Steelers Predicted for 2026 Bounce Back After Free Agency

ESPN analyst says Pittsburgh has taken meaningful steps to improve their passing game.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:14am

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have been active in free agency, adding wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and running back Rico Dowdle to bolster their offense. While the quarterback position remains a question mark, ESPN's Eric Moody believes the Steelers have made significant improvements and could be one of the most improved teams in the NFL for the 2026 season.

Why it matters

The Steelers have struggled in recent seasons, but the addition of Pittman and Dowdle, along with the presence of DK Metcalf and Jaylen Warren, suggests the team could be poised for a bounce-back year. The success of the Steelers' offense will likely hinge on who emerges as the starting quarterback, but the team appears to be heading in the right direction.

The details

The Steelers have been active in free agency, adding wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and running back Rico Dowdle to their roster. Pittman, who was signed to an extension, will provide a legitimate running mate for DK Metcalf in the passing game, while Dowdle adds depth and flexibility to the backfield alongside Jaylen Warren. The Steelers' biggest question mark remains at quarterback, which will likely determine how much the revamped offense can accomplish in 2026.

  • The Steelers made their free agency moves in the offseason leading up to the 2026 NFL season.

The players

Mike McCarthy

The new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, taking over from Mike Tomlin.

Michael Pittman Jr.

A wide receiver signed by the Steelers in free agency, who was also signed to a contract extension.

Rico Dowdle

A running back signed by the Steelers in free agency, who will add depth and flexibility to the backfield.

DK Metcalf

A wide receiver for the Steelers, who will now have a legitimate running mate in Michael Pittman Jr.

Jaylen Warren

A running back for the Steelers, who will share the backfield with Rico Dowdle.

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What they’re saying

“The Steelers. They took a meaningful step toward fixing their passing game by adding Pittman and signing him to an extension. The move finally gave DK Metcalf a legitimate running mate at receiver. Running back Rico Dowdle also adds depth and flexibility to the backfield alongside Jaylen Warren, giving Pittsburgh more options in the run game. The biggest question now is quarterback, which probably will determine how much noise the revamped Steelers offense can make in 2026.”

— Eric Moody, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

What’s next

The Steelers will need to determine their starting quarterback for the 2026 season, as that will be a key factor in how successful their revamped offense can be.

The takeaway

The Steelers have made significant improvements to their offense in the offseason, adding talented players like Michael Pittman Jr. and Rico Dowdle. While the quarterback position remains a question mark, the team appears to be heading in the right direction and could be poised for a bounce-back year in 2026.