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Updated Pittsburgh Steelers Team Needs After Free Agency

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Mike Kashuba | Last updated Mar 19, 2026 11:30 AM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a new era, and their team’s needs are fluid. Some haven’t changed (like quarterback), while others really depended on which way the team went in free agency. Let’s take a look at the Steelers’ roster construction and their biggest team needs heading into the slower part of free agency and as they prepare for the draft.

Updated Pittsburgh Steelers Team Needs After Free Agency

1. Quarterback – Both of the Future and 2026

The current quarterbacks under contract for 2026 include Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. That’s it. Steelers fans have seen what Mason Rudolph can do, and he’s a good-not-great backup with enough juice to keep the offense afloat for short stretches. Maybe the coaching staff has seen enough from Will Howard to believe in him as a viable option, but the room is thin and lacking a franchise option for almost the tenth year in a row.

Best Free Agents Available: Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco

Best Draft Targets: Garrett Nussmeier, Taylen Green, Jack Strand

Jack Strand – the 6'5" 240-pound strong arm QB you didn't know existed

Physics Major who ended up on the academic excellence list multiple seasons

Holds NSIC career records in pass completions (1,147), passing yards (12,134), and passing touchdowns (115)

Fun player tbh pic.twitter.com/FHmXwO4qyM

— Mike Kash (@FFMikeKash) January 18, 2026

2. Nickel Corner/Safety Depth

Teams have shifted to having a “big nickel” or a safety they can move all over the field. Jalen Ramsey does that job for now, and they have Brandin Echols to fill in at nickel when needed, but adding a difference maker there could push the defense over the edge. Mike Hilton made a ton of impact plays for the team a few years ago, and the splash plays have been a more rare occurrence with Minkah Fitzpatrick gone. Not to wax poetic over Steelers defenses of the past, but the team needs an impact player on the back end who can seal close games.

Best Free Agents Available: L’Jarious Sneed, Jeff Okudah, Jack Jones

Best Draft Targets: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, D’Angelo Ponds, Genesis Smith

3. Offensive Line

Is Broderick Jones the long-term solution at left tackle? Did the team see enough from Dylan Cook to give him a shot? Will the team look to upgrade at left guard? There are nits to pick across the offensive line, but providing a sturdy front for whichever quarterback is at the helm in 2026 and 2027 has to be one of the top priorities. Focusing on the interior while swinging on a project at left tackle would be an A+ grade on draft night.

Best Free Agents Available: Cam Robinson, Justin Skule, Landon Young

Best Draft Targets: Olaivavega Ioane, Blake Miller, Isaiah World

4. Wide Receiver

D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman are a tremendous upgrade over just D.K. Metcalf and the ghost of Adam Thielen. But there’s still work to do to make this a roster that can compete in 2026 and beyond, and adding some younger juice to this receiver room could go a long way.

Best Free Agents Available: Jauan Jennings, Skyy Moore, Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Older receivers like Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs would be upgrades, but would not balance out the room as a steady number three)

Best Draft Targets: KC Concepcion, Reggie Virgil, Antonio Williams

For more 2026 NFL Draft targets, check out our latest Big Board.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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