominal #2 receiver Calvin Austin, who had a 31/372/3 slash line on 1.22 yards per route run, was not retained as a free agent. With Mike McCarthy coming in and instituting a more traditional offense than the tight end and running back centric one that ex-offensive coordinator Arthur Smith preferred, wide receiver help was needed. Pittman was sent to Pittsburgh in essentially a salary dump, but he was a good value for the price of a late round pick swap and a 3-year, 59 million dollar extension. 

Pittman has averaged a 87/940/4 slash line per 17 games and 1.67 yards per route run in 6 seasons in the league. He doesn’t have much explosiveness, with a 10.8 career yards per catch average, but he has caught 68.4% of his targets in his career, despite inconsistent quarterback play and he is a good complement for DK Metcalf, who has averaged a 75/1089/8 slash line per 17 games (14.4 yards per catch) with 1.89 yards per route run in 7 seasons in the league. Both Pittman and Metcalf should remain close to their usual selves, with both going into their age 29 season. The Steelers also used a second round pick on Germie Bernard and a fourth round pick on Kaden Wetjen to further add to their wide receiver depth. Bernard figures to be the Steelers’ #3 wide receiver in a rookie, in a position group that is much better than a year ago.

The Steelers also still have a pair of solid tight ends, Pat Freiermuth, who is more of a pass catcher, and Darnell Washington, who is more of a blocker. Freiermuth has averaged a 57/583/5 slash line per 17 games with 1.42 yards per route run in his career, while Washington has seen his yards per route run average increase from 0.44 to 1.29 to 1.72 in three seasons in the league. That only led to a 31/364/1 slash line on 43 targets last season because he blocked on 59.0% of his snaps, while Freiermuth had a 41/486/4 slash line on 54 targets and blocked on just 32.4% of his snaps, but Washington has shown he can be a capable receiver when needed, while Freiermuth is also a decent blocker. They are a solid tight end duo and, even with a better wide receiver group, they should still be heavily involved in this offense with fellow tight end Jonnu Smith (54 targets) no longer on the roster. This is now a solid overall receiving corps.

Grade: B

Running Backs

The Steelers also added Rico Dowdle in free agency this off-season, to replace free agent departure Kenneth Gainwell. Dowdle is a different kind of running back than Gainwell, as Gainwell is a receiving back (73/486/3, 1.47 yards per route run in 2025), who can also run the ball on occasion (4.71 YPC, 55.3% carry success rate on 114 carries in 2025), while Dowdle is a solid runner who also can contribute as a receiver. In the two past seasons as a starter, including 2024 with Mike McCarthy’s Cowboys, Dowdle has totaled back-to-back 1000+ yard seasons on an average of 4.57 YPC, with 3.22 yards per carry after contact, a 50.7% carry success rate, and a 16.8% missed tackle rate, while averaging 1.02 yards per route run. Still in his relative prime in his age 28 season, I would expect similar effectiveness from him in 2026.

Dowdle might not get the same carry total as the last two seasons though (235 and 236), as the Steelers still have Jaylen Warren, who led this team with 958 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns on 211 carries (4.54 YPC) last season. Warren is a solid receiver (1.44 yards per route run in his career) and will move more into Gainwell’s old role, with Dowdle in Warren’s old role, but Warren also has averaged 4.73 YPC with 3.26 yards per carry after contact, a 52.1% carry success rate, and a 27.6% missed tackle rate in his career, so he should be more involved as a runner than Gainwell was last season. Dowdle and Warren form a solid duo. If either of them miss time, the backup would either be 2025 3rd round pick Kaleb Johnson, who only played 51 offensive snaps as a rookie, but could still have potential, or 7th round rookie Eli Heidenreich.

Grade: B

Offensive Line

One aging veteran the Steelers didn’t bring back is left guard Isaac Seumalo, who was an above average starter last season, but was not retained ahead of his age 33 season in 2026. He will be replaced by either Spencer Anderson, a 2023 7th round pick who has been below average across 11 career starts, veteran free agent addition Brock Hoffman, who has been decent in 16 career starts (7 at guard and 9 at center), or third round rookie Gennings Dunker, all of whom would be a significant downgrade from Seumalo. 

Fortunately, the Steelers should have one upgrade on the offensive line, as they used their first round pick on tackle Max Iheanachor. Iheanachor is likely to begin his career at right tackle, which will move incumbent right tackle Troy Fautanu to left tackle. Fautanu was a first round pick in 2024 and was an above average starter at right tackle last season, after missing almost all of his rookie year with injury. Moving him to another position is a bit of a risk, but he has the upside to play left tackle and left tackle is a more valuable position, so it makes sense to have their best tackle there, especially since it would allow Iheanachor to stay at his collegiate position. Incumbent left tackle Broderick Jones was a liability last season, so Iheanachor being added and starting as a rookie will benefit this offensive line.

