The Steelers finished 10-7 last season but remained stuck in football purgatory. I’m still not convinced that’s changed, but the organization finally decided it was time for a reset, bringing in an entirely new coaching staff and marking the end of Mike Tomlin’s legendary run in Pittsburgh, at least for now. Tomlin’s final few seasons started to resemble Bill Belichick’s last years in New England, where the writing was on the wall despite everything he had accomplished. That’s not meant to diminish Tomlin’s legacy, but it did feel like the Steelers needed a new voice. The roster itself is still caught somewhere between rebuilding and contending, but at least Pittsburgh is showing it may no longer be content with annual first-round playoff exits.
Mike McCarthy takes over as the new head coach after an unsuccessful stint in Dallas. He’s one of the winningest coaches in NFL history, with most of that success coming in Green Bay alongside Aaron Rodgers. McCarthy is an offensive-minded head coach, but in recent years he’s often delegated play-calling responsibilities and has become more of a culture builder than a true offensive innovator. Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio and the unofficial offensive assistant, Aaron Rodgers, are both expected to have significant influence over the offense.
The Rodgers-McCarthy offense eventually grew stagnant in Green Bay, and Rodgers went on to win his final two MVP awards after Matt LaFleur introduced a Shanahan-style system. In New York, Rodgers essentially operated as the quarterback, offensive coordinator, and general manager all at once, bringing back many of the concepts from the old McCarthy offense with very little success. Last season in Pittsburgh, Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith kept Rodgers within the structure of their offense rather than allowing him to dictate it. Now the question becomes whether McCarthy gives Rodgers more control again, a move that I think could ultimately hurt the Steelers more than it helps.
Unlike many offensive coordinators working under offensive-minded head coaches, Brian Angelichio hasn’t been with McCarthy continuously since 2018 and should bring some fresh ideas to the offense. If McCarthy, Angelichio, and Rodgers can successfully blend their philosophies, I think this group has a chance to build a very good offense. If any one voice ends up dominating the others, though, I have real concerns about where this offense could end up.
On the defensive side of the ball, Patrick Graham arrives from Las Vegas. The Raiders have lacked defensive talent for several years, making it difficult to fairly evaluate his work, but he’s shown enough over the course of his career to deserve this opportunity. Now he’ll inherit one of the league’s more talented defensive rosters. Without Tomlin overseeing the defense, it’s fair to expect some regression, but if Graham keeps this unit playing at an elite level, he could quickly find himself back in head coaching conversations.
Danny Crossman returns to the NFL after spending 2025 out of the league following his firing in Miami. Of all the available special teams coordinators, he wouldn’t have been near the top of my list after nobody hired him last season, but he’s an experienced coach who should provide a steady presence for the unit.
GM Omar Khan has finally started reshaping this roster, though it’s still difficult to tell whether Pittsburgh is fully committing to a rebuild or making one last push to contend. There are still plenty of moves left to make if the organization truly wants to pick a direction, and for now it feels like they’re still trying to straddle both paths.
Quarterbacks (24th)
A lot of the headaches that came with Aaron Rodgers have seemingly subsided off the field, allowing everyone to focus on the football again. At this stage of his career, Rodgers is still a good NFL quarterback, even if he’s no longer a great one. The arm talent is still there, but what has declined most noticeably is the athleticism that made him so dangerous during his prime. He no longer escapes pressure and creates explosive plays the way he once did. Instead, when the pocket breaks down, he usually goes down with it. To get the best version of Rodgers, he needs a strong offensive line in front of him. While he isn’t a perfect solution, he was probably the best option available to the Steelers entering 2026. By all accounts, Rodgers has also become a valuable mentor for young quarterbacks, as he was with Jordan Love, and the Steelers now hope he can have a similar impact on Will Howard and Drew Allar.
