Pittsburgh Steelers News

The Pittsburgh Steelers are still awaiting word from free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers on his future, but per NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, no decision is expected before the NFL Draft. The two sides went through a similar courtship last offseason before the then-41-year-old future Hall of Famer started 16 games for the Steelers, throwing for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while leading the team to a division title. Pittsburgh's voluntary minicamp opens on Monday, and 2025 6th-round pick Will Howard is expected to lead the first team offense. With this week's NFL Draft taking place in their own backyard, the Steelers hold the 21st and 53rd selections in a year where the quarterback position is thought to fall off precipitously after presumed first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza.

The Pittsburgh Steelers could be targeting Miami quarterback Carson Beck in this week's NFL Draft, according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. Beck took a pre-draft visit with the Steelers. The same can be said for Penn State's Drew Allar, but not Alabama's Ty Simpson. DeFabo notes that while Simpson has been heavily linked to the Steelers by the media, the team may be dissuaded by his limited track record in college. That's where Beck makes more sense, as he was a three-year starter in the NCAA and has significant experience playing in big games. DeFabo speculates that Beck checks every box for the Steelers, while the other two do not. Pittsburgh doesn't want to reach for Beck, but it sounds like he'll absolutely be an option for them if he's still available in the middle rounds. The Steelers' draft plans likely don't hinge too much on the status of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is a candidate to re-sign but currently remains a free agent.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will get a fresh start in 2026 following an offseason trade. Dealt from the Colts to the Steelers, Pittman will slot in as a starting wide receiver opposite DK Metcalf next year. He offers a major upgrade for the Steelers, who endured a rough season of Calvin Austin III as their No. 2 receiver last year. Pittman was impressive when quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) was healthy, averaging 11.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) and ranking as the overall WR8. However, his production took a hit when Jones was ruled out for the season. Therein lies the biggest question mark for Pittman in 2026. We still don't know who his quarterback will be in Pittsburgh. An Aaron Rodgers return seems probable, but nothing is imminent. Assuming Rodgers does return to the Steelers, he could support top-25 finishes from both Metcalf and Pittman. We're encouraged by Pittman's new opportunity, as the Steelers' decision to trade for him shows how much they want to get him involved on offense. He currently ranks as the WR52 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, so managers who have higher expectations could opt to buy low on Pittman this offseason.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has spent his entire career in some form of timeshare. From 2022 to 2024, he shared a room with Najee Harris and found fantasy relevance through his work as a pass catcher, making a career-high 61 grabs in 2023 on his way to an RB25 finish. In 2025, many expected him to split time with rookie Kaleb Johnson, but it was actually free agent signing Kenneth Gainwell that ate into his workload, most notably as a receiver, with Warren's 42 targets the lowest since his rookie season. With Gainwell now off to Tampa Bay, Warren finds himself in yet another new committee, this time with former Cowboys and Panthers runner Rico Dowdle. While Dowdle is a well-rounded back, he possesses neither the tank-like frame to grind out the 270+ carries of a prime Harris nor the receiving chops to approach Gainwell's 73 receptions from 2025, leaving margins for Warren to again hold a prominent, fantasy-relevant role. Since Dowdle's signing, Warren has fallen to low-end RB3 status in consensus dynasty rankings, but with a clear path to reestablish himself as the primary pass-catcher out of the backfield, he should be more than capable of matching or exceeding his RB26 finish from 2025. At 27 years old, Warren represents the type of depth piece that a contending manager might lean on for notable swaths of the season.

