Michael Pittman Jr.
Getty
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Michael Pittman Jr.
One of the blockbuster moves that took place during the NFL’s free agency period was when the Pittsburgh Steelers traded for two-time 1,000-yard wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. He also signed a three-year extension with the team. After six seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, Pittman is now set to be one of the true building blocks of the present and future in Pittsburgh.
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy spoke about the addition of Pittman while at the league meetings in Phoenix on Monday. The Super Bowl-winning head coach has had his eyes on Pittman ever since he was drafted out of USC in 2020.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Should Immediately Benefit From Having Michael Pittman Jr.
Michael Pittman Jr, Jets
GettyMichael Pittman Jr. was an All-American at USC before being drafted by the Colts in 2020.
Here is what McCarthy had to say via The Pat McAfee Show about the Steelers trading for Pittman in the early window of free agency:
“I frankly loved him coming out of the draft. He was someone that we had rated very highly in Dallas…You gotta give Omar (Khan) a ton of credit. He was watching that situation, and it timed up great. So, he’s perfect. I love the way he plays. He’s a bigger target. He can play all three spots. He can play the X, Z, and the F.”
Pat McAfee
“I loved Michael Pittman coming out of the draft..
He’s a perfect fit for us in Pittsburgh”
Coach McCarthy #PMSLive
All the Steelers gave up for Pittman was a sixth-round draft pick. Still in the prime of his career at 28 years of age, Pittman will now pair up on the outside with two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf. This big-bodied duo out wide marks the first time in McCarthy’s head-coaching career that he will have two starting wide receivers who both stand at 6’3″ or taller and weigh at least 225 pounds.
An Aaron Rodgers Return Could Only Strengthen This Offense
Pittsburgh Steelers
GettyAaron Rodgers threw 24 touchdowns in 2025 for the Steelers.
While Metcalf and Pittman could potentially form one of the league’s best wide receiver duos, they likely won’t be as prolific without a future Hall of Fame quarterback such as Aaron Rodgers. However, based on what McCarthy also said about his constant communication with Rodgers, a return to Pittsburgh for the four-time MVP may be likely.
At 42 years of age, Rodgers was able to record 25 total touchdowns and just seven interceptions last season. He posted his highest passer rating (94.8) in five years en route to guiding the team to it’s first division title in a half-decade. While he doesn’t have the same kind of mobility that he once had and although he is a little more injury-prone, he is still a winning quarterback that is capable of taking his team to the playoffs.
Now that the offense in Pittsburgh has improved personnel-wise and seeing as the defense couldn’t be much worse than it was a season ago, a Rodgers return could help this team do more than just make the playoffs in 2026. All eyes will be on Rodgers to see if he will end up deciding in the next few weeks whether or not to return to Pittsburgh for his 22nd career NFL season.