Putting a bow and final review on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason as training camp is only 48 hours away. A look back at the biggest offseason moments that got Pittsburgh to camp and the march towards the 2026 regular season.
Steelers’ Offseason Biggest Moments
January 13 – Mike Tomlin Resigns
A pivotal moment in franchise history. After 19 years leading the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Tomlin stepped down as the franchise’s head coach. Only its third since 1969. Rumblings picked up late in the regular season and the news was known before Tomlin told the team during the final group meeting. Presumably, Tomlin’s agent asked media insiders to wait until Tomlin told his players, but they had the story at the ready.
Ronde Barber would later note Tomlin had this plan as early as the 2025 offseason.
Tomlin exited matching Chuck Noll’s 193 career wins. Tomlin won the AFC North eight times, the AFC twice, and brought home a sixth Lombardi to the franchise. His teams were known for being a tough out and punching above the weight of media projections. He never had a losing season, a stat that was touted nationally and despised locally. The last decade of absent playoff success created fatigue among fans and even Tomlin himself, leading to his resignation.
Now, he’s set to appear as a studio analyst for NBC’s Sunday night coverage. The next question is two-fold: will Tomlin ever coach again? Opinions seem split. And will Tomlin one day make the Hall of Fame, joining Bill Cowher and Noll?
January 27 – Mike McCarthy Is Hired
It took just two weeks for Pittsburgh to tab Tomlin’s replacement. Pittsburgh native Mike McCarthy was hired after a relatively short and limited process. The search committee of Art Rooney II, Omar Khan, and Daniel Martin Rooney only held three in-person interviews: Anthony Weaver, Brian Flores, and McCarthy.
An offensive version of Tomlin, McCarthy has a long coaching tenure that appealed to the Steelers. As did his track record working with quarterbacks to support a franchise still in search of a long-term option.
An emotional McCarthy could barely get through the start of his introductory press conference. His hire was initially met with scorn and skepticism but fan’s feelings have warmed since. What McCarthy does, or doesn’t do, once the games begin counting is all that will matter.
March 9 – Steelers Trade For WR Michael Pittman Jr.
The team’s first big external move of the offseason, Pittsburgh agreed to trade for Indianapolis Colts’ WR Michael Pittman Jr. on March 9, a deal that would become official after free agency opened up days later. Lacking a quality No. 2 receiver has been one of the offense’s sorest spots two years running and Pittman will be a better alternative opposite DK Metcalf. He’s big, reliable, and a true professional.
Pittman’s trade compensation was cheap with Pittsburgh not even moving down 20 spots. Pittman’s contract wasn’t so economical. A two-year extension with $35 million in new money. The Steelers believe they can diversify his route tree from the underneath gritty routes the Colts had him run the past two years. They’ll need to put that vision into action in order to make the deal truly pay off.
March 9 – Steelers Sign CB Jamel Dean
Like Pittman, Dean’s deal was agreed to on Monday during the legal tampering period and made official later that week. Off a standout 2025 season, Dean cashed in to take the starting job opposite Joey Porter Jr. His deal wasn’t small but still shrewd – three years, $36.75 million with the ability to get out of the contract after one season. Pittsburgh is hoping to finally avoid that road with one of its free agent corners.
Dean’s career has been marred by inconsistency and injury but at his best, he’s quality corner and scheme fit for new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
April 23 – Steelers Draft OT Max Iheanachor
Hosting the draft in Pittsburgh for only the second time in history and first of the modern era, the Steelers became a national story on night one. Not for the backdrop but a phone call to USC WR Makai Lemon one pick before Pittsburgh went on the clock at No. 21. The Philadelphia Eagles made an in-division trade to swap picks with the Dallas Cowboys and grab Lemon instead, leaving Pittsburgh to pivot to Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor.
Pittsburgh was criticized for being jumped but maintained their excitement over Iheanachor. A feeling that seemed genuine and not out of panic; even Bill Cowher thought Pittsburgh would select Iheanachor well before news of Lemon’s phone call broke.
Their careers will forever be linked and compared. For Pittsburgh, their hope is a long-term investment along the offensive line pays off. Iheanachor has to refine his game but offers plenty of upside.
Pittsburgh followed up Iheanachor by trading up for Alabama WR Germie Bernard followed by Penn State QB Drew Allar on Day Two.
May 11, June 2, June 3 – K Chris Boswell, EDGE Nick Herbig, TE Darnell Washington Receive Extensions
Lumping these three moves together. Big money extensions across the board as Omar Khan wasted no time locking up key members of the roster, especially the 2023 draft class. Boswell’s deal tied him as the NFL’s highest-paid kicker. Herbig’s deal broached $100 million while Washington became the highest-paid blocking-first tight end in the league.
Herbig’s deal brings questions over how Pittsburgh plans to use its top three pass rushers and the future of the position. Still, the Steelers smartly secured long-term deals with talented players, something that had been missing for far too long. Getting a deal done with CB Joey Porter Jr. serves as a top storyline entering training camp.
May 16 – QB Aaron Rodgers Signs
Another multi-month saga ended with a predictable outcome. Rodgers returned for his 22nd, and according to him, final NFL season. He signed a bit earlier in 2026 than he did in 2025 and was around for spring workouts. That extra work and continuity with returning players can only bode well for the offense.
His connection to McCarthy and many members of the coaching staff opened the door for Rodgers to return. He’ll need to improve his numbers from a year ago, primarily by pushing the ball downfield more often, in order to make his encore performance feel like one worth sitting through. No matter what happens this year, Pittsburgh will enter 2027 with uncertainty about its next starter.
Previous Offseason Reviews