As things stand, Mason Rudolph is the backup quarterback. He’s a proven veteran reserve, but with two young quarterbacks behind him, he’ll have to clearly outperform both Howard and Allar to keep his roster spot, even if he’s currently the second-best quarterback on the team. Howard, meanwhile, remains one of the more intriguing developmental players in the room. The former sixth-round pick generated some buzz as a possible starter before Rodgers signed, but now finds himself competing with Rudolph for the backup job. I think Rudolph is the better quarterback today, but I also believe the Steelers see enough long-term potential in Howard to keep him over the veteran.
Finally, there’s 2026 third-round pick Drew Allar. Allar looks like a first-round quarterback prospect in almost every way except for his actual play on the field. He has prototypical size, outstanding arm strength, and just enough athleticism to avoid being a statue in the pocket. Despite playing four seasons of college football, he entered the NFL at just 22 years old. He’s functionally accurate, has shown the ability to read defenses, and is capable of throwing with anticipation. As a sophomore, he threw 25 touchdowns to just two interceptions. From a traits perspective, everything about Allar screams elite quarterback prospect.
Then you watch him play in the biggest moments.
When the pressure ramps up, the consistency disappears. His accuracy can fall apart, he’ll settle for a checkdown when the situation demands aggression, and every now and then he’ll throw the ball directly to a defender as if he never saw them. He’s one of the more polarizing quarterback prospects in recent memory. Analytics enthusiasts probably loved him, while many college football fans couldn’t stand him. I fall much closer to the first group because the traits that make Allar special simply can’t be taught. The things he struggles with, however, potentially can be. With Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy guiding his development, the Steelers have two people with extensive experience helping young quarterbacks grow. The quarterback room may not be in a great spot for 2026, but the hope is that it’s laying the foundation for a much brighter future beginning in 2027.
Running Backs (14th)
Jaylen Warren is one of the better all-around running backs in the league, but for most of his career he was used primarily as a change-of-pace and receiving back behind Najee Harris. When Harris departed last season, Warren took over as the lead back, handling far more early-down work while Kenneth Gainwell assumed the third-down role and broke out in it. The result was a bit of a down year for Warren, who was asked to play a style that didn’t maximize his strengths. This season, he’s still expected to lead the backfield, but with Gainwell gone, the Steelers can return Warren to the elusive, pass-catching role that suits him best while pairing him with a more physical complement. He’s an outstanding receiver and pass protector, making him an ideal third-down back, even if he didn’t get to showcase those skills as often in 2025 while filling a bruising role.
GM Omar Khan recognized that the Steelers didn’t need another scat back next to Warren. They needed a power runner to complement him, and that’s exactly why they signed Rico Dowdle this offseason. For most of his career, Dowdle has been the definition of a solid starter or an excellent backup. He’s the type of runner who’s willing to do the dirty work in a committee, which makes him an ideal fit alongside Warren. He also had a stretch last season where he looked like one of the best running backs in football. Assuming that level of play isn’t the new normal, he still fits this role perfectly. If Dowdle does catch fire again, though, Warren probably isn’t such an elite talent that the Steelers would hesitate to shift more carries in Dowdle’s direction.
Kaleb Johnson currently projects as the RB3 after what was essentially a lost rookie season. The Steelers barely played him after he mishandled a kickoff early in the year, continuing the perception that the Mike Tomlin era wasn’t always the most patient when it came to developing young players. It may be too early to call Johnson a bust, but it’s at least fair to question where he stands heading into Year 2. He was drafted as a scheme-specific runner who fit Arthur Smith’s wide zone offense extremely well. With an entirely new coaching staff in place, I’m not counting on Johnson breaking through, especially after the additions of Dowdle and another rookie running back.
That rookie is seventh-round pick Eli Heidenreich, who played as a running back, wide receiver, and tight end in Navy’s option offense. It’s a difficult projection because Navy’s scheme is about as far removed from an NFL offense as you can get, making it challenging to predict how his skill set will translate. If Heidenreich earns a role as a rookie, it’ll likely be as a Kenneth Gainwell replacement, contributing as a receiving back, slot receiver, or even in a Taysom Hill-style utility role.
