Steelers May Have Landed The Steal Of 2026 Free Agency After Key Signing Earns Rave Reviews

The Pittsburgh Steelers had several needs to address as the 2026 new league year approached and General Manager Omar Khan made sure to make plenty of positional groups better. Wide receiver was one of the key spots, which is why the trade for Michael Pittman Jr. has been lauded across the league. Nothing will be truly known until regular season football begins; however, expectations remain high in the Steel City because of a revamped roster and fresh coaching staff. It is going to be important for all three phases of the game to perform at a higher level if a postseason run is the main goal.

Now that the Steelers' starting quarterback situation has no confusion, the franchise has been focused on Organized Team Activities (OTAs) with mandatory minicamp not that far away. Most of these sessions don't reveal too much to the general public because the organization as a whole does not want too many secrets getting out in the open months prior to the campaign kicking off.

While Pittman was someone who was acquired, and not signed via the free agency market, Khan made a plethora of moves to bolster positions that needed some help. One spot that certainly was looking for a little firepower was safety. One of the more intriguing individuals on the market, Jaquan Brisker, didn't sign any kind of mega-deal; instead, he landed with the Steelers for just $5.5 million.

If DeShon Elliott returns fully healthy after an injury-laden 2025 season and Brisker can also prove his worth at safety, Jalen Ramsey will be able to serve as a chess piece that operates anywhere on the field. According to Mark Kaboly, who has been in attendance for OTAs, the Steelers may have hit the lottery with the free-agent safety in Brisker.

The slight downside to this reality is that if Brisker has an incredible season, Pittsburgh would likely have to hand out a contract extension before the legal tampering period begins in 2027. That is a problem for another day, however. It seems as if the Steelers might be in a lot better shape than many think when it comes to the backend of the defense, especially because Jamel Dean was also brought into the fold.

There aren't just a lot of new faces that will be playing for the Steelers' defense. Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham arguably has the most talented group he's ever worked with thus far in his career. He has had several stints as a defensive play-caller, but this could be the year that many around the NFL really get to know him as one of the best in the league at what he does.

Pittsburgh hasn't exactly had consistent safety play for the last year or two. Trading Minkah Fitzpatrick was a business decision that occurred last June, and Elliott's injuries in 2025 hurt that area of the defense. Now that he appears to be healthy, and Brisker seems to be showing out, the Steelers could quietly be putting together one of the better units in the AFC. That could lead to a ton of success throughout the course of the 2026 season.

Steelers Have To Stay Healthy On The Defensive Side Of The Ball

For everything to work out in Pittsburgh's favor in 2026, key players staying off of the inactive list will be critical. This goes for the trio of defenders in Brisker, Elliott, and Ramsey. The group is incredibly talented from the front to the back; however, it will only perform to the best of its ability if all of the key playmakers remain on the field. It will be something to keep an eye on as the team ramps up in training camp and prepares for the regular season.

#SteelerNation