Pittsburgh Steelers bolster receiver and backfield, but a crucial quarterback void looms.
The Pittsburgh Steelers did a good job of filling roster holes on Monday.
They got wide receiver Michael Pittman from the Indianapolis Colts in a trade for draft picks in the sixth and seventh rounds in a salary dump. The Steelers then agreed to terms with Pittman on a three-year, $59-million contract.
The Steelers desperately needed a second receiver threat to pair with DK Metcalf, who consistently got double-teamed during his first season in Pittsburgh last year.
After running back Kenneth Gainwell signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Steelers pivoted to Rico Dowdle, agreeing to a two-year, $12.25-million deal with the former Carolina Panther.
Although Gainwell earned team MVP honors last season, Dowdle’s superior durability positions him as an essential complement to Jaylen Warren in the running game.
On defense, the Steelers signed Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean to a three-year, $36.75-million contract, giving them a needed outside corner to pair with Joey Porter Jr.
The Steelers also re-signed linebacker Cole Holcomb (two years, $5 million) and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (one year, $4 million). Both add depth, though Samuel could have a bigger role.
Yet the Steelers did not address their biggest need: signing a quarterback, as Aaron Rodgers continues to leave his plans for 2026 unclear.
At 42 and in his 21st NFL season, Rodgers is the league's oldest player. In his first season with the Steelers last year, he helped them win their first AFC North championship since 2020.
Rodgers has yet to commit to the Steelers, despite Mike McCarthy being hired as coach on Jan. 27 to replace Mike Tomlin, who resigned after 19 years. McCarthy and Rodgers spent over a decade together with the Packers and won the Super Bowl in 2010.
Among the quarterbacks remaining in free agency are Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins, and Geno Smith. Meanwhile, speculation continues that the Steelers will select Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with their first-round pick in the draft, 21st overall.
The two quarterbacks currently on Pittsburgh’s roster are career backup Mason Rudolph and untested Will Howard. Neither appears to be a likely Week 1 starter.
What is easy to imagine: the Steelers waiting on Rodgers to finalize their wish list.
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