Pittsburgh Steelers News

The Pittsburgh Steelers could make linebacker Patrick Queen available for trade this offseason, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Harris explains that a "handful of teams," including the Philadelphia Eagles, have inquired about trading for Queen. At this point, Pittsburgh isn't actively shopping the defender, but it appears that they're at least interested in making a deal. Specifically, Harris reports that the Steelers would like to acquire a mid-round draft pick in any trade for Queen. The former first-round pick has spent six seasons in the AFC North -- four with Baltimore and two with Pittsburgh. He's a two-time Pro Bowler and has recorded at least 117 tackles in each of the last four years. While the Eagles have already been linked to Queen, Harris also raises the idea of a potential trade with the Dallas Cowboys, who are actively seeking linebacker upgrades despite already adding Rashan Gary.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward have agreed to a new two-year contract worth $32.25 million, according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. The deal guarantees Heyward's 2026 salary and keeps him under contract with the team through 2027. He'll now enter the 2026 season without the stress of marketing himself for a new contract, and given that Heyward is 37 years old, it's possible that this deal will take him through the end of his NFL career. The lifetime Steeler has spent all 15 of his NFL seasons in Pittsburgh. Most recently in 2025, he made 17 starts with one forced fumble, 3.5 sacks, nine quarterback hits, and 78 tackles. He provides the Steelers with defensive line continuity alongside pass-rushing star T.J. Watt.

The Athletic's Saad Yousuf, Dianna Russini, and Mike DeFabo believe that with the addition of new running back Rico Dowdle in free agency, "there's a good shot" that Dowdle will be in the 1A role, and Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Warren will be the "change-of-pace" back. The 5-foot-8 Warren has been "at his best in a third-down role and out of the shotgun." It means that the 27-year-old will likely take over the pass-catching duties that Kenneth Gainwell had in 2025, when he caught a career-high 73 passes for 486 yards and three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. Warren was the RB17 in half-PPR scoring last year, going for a career-high 958 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground on 211 carries in 16 games, adding 40 catches for 333 yards and two TDs as a pass-catcher. The addition of Dowdle is definitely a big hit to Warren's overall fantasy value going into 2026, but his role as a pass-catcher shouldn't be taken lightly in PPR formats, especially if veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers returns.

The Athletic's Mike DeFabo believes that newly acquired wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., a player with good size (6-foot-4, 223 pounds), physicality, and pedigree, will be a good fit with the Pittsburgh Steelers. If the Steelers re-sign quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer "seems to prefer veterans who understand the nuances of route running, how to read coverages and what it takes to prepare for an opponent." Pittman, who should slot in as the No. 2 behind DK Metcalf, "checks a lot of those boxes." The 28-year-old will receive a new three-year, $59 million contract with the Steelers after being acquired from the Indianapolis Colts on Monday. Pittman did lead the Colts with 80 catches last year and had a career-best seven touchdowns, but his yardage total (784) was down for a second straight season. His 2026 fantasy value hinges on whether Rodgers returns for another season in Pittsburgh.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell is signing a two-year, $14 million deal that includes $10 million guaranteed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Gainwell was the Steelers' MVP last year, totaling 1,023 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns as a dual-threat RB. The 26-year-old was a perfect fit for the Steelers' checkdown offense last year, as he ran for 537 yards and a career-high five touchdowns on 114 carries, adding a career-best 73 receptions for 486 yards and three more TDs on 85 targets in 17 regular-season games. In Tampa, the former fifth-rounder in 2021 out of Memphis will serve as a change-of-pace option behind starter Bucky Irving, effectively replacing Rachaad White in the team's backfield. Gainwell's fantasy needle is pointing up, although his 73-catch season in 2025 will probably end up being an outlier.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are acquiring wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. from the Indianapolis Colts on Monday in exchange for a late-round pick, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The Colts deemed Pittman expendable after re-signing Alec Pierce to a four-year deal on Monday. The 28-year-old former second-round pick in 2020 out of USC took another step back in 2025 in his sixth year in the NFL with an 80-784-7 line on 111 targets over 17 games played. Pittman does have two 1,000-yard seasons in his career, but expecting a third in 2026 in Pittsburgh probably isn't wise for fantasy managers, especially when considering the unknown quarterback situation in the Steel City. It's the second straight year Pittsburgh has traded for a wideout -- last year, they landed DK Metcalf from Seattle. In his new digs, Pittman will most likely operate as the WR2 behind Metcalf.

Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. has re-signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year deal that will keep him from hitting the open market, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. Samuel signed with the Steelers midway through the 2025 season, playing in six games and starting three, tallying one interception on the year. Set to play for his fifth defensive coordinator in his sixth professional season, the Steelers will hope to make use of the natural instincts and ball skills that made him a second-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021 but have yet to consistently translate in the NFL.

Free agent running backs Rachaad White and Kenneth Gainwell "might make sense" for the Jacksonville Jaguars if they don't re-sign Travis Etienne Jr., according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. White, 27, spent his first four NFL seasons in Tampa Bay. He consistently flashed upside as a dual-threat back with the ability to score touchdowns, but he was held in check each of the last two years due to Bucky Irving's breakout. We have seen what White can do in a shared backfield (or by himself), and he could be a 1A to the 1B of Bhayshul Tuten in Jacksonville. There's real optimism that White could return to 2023 form, which included 990 rushing yards, 549 receiving yards, nine touchdowns, and an overall RB4 finish in PPR leagues. Notably, White has a connection to Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, who was previously his offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay. Gainwell, on the other hand, is coming off a breakout season in Pittsburgh. During his lone year as a Steeler, he ranked as the RB16 in PPR leagues with 537 rushing yards, 486 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. He split the workload with Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh, and he'd presumably do the same with Tuten in Jacksonville. Either running back would have appeal as an RB2 or RB3 option if they sign with the Jaguars.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth's fantasy value in both redraft and dynasty/keeper leagues should be higher going into the 2026 season with the news that the Steelers are releasing Jonnu Smith. In offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's run-first, two-tight-end system last year, Freiermuth regressed, catching 41 of 54 targets for 486 yards and four touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (eight starts). Darnell Washington (forearm) also cut into Freirmuth's production. New head coach Mike McCarthy should be much friendlier to Freiermuth for fantasy purposes next season, even if the team's quarterback situation is currently unsettled. Depending on what direction the Steelers go in at QB, Freiermuth will be a TE1 sleeper this fall. In dynasty/keeper leagues, he's a decent buy-low target. Freiermuth already has two seasons with seven touchdown catches, including his rookie year in 2021.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are releasing tight end Jonnu Smith on Wednesday, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The move will save the Steelers $7 million against the salary cap, and Smith will now become an unrestricted free agent. Smith, 30, was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, putting up career-highs in catches (88), targets (111), receiving yards (884), and touchdowns (eight) in 17 games. He came crashing back down to Earth in 2025 with Pittsburgh while sharing targets with Pat Freiermuth, though, as he finished with only 38 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns on 54 targets in 17 regular-season games. Smith may never be as good as he was in 2024 in Miami, but a move out of the Steel City is a good thing for his fantasy value going into the 2026 campaign. Smith's departure is also great news for Freiermuth's ceiling.