Travis Homer is a veteran depth option whose biggest value comes on special teams. If the Steelers decide to move on from Kaleb Johnson or transition Heidenreich away from running back, Homer could make the roster. As things stand, though, it’s hard to imagine Pittsburgh carrying five running backs just to keep him. Lew Nichols has bounced around practice squads for several years but has yet to establish himself and isn’t expected to factor into the backfield.
I’ll also include fullback Riley Nowakowski here, even though he probably fits somewhere between a tight end and a running back. The fifth-round rookie is expected to replace the versatile role Connor Heyward filled before departing this offseason.
Weapons (18th)
Wide Receivers (16th)
DK Metcalf is a dream fit alongside Aaron Rodgers, who has made a career out of throwing back-shoulder fades and deep go routes, two areas where Metcalf excels. The biggest knock on Metcalf has always been his hands, particularly in contested catch situations. Despite his size, he has never consistently won those opportunities the way you’d expect from a receiver with his frame. The additions around him should help, though, allowing Metcalf to focus more on what he does best instead of being asked to carry the entire passing game.
The Steelers also needed a legitimate WR2, and Michael Pittman Jr. should be able to fill that role, even if I think he was overpaid by Indianapolis and then acquired for an even steeper price by Pittsburgh. Pittman excels at beating press coverage and consistently moving the chains underneath, providing a reliable complement to Metcalf’s boom-or-bust style on the outside.
Germie Bernard may not have one of the highest ceilings in the draft, but he has one of the highest floors. He offers excellent run-after-catch ability despite only average athletic traits, has dependable hands, and checks nearly every box you’d want from a slot receiver outside of being a true vertical threat. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, Metcalf already fills that role, allowing Bernard to settle in as an ideal WR3 with the potential to eventually become the team’s WR2. If this receiving corps is missing anything, it’s a twitchy gadget player who can create with the ball in his hands on screens and manufactured touches. That’s at least part of the reason the Steelers selected Kaden Wetjen in the fourth round. Wetjen was drafted primarily for his return ability and may not play many offensive snaps as a rookie, but if he proves capable in that gadget role, I could see him finding his way onto the field in specific packages.
Roman Wilson entered the league projecting as a dependable slot receiver, but he has barely seen the field and may struggle to find opportunities again with the increased competition. He profiles as the primary backup to the roles Bernard and Pittman fill, but he probably won’t see much offensive action if both stay healthy. Ben Skowronek remains one of the league’s better special teams contributors, while offensively serving as another big-bodied receiver who could become Aaron Rodgers’ version of Allen Lazard in a limited role.
Those six are probably the receivers who make the roster, but I still haven’t completely given up on A.T. Perry. It’s rare for these late-round “X” receiver prospects to develop into NFL contributors, and Perry certainly hasn’t lived up to expectations while already landing on his third team. Even so, I think he provides valuable size as a backup to either Metcalf or Pittman if injuries strike, especially since much of the remaining depth projects more naturally into slot roles.
After Perry, the depth chart is made up of current or former undrafted free agents: Max Hurleman, Brandon Smith, Cole Burgess, Joaquin Davis, and Levi Wentz. Brandon Smith and Levi Wentz are the two that interest me the most, but for this entire group it’s a wait-and-see situation until someone separates himself.
Tight Ends (12th)
The Steelers’ tight end room is one of the more unique groups in the league. It’s built more around blocking than receiving, but that’s a perfect fit for Aaron Rodgers at this stage of his career, where extra protection is more valuable than ever.
Darnell Washington is currently listed as the starting tight end, and without exaggeration, he’s essentially an extension of the offensive line. Taking both run and pass blocking into account, I think he’s the best blocking tight end in football. At 6’7″ and nearly 270 pounds, he’s built more like an offensive tackle than a traditional tight end. Unlike most blocking specialists who finish the year with only a handful of catches and under 100 receiving yards, Washington is still a legitimate receiving threat in his own unique way, totaling 364 yards last season. He’s an impressive athlete for his size, but he’s probably the slowest route runner among tight ends who regularly see targets. The Steelers work around that by using plenty of block-and-release concepts, where Washington initially engages as a blocker before slipping into open space without needing to create separation down the field. His hands are better than most people expect, and once he gets the ball, he’s incredibly difficult to bring down. That makes him a surprisingly dangerous run-after-catch threat. Washington might be the closest thing the NFL has to a Victor Wembanyama-type outlier at his position because there simply isn’t another tight end built or utilized quite like him.
