Steelers Now
Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports recently named one under-the-radar breakout star candidate for each AFC team entering 2026. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sullivan has wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. tabbed for a banner year.
“Did you even remember that Michael Pittman Jr. was traded to Pittsburgh? With all the big trades that have gone down, the Steelers landing Pittman has certainly flown under the radar,” Sullivan wrote. “The veteran pass catcher gives Pittsburgh the secondary receiver option that they’ve been starved for, even after trading for D.K. Metcalf last offseason. In 2025, Metcalf led the Steelers with 850 receiving yards, while the next most-productive wide receiver was Calvin Austin III with 372 receiving yards. Pittman now gives them a solid go-to option opposite Metcalf, hauling in 80 passes for 784 yards and seven touchdowns last season in Indianapolis. He could be a difference-maker in what is slated to be Aaron Rodgers’ final season.”
The Steelers traded for Pittman this offseason to finally fill their void at No. 2 wide receiver. However, it turns out they may have much bigger plans for the veteran.
Pittman recently revealed that the Steelers are planning to take full advantage of his versatility on offense.
“I’ve played every single spot so far,” Pittman said. “Just being able to move around, because you never know what happens during the course of the NFL season. So, just being available at any position, so I’m just gonna keep on dialing that in. Same thing with DK [Metcalf] and Germ [Bernard] and Rome [Wilson] and those guys. We’ve all been moving around and have seen all of it.”
Pittman, 28, has already had a pair of 1,000-yard seasons in his NFL career, but if what he says is true, he could be in store for his third in 2026.
There has been some debate about whether Pittman is still the same player that he was during those seasons, but last year, he was still able to rack up 80 catches for 784 yards and seven touchdowns.
Now in a new offense on a new team, the sky could be the limit for Pittman. His former quarterback Daniel Jones was certainly sad to see him get dealt to Pittsburgh.
“Bummed to see Pittman go,” Jones said. “He was a tremendous leader, a great player, extremely productive, and a guy you can count on. As tough as they come, always being out there. Wish him the best. I know he’ll crush it with the Steelers. They’re lucky to have him.”
However, Pittman became available after the Colts signed fellow receiver Alec Piece to a long-term contract extension during the early stages of free agency. That set up a salary cap logjam that Indianapolis was able to alleviate by trading Pittman to the Steelers.
A native of Bakersfield, California, Pittman has recorded 485 catches for 5,254 yards and 25 touchdowns in his professional career.
Aaron Becker contributed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: [Is Steelers WR Michael Pittman Due for Breakout...