Veteran running back Rico Dowdle had a standout year with the Carolina Panthers in 2025, racking up 1,373 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 275 touches across 17 games. The 27-year-old parlayed his strong season into a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he will likely share lead running back duties with Steelers back Jaylen Warren. Dowdle is the stronger short-area and goal-line back between the two, which could lead to him earning a larger role in the red zone. However, Warren is a standout pass-catcher, which might lead to a drop-off in Dowdle's fantasy value in PPR formats. Dowdle was able to thrive while paired with Panthers back Chuba Hubbard in 2025, so he's proven the ability to provide fantasy production in a split backfield. Still, dynasty managers may want to value Dowdle more as an RB3/flex option than a no-doubt starter at the running back position.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth finished his second season as the TE8 and was widely viewed as a top five dynasty player at the position. In the years since, injuries and inconsistent play from both him and his quarterbacks have led him to finish as the TE24 or lower in two of his last three seasons. His 5.7 Half-PPR points per game in 2025 marked a career-low on a Steelers team with scarcely any target competition. Only two wide receivers on the team saw more than 25 targets, creating an environment for tight ends and running backs to thrive in the passing game, but most of the heavy lifting was done by Kenneth Gainwell, while the distribution of looks among tight ends was split nearly evenly between Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington. Neither Gainwell nor Smith are back with the team in 2026, but the Steelers did acquire Michael Pittman Jr. via trade, and he has not earned fewer than 106 targets since 2020. The quarterback situation remains unsettled, with Pittsburgh backed into a corner: either running things back with a now-42-year-old Aaron Rodgers or turning the huddle over to Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, or an as-yet-unknown rookie. Pittsburgh's offense could ultimately go in any number of directions under new head coach Mike McCarthy, but it seems unlikely that Freiermuth will suddenly emerge as a focal point after averaging 6.5 fantasy points per game over the past three seasons.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington should take over exclusive responsibility of the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind Pat Freiermuth, but his lack of ties to the new coaching staff could complicate the situation. Washington was drafted by former head coach Mike Tomlin, and he had the best season of his young career in 2025 under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Both Tomlin and Smith are gone, being replaced by Mike McCarthy and Brian Angelichio. That's not to say that McCarthy and Angelichio won't utilize Washington; the Steelers' lack of tight end moves this offseason suggests they're satisfied with the position. However, the new staff has no attachment to Washington, and they could opt to use him less than Smith did in 2025, when he caught 31 passes for 364 yards and one touchdown. That's just one possibility amidst a large range of possible outcomes, so fantasy managers shouldn't necessarily panic. He's a speculative hold in most dynasty leagues at the moment.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson will be given opportunities to establish himself as a key part of the team's offense in 2026, according to head coach Mike McCarthy. "I am aware of their past experiences, but this is like a Catholic operation, and you say three Hail Marys and everybody has a clean slate and let's get to work," McCarthy said regarding Johnson (via Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com). The veteran head coach also explained that he's going to "challenge [Johnson] to be a three-down player and a special teamer" going forward. The former third-round pick mostly played on special teams as a rookie last year, amassing just 29 touches and 78 scrimmage yards on offense. The Steelers already have Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle in their backfield, but it sounds like Johnson will have an opportunity to prove that he deserves more touches in Year 2. Dynasty managers in deeper leagues should hold Johnson for now. In shallower leagues, it's perfectly appropriate to drop him, despite McCarthy's optimistic comments.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf is coming off a productive but inconsistent season, scoring single-digit fantasy points in six of his 15 games. Managers shouldn't panic sell, but it's fair to start having some second thoughts about his dynasty outlook because of the inconsistency. Metcalf finished his first season as a Steeler with 59 catches, 850 yards, and six touchdowns, ranking as the WR26 in PPR leagues. Even with Michael Pittman Jr. on the team going forward, we can expect Metcalf to have a similar fantasy finish in 2026 if quarterback Aaron Rodgers returns. However, if Rodgers doesn't return, Metcalf's fantasy outlook could suffer. There aren't many appealing quarterback options left in free agency, and the Steelers don't have the draft capital to select a premium rookie. Therefore, unless Rodgers re-signs with the Steelers, Metcalf could be paired with a subpar quarterback next season (and beyond). Dynasty managers should hold Metcalf for now before deciding how to proceed in trade talks once the Steelers have more clarity under center.

