The Pittsburgh Steelers face a new regime for the first time in years, and this team will undergo a massive overhaul. From an entirely new coaching staff to a roster that will be turned over, this is a new Pittsburgh team.
This roster needs a reset, and it desperately needs an infusion of talent.
However, we know the Steelers aren’t going to blow things up. Management has come out publicly and said as much. You wouldn’t have hired Mike McCarthy if you wanted to take a year or two to reset the roster.
That means finding players in the beginning to the middle of their careers to revitalize this depth chart. While not always the case, some of these new coaches can poach some former players.
The Steelers may be hoping for that with new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. While there isn’t a great player on the Raiders that he can try to bring over (Maxx Crosby is unattainable, given the edge depth chart), he could go back to his time in New York to acquire a massive defensive lineman upgrade.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could make a move to solidify their defensive line with Dexter Lawrence
Dexter Lawrence is one of the freakiest defenders in the NFL. He is a massive body who can stuff the run and take on double teams. Meanwhile, his power and quickness make him a good pass rusher. There isn’t a lot he can’t do.
Graham coached Lawrence for his sophomore and junior seasons in the NFL, and we saw the pieces of the puzzle start to come together for the former Clemson Tiger. He recorded 6.5 sacks over those two seasons while officially breaking out the next season.
He has earned numerous accolades, including three Pro-Bowl nods and two second-team All-Pro awards. He recorded a career high of nine sacks in only twelve games back in 2024.
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However, his 2025 season was not just a bad one, but his worst as a pro. He has been listed on numerous sites as a potential cap casualty or trade target.
His 2027 cap hit is nearly $27 million, a tough pill to swallow for a Giants team without a lot of cap space. He could be traded or even cut to give them some relief.
If the Steelers came in with an offer, they could easily convince the Giants to give him up. He would be going to a different conference, so New York wouldn’t have to see him all that often.
Pittsburgh would get a massive upgrade on defense. Assuming Cam Heyward returns for one last season, that gives you five strong linemen to rotate through in 2026. If he does retire, Lawrence helps bridge the gap and keep the defensive line room strong.
Pittsburgh can absorb his cap hit in a trade (it would hover around $20 million for the season). He has another year on his deal as well, so he would be an extension candidate assuming he returns to form.
It seems likely that Lawrence is at least shopped this offseason, if not dealt/cut. For the Steelers, it is an option that has to be explored.