Steelers GM Omar Khan hints at wide receiver and safety plan.
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Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan hinted at a clear plan for the rest of the offseason.
While the Pittsburgh Steelers did lose some notable free agents during the opening day of the NFL’s legal tampering period, including team MVP Kenneth Gainwell, they also made some waves. Between trading for 1,000-yard wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and signing 1,000-yard running back Rico Dowdle, along with inking starting cornerback Jamel Dean, this team is looking to win games in 2026.
However, there is still at least one major need that needs to be filled. According to insider Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, guard is the Steelers’ biggest need after the first day of de facto free agency.
Plenty of Guards Are Still Available for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Elgton Jenkins Contract Holdout Dispute Packers News
GettyElgton Jenkins made two Pro Bowls with the Green Bay Packers.
Here is what DeFabo bluntly wrote on social media Tuesday about guard being the team’s biggest remaining need, along with another significant position on offense:
“After the first inital wave of free agency, the Steelers’ biggest remaining need (other than, ya know, a quarterback), is a starting left guard.”
While DeFabo accurately depicted the team’s situation under center in his post, he did list several big-name guards who are still available on the market after Monday. Most notably, seven-time Pro-Bowler Joel Bitonio, who has spent his entire 12-year career with the Cleveland Browns, is available. Wyatt Teller and Kevin Zeitler are a couple of former Pro-Bowlers, too.
Mike DeFabo
After the first initial wave of free agency, the Steelers’ biggest remaining need (other than, ya know, a quarterback) is a starting left guard. Some options:
Elgton Jenkins Joel Bitonio Kevin Zeitler Wyatt Teller Dylan Parham Chris Paul Greg Van Roten
An underrated name on this list is former Green Bay Packers guard Elgton Jenkins, whose recent release from Green Bay opened up $20 million in cap space for his former team. When healthy, the 30-year-old is one of the more versatile and standout protectors in the league. What is also of note is that he protected Aaron Rodgers for four seasons before Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets in 2023.
The Steelers Are Just Getting Started
Michael Pittman Jr.
GettyThe Steelers signed Michael Pittman Jr. to a three-year extension after trading for him on Monday.
While the Steelers may still be looking to address the offensive line, especially after the loss of guard Isaac Seumalo to the Arizona Cardinals, they are just getting started in their quest to build the roster into one that can contend for a Lombardi. Sure, it was already a playoff-caliber roster led by notable veterans such as Rodgers, Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, etc. But now, GM Omar Khan and new head coach Mike McCarthy are giving this roster even more physicality.
The additions of Pittman and Dowdle have the opportunity to give McCarthy’s offense players who run and catch with attitude. Players who have been productive both in terms of yards accounted for and as blockers. Furthermore, the addition of Dean on defense gives new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham a starting cornerback who can shut down opposing wide receivers.
As the team waits for an answer from the future first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback in Rodgers, it can still address one more position need. With five draft picks coming inside the first three rounds of the NFL Draft, as well, Pittsburgh is far from done as it pertains to strengthening the roster.