ESPN's Adam Schefter said on the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday that "it does sound like Aaron Rodgers back in Pittsburgh is happening." "That would be my guess right now," Schefter added. Rodgers technically is still a free agent, but the fact that he's been speaking with new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy frequently is a hint that the future Hall of Fame signal-caller is leaning toward re-signing with the team for a 22nd season in the NFL. The 42-year-old has become notorious for taking his time in the offseason to decide on his playing future, but owner and president Art Rooney II recently said the organization is hoping that Rodgers will make his decision by the NFL draft at the end of April. If Rodgers returns for a second season in Pittsburgh, he'll have a new weapon in receiver Michael Pittman Jr., but for fantasy purposes, he'd still be a low-end QB2 with limited upside in what will very likely be his final year in the league. The four-time MVP finished as the QB19 in fantasy in 2025 with 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 16 regular-season games. A reunion with McCarthy won't suddenly make Rodgers a QB1 in fantasy again.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said that he talked to veteran free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Monday night, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show. There has been no resolution on the Rodgers front yet this offseason, but owner and president Art Rooney II said recently that the organization expects the future Hall of Famer to decide whether he wants to re-sign with the team before the NFL draft at the end of April. Right now, the only QBs on Pittsburgh's roster are Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. The Steelers are very high on Howard, but if Rodgers decides he wants to run it back in the Steel City in 2026, he'll obviously be the team's QB1 this fall. The 42-year-old four-time MVP and 10-time Pro Bowler has stayed healthy the last two years after tearing his ACL with the Jets in 2023, but he's been very mediocre for fantasy football managers. Last year, Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions to finish as the QB19. He'll have a new receiver in Michael Pittman Jr. if he returns, but even so, Rodgers would still be more of a low-end QB2 with limited upside at the end of his illustrious career.

Across 16 games in 2025, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren recorded a career-high 1,291 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns on 251 touches. Warren began the year as the featured back in Pittsburgh before gradually moving into more of a timeshare with former Steelers back Kenneth Gainwell. While Gainwell departed Pittsburgh in free agency, the Steelers brought in former Carolina Panthers back Rico Dowdle to replace him. Dowdle is known for his ability to run between the tackles on early downs and in short-yardage situations, which could mean Warren will be siloed to a third-down role in 2026. While Warren has been an efficient player (career average of 5.3 yards per touch) throughout his time in the NFL, Pittsburgh has never quite trusted him to take on a full RB1 workload. As a result, Warren's fantasy value has traditionally been limited to low-end RB2/flex status. With Dowdle now in Pittsburgh, Warren's upside in dynasty formats remains capped.

Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. finished the 2025 season valued as a low-end WR3 in consensus dynasty rankings, but since the offseason trade that moved him from Indianapolis to Pittsburgh, he has fallen to the low WR4 range. Pittman will be viewed by most as the clear second option behind D.K. Metcalf in a Steelers offense whose current quarterback situation would have to be graded as incomplete, so the dip is understandable, but he will still play the entirety of the 2026 season before turning 30, and he has finished as the WR23 or better in four of the past five seasons. He has become a go-to option for a revolving door of Colts quarterbacks by being a big-bodied target who runs precise routes and is rarely out of place against zone coverage. Whether his next signal caller is an unproven first-round rookie or a surly veteran who expects things to be done in a very particular way, nothing about Pittman's game suggests he will not continue to be a reliable target-earner.

Pittsburgh Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II said on Sunday that he expects veteran free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers to decide on whether he wants to re-sign with the team before next month's NFL draft, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Although the future Hall of Famer hasn't been rumored to be talking to any other teams since the start of the new league year in March, it remains unclear whether he wants to return for a 22nd NFL season under old head coach Mike McCarthy. The 42-year-old four-time MVP and 10-time Pro Bowler threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 16 regular-season starts to help lead Pittsburgh to the playoffs, but he was demolished in the Wild-Card round of the postseason and finished as the QB19 in fantasy scoring. If Rodgers returns to run it back with McCarthy, he'll have more receiving help in Michael Pittman Jr., but he'd still be more of a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues with limited upside at the end of his illustrious career. The risk of injury is as high as ever with Rodgers, although he missed just one game in the last two seasons after tearing his Achilles in 2023 with the Jets.

After injuries limited him to only five offensive snaps as a rookie, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson saw the field more in Year 2, but was still unable to take advantage of his limited opportunities, finishing 2026 with only two touchdowns and 166 yards on 12 receptions. A third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Wilson has been a popular dynasty stash following a productive National Championship-winning senior season at Michigan, but having shown little to warrant the roster spot, he figures to be heavily dropped as dynasty managers clear space for the incoming rookie class. With the Steelers trading for Michael Pittman Jr. to pair with last season's prized acquisition, D.K. Metcalf, the Steelers now boast arguably their most potent receiving duo since Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, leaving Wilson fighting with a handful of capable pass-catching running backs and tight ends for any remaining targets. And with the quarterback position still unsettled heading into April, the quality of those sporadic looks will likely be incapable of sustaining fantasy relevance in the immediate future.

