It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for a weekly Steelers links roundup at BTSC. But first, let’s take a look around the AFC North:
- BREAKING: Ravens back out of Maxx Crosby trade with Raiders (Baltimore Beatdown)
- Browns Joel Bitonio’s future: NFL free agency report seems to shed light (Dawgs by Nature)
- NFL GM says Ravens getting Trey Hendrickson after Maxx Crosby trade falls through with Raiders (Cincy Jungle)
Now, onto some Steelers news and discussion:
Steelers Look Like They Know Who Their QB Will Be
(From Sports Illustrated’s Noah Strackbein): The Pittsburgh Steelers know who their quarterback is going to be in 2026. At least they’re acting like it. But all indications, sources and conversations point to the same thing…
Aaron Rodgers is coming back for another run.
A well-reasoned opinion piece from Strackbein pointing
to the signs that Aaron Rodgers will return for 2026. It’s still very early in the offseason; time will tell.
More Coverage Help on the Way? Cornerback with Steelers Tie Joins Free-Agent Pool
(From Steelers Now’s Brendan Howe): Per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, the Green Bay Packers are releasing cornerback Nate Hobbs with a post-June 1 designation. Earlier in the morning, Matt LaFleur’s team brought on Benjamin St-Juste, making Hobbs, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders, expendable.
The Packers had signed Hobbs, 26, to a four-year, $48 million deal last offseason. He spent the first four years of his career with the Raiders, playing under new Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham for three of them. The familiarity with Graham could make Hobbs an option for Mike McCarthy’s team, which lost James Pierre to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday.
Hobbs has ties to Patrick Graham, and should be cheap after being released from the Packers. He’s still well under 30, and in 2024, his last season with the Raiders, he recorded 49 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, and five interceptions.
The 6’0, 195-pound cornerback is at his best in the slot, where the Steelers haven’t officially nailed down a starter for 2026. Jalen Ramsey is a strong option there, but he could also be in play to start at safety, opening the door for a Hobbs signing.
With Aaron Rodgers undecided, Steelers are “nosing around” the quarterback market
(From Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio): Mike Garafolo used that term during a Monday appearance on NFL Network in explaining that the Steelers know they need to have a “contingency plan” in place, if Rodgers decides to play for someone else — or to not play at all.
Either way, the clock is ticking. And potential options will be disappearing.
Another piece about Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation — this one saying the Steelers are the ones waiting on Rodgers still, and are exploring backup options if need be.
Have the Pittsburgh Steelers finally fixed their wide receiver woes?
(From The Big Lead’s Jobe Morrison): General manager Omar Khan has faced criticism from analysts and the Steelers’ fan base over the team’s wide receiver shortcomings—especially after Pickens flourished in Dallas.
While questions remain at quarterback, the Steelers appear to be moving in the right direction after two years of subpar receiver talent.
Michael Pittman Jr. is joining D.K. Metcalf in the Steelers wide receiver corps in Pittsburgh’s biggest offseason move so far. While quarterback remains a question mark, Pittsburgh certainly addressed its next-biggest roster need on the first day of free agency.
How do you feel about the Steelers’ wide receiver room?
Pittman and Metcalf give the Steelers their best receiver duo since… if not George Pickens/Diontae Johnson, Antonio Brown/JuJu Smith-Schuster?
While Metcalf isn’t exactly a high-end WR1, he’s capable in that role, and Michael Pittman Jr. is the near-definition of a NFL-caliber WR2. No matter who the Steelers’ passer is in 2026, they’ll have a respectable receiver duo to throw to for once.
That said, I still don’t see this room as complete. The depth, while already leagues better than past seasons, is lacking. Roman Wilson has a high draft pedigree, but his 2025 season didn’t show any reason to rely on him as a big contributor in the future. Ben Skowronek is an ideal WR6 with special teams value, but not a productive offensive player.
Plus, with Metcalf being a big, linear speedster and Pittman fitting the gritty possession receiver role, the Steelers seem to be missing the separator archetype in their receiver room unless Wilson seriously levels up. The team could use more speed, but also someone with the quickness to provide quick answers against man coverage.
The good news for the Steelers is that they have 12 picks in the upcoming draft, which should have plenty of intriguing wide receiver talents available on Days 1-2. I’d even hope the team doubles up on the position with another pick on Day 3 — while Metcalf and Pittman certainly aren’t old, adding some more youth to the room would be wise long term.
It’s a great start. But the Steelers’ wide receiver room isn’t fixed just yet.
What are your thoughts on the Steelers’ wide receiver room? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!