Jones is also a former first round pick, back in 2023, but his career has not gone according to plan, as he has mostly struggled across 38 career starts. Making matters worse, he is coming back from a serious neck injury that could sideline him for the start of the season. Even if he is ready to play by week 1, he could face competition for the swing tackle job from Dylan Cook, who was an upgrade by default in four starts in place of an injured Jones last season. Cook went undrafted in 2022 and has never played outside of that brief stretch last season, so he is still an unknown, but he could ultimately end up being a better option than Jones. Cook and Jones will provide depth, along with whichever two of the three options at left guard do not win the starting job.

Mason McCormick and Zach Frazier remain the starters at right guard and center respectively, both going into their third season in the league, on what is now an overall very young offensive line. McCormick, a 4th round pick, was decent as a rookie in 14 starts, before taking a step forward last season and playing at an above average level in 17 starts, while Frazier, a 2nd round pick, has been above average in both seasons. Frazier is more likely than McCormick to continue playing at an above average level in 2026, due to his more proven track record and his higher draft status, but McCormick could have permanently turned a corner and could easily remain above average in 2026 and beyond. This is a young offensive line, but a decent unit overall, with its only true weakness being left guard.

Grade: B

Interior Defenders

The Steelers brought back all of their aging veterans on defense too, with the oldest of the bunch being Cameron Heyward, who is set to go into his age 37 season. Heyward has not looked his age though, finishing last season with 3.5 sacks, 6 hits, and a 9.9% pressure rate, while playing at a high level against the run. Heyward could decline in 2026, perhaps significantly, but even a significant decline from him could still result in him being an above average interior defender, given how high of a base point he is starting from.

Heyward figures to start opposite Derrick Harmon, who had a solid rookie year, playing at an average or better level both against the run and as a pass rusher (7.8% pressure rate). The 2025 1st round pick could easily take a step forward and be even better in year two. Keeanu Benton also will remain in the mix for a significant role. The 2023 2nd round pick is a bit of a liability against the run, but he has totaled 7.5 sacks, 22 hits, and a 6.9% pressure rate in 51 career games and could still improve as a run defender, only going into his age 25 season.

Yahya Black is another young interior defender the Steelers have and the 2025 5th round pick played 416 snaps as a rookie, but he was a liability against the run and as a pass rusher as a rookie (3.2% pressure rate). He could be better in year two, but it doesn’t seem like the Steelers are giving him a chance to prove it, opting instead to sign veteran Sebastian Joseph-Day. Joseph-Day is going into his age 31 season, but he has been a capable run defender and pass rusher (career 6.5% pressure rate) throughout his career, while averaging 501 snaps per season, and, even if he declines in 2026, he should still be better than Black was last season. This is a deep and talented position group.

Grade: A-

Edge Defenders

If the Steelers were to start to rebuild this off-season, one player who likely would have been moved is edge defender TJ Watt. Watt could have generated a significant return for the Steelers via trade this off-season, but this might be the last off-season that would be the case, as he is going into his age 32 season and has declined a little in recent years from his Defensive Player of the Year peak. On top of that, the Steelers would be in good shape at the edge defender position even without Watt, as Alex Highsmith, going into his age 29 season, is a high level starter opposite him, while Nick Herbig, going into his age 25 season, is a high level reserve who seems ready for a larger role.

Watt finished last season with 7 sacks, 14 hits, and a 9.9% pressure rate, while playing at an above average level against the run, but that is a far cry from just two years ago, when he had 19 sacks, 20 hits, and a 15.6% pressure rate, while playing at an elite level against the run. Another year into his 30s in 2026, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him decline even further in 2026, though he has a good chance to at least remain an above average starter overall.

Highsmith is also an above average all-around player, totaling 37 sacks, 36 hits, and a 13.1% pressure rate in 58 games over the past four seasons, while consistently playing at an above average level as a run defender. Still in his prime, he should remain an all-around above average player in 2026. Herbig, meanwhile, has generated a 12.5% pressure rate in three seasons in the league since going in the 4th round in 2023. 

Last season, Herbig saw a career high 610 snaps, more than his first two seasons in the league combined (607 snaps), in part because Highsmith and Watt missed four games and three games respectively, but Herbig also averaged 32.8 snaps per game in games in which he did not start, so the Steelers made an effort to get him on the field more, even at the expense of Watt and Highsmith. Herbig did not disappoint, finishing the season with 7.5 sacks, 13 hits, and a 13.3% pressure rate, while also playing at an above average level against the run. Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig were arguably the best edge defender trio in the league last season and should remain that this season.

With a top-3 like that, there isn’t much need for anyone else, but the Steelers also have 2025 4th round pick Jack Sawyer, who played 295 snaps as a rookie, mostly when Watt or Highsmith were out due to injury. Sawyer wasn’t bad, recording a 9.6% pressure rate and providing adequate run defense. He won’t see much of a role this season unless more injuries strike, but he could be better this year than he was as a rookie, which makes him better than a lot of teams’ 4th edge defender option. This is a loaded position group.

