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Eli Heidenreich Eli Heidenreich Works mostly at RB during OTAs
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 7:26 PM
Heidenreich, who is currently listed as both a running back and wide receiver on the Steelers' official website, "overwhelmingly lined up in the backfield" in team drills and worked mostly with the running backs for individual drills during OTAs, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Heidenreich excelled as both a wideout and running back in college with Navy, and Steelers running backs coach Ramon Chinyoung Sr. has fittingly referred to the rookie as a "Swiss Navy knife." That seemingly boosts Heidenreich's chances of making the opening 53-man roster, but DeFabo still sees the seventh-round draft pick as more likely to begin his NFL career on the practice squad. Still, Heidenreich is an intriguing young player due to his unique skill set, which also includes the ability to return kicks. Should Pittsburgh decide to open up the playbook more, Heidenreich could fit in as a change-of-pace weapon, though he's probably going to need to prove capable in pass protection -- something he was rarely asked to do while at Navy. |
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Germie Bernard Germie Bernard Role as rookie TBD
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 5:03 PM
Bernard, who showed "confident hands and good body control" during OTAs and minicamp, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, figures to compete with Roman Wilson this summer for work behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman in three-receiver sets.
Analysis: DeFabo notes that Wilson got almost all of the first-team reps in such sets this spring, but the competition between the 2024 third-rounder and Bernard should heat up during training camp. Of the two, Bernard -- who the Steelers took 47th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft -- brings more fantasy upside down the road, but it remains to be seen how much work he'll see out of the gate in the team's Aaron Rodgers-helmed offense. With that in mind, DeFabo suggests that while the 6-foot-1, 206-pound Alabama product has the versatility to line up everywhere, he "probably will carve out his niche as a big slot" as a rookie. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Back for Year 2 with Steelers
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 11:16 AM
As the 2026 season approaches, Metcalf is set to remain featured in a Pittsburgh WR corps that also includes trade acquisition Michael Pittman and 2026 second-rounder Germie Bernard, Mark Kaboly of 93.7 The Fan Pittsburgh reports.
Analysis: Beyond the aforementioned trio, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek and Kaden Wetjen are in line to compete for depth-chart slotting this summer, while Kaboly suggests it's still possible the Steelers could add a veteran WR at some point during training camp. In any case, on the heels of a 2025 regular season in which he recorded 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns on 99 targets to go with two carries for 12 yards and another score in 15 contests, Metcalf will continue to be a key target for returning QB Aaron Rodgers, who will be reunited with head coach Mike McCarthy, in the wake of Mike Tomlin's decision to step away from the team in January. With added competition for targets on board, however, Metcalf's fantasy ceiling in 2026 hinges largely on how Pittsburgh's passing game, still helmed by its 42-year-old signal caller, progresses under the guidance of McCarthy. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Sharing backfield with Warren
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 12:38 PM
Dowdle, who signed with the Steelers in March, is set to work in tandem with Jaylen Warren this coming season, Kevin Hutchinson of steelersnow.com reports.
