No one truly knows what lies ahead for the Pittsburgh Steelers now that Mike Tomlin is no longer at the helm. For 19 seasons, Tomlin represented stability, and at the very least, Steeler Nation knew his teams would finish the regular season without a losing record. However, the playoff failures of the past decade appeared to weigh heavily on his shoulders, ultimately leading him to walk away from coaching Pittsburgh at just 53 years old.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy and General Manager Omar Khan during McCarthy's introductory press conference in January of 2026.
Now Mike McCarthy takes over, eager to get off to a strong start. With 18 seasons of NFL head coaching experience and a deep history of navigating the draft, McCarthy will work closely with Steelers General Manager Omar Khan as they look to improve the roster in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh currently holds five picks inside the top 100, with an expected total of 12 selections overall. That level of draft capital presents significant opportunity, and many believe the Steelers could target a wide receiver early, possibly even in the first round with the 21st pick. However, Steelers fans noticed something intriguing during the NFL Combine when top Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Kayden McDonald spoke with the media.
"We have a great relationship," McDonald said while speaking about his connection with the Heywards. "Their family and my family do. The Steelers would be a great opportunity. You know the Steelers I had a formal interview with them. I felt really good about it."
McDonald revealed his relationship with Cam Heyward and Connor Heyward, a connection that could give Khan added motivation to consider him at pick 21.
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Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward sips on some water as he watches the defense practice during his hold-in at 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Of course, this is far from concrete and remains pre-draft speculation, but it is another detail worth monitoring as draft season unfolds.
"Wonderful, Cam is one of the best to ever do it and he's still playing," McDonald said. "Having him around with Connor Heyward. You know just having that brotherhood. I would click right in with them. My brother, they, went to PC Rich together. They grew up and played football together. Really my mom and his mom just clicked and the whole family is just one big circle. We all also grew up in the same area."
For Steelers fans, the focus from McDonald’s comments naturally centers on Cam. The idea of McDonald and Heyward playing alongside one another on the same defensive front seven is what immediately jumps off the page. Drafting a player who already has an established relationship with one of the franchise’s most respected leaders would be a rare opportunity for Khan and the Steelers to leverage existing chemistry rather than hoping it develops over time.
There is always concern about how young players will gel in an NFL locker room, especially along the defensive line where communication, trust, and cohesion are critical. However, pairing a top-tier prospect with a longtime veteran who is widely viewed as a future Hall of Famer significantly reduces that risk. Heyward’s leadership, preparation, and understanding of the Steelers’ defensive culture could accelerate McDonald’s transition to the NFL and allow him to contribute earlier than expected.
When you combine elite physical talent with familiarity, trust, and mentorship at the same position group, it begins to feel like a blueprint for success rather than a gamble. While nothing is guaranteed on draft night, this type of alignment is exactly the kind of situation front offices hope to find when making a high-value selection.
Steelers Could Draft Talented Run Defender With 21st Pick
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein labels McDonald as a talented run defender who plays with natural leverage. The 6'3", 326-pound defensive tackle is viewed as an eventual starter in the NFL.
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Former Ohio State star defensive tackle Kayden McDonald holds up the football after creating a turnover.
Steelers fans will be closely watching this latest development following McDonald’s comments at the combine about his connection with the Heyward family and how that could factor into his draft process.
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