The Pittsburgh Steelers' season has been over for a few weeks now, and the focus now shifts to what this team will do in the offseason. There are questions all over this roster right now, and Pittsburgh has a lot of work ahead of them.
As has been common for the team, the Steelers will likely aggressively overhaul one position while making additions elsewhere. It was the linebacker room three years ago, the offensive line in 2024, and the defensive line last offseason.
It seems like three positions have the most merit to be the focus of the offseason in 2026: quarterback, receiver, and cornerback. That said, it seems clear as day what the priority will be for the 2026 season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers need to get their receiver room sorted out in 2026
Quarterback doesn’t feel like a lock to be overhauled. Shoot, they could actually retain more talent than in years past. Unless Aaron Rodgers retires, he seems like the favorite to come back, especially with Mike McCarthy now the team's head coach. If not, I expect another free agent to occupy the starting spot.
Cornerback certainly has merit, but the group seems better than receiver. Joey Porter Jr. is in line for a massive extension, while Brandon Echols has locked down the slot job. It feels like either James Pierre or Asante Samuel Jr. will get the first crack at the other starting job next year.
Sure, depth can be added, and even a high pick to really solidify the group, but I don’t see the entire room being reworked.
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Receiver is a different story. There are only two players that feel like roster locks: DK Metcalf and Ben Skowronek, with the latter best served as a special teams player and deep depth receiver.
Marquez Valdez-Scantling and Adam Thielen won’t be around next year, with the latter already retired. Scotty Miller could be brought back for training camp, but he feels like a lackluster option.
Calvin Austin has flashed at times, but as a pending free agent, he may seek out a better opportunity. As for Roman Wilson, the Steelers feel like they are done with him. He won’t be cut, but I could see him being traded or missing the roster after training camp.
That means there are a lot of roster spots to fill out. Looking at things right now, receiver seems like a safe bet for the first round, effectively giving Metcalf a running mate. Add another rookie and an established veteran free agent, and you suddenly have a stronger room across the board.
Thankfully, the draft is top-heavy at receiver. The Steelers can have their pick of body types and route runners in the first round to complement this room.
Frankly, they need to redo this room. For the past two seasons, depth at receiver has cost this team, and that can’t continue. A rookie quarterback will be at the helm sooner than later, so having ample targets is vital.
With all focus now shifting to the offseason, the Steelers need to redo their receiver room in 2026. Omar Khan has done a great job of revamping a position in an offseason before, and now is the time to reinvent the receiver group.