Pittsburgh Steelers impending free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers had nothing but good things to say about new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, who was Rodgers' former head coach with the Green Bay Packers. "Mike McCarthy is one of the great guys in the league, and he really cares about the players. He's an exceptional human being with a big heart," Rodgers said. The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer and four-time MVP also said there's no deadline for him to decide on whether he's returning for a 22nd year in the NFL, and those conversations will be down the line. The relationship between Rodgers and McCarthy soured toward the end of their time together in Green Bay, but McCarthy's presence in the Steel City probably won't be a deal-breaker if Rodgers wants to play another season with the Steelers. Rodgers led Pittsburgh to the playoffs in 2025, but if he plays again in 2026, he'll be a low-end QB2 in fantasy with limited upside.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf had an inconsistent 2025 season, and his dynasty managers will be looking for him to bounce back with a little more reliability next year. One key factor in Metcalf's productivity level is out of his control: the Steelers' quarterback situation. At this point, it seems likely that Aaron Rodgers will return for another season, but that's far from official. Given how last season played out, we wouldn't be surprised to see Rodgers take his time before re-signing. A Rodgers return would be good for Metcalf in the sense that he wouldn't have to play with a lower-tier or rookie quarterback. However, we have already seen what a year of Rodgers and Metcalf looks like together, and it wasn't great. The veteran receiver was the overall WR26 in PPR leagues in 2025, finishing outside the top 24 for the second consecutive year. He had 59 catches and a career-low 850 yards while making six trips to the end zone. A glimmer of hope could be headed Metcalf's way if the Steelers bring in another established receiver. While a new pass catcher could take some targets away, it could also pull some defensive coverage off Metcalf. The Steelers' No. 2 receiver in 2025, Calvin Austin III, had a subpar season and rarely drew the opponent's top cornerback. Adding a more competitive option in the passing game could give defenses a headache and lead to more opportunities for Metcalf to use his size and physicality in one-on-one matchups. So while a Rodgers return isn't the best-case scenario for Metcalf, the 28-year-old receiver could still benefit and bounce back if the Steelers bring in other key weapons to strengthen their offense all around.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are telling teams, at least right now, that tight end Pat Freiermuth is "not available," according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. According to a league source, at least six teams would be interested in "exploring the idea of acquiring" Freiermuth. Fellow TE Jonnu Smith's situation "seems a bit more fluid." General manager Omar Khan said the Steelers are in a fine salary cap situation to "keep both," but they are also in the process of understanding what a change in their offensive philosophy will "mean for personnel." Freiermuth and Smith essentially canceled each other out in fantasy football, with neither TE being in the top 20 in overall half-PPR points at season's end. After a career year in Miami in 2025, Smith had just 38 catches for 222 yards and two TDs, while Freiermuth took a step back, too, with a 41-486-4 line. The Steelers trading Smith out of town would be good news for both Freiermuth's and Smith's fantasy value heading into 2026.

In his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, tight end Jonnu Smith recorded 38 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns on 54 targets across 17 games played. The 30-year-old's numbers dropped precipitously from his breakout season with the Miami Dolphins in 2024, when he hauled in 88 catches for 884 yards and eight scores. In Pittsburgh, Smith's upside is limited by a crowded tight end room that also includes Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth. Additionally, 2025 Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who is known for favoring formations that feature multiple tight ends, is no longer with the team. As a result, Smith may face an even more difficult path to playing time in Pittsburgh in 2026. Outside of 2024, Smith has just one other season in his nine-year NFL career with at least 50 catches and 500 receiving yards. It seems likely that his 2024 season will stand out as an outlier relative to his overall production, and Smith's dynasty value should be fading heading into 2026.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (forearm) ended the 2025 season with surgery on his broken forearm, but he is looking to bounce back in the final year of his contract in 2026. Despite some highlight reel stiff arms and one TE8 finish in Week 11, Washington mainly played behind fellow tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith. The Steelers are expected to move on from Smith during free agency, which is likely to benefit Washington. Despite Washington's size, he was on the field for more than just run blocking, boasting a 40% route run participation rate and hauled in 31 of his 43 targets for 364 yards and a touchdown in 2025. However, the 24-year-old out of Georgia primarily holds value only in deep dynasty leagues with tight end premium scoring due to his position behind Freiermuth on the depth chart.

