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It certainly hasn't been your ordinary offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who've undergone a seismic change at head coach and many other positions on their coaching staff and roster. They've made meaningful additions on both sides of the ball, including Michael Pittman Jr., Rico Dowdle, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Jaquan Brisker, and Jamel Dean. Mike McCarthy represents a change in how they will operate schematically and philosophically, being more offensively driven and a self-coordinated defense without interference.
From mid-March all the way until now, there are very few, if any, glaring needs or weaknesses on the Steelers depth chart, but despite boasting a well-rounded team, Pittsburgh can still use depth at a few positions, as injuries and performance issues can strike at any moment, resulting in 2nd and third-stringers receiving the call.
What was once a position in dire need of upgrades in 2025 now looks like a very competent position group in 2026. Pittman Jr., acquired in a trade from the Indianapolis Colts, is expected to specialize in short to intermediate routes, using his big 6'4 frame advantage within the sticks, boundaries, and middle of the field. DK Metcalf will operate as the vertical threat, likewise possessing great size and speed in the red zone, outside, and deep on third downs. Germie Bernard, the rookie wideout from Alabama, will serve as the slot receiver from the backfield and over-the-middle, utilizing his precise route running and strong YAC abilities.
Aside from these three, it is unclear what the quality of their fourth wide receiver spot will be. Roman Wilson currently holds that title, but with little certainty around his ceiling and perceived value, Pittsburgh would be wise to add competition, let alone solidify that spot. Free agents such as Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, and Noah Brown would be realistically ideal options.
Starting safeties are set with Brisker and DeShon Elliott, and most recently, Darnell Savage was signed to back up Brisker. Needless to say, they've yet to find an adequate backup behind Elliott, who is the team's enforcer inside the box and physical thumper. He is a very good tackler, an aggressive run stopper, positionally versatile, and a strong communicator at safety. However, he'll be 30 next April and is also coming off a season-ending hamstring injury. Sebastian Castro and Robert Spears-Jennings are the incumbent backups, though neither has any experience as a starter.
If the Steelers are looking to add a box-heavy backup, Donovan Wilson, Jordan Whitehead, and John Johnson III are all on the table. What they need is someone durable, interchangeable between free and strong safety, and who provides special-teams contributions like former Steeler Miles Killebrew.
Punting issues have plagued the Steelers for quite a long time, with the likes of Jordan Berry, Pressley Harvin III, and Corliss Waitman flaming out and producing average-at-best numbers. What they've lacked is a punter who can effectively pooch punt, be directionally controlled, and have a higher net average than his gross average. Pittsburgh ranked as 23rd in gross yardage, 19th in punts downed inside the 20-yard line, and 16th in net average yardage during the 2025 NFL season.
In today's league, the best punters can flip the field, generating an elite hang time and pinning teams inside the 10-yard lines from shorter fields. You can't out-kick your coverage and win the field-position battle if the metrics from above remain inconsistent. Matt Haack and Ryan Stonehouse are available, and both can be situationally reliable, left-footed candidates who also make open-field tackles when needed and steadily hold footballs on extra points and field goals.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers roster needs after Mike McCarthy’s offseason overhaul
Continue reading...
From mid-March all the way until now, there are very few, if any, glaring needs or weaknesses on the Steelers depth chart, but despite boasting a well-rounded team, Pittsburgh can still use depth at a few positions, as injuries and performance issues can strike at any moment, resulting in 2nd and third-stringers receiving the call.
1. Wide Receiver
What was once a position in dire need of upgrades in 2025 now looks like a very competent position group in 2026. Pittman Jr., acquired in a trade from the Indianapolis Colts, is expected to specialize in short to intermediate routes, using his big 6'4 frame advantage within the sticks, boundaries, and middle of the field. DK Metcalf will operate as the vertical threat, likewise possessing great size and speed in the red zone, outside, and deep on third downs. Germie Bernard, the rookie wideout from Alabama, will serve as the slot receiver from the backfield and over-the-middle, utilizing his precise route running and strong YAC abilities.
Aside from these three, it is unclear what the quality of their fourth wide receiver spot will be. Roman Wilson currently holds that title, but with little certainty around his ceiling and perceived value, Pittsburgh would be wise to add competition, let alone solidify that spot. Free agents such as Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, and Noah Brown would be realistically ideal options.
2. Strong Safety
Starting safeties are set with Brisker and DeShon Elliott, and most recently, Darnell Savage was signed to back up Brisker. Needless to say, they've yet to find an adequate backup behind Elliott, who is the team's enforcer inside the box and physical thumper. He is a very good tackler, an aggressive run stopper, positionally versatile, and a strong communicator at safety. However, he'll be 30 next April and is also coming off a season-ending hamstring injury. Sebastian Castro and Robert Spears-Jennings are the incumbent backups, though neither has any experience as a starter.
If the Steelers are looking to add a box-heavy backup, Donovan Wilson, Jordan Whitehead, and John Johnson III are all on the table. What they need is someone durable, interchangeable between free and strong safety, and who provides special-teams contributions like former Steeler Miles Killebrew.
3. Punter
Punting issues have plagued the Steelers for quite a long time, with the likes of Jordan Berry, Pressley Harvin III, and Corliss Waitman flaming out and producing average-at-best numbers. What they've lacked is a punter who can effectively pooch punt, be directionally controlled, and have a higher net average than his gross average. Pittsburgh ranked as 23rd in gross yardage, 19th in punts downed inside the 20-yard line, and 16th in net average yardage during the 2025 NFL season.
In today's league, the best punters can flip the field, generating an elite hang time and pinning teams inside the 10-yard lines from shorter fields. You can't out-kick your coverage and win the field-position battle if the metrics from above remain inconsistent. Matt Haack and Ryan Stonehouse are available, and both can be situationally reliable, left-footed candidates who also make open-field tackles when needed and steadily hold footballs on extra points and field goals.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers roster needs after Mike McCarthy’s offseason overhaul
Continue reading...
