Behind the Steel Curtain
While we are I the midst of the NFL dead period, we are provided time to reflect on the 2026 offseason as a whole.
It was yet another busy several months for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who went through the most change the organization has seen in two decades from a coaching staff perspective, but also brought in several proven stars on both sides of the ball.
Barring another trade, every major move for Pittsburgh is over and done with, and we’ll look at each one today. This marks the second year in a row I’ve done this piece, and you can go and read last year’s to see just how accurate those thoughts were. Before then, though, here are my grades for all of the Steelers’ major 2026 offseason moves.
This was not the way to start the offseason for the Steelers. I was underwhelmed by the process of this head coaching search. After Mike Tomlin resigned, it felt like the perfect window of opportunity to enter a bit of a “retooling,” if you will. Each of the last three times the Steelers had hired a head coach, they had prioritized youth. Noll, Cowher, and Tomlin were all in their 30s when they were hired by the Steelers. McCarthy now takes charge of the team at 62.
This decision was a curious one to me, and to be perfectly honest, I was put off by how much it seemed that Rooney and Khan took into account that McCarthy is from the Pittsburgh area. If McCarthy is able to set up and develop a franchise quarterback for the Steelers to play long after he retires, his tenure will most likely be looked upon fairly fondly. However, I struggle to see the vision of competing for a Super Bowl with the current core. I would have liked to have seen a young up-and-comer hired.
Grade: D
This was a great way to start off the legal tampering period for Pittsburgh. The Steelers at long last invested in a competent second receiving threat after ignoring it for an entire season. They also paid next to nothing to acquire him. The Steelers only sent a future sixth-round pick to acquire Pittman and a future seventh round-pick. Pittman then agreed to a three-year extension with the franchise with up to $59 million. Not only did this trade cost next to nothing for the Steelers, but the contract is also very palatable.
Pittman cannot be a dominant wide receiver, but he will never be expected to be such a thing in Pittsburgh, and his contract accurately reflects that. He will be a breath of fresh air in an offense that was severely lacking weapons last season.
Grade: A
After the McCarthy hire, it was clear that the Steelers were going to continue trying to win as many games as possible with the current core that they have. Although...
