Pittsburgh Steelers Busy in 2026 Free Agency

New head coach Mike McCarthy reshapes roster ahead of NFL Draft

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The Pittsburgh Steelers were active during the 2026 NFL free agency period, signing several new players and retaining key pieces from last season's team. The Steelers are looking to bounce back after losing in the AFC wild-card round of the playoffs, having lost seven consecutive postseason games.

Why it matters

The Steelers' moves in free agency will be crucial as they look to rebuild under new head coach Mike McCarthy and get back to the playoffs after a disappointing end to their 2025 season. Fans will be closely watching how the team's roster takes shape ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft.

The details

The Steelers signed offensive lineman Jack Driscoll to a one-year contract, linebacker Cole Holcomb to a two-year deal, and punter Cameron Johnston to a one-year contract. The team also re-signed defensive lineman Cam Heyward to a one-year extension.

  • The new NFL league year began on Wednesday, March 12, 2026 at 4 p.m. ET.
  • The Steelers lost to the Houston Texans in the AFC wild-card round of the 2025 NFL playoffs.

The players

Jack Driscoll

An offensive lineman who spent time with the Steelers last season but did not appear in any games.

Cole Holcomb

A veteran linebacker who has spent the last two seasons with the Steelers, appearing in 22 games and making 11 starts.

Cameron Johnston

A punter who previously signed with the Steelers in 2024 but dealt with injuries.

Cam Heyward

A defensive lineman who was a second-team All-Pro in 2025 and was in the final year of his contract before signing a one-year extension.

Mike McCarthy

The new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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What’s next

The Steelers will look to continue reshaping their roster through the 2026 NFL Draft, which is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The Steelers' free agency moves show a commitment to rebuilding and improving their roster under new leadership, as they look to end their seven-game postseason losing streak and return to the playoffs in 2026.