The Pittsburgh Steelers were poised to undergo major changes this offseason after Mike Tomlin stepped down as head coach. The long-standing narrative surrounding his ability to take any roster and manage at least a winning record looked like it would finally be put to the test. Instead, the hiring of Mike McCarthy keeps the Steelers in their same "win now" mentality, and that, in turn, changes the expectations for next season.
2026 could have been a "soft rebuild" season, where young players got their chance to play more snaps as the front office worked to determine who would be a part of the future. Instead, Pittsburgh will likely lean on veterans once again.
If the Steelers want to make it as far as they say they want to go, they will need big years from a few players who have a lot to prove. These three players are the most likely candidates to accomplish that task.
3 players who must exceed expectations for the Pittsburgh Steelers to contend in 2026
Pat Freiermuth, TE
Pat Freiermuth was one of the bigger disappointments for the Steelers in 2025, but for no real fault of his own. He set career highs in yards per reception (11.9) and yards per target (9.0), numbers that place him near the very top of his position in terms of efficiency last season.
The problem was his career-low 2.4 receptions per game. Former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith simply didn't prioritize him, and Aaron Rodgers unwillingness to target the middle of the field (where Freiermuth is at his best) limited his impact as well. McCarthy helped turn Dalton Schultz and Jake Ferguson into very productive players while with the Cowboys, and I think he can do the same for Freiermuth in 2026.
Payton Wilson, LB
Payton Wilson is a difficult player to evaluate after two seasons in the NFL. His rookie season showed flashes of immense potential in coverage, and his unmatched speed gave him the sideline-to-sideline ability few linebackers his size have. While those flashes still showed up in his second season, they were less frequent, and he made far fewer plays in coverage, especially.
Patrick Graham coming in as McCarthy's defensive coordinator could be exactly what Wilson needs to get back on track. Graham helped develop multiple starting caliber linebacks while in Las Vegas, most notably Devine Deablo and former Steeler and current Patriot Robert Spillane. Wilson is far more gifted than either of those players, and I believe he has what it takes to push Patrick Queen out of the top linebacker spot as early as next season.
Roman Wilson, WR
I already know what you might be thinking, seeing Roman Wilson's name here. "You are going with a guy who got benched for a washed-up Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling as a breakout candidate? Are you nuts?"
Part of the reason why he is my final pick here is because the expectations can't be much lower. After making a few impressive plays throughout the first two-thirds of the season, the 2024 third-round pick was indeed banished to the inactive list down the stretch. However, with Thielen retiring and Calvin Austin III likely leaving in free agency, an opportunity to impress a new coaching staff exists in a way it wouldn't have if Tomlin stuck around.
Does that mean he will be a starter next season? No, but I wouldn't rule it out until we see how aggressively Pittsburgh attacks the position in free agency and the draft. He will hopefully at least have a real role in the offense that allows him to prove he can play, which I still believe is the case based on the little we saw of him in 2025.