| News |
|---|
|
Travis Homer Travis Homer Signing with Steelers
Mon, Mar 23, 2026, 11:36 AM
Homer is slated to sign with the Steelers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: In 10 regular-season games with the Bears in 2025, Homer recorded just one carry and three catches, and with the Steelers he'll remain in a depth role in a backfield that also includes Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle and Kaleb Johnson. Additionally, Homer could emerge as a core special teamer for Pittsburgh, with Mike DeFabo of The Athletic noting that the 5-foot-10, 211-pounder -- who joined the league as a sixth-round pick by Seattle in 2019 -- is a potential kick-return option for his new team. |
|
Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Team replaces Gainwell with Dowdle
Fri, Mar 13, 2026, 12:18 PM
Warren is likely headed for a backfield timeshare in 2026, as Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports Friday that the team has signed Rico Dowdle to a two-year contract.
Analysis: Warren worked in a backfield timeshare with Kenneth Gainwell in 2025, with the former turning 251 touches into 1,291 scrimmage yards in the regular season while the latter racked up 1,023 scrimmage yards on 187 touches. Gainwell signed a two-year, $14 million contract in free agency with the Buccaneers, while Pittsburgh has brought in Dowdle to replace him on a two-year, $12.25 million contract. Dowdle is coming off consecutive seasons with at least 1,076 rushing yards and runs with more power than Warren or Gainwell, but Warren's likely to see the majority of playing time in passing situations while possibly rotating with Dowdle on early downs. |
|
Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Headed to Pittsburgh
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 6:29 PM
Dowdle is slated to sign with the Steelers, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.
Analysis: Terms of the contract aren't immediately available, but Dowdle appears set to move over to the AFC after one year in Carolina. He produced a 236-1,076-6 regular-season rushing line last season with the Panthers, which was nearly identical to the 235-1,079-2 line he posted during his 2024 breakout campaign with the Cowboys. Dowdle also caught exactly 39 passes each of the past two seasons, totaling 546 yards and four touchdowns, and he's chipped in as a kick returner throughout his career. The Steelers have Jaylen Warren locked in as their primary RB, so Dowdle figures to form a 1-2 punch with the incumbent starter, though his role may be somewhat different from that of Kenneth Gainwell, who featured as a pass catcher in 2025 but is departing in free agency to Tampa Bay. |
|
Michael Pittman Michael Pittman Headed to Steelers
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 11:51 AM
The Colts are trading Pittman to the Steelers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Pittman, who is coming off a 2025 regular-season in which he caught 80 of his 111 targets for 784 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns in 17 contests, will provide the Steelers' WR corps with an immediate boost, as he'll work alongside DK Metcalf this coming season. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, dealing Pittman will free up $24 million in salary-cap space for the Colts, who signed fellow WR Alec Pierce to a reported four-year, $116 million deal earlier Monday. Additionally, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports that Pittman is getting a new three-year, $59 million deal with the Steelers, but at this stage it's uncertain which QB he'll be catching passes from this coming season. |
|
Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers No timetable for decision
Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 1:54 PM
Rodgers said Wednesday that he has not yet made a decision on his playing future and that the Steelers have not informed him of any timetable to make such a decision, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Rodgers expressed high praise for Pittsburgh and new head coach Mike McCarthy, but it does not appear that the 42-year-old veteran will make a decision about whether or not to play in the 2026 season prior to the start of free agency March 11. While the Steelers have expressed interest in re-signing Rodgers, other QB-needy teams around the league would also stand to be interested in his services, if available. Across 16 regular-season appearances in 2025, Rodgers completed 66 percent of his passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. |
|
Kenneth Gainwell Kenneth Gainwell Steelers hoping for new deal
Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 10:01 AM
Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan said Tuesday that the team has been in communication with Gainwell, an impending free agent, and hopes to re-sign him for the 2026 season, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Gainwell earned internal team MVP honors after playing out the 2025 campaign on a one-year deal with the Steelers and totaling a career-best 537 rushing yards and five touchdowns (147 carries) while suiting up for all 17 regular-season games. He added a career-high 73 catches for 486 yards (85 targets) and another three scores through the air. Given the versatility and efficiency Gainwell demonstrated in 2025, it will be no surprise if Pittsburgh indeed prioritizes inking him to an extension before he hits unrestricted free agency. Jaylen Warren remains under contract through the 2027 campaign, though the Steelers have a potential 'out' in his contract this offseason. |
|
Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Production tanks in Pittsburgh
Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 2:45 PM
Smith secured 38 of 54 targets for 222 yards and two touchdowns across 17 regular-season games with the Steelers in 2025.
