{"id":854070,"date":"2026-04-04T22:38:24","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T22:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/854070\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T22:38:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T22:38:24","slug":"revamped-steelers-dubbed-winners-of-2026-nfl-free-agency-by-espn-analyst","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/854070\/","title":{"rendered":"Revamped Steelers Dubbed Winners Of 2026 NFL Free Agency By ESPN Analyst"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> were extremely busy in free agency last month, adding a ton to their roster and addressing several pressing needs. They acquired considerable talent in Michael Pittman Jr., Rico Dowdle, Jamel Dean, Jaquan Brisker and others, getting a nice haul.<\/p>\n

In his\u00a02026 NFL free agency class rankings<\/a> for ESPN, NFL analyst Ben Solak ranked the Steelers No.\u00a01.<\/p>\n

Solak specifically highlighted Pittsburgh trading for and extending Pittman, which many regard as the team’s best move of the offseason so far<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“But Pittsburgh is a great fit for him, as he pairs well with DK Metcalf (who is definitely a Steeler in 2026) and Aaron Rodgers\u00a0(who is\u00a0probably\u00a0a Steeler in 2026),” Solak wrote. “The Steelers signed Pittman to an extension after the trade that guarantees him some money, which was an unnecessarily early commitment to his future on the roster, but a sixth-seventh pick swap for a starting receiver is great business.”<\/p>\n

While it’s great that the Steelers did so well in free agency<\/a>, it’s also concerning that they had so many holes to fill in the first place.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Pittsburgh Steelers were ranked #1 in free agency moves this offseason \ud83d\udc40@CharlieBatch16<\/a> says that could be a good AND bad thing\u2026 what do you think? #HereWeGo<\/a><\/p>\n

Presented by @FanDuel<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/rCZRwJlMwI<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/UkC9MyGFgv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Snap Count (@SnapCountShow) April 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“They were aggressive, addressed all the needs that they had to,” former NFL quarterback Charlie Batch said on “The Snap Count.”<\/a> “But the flip side is, that just lets you know how bad they drafted. That they actually had to go out now and sign free agents because you’re not developing from within.”<\/p>\n

It’s true that Pittsburgh has not drafted well lately. The Steelers already don’t have anyone left from their 2022 draft class and only a handful of players from the few years before that.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, Pittsburgh still has a giant hole at quarterback and a major free-agent decision to make regarding Aaron Rodgers, who remains unsigned<\/a>. His decision will have a major impact on the Steelers’ offseason and their outlook for next season<\/a>.<\/p>\n

More NFL:\u00a0Colin Cowherd Explains Why Steelers Are ‘Slow, Outdated, Predictable’<\/a><\/p>\n