Steelers Could Get Aggressive In Trade Market As 2026 Free Agent Class “Isn't Very Deep”

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering one of the most important free agent periods in their history. They have to get better, both in the short- and long-term. New head coach Mike McCarthy has been hired with the expectation of a "win-now" team. That aligns with the veteran roster they currently have in 2026. The team has to get younger however, faster, and do so quickly. They've wasted no time making moves already, cutting former Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith this week, and committing to tight end Pat Freiermuth. Addition by subtraction can work at some positions for the Steelers, as they did at tight end. However, this free agency class is not your typical class, and the Steelers will have to get creative to make any substantial moves this offseason.

The Steelers' 2025 season was marked by inconsistency, personified by their last two weeks. They suffered a shocking Week 17 loss to Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns before defeating the rival Baltimore Ravens in a Week 18 showdown for the AFC North division title. The maddening 2025 season showed a team that rallied around each other and certainly had their good moments, but just didn't have the week-to-week consistency that a true contender usually displays. To be able to truly compete for a Super Bowl, and break a seven-game playoff losing streak that has dogged the Steelers for almost a decade now, they're going to have to make some big splashes.

NFL Insider Adam Schefter recently went on The Pat McAfee Show and gave his thoughts on this year's free agency class.

"We've had four trades already this week and this is what we expected," Schefter explained. "The free agent class isn't very deep, and these teams have more money than ever before... Teams are opting to trade for players and I don't think they're done."

While this is in no way a bad free agent class, it is considered top-heavy, as Schefter pointed out. After the blue-chip free agents go, there's not a lot of depth to this free agent class, and the Steelers could be left with no real way to make significant improvements to their roster from just free agents. Other NFL teams have already realized this and have reacted proactively, with four trades already as Schefter alluded to, including potential Steelers target wide receiver DJ Moore being traded to the Buffalo Bills for a second- and fifth-round pick.

The Steelers will have a revamped offense under McCarthy. McCarthy's West Coast approach, which often features three-receiver sets, can only reach its full potential if the Steelers have legitimate playmakers at their skill positions. Between this year's NFL Draft and free agency, the Black and Gold will certainly address this. The question remains: How aggressive should the organization be in doing so?

A Steelers Splash Trade Would Show Willingness To Win

The worst thing you can be in the NFL is directionless. If you're tanking and hit the reset button, there is a plan and a light at the end of the tunnel. If you're a legitimate contender, your fans and players have Super Bowl hopes that can fuel a season and fan base. The Steelers have made it very clear that they're not looking for a rebuild, but to compete for a title. Actions speak louder than words, however. For a Steelers fan base looking for something to latch onto for hope, a blockbuster trade would do so.

The Steelers are in a unique position: they're looking to get younger and better, and in a free agency where players like this are few and far between, their best chance may be through the trade market. As Schefter pointed out, Pittsburgh may have to get aggressive like other teams across the league are already doing.

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