Analysis: On the heels of back-to-back seasons (one with Dallas and one with Carolina) during which he topped 1,000 rushing yards, Dowdle bolsters a Steelers backfield that saw Kenneth Gainwell depart via free agency this offseason. It remains to be seen how the carries/targets will be divided between Warren and Dowdle in 2026, but the two players' different skill sets could lead to a "thunder and lightning" approach utilizing Warren's shiftiness and quickness and Dowdle's bruising style. Also in the mix for complementary touches are 2025 third-rounder Kaleb Johnson and versatile rookie Eli Heidenreich, with added context regarding Pittsburgh's backfield approach set to arrive once team drills commence in training camp. |
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Back with Steelers
Tue, Jun 16, 2026, 7:44 PM
Pittsburgh signed Windmon on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Winmon spent parts of the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the Steelers' practice squad, and now he's back with the team with training camp approaching. He'll be vying for a depth spot in the front seven on Pittsburgh's 53-man roster in 2026. |
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Levi Wentz Levi Wentz Signs pact with Pittsburgh
Mon, Jun 15, 2026, 8:31 PM
The Steelers signed Wentz to a contract Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Wentz was initially signed by Seattle as an undrafted free agent in May, but he was waived last week. The Kansas product now will get a look in Pittsburgh. He'll be a longshot to make the season-opening roster, but it's nonetheless a favorable situation for Wentz given the Steelers' lack of experienced wideouts behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman. |
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Joaquin Davis Joaquin Davis Signs with Pittsburgh
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 6:12 PM
Davis signed with the Steelers on Thursday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: The wide receiver was waived by the Vikings a week ago. Davis has yet to make his regular-season debut. |
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Joining Steelers
Thu, Jun 4, 2026, 8:13 PM
Pittsburgh signed Davis to a one-year contract Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Davis was cut by Las Vegas back in April, and now he'll be linking up with his fourth different team in as many years. All of two-time Pro Bowler Patrick Queen, 2024 third-rounder Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison and veteran Cole Holcomb are expected to contribute at inside linebacker for Pittsburgh in 2026, which doesn't leave much room for the free agent signing Davis to make an immediate impact. |
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Robert Tonyan Robert Tonyan Headed to Steel City
Thu, Jun 4, 2026, 6:31 PM
Pittsburgh signed Tonyan to a one-year contract Thursday, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Coming off the heels of a season in which he suited up for 17 games with Kansas City, Tonyan is now joining his fifth different team in as many years. Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington are returning at tight end for the Steelers, but they released veteran Jonnu Smith back in March, so there's room for Tonyan to potentially snag a spot on the 53-man roster for 2026. |
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Darnell Washington Darnell Washington Lands four-year extension
Wed, Jun 3, 2026, 8:50 PM
The Steelers and Washington agreed to terms on a four-year, $42 million extension Wednesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Since Pittsburgh selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Washington has been used regularly in an offense that trots out multiple tight ends on most offensive snaps, ranging from 497 to 543 plays per season. He set or matched career highs across the board in 2025 with a 31-364-1 line on 43 targets across 16 regular-season games, and with Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward exiting as free agents this offseason, Washington now has only Pat Freiermuth as notable competition for TE reps for the upcoming campaign. |
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Gets huge extension
Tue, Jun 2, 2026, 7:44 PM
Pittsburgh signed Herbig to a four-year, $100 million contract extension Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Herbig is coming off the best season of his young career - he registered 7.5 sacks over 15 games in 2025 even as he played behind four-time All-Pro T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Both Watt and Highsmith figure to return in 2026, limiting Herbig's opportunities, but he'll still technically be playing on his rookie deal until 2027. |
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Darnell Washington Darnell Washington Past forearm injury
Thu, May 28, 2026, 1:16 PM
Washington (forearm) is participating in OTAs this week, Mark Kaboly of 93.7 The Fan Pittsburgh reports.
Analysis: Washington broke his arm in Week 17 last season and missed the remainder of the regular season and the team's wild-card playoff loss to the Texans. Now healthy, Washington is expected to handle an expanded role alongside Pat Freiermuth in 2026 after the Steelers released Jonnu Smith earlier in the offseason. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Slims down to 205 pounds
Thu, May 28, 2026, 12:30 PM
Warren said Thursday that he's down to 205 pounds this season, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.
Analysis: Warren is listed at 215 pounds on the team's official site, and he looks noticeably slimmer at OTAs this week, according to Adamski. Warren set career highs as a rusher last season, carrying the ball 211 times for 958 yards and six touchdowns as part of the Steelers' backfield duo with Kenneth Gainwell, who left in the offseason as a free agent to join Tampa Bay. Pittsburgh replaced Gainwell with Rico Dowdle, and 2025 third-round pick Kaleb Johnson is also in the backfield mix after rushing just 28 times for 69 yards as a rookie. Dowdle is more of a prototypical early-down runner at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, so perhaps Warren slimmed down to get quicker as a change-of-pace and satellite back after Gainwell was targeted 85 times in 2025. Across four NFL seasons, Warren has 167 career regular-season catches for 1,227 yards and two touchdowns. |
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Signs with Steelers
Tue, May 26, 2026, 3:26 PM
Lowry signed a one-year deal with the Steelers on Tuesday.
