The Pittsburgh Steelers have a new look offense heading into the 2026 season, and that new look comes on the roster and within the coaching staff. New head coach Mike McCarthy is taking the reins and he will be calling the plays for the unit throughout the year, while new Offensive Coordinator Brian Angelichio will assist with game planning. The offensive system is going to be different for the Steelers due to the new coaching staff and McCarthy taking over the unit, while there are also some new playmakers to get used to on that side of the ball. The Steelers were busy with offseason acquisitions this year, and their impact will immediately be put to the test.
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Pittsburgh Steelers star WRs Michael Pittman Jr. (11) and DK Metcalf (4) during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in 2026.
One of the new players on the offense that fans in Pittsburgh were excited to bring in is wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. The Steelers acquired him from the Indianapolis Colts right as free agency was opening up during the 2026 offseason. It was known that the Colts wanted to extend Alec Pierce, and in doing so they would have to dump Pittman's contract. This made the trade very cheap for Pittsburgh as the two franchises just swapped late-round selections. The Steelers were able to acquire an experienced and productive veteran for next to nothing, and Pittman was signed to a new deal immediately.
Pittman joins DK Metcalf at the top of the depth chart, and both will be working to make life somewhat easy on quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He is very demanding of his wide receivers, and he needs to be able to trust the guys he is throwing the ball to. That means it is important to see him and Pittman on the same page early on, but according to beat writer Ray Fittipaldo during his latest appearance on 93.7 The Fan, that hasn't happened yet.
"Yeah, absolutely, and we haven't really seen that connection with Michael Pittman Jr. yet," Fittipaldo said. "I think once Aaron and Pittman get on the same page, it's going to be even better."
This conversation started with the beat writer discussing just how impressive Roman Wilson has been to begin training camp, and that led into the fact that the two wide receivers probably make life easier on whoever is working out of the slot. Fittipaldo noted that Pittman and Rodgers still seem to be working some things out.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' newly acquired veteran wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) high-fives fans as he runs out to practice in Latrobe, PA in 2026.
Pittman is a veteran, so there shouldn't be too much worry when it comes to him and Rodgers eventually getting on the same page. Another factor to note is that Pittman comes from the Colts. He has had a new starting quarterback pretty much in every season of his career. He is used to making adjustments based on who is lining up under center, so the two should find a way to get on the same page by the end of training camp. This also might be a reason that McCarthy wants to see Rodgers play a few series during the first two preseason games.
Steelers' Wide Receiver Room Is Destined To Be Better Than Years Past
In recent years the Steelers have really only had one guy at the top of the depth chart at wide receiver, and then a bunch of question marks behind him. Two years ago, that was George Pickens, in 2025 it was Metcalf. Now the room has true depth and talent. Metcalf and Pittman lead the charge, while Wilson seems to be making strides and is gaining the trust of Rodgers. Germie Bernard is a rookie to keep an eye on that has had a quiet start to camp, but he has been praised ever since being drafted in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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