The Pittsburgh Steelers had a very busy offseason under GM Omar Khan.
A new head coach was hired for the first time in nearly 20 years. The coaching staff underwent significant changes. Big moves were made on the roster via trade and free agency signings, and the 2026 NFL Draft class featured 10 players selected, shoring up holes on the roster.
Though the Steelers still wait for a decision from 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, things look very good on paper for the Black and Gold. So good, in fact, that Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame handed out an “A” grade to the Steelers for their offseason.
Verderame gave the Steelers his highest grade in the AFC North in a piece grading all four teams’ offseasons. The Browns earned a C+, the Bengals landed a B, and the Ravens graded out at D+.
“If the Steelers had the Aaron Rodgers of five years ago, they’d be the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, they do not,” Verderame writes of the Steelers. “Pittsburgh has had a terrific past few months, adding talent in both free agency and the draft, while also swinging a significant trade in acquiring Michael Pittman Jr. from Indianapolis.
“Still, the biggest story is Mike McCarthy replacing Mike Tomlin at the helm, where Tomlin had been atop the perch for 19 years, including a championship.”
If the Steelers had the Rodgers of 5 years ago, they’d undoubtedly be viewed as a true title contender, given the work Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl did on the roster this offseason.
The Steelers traded for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., answering WR2 in a major way. They also signed the likes of Jamel Dean and Jaquan Brisker to shore up the secondary. Sebastian Joseph-Day was a great addition to add depth and talent to the defensive line, while Rico Dowdle was a smart signing at running back to replace Kenneth Gainwell, keeping the 1-2 punch intact in the Steel City.
Make no mistake about it, though: the biggest storyline for the Steelers this offseason isn’t the Rodgers saga. It’s Mike McCarthy replacing Mike Tomlin, who was in charge for 19 years and never had a losing season with the Steelers.
McCarthy was the unexpected hire, considering he’s 62 years old. Historically, the Steelers, in their last three coaching hires, went with a younger, unproven coordinator. It worked out with Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and then Tomlin, who will soon join the other two in the Hall of Fame.
The decision to hire McCarthy was a move away from the expected for the Steelers, and it fits the window the Steelers believe they are in now with their aging core.
“The pressure is on for McCarthy, who comes to a team trying to win now. Rodgers is 42 and entering perhaps his last season, while McCarthy himself is 62 and on his third team. While McCarthy wouldn’t be considered a sexy hire, he’s one of the more successful coaches we’ve seen in some time,” Verderame writes. “With a championship and 174 regular-season wins to his credit, he’s one of only 11 coaches with more than 170 wins and a Super Bowl victory in NFL history.”
McCarthy has a great resume and has tasted success in Green Bay and Dallas. Now, he returns home to Pittsburgh looking to get the Steelers over the hump in the postseason. McCarthy landed the job in Pittsburgh due to his past success with developing the quarterback position, and with Pittsburgh stuck in QB purgatory since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, the hiring makes sense.
It would be interesting to see what a reunion with Rodgers could look like in 2026, but things continue to drag out. Meanwhile, McCarthy hand-picked Drew Allar in the third round out of Penn State to try and develop under center, while Will Howard is also in the mix entering Year 2.
Based on how things went this offseason for the Steelers, Verderame believes that Pittsburgh has one of the most complete rosters in the NFL. But it will all come down to the quarterback position, and Rodgers isn’t what he once was. Maybe McCarthy’s presence could elevate him once again, but it was one heck of an offseason for the Steelers, creating a good landing spot for a young QB in the next few years.
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