Steelers May Not Be Comfortable At Wide Receiver After Michael Pittman Jr Trade

The Pittsburgh Steelers made several moves last week when the 2026 NFL free agency period opened up across the league. The organization worked to address many needs, one being at running back when they signed Rico Dowdle to replace the void left by the loss of Kenneth Gainwell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team also made a splash via trade with the Indianapolis Colts by acquiring wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to give DK Metcalf a reliable running mate opposite him in the team's offense. However, with the move of trading for Pittman, the team still may not be done at looking to add wide receiver help.

On Monday morning's episode of the 102.5 FM WDVE Morning Show in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac joined the show to discuss the team's transactions over the last few days. Dulac was asked about the wide receiver position and mentioned that the team may not be done just because of the Pittman signing, but will most likely target a different style of wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft. With Pittman and Metcalf both being big-bodied wide receivers, Dulac mentions there still could be a need at wide receiver.

"To me, you need go find a slot receiver, one of the 5'11" 190 pound guys who can run like heck," Dulac said.

While Dulac also praised the organization for going out and getting younger guys compared to years past, they still may look at wide receiver to round out their position room. Metcalf's 850 receiving yards were the lowest of his career in 2025, but he still vastly outperformed any other Steelers wide receiver on the season. Calvin Austin III was second amongst Pittsburgh's wide receivers, with 372 receiving yards.

Austin signed last week with the New York Giants, meaning that Dulac's theory on Pittsburgh looking at acquiring a bit of a smaller, slot-type wide receiver, absolutely is still in play in the draft. Pittsburgh holds 12 draft picks in April's event in the Steel City, including three third-round picks. While Dulac noted it is still possible they go after a wide receiver in the first round, they can also wait to do so until later on due to this year's depth in prospects at the position.

It was also mentioned on Monday that the team will not reach to fill a hole in the draft in April. The draft capital the organization owns allows them to be flexible when making their selections next month. It also means that if they do find a slot guy to round things out, it lightens the pressure on whoever that could be with Pittman teaming up with Metcalf in the Steel City for the 2026 season.

Steelers Have Chance To Put An Exclamation Point On The 2026 Offseason

The team has an excellent chance to really make a couple more statements next month with their known draft capital. With Dulac mentioning the team has signed younger guys compared to past offseasons, they can get younger at guard, following the departure of Isaac Seumalo. With the team being rumored all offseason to acquire a young stud at wide receiver in the first round of the draft, they certainly could wait to round out that position while getting younger at other positions of need on the team.

It is clear that the team is working to improve the roster all the way around while they yet again await the decision from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Regardless of what his choice ultimately ends up being, the team seems to be focused on getting help for those who definitively will be in Pittsburgh for the 2026 season. With the Pittman trade, the team should not get comfortable at the wide receiver position, but they have the draft capital that has them in the position to put an exclamation point on the 2026 offseason.

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