Grade: A

Linebackers

The Steelers’ linebacking corps was the weakness of their defense last season. Patrick Queen (1,112 snaps) and Payton Wilson (733 snaps) were their top-2 linebackers in terms of snaps and both were liabilities. Queen has had some decent years in the past and is still only in his age 27 season, so he could bounce back, but this is now back-to-back below average seasons for him. Wilson, meanwhile, showed more promise in a smaller role (493 snaps) as a 3rd round rookie in 2024, so he at least has upside, but, like Queen, there is no guarantee he is any better this season. Top reserve Malik Harrison (295 snaps) also struggled, as he has throughout his six seasons in the league, on an average of 258 snaps per season. 

The only Steelers linebacker who did not struggle last season was Cole Holcomb, who played 198 snaps in 8 games and was at least a solid run defender, while also being decent in coverage. Holcomb used to be an above average linebacker before tearing everything in his knee midway through the 2023 season and missing over a season and a half. He’s also now going into his age 30 season and his solid play last season came in limited action, but there is at least some hope he could be a solid situational player for the Steelers this season, even if he isn’t what he once was. Holcomb should at least beat out Harrison for the #3 linebacker job. With Holcomb potentially playing a bigger role, Queen at least having some bounce back potential, and Payton Wilson being young and having some upside, it is possible the Steelers’ linebacking corps is better in 2026 than 2025, but largely by default, as this is still a below average unit.

Grade: C+

Secondary

Another aging veteran the Steelers kept this off-season is Jalen Ramsey, who is heading into his age 32 season. Ramsey was a high level cornerback in his prime and an above average cornerback as recently as 2024, but his play fell to a league average level in 2025 and there is a good chance he never bounces back, given his age. The Steelers moved him to safety midway through the season to try to get more out of him as he ages. That didn’t seem to help, but perhaps that move will have some benefit in his first full season at his new position in 2026.

Ramsey will start at safety next to free agent addition Jaquan Brisker, a decent, but unspectacular starting option. The more impactful free agent addition the Steelers made on defense this off-season was cornerback Jamel Dean, who came over from the Buccaneers on a 3-year, 36.75 million dollar deal. Dean is another aging veteran, going into his age 30 season, but he isn’t totally over the hill yet and hasn’t shown any signs of decline yet, arguably coming off of the best season of his career. Dean probably won’t repeat his career best year again in 2026, but the 7-year veteran has been an above average starting cornerback for years, with his only weakness being durability, as he has missed 21 total games due to injury in his career. Even with age and injury concerns though, he should be a welcome addition for a cornerback room that needed help.

Dean will start opposite Joey Porter, a 2023 2nd round pick who has developed into an above average starter and who could still have room for further growth, only going into his age 26 season. The third cornerback job will probably go to Asante Samuel, who the Steelers took a flier on mid-season last year as he worked his way back from a serious neck injury that ended his 2024 season early. Samuel played decently across 222 snaps last season and, prior to his injury, he was starting to develop into an above average starter. Still only going into his age 27 season, Samuel still has time to develop into what it looked like he was becoming before the injury if he can stay healthy. As far as #3 cornerbacks go, Samuel is an above average option.

The Steelers also used a third round pick on Daylen Everette to give them more insurance at cornerback in case injuries strike, which is a higher than average possibility for Samuel and Dean. The Steelers could also use three safeties together in some sub packages, with DeShon Elliott, who is likely to be a backup with Brisker being added, being an experienced reserve who has mostly been a decent starter across 69 career starts. This is an above average secondary overall.

Grade: B+

Kickers

Chris Boswell had a down year by his standards in 2025, but he still counted for 2.92 points above an average kicker, down from 8.12 points above average in 2023 and 14.63 points above average in 2024. Boswell is going into his age 35 season, so perhaps he is starting to decline, but kickers can kick at a high level into their mid to late 30s and it is very possible that his relative struggles last season were more the result of the year-to-year variance inherent at the kicker position than age. He should remain at least an above average kicker in 2026 and has the upside to be among the best kickers in the league.

Grade: A-

Conclusion

The Steelers were not as good as their 10-7 record last season, going 7-3 in one-score games and finishing with a +12 turnover margin, two things that are not consistent year-to-year. In terms of schedule adjusted efficiency, which is more consistent year-to-year, they ranked just 22nd. They were also one of the oldest teams in the league last year, with several aging veterans who could be worse this year than last year. However, they also upgraded this offense by adding wide receiver Michael Pittman and running back Rico Dowdle, while upgrading their defense by adding cornerback Jamel Dean and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who has always gotten the most out of his talent and now gets to work with the most talented defense he has ever worked with. It might not be enough for the Steelers to make the post-season again this year, but they should at least be in the mix for a playoff spot.

Prediction: 9-8, 3rd in AFC North