The Pittsburgh Steelers have been stuck in a state of constant purgatory for the last several years. The organization has found a way to win enough games to continue sneaking into the postseason consistently, but deep down, most fans always know that winning a Super Bowl, let alone a playoff game, is likely out of reach. Pittsburgh has struggled against the better teams in the league, and it is hard to say when the franchise was last taken seriously as a legitimate contender. The Steelers want to get back to that point, and the front office has made some good decisions so far in order to do so in 2026.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan signs pictures for fans as the team prepares to work out during a training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
General Manager Omar Khan has been operating like a true GM during the 2026 offseason, as there is no head coach that has been around the organization for two decades that might be overruling decisions or deciding what players should be brought in. Khan has made some quality signings with good value, including Pennsylvania-native Jaquan Brisker. Brisker is a talented safety that did not have as big of a market as some expected he would, and he signed a one-year deal worth $5.5 million in Pittsburgh.
Beat writer Ray Fittipaldo joined 93.7 The Fan on Friday, and he was asked about the contract, and the impact of the signing.
"Yeah, one year, $5.5 million, that's a good price, especially if he's a starter," Fittipaldo said. "I think that's the assumption right now, he's probably the free safety, Jalen Ramsey would play in the slot. The nice thing about doing a one-year deal, if one of those free safeties is there for the Steelers in the first round, like if they really like the kid from Oregon -- I don't think Downs will be there, but the kid from Toledo, if one of those two are there, you feel really good about it. Draft them, develop them. Maybe a year from now, they're ready to play, or they can by midseason. It's a nice situation to be in."
Fittipaldo mentioned that Brisker will be able to make an impact on the field right away, but his expiring contract also allows the Steelers to bring in younger guys at the same position. That is something that the Philadelphia Eagles have been doing, especially in the secondary. Cooper DeJean's snap count went up throughout his rookie year in 2024, and by the time the Super Bowl rolled around, he was relied upon heavily on that defense. The same can happen with a safety if Pittsburgh decides to draft one in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Former Bears safety Jaquan Brisker taunts the hostile Raiders crowd during the 2025 regular season.
Caleb Downs is the top safety in the draft, and there is a chance he could slide a little bit and the Steelers could use their draft capital to trade up and grab him, but that is a longshot. Dillon Thieneman out of Oregon is another player that might be available at 21, and he could be the pick for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers can bring a young rookie in to learn from Brisker, Jalen Ramsey, and DeShon Elliott. Brisker is on a one-year deal, which would open up a spot for a young player following the 2026 season.
Steelers Could Be Following In The Seattle Seahawks' Footsteps
The Seattle Seahawks are coming off of a great season that was capped off by a victory in Super Bowl LX. The NFL has a very cyclical nature, so teams are going to see what kind of schemes and strategies Seattle used, especially on the defensive side of the ball. One thing Seattle used a ton was three safety looks, and rookie Nick Emmanwori was a big part of that.
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Seahawks' Nick Emmanwori during the Super Bowl at the end of his rookie year.
Brisker, Elliott, and Ramsey can be that trio for Pittsburgh, along with a rookie if that is the selection in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
What do you think of the Steelers going after a safety in the 2026 NFL Draft to replicate these Super Bowl-winning formulas? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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