Across 17 games with the Carolina Panthers in 2025, running back Rico Dowdle racked up 1,373 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 275 touches. After recording just 83 rushing yards over Carolina's first four games of the season, Dowdle took advantage of a mid-season injury to fellow Panthers back Chuba Hubbard and emerged as the team's RB1 through the remainder of the year. Dowdle's emergence in Carolina was enough to earn him a two-year, $12.25 million contract from the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency. In Pittsburgh, Dowdle will likely split touches with incumbent Steelers back Jaylen Warren. Warren's presence limits Dowdle's fantasy upside, particularly as a receiver. However, Dowdle is the more physical of the two backs and could be the team's preferred early-down and red zone rusher. Overall, Dowdle profiles as a fringe starting running back option for fantasy managers in a split backfield in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth's dynasty/keeper fantasy value is on the rise with Jonnu Smith no longer in town, but there's also the looming question this offseason surrounding the team's quarterback situation. Freiermuth put up a career-high 65 receptions for 653 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns on 78 targets in 17 regular-season games in 2024, but he fell to a disappointing 41-486-4 line in 17 regular-season games with Smith in town in 2025. For fantasy football purposes, the 27-year-old was the TE24 in half-PPR scoring in his fifth year in the NFL. As long as veteran Aaron Rodgers returns for another season in the Steel City, Freiermuth will have clear bounce-back potential with a higher target floor in what should be a more pass-happy offense under new head coach Mike McCarthy. The recent addition of receiver Michael Pittman Jr. creates additional target competition for the former second-round selection in 2021 out of Penn State.

While 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers remains unsigned two weeks into the start of the 2026 league year, new Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy would seem to welcome a reunion with the player he coached for 13 seasons and with whom he won a Super Bowl in 2010. At an event honoring late Packers president Bob Harlan, McCarthy was asked about the potential reunion and offered that, "It'd be a great story." A four-time MVP, Rodgers has been noncommittal about his future in the league following a 2025 campaign with the Steelers that saw him throw for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns, both among the lowest totals of his 20-year career. If he does choose to return for a 21st season, Pittsburgh would be the most obvious fit. A playoff team in 2025, the hiring of McCarthy suggests they still view their competitive window as open, but they head into 2026 with Mason Rudolph and Will Howard atop the depth chart.

Former Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks running back Travis Homer signed an undisclosed deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. In the last three seasons in Chicago, Homer only had seven rushing attempts for 21 yards while catching three of his four targets for 11 yards in the passing game in 36 games (zero starts). The 27-year-old will strictly serve as RB depth in Pittsburgh and can continue to be ignored in both single-year and dynasty/keeper leagues in 2026. Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, and Kaleb Johnson will be ahead of him on the RB depth chart this fall. The 5-foot-10, 211-pounder will most likely factor in more on special teams for the Steelers in a kick-return role. Homer was drafted in the sixth round in 2019 out of the University of Miami by the Seahawks. He has a healthy 5.3 yard-per-carry average in his seven NFL seasons, but he's had just 90 carries for 474 yards and one touchdown on the ground.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington has officially jumped to No. 2 on the depth chart after the team released Jonnu Smith. Washington has never finished higher than TE39 in his three NFL seasons, but that could change next year as he takes on a larger role. He's technically listed behind Pat Freiermuth, but given how often the Steelers deployed two-tight end sets in 2025, we wouldn't be surprised to see Washington consistently get on the field for more than two-thirds of the offensive snaps. A physical specimen at 6-foot-7 and 265 pounds, Washington has shown a tendency to get open and make plays with the ball in his hands. He averaged 2.3 catches and 5.3 fantasy points per game from Weeks 11 through 17 last year, starting to trend up in dynasty leagues. The next big step for Washington is taking on a larger role around the goal line. For someone as tall and large as Washington, we'd expect him to have more than two touchdowns through three seasons. If he can take on a bigger role and get more looks around the end zone in new offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio's system, then Washington could become one of the more intriguing handcuffs in his role alongside Freiermuth. Tight end-needy managers in deep dynasty leagues should consider offering a late-round draft pick for Washington, because he has the potential to offer streaming appeal at times next year.