The NFL tampering period starts on March 9. Before then, let’s take a look at every positional group on the Steelers roster, ranked by how big of a need it is entering the new league year.
You can view the Steelers set to hit free agency in a few days here.
1. Quarterback
Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are the only Steelers quarterbacks under contract entering 2026. That will certainly have to change in the next few months.
At this point, Rudolph has solidified himself as a mid-tier QB2. Howard has yet to take an NFL
snap in the preseason or regular season — there’s some more upside there — but the fact the Steelers waited to draft him until the sixth round in 2025 should tell you everything you need to know about whether or not the team views him as a strong candidate for the franchise quarterback role.
For the Steelers, the question remains if the team will sign another stopgap starter such as Aaron Rodgers or Geno Smith, or shoot for long-term upside with options such as Malik Willis or a rookie.
2. Wide receiver
I considered putting offensive line here (left guard is unfilled and left tackle is a question mark), but wide receiver has been the bigger issue in the Steelers’ roster-building strategy in recent seasons. Entering 2026, Pittsburgh has a viable WR1 in D.K. Metcalf, but the depth behind him is a mess, to say the least. And Metcalf isn’t exactly without flaws, either.
Roman Wilson showed some flashes in 2025 as a former third-round pick, but his career has gotten off to an incredibly slow start. Wilson missed his rookie season with injury and struggled to break into the lineup despite being healthy in Year 2, closing out 2025 as a healthy scratch. Ben Skowronek is also under contract entering the new season, but his roster value is clearly as a WR5/6 who earns his contract on special teams.
In short, the Steelers need a WR2, and probably even a WR 3 — and maybe even some more depth — in the 2026 offseason if they want to have a competent passing game in the upcoming season.
3. Offensive line
The Steelers’ offensive line took a promising step forward in 2025, but the group could have two new starters on the left side in 2026. Left guard Isaac Seumalo is a pending free agent, while left tackle Broderick Jones’ late-season neck injury could be something that keeps him out into the fall.
The good news for Pittsburgh is the offensive line depth has some promise: Spencer Anderson was serviceable in 2025 as a backup guard and swing tackle, and Dylan Cook showed some legitimate promise filling in for Jones at left tackle. But the Steelers will need more names at the position either way, and it’s unlikely the team sees both Anderson and Cook as ideal starters in 2026 (top depth tackle Calvin Anderson was also cut this offseason).
Especially at left guard, offensive line is a likely target for the Steelers in free agency and the NFL Draft.
4. Defensive back
I’m combining safety and cornerback here largely because Jalen Ramsey theoretically can help fill the need at either. But no matter where Ramsey plays in 2026, the Steelers will have a lot of holes they need to fill in the secondary.
Joey Porter Jr. and DeShon Elliott should offer some star power and stability entering the new year, but cornerbacks James Pierre and Asante Samuel Jr. are set to hit free agency, as well as safeties Kyle Dugger, Chuck Clark, and Jabrill Peppers.
Some of those names could return for the new season, but Pittsburgh could be looking at a massive overhaul in the secondary this offseason.
5. Interior defensive line
The defensive line might be the Steelers’ most underrated roster need this offseason. At face value, the group is fine — good, even — led by Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, and 2025 first-rounder Derrick Harmon. That’s not entirely wrong, but Heyward will be 37 in 2026, and he’s coming off a year where he played the most snaps of any D-lineman in the NFL. That’s just not sustainable.
Harmon looks like a long-term piece, at least, but the same can’t be said of Benton, whose run defense continues to be incredibly up and down.
And behind those three? The depth isn’t great. Yahya Black, who was selected in the fifth round in 2025, looks like a solid player down the road, but he had an up and down rookie year. Elsewhere, Daniel Ekuale, Dean Lowry, Isaiahh Loudermilk, and Esezi Otomewo are all set to hit free agency.
All in all, the Steelers could use another starting-caliber name to add to their rotation.
6. Tight end
The Steelers cut Jonnu Smith ahead of free agency, and tight end/fullback Connor Heyward is a pending free agent. It’s unclear if Pittsburgh will continue to be a four tight end team under new head coach Mike McCarthy, but either way there’s a need at TE3.
The good news is that the Steelers have a rock-solid starting duo in Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, who offer a strong pairing of pass-catching and blocking ability.
7. Running back
Kenneth Gainwell, the Steelers’ 2025 team MVP, is a pending free agent, but even if he doesn’t come back, running room isn’t a major team need for 2026.
Jaylen Warren was RB1-quality in 2025 with nearly 1,300 scrimmage yards, and third-round running back Kaleb Johnson could still be a viable RB2 despite his limited touches last season. I’d argue his banishment to the bottom of the depth chart had more to do with Gainwell’s sudden ascension than Johnson’s own miscues, and the latter’s lack of special teams value was the nail in the coffin.
The Steelers will still need to add another name to this position this offseason — maybe Gainwell or someone else — but the running back market still isn’t that expensive. It’s a need, but not a big one.
8. Inside linebacker
Malik Harrison and his $6.8 million cap hit in 2026 could make him a cap casualty this offseason. If so, inside linebacker would probably jump to No. 6 on this list. But until then, the Steelers still have their top three linebackers from 2025 and don’t have much of a need at the position.
However, Cole Holcomb is set to hit free agency, and the trio of Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, and Harrison left a lot to be desired in 2025. With a deep draft class at inside linebacker in 2026, don’t be shocked if the Steelers add a name or two at the position.
9. Specialist
Kicker Chris Boswell had a few more hiccups than expected in 2025, but he’s still undoubtedly one of the premier names at his position in the NFL. Punter Corliss Waitman — a pending restricted free agent — and long snapper Christian Kuntz, however, did look replaceable at times.
The Steelers could certainly look for upgrades here in the offseason. At the very least, I’d expect the team to bring in some competition over the summer.
10. Edge rusher
T.J. Watt’s decline can be debated, but the fact that the Steelers edge room remains the team’s biggest strength can’t. Even if Watt isn’t the player he once was, Pittsburgh has two more high-end outside linebackers in Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig on the roster. And even Jack Sawyer, the team’s OLB4 last season, made some impact plays when called on.
I wouldn’t expect the team to make many changes, if any, to this positional group ahead of the 2026 season.
How would you rank the Steelers’ team needs entering free agency? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!
