The Pittsburgh Steelers are undergoing a transformational offseason, both on the roster and in the coaching staff. Mike Tomlin resigned after 19 years as head coach, and Mike McCarthy has taken over, bringing in nearly an entirely new staff.
The roster has had some changes, too, with the additions of Michael Pittman Jr., Jamel Dean, Rico Dowdle, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Jaquan Brisker, and more, while key players like Isaac Seumalo, Kenneth Gainwell and James Pierre have left in free agency.
Questions still remain at quarterback as the Steelers continue to wait for a decision from 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, but there is a belief the Steelers are in position to contend in 2026 should Rodgers return as expected.
To solidify that belief, the Steelers have to take advantage of the 12 draft picks they have in the 2026 NFL Draft and add some high-end talent. According to NFL.com’s Dan Parr, the Steelers are one of four teams that must “nail” the draft in late April.
“I’m picking this year’s draft host — you know, the team with more 2026 draft capital than anyone else. The Steelers have a league-high 12 selections, including five of the top 100 picks. Sure, that means they have more bites at the apple than any other franchise, but they also can’t afford to miss — especially on their early picks – if they’re going to make a deeper run than they did last season,” Parr writes. “Aaron Rodgers has not announced his plans for 2026 — Steelers owner Art Rooney [II] has said he expects a definitive answer from the QB prior to the draft — but Rooney and head coach Mike McCarthy have left the door wide open for the 42-year-old to return. Assuming he’ll be back, Pittsburgh has to give him a better supporting cast, with wide receiver and the offensive line among the team’s biggest needs.
“If Rodgers does not return, well, perhaps the host city will be introducing the fan base to a new QB1 on draft day.”
Having 12 picks, the most in the NFL this year, is a great draft starting point for the Steelers. GM Omar Khan has never had as much draft capital, which could allow him to be aggressive and potentially move up for a high-end talent in the first round.
Five picks inside the top 100 offer the Steelers a chance to clean up nicely in the draft, landing potential starters at key positions of need like wide receiver, left guard, and safety, among others.
Of course, Khan and the Steelers could move some of those picks in the draft process, too. As he’s said multiple times in recent weeks, the number of picks the Steelers have provides them with plenty of options once the draft rolls around.
One thing is clear though: the Steelers have to hit on these picks. They played the compensatory picks angle last offseason in free agency, and traded some players to land additional picks, stockpiling a significant crop of selections. Now, Khan, assistant GM Andy Weidl and the Steelers have to nail those picks.
This draft is an important one, and it could help shape the foundation of the franchise for years to come.
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