Sharing the workload with Washington is Pat Freiermuth. Freiermuth is a more traditional in-line tight end who benefits from Washington handling so much of the dirty work as a blocker, allowing him to focus more on his strengths as a receiver. He’s still a capable blocker in his own right, making this one of the better all-around tight end duos in the league. Unlike many teams, though, neither player spends much time detached from the formation as a slot receiver. Instead, Pittsburgh rotates them or keeps both on the field together in heavier personnel packages, with each lining up in-line for the majority of their snaps. That’s an important distinction given how many true slot receivers are already on the roster. It’s also worth noting because Rodgers has historically relied on his wide receivers more than his tight ends in the passing game, making a duo with this level of blocking ability an ideal fit.
Robert Tonyan projects as the third tight end and reunites with Rodgers after their years together in Green Bay. Tonyan is a reliable pass catcher but offers very little as a blocker, giving the room a different skill set from Washington and Freiermuth. He’ll likely fill a small rotational role when the Steelers want another receiving option. Undrafted rookie Lake McRee faces an uphill battle to make the roster, but his skill set is very similar to Tonyan’s. Honestly, I might even prefer McRee over Tonyan if not for Tonyan’s familiarity with Rodgers and this style of offense.
Riley Nowakowski is worth mentioning again as the fullback-tight end hybrid expected to replace Connor Heyward’s versatile role. Meanwhile, 2025 UDFA JJ Galbreath currently sits ahead of both McRee and Jaheim Bell on the depth chart, though I’d be more intrigued by Bell if he can make the roster. The former Patriots developmental pick is a legitimate run-after-catch threat and could provide some of the gadget ability this receiving corps is otherwise missing.
Offensive Line (29th)
Offensive Tackles (31st) & Interior Offensive Line (15th)
The Steelers’ offensive line situation is one of the more unusual ones in the league heading into 2026, and it’s not entirely their fault. The biggest storyline is Broderick Jones’ neck injury, with reports ranging from him potentially starting the season on the PUP list to the possibility that he may never play football again. Pittsburgh has clearly tried to build enough depth to survive without him, but that’s a difficult task to accomplish in a single offseason. Jones hadn’t fully developed into the franchise tackle the Steelers hoped for after selecting him in the first round in 2023, and he may have been entering a pivotal season regardless. This isn’t how anyone wanted those questions answered, though. If they get anything from Jones this year, it’s a bonus, but I’m operating under the assumption that anything he provides in 2026 is a luxury rather than something they can count on.
That leaves Troy Fautanu as the projected starting left tackle after spending 2025 on the right side. He missed his rookie season because of injury but showed encouraging development in his first year on the field. He hasn’t established himself as anything special yet and took his fair share of losses against power rushers, but he’s already proven to be a starting-caliber tackle with room to continue improving. The best player on the offensive line is center Zach Frazier, who immediately looked like a hit after being drafted in the second round in 2024. While he hasn’t quite entered the conversation for the league’s best center, he’s firmly established himself as a high-level starter and the anchor of this offensive line. At left guard, Mason McCormick is a well-rounded blocker who had more issues than Fautanu against top-tier pass rushers but settled into his role as the season progressed. He’s developed into a quality starter, though improving his consistency will be the key to taking the next step. The Steelers haven’t proven it yet, but Fautanu, McCormick, and Frazier have the potential to become the long-term foundation of this offensive line.
The right side is where the real questions begin. At right guard, Pittsburgh currently lists 2024 seventh-round pick Spencer Anderson as the starter. Anderson has primarily served as a sixth offensive lineman and extra blocker, so he hasn’t been asked to handle meaningful snaps on a regular basis. Clearly the Steelers believe in him, and this organization has earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to developing offensive linemen. If you’re looking for draft pedigree or a proven NFL résumé, though, Anderson doesn’t have either.
