PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers just officially put the rest of the AFC North on notice. After a 2025 season that ended with a division title but a disappointing playoff exit to Houston, General Manager Omar Khan didn’t just tweak the roster—he rebuilt the engine. ESPN analyst Ben Solak officially named Pittsburgh the “most improved” team of the 2026 NFL offseason, largely due to a lopsided trade that landed wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in the Steel City.
Pittsburgh secured Pittman by sending a 2026 sixth-round pick (No. 214) to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for the receiver and a seventh-round pick (No. 230). It is a classic Khan-artist move. Solak highlighted that the Colts lost their leverage the moment they re-signed Alec Pierce, leaving Pittman as the odd man out in Indy. Pittsburgh pounced, immediately handing Pittman a two-year, $35 million extension with $24 million guaranteed. This move effectively lowers his 2026 cap hit to just $8.8 million, giving the front office room to breathe while they wait for the next domino to fall.
The addition transforms the offense. Pittman brings a physical possession style that perfectly complements the vertical threat of DK Metcalf. With George Pickens now in Dallas, the Steelers needed a chain-mover who wouldn’t vanish in late-game situations. Pittman, who has 485 career receptions, is exactly that safety valve. The stadium shook when the news broke; fans know this duo is a nightmare for any secondary in the league.
“This city lives for physical football. Joining a room with DK and working under a guy like McCarthy? It was an easy decision to sign that extension. We aren’t here to just win the North again; we’re here to finish what was started last year.”— Michael Pittman Jr., Steelers Wide Receiver
The vibes on the South Side feel different. Mike McCarthy has officially taken the reins from Mike Tomlin, marking the first coaching change in Pittsburgh in nearly two decades. McCarthy’s arrival signals a shift toward a “wider” offensive approach, likely leaning heavily on 11 personnel to maximize his new weapons. However, the elephant in the room remains under center. Aaron Rodgers, who piloted the team to 10 wins and a division crown last season, is currently a free agent mulling retirement.
If Rodgers walks away, the keys go to Will Howard, the 2025 draftee who spent last year learning the ropes. Sources close to the team suggest McCarthy is comfortable with Howard, but the preference is one more run with #8. The chilly March wind didn’t stop dozens of fans from gathered outside the facility this morning, clutching Rodgers jerseys and hoping for one more year of “Relax.” Whether it’s Rodgers or Howard, they’ll be throwing to the most talented receiving corps Pittsburgh has fielded in a decade.