Analysis: The veteran defensive lineman from Northwestern missed all of last season due to a knee injury, but he's now slated to return to Pittsburgh for the 2026 campaign. Across 12 regular-season appearances in 2024, Lowry posted five total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, and one pass defensed. He's expected to compete for a depth role on the Steelers' defensive line as the offseason progresses. |
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Pat Freiermuth Pat Freiermuth Has contract restructured
Sat, May 23, 2026, 10:02 PM
The Steelers and Freiermuth agreed to a restructured contract Saturday, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports.
Analysis: As a result, Freiermuth's cap hit for the 2026 campaign will decrease from its current $11.2 million. Pittsburgh's tight end room lost both Jonnu Smith (released) and Connor Heyward (signed with Raiders) this offseason, which leaves Darnell Washington (forearm) as the only established option at the position aside from Freiermuth. With QB Aaron Rodgers back in the fold as well, Freiermuth may be poised for an uptick in volume after putting together a 41-486-4 line on 54 targets in 17 regular-season games in 2025. |
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Recovering from neck issue
Fri, May 22, 2026, 3:54 PM
Jones (neck) is "feeling fine" and back around the Steelers for OTAs, Michael Baca of NFL.com reports.
Analysis: Jones suffered a neck injury in the Steelers' Week 12 loss against the Bears last season, one that required a spinal fusion surgery the veteran offensive tackle is still recovering from. Considering the Steelers selected offensive tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Jones, once healthy, may need to compete for a job that he previously appeared to have a solid grasp on. |
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Could take reps at right tackle
Wed, May 20, 2026, 4:24 PM
Jones is expecting to work on both sides of the offensive line once he recovers from a neck injury, Brendan Howe of SteelersNow reports.
Analysis: With Pittsburgh selecting offensive tackles in the first round of two of the last three NFL drafts (Troy Fautanu in 2024 and Max Iheanachor in 2026), Jones appears open to working at either tackle spot next season. The 25-year-old from Georgia missed the Steelers' final seven games (including playoffs) last season due to a neck injury, and it remains unclear if he'll be ready for training camp or Week 1, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Once fully healthy, Jones will likely battle for one of Pittsburgh's starting tackle positions, though the team declined his fifth-year option in late April. |
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Returns to field
Wed, May 20, 2026, 4:07 PM
Kent (ankle, knee) was spotted participating in Pittsburgh's OTAs on Monday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Kent missed the majority of the Steelers' 2025 campaign due to an ankle injury sustained during training camp. Then, just as his 21-day practice window was opened Dec. 3 for a potential return, he sustained an ACL injury that sidelined him for the remainder of his rookie season. However, it now appears he's moved past both issues and will battle for a depth spot in Pittsburgh's cornerback room as the offseason progresses. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Plans to retire after 2026
Wed, May 20, 2026, 1:49 PM
Rodgers said Wednesday that 2026 will be his final NFL season, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Rodgers signed with the Steelers on Monday -- the first day of OTAs. He made the decision to play another season in late April or early May, after the NFL Draft, and was then in Pittsburgh for a couple of week before officially signing his one-year contract. He'll turn 43 late in the 2026 season, and there'd be no guarantee of a starting job in 2027 even if he wanted one. Rodgers also mentioned that he anticipated retiring once Mike Tomlin was gone, only to reconsider when the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy, who was Rodgers' head coach from 2006 to 2018 in Green Bay. The offense could look much different from last year's, with the Steelers adding WRs Michael Pittman and Germie Bernard to give a better three-wide look. |
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Drew Allar Drew Allar Participating on first day of OTAs
Mon, May 18, 2026, 11:07 AM
Allar (ankle) was the fourth quarterback through drills Monday on the first day of OTAs, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Recently signed veteran Aaron Rodgers took first-team reps, followed by Will Howard, Mason Rudolph and Allar. While Allar is starting at the bottom of the quarterback pecking order, it's nonetheless encouraging to see the rookie third-round pick on the field, which suggests that Allar has recovered from November surgery on a broken left ankle, which ended his final season at Penn State. |
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