Analysis: Smith posted a career-best 88-884-8 line on 111 targets with the Dolphins in 2024, but an offseason contract dispute led to his being traded to Pittsburgh, where his receiving production plummeted in a run-first offense designed by Arthur Smith (now at Ohio State). It's hard to imagine a worse scenario for the 30-year-old tight end to have found himself in. The arrival of new head coach Mike McCarthy could provide a new spark on offense, but even if things change for the better, Smith may not have a path to re-emerging as a consistent fantasy contributor due to the involvement of fellow tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington (forearm). Smith has one more year under contract. |
|
Pat Freiermuth Pat Freiermuth Modest numbers in 2025
Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 2:11 PM
Freiermuth secured 41 of 54 targets for 486 yards and four touchdowns across 17 regular-season appearances in 2025.
Analysis: Freiermuth paced Pittsburgh's tight ends in receiving production, but his ceiling was significantly capped by the presence of both Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington (forearm), as well as the run-first schematic design of former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith (now at Ohio State). The 27-year-old remains under contract through the 2028 season and will retain a consistent role in Pittsburgh's offense, but both Smith and Washington are set to return in 2026, and the first read for red-zone opportunities will consistently be wide receiver DK Metcalf. Those factors will make Freiermuth a deep sleeper in 2026 fantasy drafts, and it's difficult to envision an upside scenario for him even if new head coach Mike McCarthy manages to spark things on offense. |
|
Skylar Thompson Skylar Thompson Misses 2025 season with injury
Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 1:15 PM
Thompson was unable to take the field during the 2025 season due to a hamstring injury.
Analysis: The 2022 seventh-round pick from Kansas State was placed on Pittsburgh's injured reserve list in early September due to a hamstring issue and didn't return this season. After signing a one-year, $1.1 million deal with the Steelers last season, Thompson is set to enter unrestricted free agency. He could draw interest from teams seeking quarterback depth ahead of the 2026 campaign. |
|
A.T. Perry A.T. Perry Heading to Steel City
Thu, Jan 29, 2026, 6:21 PM
The Steelers signed Perry to a reserve/future contract Thursday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Perry has spent each of the last two years on the Broncos' practice squad but did not see any game action over that span. The 2023 sixth-rounder's only regular-season action came in his rookie year with the Saints, when he caught 12 passes (on 18 targets) for 246 yards and four touchdowns across 10 games. Perry will be on the Steelers' 90-man roster at the start of the season, which will allow him to participate in OTAs and minicamp. |
|
Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Wanted back by Steelers
Tue, Jan 27, 2026, 1:34 PM
New Pittsburgh head coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday the team would "definitely" want Rodgers back if he decides to play in the 2026 season, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: After Mike Tomlin stepped down as the Steelers' head coach in mid-January, it was reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that Rodgers was unlikely to re-up with the team after playing out 2025 on a one-year contract. A reunion with McCarthy might make the 42-year-old quarterback reconsider, however, as the two won Super Bowl XLV together with Green Bay back in 2011 -- coincidentally, a 31-25 victory over Pittsburgh. If he doesn't return to the Steelers, Rodgers will most likely retire. |
|
Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Unlikely to return to Pittsburgh
Sat, Jan 17, 2026, 11:29 AM
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Rodgers is unlikely to return to the Steelers for 2026 after Mike Tomlin stepped down as head coach Monday.
Analysis: Rodgers signed a one-year contract with the Steelers in part due to a desire of wanting to play for Tomlin. Even if Tomlin had been willing to return for 2026, Rodgers has been contemplating his retirement from the NFL, and Monday's wild-card loss to the Texans may have been the veteran quarterback's last game in the league, per Brooke Pryor and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Rodgers finished the 2025 regular season having completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions while rushing for 61 yards and a score on 21 carries across 16 games. |
|
Lew Nichols Lew Nichols Signs future deal
Wed, Jan 14, 2026, 3:23 PM
The Steelers signed Nichols to a reserve/future contract Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Nichols stuck with the Steelers' practice squad for the entire 2025 season and was elevated once for the Week 9 win over the Colts. The running back played 21 percent of special-teams snaps in the victory, getting his foot in the door as he looks to compete for a spot on the 2026 roster. |
|
Calvin Austin Calvin Austin Quiet in playoff loss
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 11:05 PM
Austin brought in three of six targets for eight yards and returned one punt for 14 yards in the Steelers' 30-6 wild-card loss to the Texans on Monday night.
Analysis: Austin's receiving line underscores how suffocating the Texans defense was overall, on a night when Aaron Rodgers was sacked four times and threw for only 146 yards. Austin recorded 31 receptions for 372 yards and three touchdowns on 55 targets across 14 regular-season games in 2025, adding 15 punt returns for 101 yards. The 2022 fourth-round pick is slated to hit unrestricted free agency at the start of the new league year, and given his unremarkable body of work over his first four seasons, it's likely the Steelers allow him to explore the open market. |
|
DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Two catches in playoff defeat
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 10:57 PM
Metcalf (suspension) brought in two of five targets for 42 yards in the Steelers' 30-6 wild-card loss to the Texans on Monday night.
