Pittsburgh Steelers GM Omar Khan has been busy this offseason reshaping the roster under first-year head coach Mike McCarthy. A number of new, experienced faces have landed on the roster, while some well-known names have left the organization for opportunities elsewhere.
The question of whether veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers returns in 2026 still remains, but on paper it appears the Steelers have gotten better this offseason.
Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame believes that’s the case. And in a piece highlighting the hope and the mope for all 32 teams, Verderame praised the Steelers for upgrading their roster but questioned why they are waiting for Rodgers.
“Pittsburgh did a really nice job of adding talent in recent weeks, including Michael Pittman Jr., Jaquan Brisker, Rico Dowdle and others. This is the Steelers’ strongest roster in years,” Verderame writes.
The roster does look rather strong, and some major holes have been plugged. Trading for Pittman and taking advantage of the Colts’ salary dump after paying Alec Pierce and Daniel Jones top dollar was a sound bit of a business by Khan and the Steelers.
Pittman has thrived with a number of quarterbacks throughout his career, consistently producing even if the talent under center isn’t good enough. He’s a solid possession receiver who could see his role expand in Pittsburgh now that Mike McCarthy is calling the shots.
Adding Jamel Dean shores up the cornerback position opposite Joey Porter Jr., giving the Steelers two physical, lockdown cover men who can bully opposing receivers. Meanwhile, the Dowdle addition gives the Steelers another punishing runner in the backfield, one who has experience with McCarthy.
But it will all come down to the quarterback this season for the Steelers, like it has in recent years. The Steelers are still waiting for a decision from Rodgers, and Verderame wonders if that’s best for the Steelers in 2026.
“Aaron Rodgers was middling in 2025 and is now 42. Is he good enough to truly threaten the AFC’s elite teams and quarterbacks once the calendar turns to January?” Verderame writes.
Though Rodgers elevated his game at certain points in the season and came up clutch late in games, he was too inconsistent to be a guy who takes the Steelers to the next level. He also showed in the playoffs against an elite defense in Houston that he’s not that quarterback who can put the team on his back.
He might not have to if he returns, especially if the Steelers can run the football more consistently in 2026 and get better defensive play now that Patrick Graham is the defensive coordinator. But there might be better options out there for the Steelers, like Kirk Cousins.
Pittsburgh seems content to wait for Rodgers though. That has many questioning if that’s the best path forward if the Steelers truly want to compete in 2026.
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