The more exciting option is third-round rookie Gennings Dunker. He became a fan favorite during the draft process, partly because of his name and personality, and many people already expect him to claim the starting job. Dunker played tackle at Iowa but struggled with lateral movement, making him an obvious candidate to move inside to guard. In fact, many draft analysts evaluated him as a guard despite where he played in college. Even so, it’s still a position change. Asking a third-round rookie to start on Day 1 along the offensive line is already a difficult challenge. Asking him to learn a new position while doing it is even less realistic. I loved the pick and believe Dunker is Pittsburgh’s right guard of the future, but I expect Spencer Anderson to begin the season as the starter while Dunker develops.
At right tackle, assuming Broderick Jones isn’t able to make a miraculous return, there should be an open competition throughout training camp. Dylan Cook currently sits atop the depth chart after filling in following Jones’ injury. In his limited sample, Cook actually graded out as one of the league’s better pass blockers. The problem is that he’s a 2022 UDFA who didn’t appear in an NFL game until last season. With only five career games and four starts, it’s difficult to confidently project him as a quality starter, even if the early signs were encouraging.
The Steelers are probably hoping first-round pick Max Iheanachor eventually wins that job. Iheanachor is one of the rawer first-round tackle prospects in recent memory, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he opens the season on the bench. He’s an incredible athlete with rare size and is still relatively new to football, giving him enormous developmental upside. His biggest issues are technical, particularly with his hand usage, but if Pittsburgh can clean those up, he has the talent to become an impact starter sooner rather than later.
As for the depth, Brock Hoffman was a nice addition. He’s primarily a guard but can also play center. While he could technically compete for the right guard job, I think his best role is as a valuable interior backup. Jack Driscoll is another versatile reserve. He’s listed as a tackle, but I’ve actually liked what he’s shown more at guard. I don’t expect him to seriously challenge for either starting vacancy, but he’s another quality depth piece.
That’s probably the nine offensive linemen the Steelers keep, or ten if you include Broderick Jones. Ryan McCollum has a case to make the roster as the backup center if the coaching staff doesn’t believe Hoffman can handle that role, but I’d rather stash him on the practice squad as insurance behind Frazier. Lorenzo Thompson, Doug Nestor, Steven Jones, and Greg Crippen are all undrafted, unproven players who are likely competing for practice squad spots. Then again, Dylan Cook fit that same description a year ago, so anything is possible.
I like the overall makeup of this offensive line. They have three quality starters, solid depth, and two rookie prospects in Gennings Dunker and Max Iheanachor who could eventually fill the open spots. A future lineup of Fautanu, McCormick, Frazier, Dunker, and Iheanachor has the potential to become one of the better young offensive lines in football. Unfortunately, that’s still more projection than reality. The entire right side remains largely unproven, and even the established starters on the left haven’t yet developed into elite players. The talent is certainly there, but until it translates consistently onto the field, I have this group ranked just 29th in the league.
Offense (26th) – Pass Game (25th) – Run Game (25th)
The Steelers offense is relatively balanced, but also relatively low level. There are some solid players across the board, but no stars, unless you count Aaron Rodgers who does not play like a star quarterback anymore. If they fix up the holes in the offensive line, the offense won’t be bad in Pittsburgh, but if there is a weak link getting beat in pass protection, Rodgers ability to run the offense will collapse with the pocket.
Defensive Line (3rd)
Interior Defensive Line (7th)
2011 first-round pick Cameron Heyward is somehow still going strong. He appeared to be gradually declining for several seasons, but at 37 years old he’s turned back into something close to his prime. Heyward remains an outstanding 3-technique defensive tackle, capable of impacting games both as a pass rusher and a run defender, and he once again led Pittsburgh’s defensive line in snaps last season. At some point, age is going to catch up with him, and it’s fair to expect at least some regression in the near future. If that happens, though, the Steelers have enough depth to begin easing some of his workload onto the younger players behind him.
Keeanu Benton has been Pittsburgh’s starting nose tackle since arriving in 2023, but I still think he’s a much better fit as a penetrating 3-technique than as a traditional run-stuffing nose tackle. He’s flashed legitimate pass-rush ability, while his run defense has been inconsistent at times. I’m hoping this new coaching staff gives him more opportunities to attack upfield because I think that’s where he’ll make the biggest impact. First-round pick Derrick Harmon battled through lingering injuries for much of his rookie season, limiting his effectiveness. Harmon wins with athleticism, and he simply wasn’t physically able to play at his usual level. The expectation is that he’ll primarily fill the 3-4 defensive end role while also sliding inside as a 3-technique, eventually developing into Cameron Heyward’s long-term successor.
The biggest offseason addition was Sebastian Joseph-Day, who gives the Steelers a true nose tackle. His arrival should strengthen the run defense while allowing Benton and Harmon to spend more time in roles that maximize their pass-rushing ability. Yahya Black, a fifth-round pick last year, provides additional depth at nose tackle, while Esezi Otomewo also saw meaningful snaps across the defensive line in 2025.
The Steelers can only keep so many defensive linemen, but 2024 sixth-round pick Logan Lee, rookie sixth-rounder Gabriel Rubio, and veteran Dean Lowry will all compete for roster spots. It’s an incredibly deep group, which has become the standard for Pittsburgh over the years. Anthony Goodlow, Kyler Baugh, and undrafted rookie Kevin Jobity Jr. are also in the mix, though they’re more likely competing for practice squad spots than places on the 53-man roster.
Edge Rushers (5th)
The Steelers have long built their defense around a rotation of elite edge rushers, but the group now finds itself at something of a crossroads. Trade rumors surrounded this unit throughout the offseason, with many expecting Pittsburgh to move one of its veterans, but that never materialized. T.J. Watt may no longer be the dominant superstar he once was, but he’s still a highly productive player. His pressure rate has declined noticeably, yet he still finished last season with seven sacks. More importantly, Watt continues to make game-changing plays in the biggest moments, whether it’s a timely sack, a forced fumble, or even the occasional interception. That knack for delivering in clutch situations makes me think he could thrive in a slightly smaller workload, assuming he’s willing to embrace that role.
Alex Highsmith has spent years as arguably the best No. 2 edge rusher in football, but he may now become Pittsburgh’s primary pass rusher on a down-to-down basis. Like Watt, Highsmith is an excellent run defender, and that two-way ability is what has made this duo so effective for so long. Nick Herbig rounds out the trio as the designated pass-rush specialist. He’s one of the most efficient edge rushers in the league when it comes to getting after the quarterback, but he isn’t nearly the run defender that Watt and Highsmith are. He should continue carving out a significant role, particularly in obvious passing situations. The Steelers also found creative ways to get all three on the field together last season, using Herbig as more of a rush linebacker. It’s an outstanding edge room, but with Watt no longer quite the elite, game-wrecking force he once was, I have this group just behind the few teams that still feature a true superstar in his prime.
Fourth-round pick Jack Sawyer gives Pittsburgh another quality depth option. He’s a high-floor player whose biggest strength is setting the edge against the run. I don’t expect him to be part of the primary rotation, but he should carve out a small role even if everyone stays healthy. That likely rounds out the group, as Julius Welschof and Jacoby Windmon project more as practice squad options. Welschof also has the advantage of not counting against the roster limit through the International Player Pathway Program.
Linebackers (25th)
Patrick Queen is one of the bigger names at linebacker, largely because of his athleticism and ability as a blitzer. In coverage, though, he’s one of the more exploitable starting linebackers in the league. Teams consistently targeted him last season, taking advantage of his struggles in zone coverage. He also misses far too many tackles for such an aggressive player. Queen will still produce highlight-reel plays, but on a down-to-down basis, especially without a steady partner next to him, he can be a liability.
Payton Wilson has been developing since the Steelers selected him in the third round, but he’s still a work in progress. He flashes encouraging instincts in coverage and has the athleticism to become a quality starter, but the consistency just isn’t there yet. The tools are obvious, though, and there’s still room for him to take a meaningful step forward.