Analysis: Metcalf returned from a two-game ban to close out the regular season and contributed 25- and 17-yard gains on his pair of grabs. His yardage total was a team-high figure, and he tied for second in targets as well. Ultimately, the Texans defense put the clamps on the Steelers offense as a whole, leading to a quiet finish to Metcalf's debut campaign in Pittsburgh. The veteran wideout posted a 59-850-6 line on 99 targets while adding two rushes for 12 yards across 15 regular-season games while working with Aaron Rodgers for the first time. Metcalf is in line to reprise his role as Pittsburgh's No. 1 receiver in 2026, but he may be working with a new quarterback for the second straight season. |
|
Kenneth Gainwell Kenneth Gainwell Nets 146 all-purpose yards in loss
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 10:51 PM
Gainwell rushed six times for 20 yards and brought in four of six targets for 26 yards in the Steelers' 30-6 wild-card loss to the Texans on Monday night. He also returned four kickoffs for 100 yards.
Analysis: Gainwell filled a complementary role on the ground, logging half the amount of carries as Jaylen Warren. The versatile Gainwell also had a key role in the passing game, recording a team-high reception tally while also tying for the lead in targets. He made his presence felt on kickoff returns as well, following up what was a successful Steelers debut campaign. The veteran rushed for a career-best 537 yards and career-high-tying five touchdowns at 4.7 yards per carry, adding a career-best 73-486-3 line on 85 targets, 633 kickoff-return yards and two fumbles (one lost) across 17 games. While Gainwell played 2025 on a one-year deal, his success could lead to the Steelers making an effort to retain him before he hits unrestricted free agency. |
|
Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Just under 50 total yards Monday
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 10:43 PM
Warren rushed 12 times for 43 yards and brought in his only target for four yards in the Steelers' 30-6 wild-card loss to the Texans on Monday night.
Analysis: Warren doubled up backfield mate Kenneth Gainwell in carries while outgaining him by 23 rushing yards. Despite a modest night against the elite Texans defense, the versatile Warren finished the 2025 regular season having posted career highs in rush attempts (211), rushing yards (958) and rushing touchdowns (six) while adding a 40-333-2 line on 45 targets, 205 kickoff-return yards and one fumble that stayed with Pittsburgh across 16 games. Warren is under contract through the 2027 season and should once again play a prominent role in the ground attack next season. |
|
Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Difficult night in playoff loss
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 10:35 PM
Rodgers completed 17 of 33 passes for 146 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in the Steelers' 30-6 wild-card loss to the Texans on Monday night. He also committed two fumbles, losing one.
Analysis: If this was indeed Rodgers' NFL swan song, the Texans did plenty to encourage him to hang up the cleats thanks to a relentless defense that sacked him four times. Rodgers had DK Metcalf back at his disposal following the latter's completion of a two-game suspension, but outside of a pair of solid gains, the duo and the rest of the Steelers offense managed precious little against Houston's elite unit. Both of Rodgers' fourth-quarter turnovers -- a fumble on a strip sack and a interception on what may have been his final career pass attempt -- were returned for touchdowns as well. He did put together a solid regular season, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 3,322 yards with a 24:7 TD:INT and adding 61 rushing yards and an additional score on the ground over 16 games while playing out a one-year deal. The future Hall of Famer will presumably take some time to contemplate his future this offseason before deciding whether he'd like to continue his playing career. |
|
Will Howard Will Howard Emergency third QB for wild-card game
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 6:10 PM
Howard (coach's decision) is inactive and will serve as Pittsburgh's emergency third quarterback for Monday's AFC wild-card game versus Houston, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: This is a familiar role for Howard, as he's been Pittsburgh's emergency QB every week since coming off IR in mid-November. Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph will continue to serve as the Steelers' QB1 and QB2, respectively, while Howard will be eligible to enter Monday's game only if both quarterbacks ahead of him have to exit due to injury, illness or ejection. |
|
Connor Heyward Connor Heyward Sees increased rushing work in 2025
Sun, Jan 11, 2026, 10:04 PM
Heyward secured three of four targets for 21 yards and a touchdown while logging 15 carries for 43 yards and two scores over 17 appearances during the 2025 regular season.
Analysis: Heyward played mostly on special teams in 2025 and wasn't very involved in the passing game. However, he saw some short-yardage work on the ground down the stretch and reached the end zone in two of the team's final four regular-season games. The Steelers had an abundance of options at tight end for most of the season, including Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington (forearm), and it certainly seems possible that Heyward will look for other opportunities as an unrestricted free agent this spring. |
Connect With Us:
