The Pittsburgh Steelers anxiously await the new NFL calendar year, which starts on March 11th. In what has already been an extremely busier than normal offseason for Pittsburgh, they are still in limbo at the quarterback position as they wait for the second straight year on Aaron Rodgers to make his decision. The organization believes his choice will be sooner than it was last year, as they waited until June of 2025 to get a final decision from the four-time NFL MVP.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warming up before an NFL game in primetime during the 2025 regular season in Pittsburgh, PA.
On Tuesday's episode of Kaboly + Mack, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly provided some comments on what must be done should Rodgers decide to run it back in the Steel City. With many different positions of need being mentioned throughout the offseason, the team has to improve at wide receiver to not only help out Rodgers in 2026, but also wide receiver DK Metcalf. They certainly have the financial flexibility to do so, with a reported $45 million in cap space entering this offseason, as well as plenty of draft capital this year.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he's like, 'Hey, let me see what you're gonna do here,'" Kaboly said. "Because I'm not coming back, all due respect to his buddy (Ben) Skowronek, but with Roman Wilson and Skowronek, and that's about it."
The Steelers have been linked to several different high-end draft prospects, including Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon, and Denzel Boston. With all these options presumably on the table for Pittsburgh's 21st overall selection in the first-round (even if they have to trade up), the cap space can also allow them to make multiple upgrades at the position to attract Rodgers back before the 2026 regular season. This would likely also appease Metcalf, who did not have one of his better NFL seasons in 2025. A lot of that was due to poor contribution in the wide receiver room around him.
Ryan Sun / Associated Press
Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf walking off the field frustrated during a game against the Detroit Lions in 2025.
Pittsburgh has a chance to acquire multiple upgrades at the wide receiver position this offseason. While the financial flexibility is great, they find themselves in a good situation heading into the draft. This year's wide receiver class has been talked about a lot, especially nationally. The one thing that sticks out about it is how much depth there is at the position in this class, and the Steelers have three third-round picks in 2026.
Steelers Can Please More Than Just Rodgers With Wide Receiver Upgrades
The organization does not seem to want Will Howard as their starting signal-caller just yet, though a recent report may suggest otherwise if Rodgers tells them no. With that being said, they have the chance to appease players beyond just Rodgers if they acquire multiple upgrades for their wide receiver room. The 372 yards from Calvin Austin III was just not enough to help out Metcalf in 2025, and the team needs more.
While Metcalf needs a running mate, going as far as adding a solid third wide receiver can really push the Pittsburgh offense over the top in 2026. It was an offense that ranked 25th in total offense, with 305.6 yards per game in 2025. In three of Metcalf's seven NFL seasons, he has eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving. Getting two solid playmakers, with a combination of free agency and the draft, would go a long way in making Metcalf happier in Pittsburgh.
Justin Guido / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf celebrating a first down with teammates in the 2025 season.
This glaring wide receiver issue is not just limited to Rodgers, it impacted the offense as a whole. It was a big part of the problem in the team's 30-6 drubbing at home at the hands of the Houston Texans in a first-round playoff loss. Adopting an approach that focuses on revamping the WR room would be for the betterment of the entire team, regardless of if the starting quarterback is Rodgers or someone else.
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