The Pittsburgh Steelers had another one-and-done trip to the playoffs in 2025 and have now begun a new era with Mike Tomlin resigning and the team hiring Mike McCarthy to take his place.
While the hope was that the Steelers would hit the reset button and start turning to the future, the McCarthy hire suggests that will not be the approach and instead Pittsburgh is more likely to run it back with much of the same roster.
Pittsburgh does have a significant amount of cap space to make moves, and they can add more by making some cuts. And, with the team armed with several draft picks, Pittsburgh can be aggressive on the trade market, also.
Knowing all that, we’re making three predictions here: one trade, one cut and one free-agent signing the Steelers will make. We are operating under the assumption that Aaron Rodgers will return, so that’s our quarterback prediction.
Pittsburgh Steelers offseason predictions
Cut: TE Jonnu Smith
This one is easy. The Steelers have too many tight ends on the roster and not enough snaps to go around.
Smith was very disappointing in his first season in Pittsburgh, also, and should be the odd-man out between himself, Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington.
Cutting Smith would incur a dead-cap hit of $3.8 million but would also save the Steelers $7 million, which makes it a worthwhile move.
Trade: WR Brian Thomas Jr.
There were rumblings before the trade deadline last year that the Jaguars were at least listening to trade calls for the former first-round pick, who had a down campaign in 2025 after exploding onto the scene as a rookie the year before.
That leaves the door open for Jacksonville to move on from him in 2026.
Another reason to believe this is possible is because the Jaguars are pretty well-stocked at wide receiver already with Travis Hunter, Parker Washington and the recently-extended Jakobi Meyers.
This would be an ideal pickup for the Steelers, who desperately need an adequate No. 2 wide receiver to help DK Metcalf.
He would add a young, explosive receiver to an aging roster and he has three more years left on his rookie deal when you include Thomas’ fifth-year option, so his contract is very reasonable, even if he doesn’t return to his 2024 form.
Pittsburgh is absolutely loaded with draft picks this year and has the capital to pull off this kind of trade, even if they have to overpay. Acquiring Thomas would be well worth the investment for Pittsburgh.
Free-agent signing: G David Edwards
With Isaac Seumalo a pending free agent, there’s a chance the Steelers will have a new starting guard in 2026.
Sure, the Steelers could just re-sign the veteran, but they might be looking for someone who is more available after Seumalo has struggled to stay healthy in recent years.
Edwards hasn’t had that problem during his career, with the veteran playing in 16 games or more in every season but one. He has started for the Buffalo Bills the previous two seasons and has proven himself to be an above-average starter.
The Bills are going to do what they can to keep him, but Edwards is going to garner a hefty salary in free agency and the Bills are in a rough spot financially, with the team projected to be $7.4 million over the cap.
The Steelers don’t have that issue with $44.9 million in cap space and that will be the difference.
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