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan said the team has been in communication with impending free-agent running back Kenneth Gainwell and "expressed a desire to have him return," according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. Gainwell is set to hit the free-agent market next month after winning team MVP honors in 2025 in his first season with the organization. The 26-year-old was heavily involved in Pittsburgh's offense last year, setting career-highs in carries (114), rushing yards (537), rushing touchdowns, catches (73), targets (85), receiving yards (486), and receiving touchdowns (three) in 17 regular-season games. He will never be a workhorse back in the NFL, but Gainwell proved in 2025 that he has the skills to be effective in a dual-threat role. At the very least, he should be a priority target in PPR leagues as at least an RB3/flex if he returns to the Steel City for a second season.

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan said on Tuesday that the team has not set a deadline for impending free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers to decide whether he will play in 2026, according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. However, Khan told reporters that he's been in communication with Rodgers and doesn't "foresee this going like it did last year." The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer was considering retirement last offseason and didn't agree to a one-year deal with Pittsburgh until just before mandatory minicamp in June. Rodgers led the Steelers to the postseason last year, but he finished as the QB19 in overall fantasy points with 3,322 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 16 regular-season games. It remains to be seen if new head coach Mike McCarthy, who won a Super Bowl with Rodgers in Green Bay, will be able to persuade Rodgers to continue his career in the Steel City. If Rodgers does return to the Steelers in 2026, he'll be more of a midrange QB2 in fantasy, at best.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were in desperate need of someone to step up behind wide receiver DK Metcalf, and second-year wideout Roman Wilson was expected to make a major leap in Year 2. That did not happen, as the 24-year-old former third-rounder out of Michigan finished the 2025 campaign with just 12 receptions on 21 targets for 166 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games played (four starts). Wilson was a healthy scratch in four of the team's final six regular-season games, and he finished eighth on the team in receiving yards. The Steelers will head into the 2026 season with a new head coach in Mike McCarthy and with questions as to whether future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers will return. Pittsburgh will most likely look for additional receiver help in free agency, which will not help Wilson's cause as he seeks to become more involved on offense in 2026. In dynasty leagues, Wilson is a clear cut candidate.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III had a clear path to production in 2025, but he failed to capitalize on his opportunities and ultimately turned in a disappointing season. It seemed like Austin had a chance to break out this past season after Pittsburgh traded away George Pickens and signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The DK Metcalf addition certainly added a wrinkle to Austin's outlook, but it theoretically should have worked in his favor because he's more of a No. 2 receiver anyway. In the end, Austin's productivity actually took a step backward. He had 31 catches (five fewer than 2024), 372 yards (176 fewer than 2024), and three touchdowns (one fewer than 2024). He was the overall WR74 in PPR leagues, and managers never really knew when to start him. He was heavily dependent on scoring touchdowns, as he found the end zone in three of the four games where he produced double-digit fantasy points. Austin will have an opportunity for a fresh start in 2026, as he'll hit free agency next month. However, it was really crucial for him to produce in a contract year, and he wasn't able to do so. As a result, he might end up signing somewhere as a No. 3 receiver, which will severely limit his upside in fantasy football. He's off the redraft radar in most leagues. Dynasty managers should hold onto him for now, and then trade him as soon as he signs somewhere.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth had a productive season, but the crowded nature of the team's tight end room pushed him off the radar in fantasy football. Despite being a top-nine fantasy tight end in two of his three previous seasons, Freiermuth dropped down to TE25 in PPR leagues in 2025. He played in all 17 games, catching 41 passes for 486 yards and four touchdowns. Part of Freiermuth's underwhelming season can be attributed to the crowded tight end room surrounding him. Jonnu Smith saw 54 targets after Pittsburgh deliberately went out and traded for him during the offseason, and Darnell Washington had a breakout year with 31 catches. Neither Smith nor Washington is a free agent this offseason, so we could expect a similar story of Freiermuth's volume being capped in 2026. As a result, he's not worth drafting in most 12-team redraft leagues next year, and he could be worth selling in dynasty formats.