If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results, then the Pittsburgh Steelers took a 180-degree turn this offseason to restore sanity. Aaron Rodgers remains at quarterback, prompting some to dismiss 2026 as more of the same, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The Steelers’ offense will look almost unrecognizable compared to anything they’ve fielded in recent memory.

It’s not just a reskinned version of the same thing with a few minor tweaks. If you walked into an offensive meeting room and you’d find a significantly different starting lineup, a new play caller, and an entirely revamped coaching staff. Outside of Rodgers and a few others, much of what Pittsburgh plans to put on the field this season bears little resemblance to last year’s offense.

2025
2026

QB
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers

LT
Broderick Jones
Troy Fautanu

LG
Isaac Seumalo
Mason McCormick

C
Zach Frazier
Zach Frazier

RG
Mason McCormick
Spencer Anderson

RT
Troy Fautanu
Max Iheanachor

RB1a
Jaylen Warren
Jaylen Warren

RB1b
Kenneth Gainwell
Rico Dowdle

WR1
DK Metcalf
DK Metcalf

WR2
Calvin Austin III
Michael Pittman Jr.

WR3
???
Germie Bernard

TE
Pat Freiermuth
Pat Freiermuth

TE
Darnell Washington
Darnell Washington

TE
Jonnu Smith
Riley Nowakowski

It’s difficult to boil an NFL offense down to a traditional “starting 11” given the variety of personnel groupings used throughout a game. Even so, eight notable offensive roles are expected to be filled by different players than they were a year ago, including Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick moving from the right side of the line to the left.

In fact, it’s easier to list the positions that are staying the same. Rodgers, Frazier, Warren, Freiermuth, Metcalf, and Washington are all expected to occupy the same roles they held last season. Nearly everything else will feature either a new starter to the team or players taking on a different role than they did a year ago.

Mike McCarthy’s impact can’t be overstated either. There was change in each move from Randy Fichtner to Matt Canada to Arthur Smith, but each operated within the confines of what head coach Mike Tomlin wanted to do. Now McCarthy is both the head coach and offensive play caller, and he brings an entirely new philosophy to Pittsburgh, one that can’t be overruled by somebody above him on the coaching staff.

The West Coast offense emphasizes 11 personnel more than we’ve seen from the Steelers in a long time. That means three receivers on the field at the same time. Pittsburgh barely had three receivers worth putting on the field at the same time last year. They expect big things from rookie Germie Bernard and even Roman Wilson in 2026.

McCarthy will still cater the offense to the talent available, which means plenty of 12 and even some 21 personnel. Don’t expect to see many plays out of jumbo formation, if at all.

While it’s harder to gauge the exact impact, the assistant coaching staff is worth noting as well. Veteran OL coach James Campen, for example, is armed with one of the youngest and most talent-dense position groups in the league. Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio was one of Kevin O’Connell’s most trusted advisors with the Minnesota Vikings, who finished in the top 10 in either points scored or total offense in three of his four seasons there. Both will have a major influence on what Pittsburgh’s offense looks like on the field.

Different doesn’t automatically mean better, but at least the Steelers are giving themselves a fighting chance for an offense that’s been lagging behind the league for nearly a decade.