Ironically, the best linebacker on the roster when healthy might be Cole Holcomb. Unfortunately, staying healthy has been the biggest obstacle throughout his career. He’s not an elite athlete and isn’t going to wow anyone physically, but he’s a fundamentally sound starting-caliber linebacker who does his job well when he’s available. The problem is that he rarely manages to stay on the field for an entire season.
Malik Harrison is almost the opposite type of player. He struggles in coverage, which limits him almost exclusively to a weak-side linebacker role rather than asking him to play in the middle of the defense. Within that role, he’s a very good run defender and provides real value on early downs, but there’s no denying that he’s a specialized player. He’d probably be at his best as part of a rotation. There have also been rumors that he could become a cap casualty, so it’s possible he doesn’t even make the final roster. If he does, though, I expect him to have a role against the run.
Carson Bruener, a seventh-round pick in 2025, played just one defensive snap as a rookie but quickly established himself as a core special teamer. Assuming he makes the roster again, that will likely remain his primary role. Former Commanders first-round pick Jamin Davis is also in the room, bringing intriguing athletic traits but never developing into the player many expected him to become.
The Steelers have decent depth at linebacker, but the top of the room is among the weaker groups in the league. That leaves a noticeable question mark in the middle of what is otherwise a very talented defense.
Cornerbacks (7th)
Joey Porter Jr. took a major step forward last season and looks to be developing into a true No. 1 cornerback. There have still been moments of inconsistency, but he put together his best season as a pro and proved he can match up with top receivers on a weekly basis. If his development continues, the Steelers may have their long-term CB1.
Lining up opposite him is Jamel Dean, who was an excellent value signing in free agency despite his lengthy injury history. When healthy, Dean is a high-quality starting corner who was playing some of his best football before getting hurt last season. The concern is obvious, though. At this stage of his career, it’s difficult to count on him for a full season, and there’s always the possibility that the injuries eventually begin to affect his play even when he’s on the field. If Pittsburgh gets the pre-injury version of Dean, this becomes one of the better cornerback duos in the league.
Thirty-two-year-old Jalen Ramsey rounds out the starting group in a versatile “Star” or “Bandit” role similar to how the Rams used him. He’ll line up in the slot, rotate back to safety, and even spend time around the box as a hybrid defender. Ramsey isn’t the athlete he once was, but he’s still an excellent run defender with outstanding instincts in coverage. Those instincts allow him to continue playing at a high level, particularly from the slot where athletic decline is less of a concern.
If the Steelers want a more traditional nickel corner while Ramsey moves into a safety role, Brandin Echols is the logical option. He doesn’t bring the same physicality against the run that Ramsey does, but he’s capable of handling slot duties in obvious passing situations and could also serve as outside depth if needed.
The NFL’s evaluation of Asante Samuel Jr. continues to confuse me. At worst, I think he’s a quality backup, and I believe there are several teams where he could still start. The only explanation I can come up with is that teams are overly concerned about his missed tackles. Personally, if my corner can consistently cover receivers, I’m much less worried about his tackling ability than most evaluators seem to be.
Third-round rookie Daylen Everette is more of a developmental prospect than someone I expect to contribute immediately. I liked what he showed in Georgia’s zone-heavy defense, but he’s still raw and feels more like a long-term investment than someone ready to play meaningful snaps in 2026.
That group is probably the Steelers’ entire cornerback room. Donte Kent, a seventh-round pick in 2025, would likely be next in line, though he didn’t play a defensive snap as a rookie. D’Shawn Jamison, Doneiko Slaughter, and Daryl Porter have all spent time around the roster, but I’d be more interested in watching the undrafted rookies Devan Boykin, Tamon Lynum, and Ahmari Harvey. Harvey, in particular, caught my attention during the draft process. He’s already on his second team after originally signing with Denver, but I still think there’s developmental upside there.
Overall, this is one of the strengths of Pittsburgh’s roster. The only thing keeping the group from ranking among the league’s elite is the age and injury concerns surrounding Ramsey and Dean.
Safeties (16th)
DeShon Elliott and new addition Jaquan Brisker form one of the more versatile safety duos in the league because they bring such similar skill sets. Neither is a traditional box safety, but both are physical players who enjoy coming downhill to hit while serving more as reliable last lines of defense than true lockdown coverage safeties. Their versatility allows the Steelers to move them around based on the matchup, with either player capable of lining up deep, in the box, or anywhere in between. Brisker does come with significant injury concerns, however. Another concussion could potentially end his career, which is a major reason Chicago moved on and why no team was willing to make a long-term commitment to him. When healthy, though, he’s a quality starting safety and a strong complement to Elliott.
The backup safety may not actually be a safety at all. As we saw at times last season, the Steelers could simply move Jalen Ramsey into a full-time safety role while shifting Brandin Echols or Asante Samuel Jr. into the slot. If they choose to stick with a more traditional safety as the primary backup, veteran Darnell Savage is the obvious option. Savage is still capable of making splash plays, but his inconsistency has become a real concern, and he’s not someone you want playing extended snaps.
Seventh-round rookie Robert Spears-Jennings is an intriguing athlete, though I expect him to contribute primarily on special teams as a rookie. I’m actually more interested in 2025 undrafted free agent Sebastian Castro, who I thought had the talent to make an impact but never got the opportunity, playing almost exclusively on special teams last season. Jack Henderson rounds out the room as another 2025 UDFA, but I don’t think he has the same chance of making the roster that Castro does.
Defense (6th) – Front Seven (4th) – Coverage Unit (11th)
While the defensive coaching is a legitimate question in the post-Tomlin era, the talent on the roster is not. There are concerns about age and durability at several key positions, but when this group is healthy, it has the potential to be one of the better defenses in the league. For years, the Steelers have gone only as far as their defense has taken them, and I think that will once again be the case in 2026.
Specialists (8th)
Chris Boswell remains one of the best kickers in the NFL and continues to be a major strength for Pittsburgh’s special teams unit. The coverage team also performed well last season, while long snapper Christian Kuntz provides another steady veteran presence. Although he hasn’t played an NFL snap yet, fourth-round rookie Kaden Wetjen was drafted almost exclusively for his return ability. For a return specialist to come off the board that early, the Steelers clearly believe he can make a significant impact on special teams.
So why do I have this unit ranked only eighth? The answer is Cameron Johnston. Johnston has graded out as one of the league’s weaker punters over the past couple of seasons, and while poor punting won’t sink a special teams unit the way unreliable kicking can, it does cost Pittsburgh a few spots in my rankings. Even with that weakness, this should still be one of the better special teams groups in the league.
Win Prediction (Over 8)
The Steelers’ schedule sets up as a tale of two seasons. Over the first eight weeks, they play three of their four NFC South opponents, both games against the Browns, the Colts, and a home matchup with the Bengals. It’s not hard to imagine them entering their bye week at 6-2 or somewhere in that range.
The schedule becomes much tougher in the second half, where I expect them to come back down to earth. I’m not sure this is the type of schedule that prepares a team for a deep playoff run, but it’s about as favorable as you could ask for when it comes to piling up regular-season wins. They get many of their most winnable games early, while the roster is fresh and healthy, giving them a chance to build momentum before the difficult stretch arrives.
Even if they hit a rough patch after the bye, the schedule closes favorably. Their final three games are at home against the Panthers, on the road against the Titans, and then a Week 18 trip to Baltimore. That Ravens matchup looks intimidating on paper, but there’s a realistic chance Baltimore has already locked up its playoff position and rests key starters.
It’s easy to envision a scenario where Pittsburgh wins six of its first eight games and then takes two of its final three. At that point, they’re already sitting at eight wins, and whatever happens during the brutal middle stretch becomes far less important. I think the betting line is simply too low for a team with this level of talent and a schedule that breaks this well. I wouldn’t say I’m especially high on the Steelers entering 2026, but I am taking the over and predicting yet another winning season in Pittsburgh, even without Mike Tomlin on the sideline.
