The Pittsburgh Steelers will take the field under the direction of Mike McCarthy for the first time on Sunday, after 19 seasons under Mike Tomlin. The change was well received after success fell to mediocrity late in Tomlin’s tenure, having not won a playoff game since 2017, against the pre-Patrick Mahomes Chiefs.
Mike McCarthy brings a Super Bowl ring and a hat trick of 12 win seasons (before an injury riddled finale ended his tenure in Dallas) back to Pittsburgh where it all started for the Greenfield, PA native. An emotional press conference, lighter training camp and youth-heavy preseason set the Steelers up for a healthy, refreshing and energized 2026 regular season.
What I’m Feeling Good About
Defensive Identity
Amidst an offseason of change, one thing remains the same in Pittsburgh, their defensive identity. Although McCarthy is an offensive minded coach, he acknowledged the Steelers historic defenses and their importance to championship football
“I’ve been a head coach 18 years, I’ve had one top 5 defense, and we won the super bowl that year. The importance of defense is critcal.”
Steelers defenses of late have been lacking, despite regularly being the highest paid unit in the NFL. This offseason, the organization added dollars and sense to their already top-paid unit. Among the $176M+ of the salary cap designated for defense is Nick Herbig, who signed a 4-year, $100M extension this offseason with $42M guaranteed.
Despite spotty use by the prior staff, Herbig made the most of his opportunities. He logged pass rush grades of 87.4 and 91.5 with 15 sacks over the last two seasons, starting just 10 of those games. His production and impact on the field is undeniable, earning him a permanent place on a Steelers defense already boasting pro bowl book end rushers, T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. A new look depth chart recognizes his impact and may project his playing time.
T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are listed as starters at the respected ends of the defense, Herbig is also listed as a starter, without any kind of left or right designation. It could be written this way for optics, justifying the $100M contract handed to him this offseason, but I believe otherwise, I believe it’s about function.
Three starting edge defenders gives the Steelers defense an identity. They have the players to come at quarterbacks all game long. The Falcons could be in for a large dose of Nick Herbig, without any less of Watt or Highsmith. This is the first depth chart of 2026, but I would expect rushers in droves, all season long.
You can include Jack Sawyer in the conversation, too.
The Steelers defensive identity is back and the 2026 unit has kicked it up a notch, the historic pairings of edge rushers through the years are now a trio who could become the first three Steelers to record 10+ sacks in a single season.
Offensive Line
The offensive line has been in a rebuilding pattern for 4 seasons now, but appears to have the necessary pieces in place for stability, at long last. The rebuild started with Broderick Jones, who never showed consistency or growth and was essentially shown the door on the first night of the 2026 NFL draft, when the Steelers selected offensive tackle, Max Iheanachor.
Incumbent left tackle and left guards Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick were moved to the left side, where they played their college football and Zach Frazier is stable at center as one of the best young interior offensive lineman in the game. Last years 6th man, Spencer Anderson, won the right guard competition handily, designating Brock Hoffman and rookie Gennings Dunker as strong depth.
It’s a deep unit, with high and low draft picks across the board, which is nothing new for veteran offensive line coach, James Campen. Having coached offensive line in Green Bay for 15 years (13 with McCarthy), he has a rich history of developing offensive lineman. While with the Packers, they drafted and developed the likes of Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang, David Bakhtiari, and Corey Linsley, all selected in the 4th round or later, who combined for 436 games started in their Packers careers.
Campen and assistant offensive line coach, Jahri Evans, arguably have a more talented group to work with in Pittsburgh. Two 1st round picks, a 2nd, 4th, and 7th as starters, with a 3rd round guard (Dunker), and veteran depth (Hoffman and Cook) in reserve.
Although there were inconsistencies in the preseason, I believe in Campen and his impressive history. It won’t be without growing pains, but by the end of the season, the Steelers’ unit could be in the top 10 conversation among one of the best in the NFL.
Not so Fast
Optimism about the Steelers defensive identity and budding offensive line doesn’t come without concern. For as good as the fronts are, the lack of team speed and big plays are worrisome.
Defense
Safety has been a major concern all offseason and doubly so through training camp and preseason. Jaquan Brisker, signed in free agency, missed signifcant time but is off of the injury report, but his counterpart DeShon Elliott was surprisingly placed on IR to start the season, designating him to miss the first 4 games of the season.
Rayshawn Jenkins was pleasantly active in preseason, as was rookie Robert Spears-Jennings, but that remains to be seen in meaningful action. I expect a combination of the two, mixed in with a helping of Jalen Ramsey to make up the safety duo until Elliott returns.
Joey Porter Jr. hasn’t practiced fully following a phantom back injury (hold in), but I’m not worried about the CB1 position. His backup, Asante Samuel Jr., may be the second best corner on the team. Newly signed Jamel Dean figured to serve as CB2, but in limited preseason action, he appeared slow or a step late, and at 29 years old, it won’t get better.
This defense will be dependent on the pass rush. Without it, I fear stopping the big play will be a problem with an older, somewhat lackluster secondary.
Offense
The longstanding issue of depth at wide receiver has finally been addressed, giving the offense four viable options with D.K. Metcalf, Roman Wilson, and the newly added Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard.
Pittman, a large, lengthy receiver, has amassed 485 receptions in a six-year career as a high volume, possession receiver, but averages only 10.8 yards per catch in his career. In the last two seasons, his longest receptions have been just 33 and 27 yards, proving that if he ever had big play ability in him, those days are likely gone.
Germie Bernard, selected in the 2nd round of the 2026 NFL draft is a shifty slot receiver who specializes in yards after the catch. He averaged 13.5 yards per catch during his senior season at Alabama but lacks the second gear necessary to regularly create big plays.
Jaylen Warren and D.K. Metcalf have the speed and run after catch ability to create big plays, but will need to be high volume participants on the offense in order to produce big plays at the necessary rate. Metcalf is the clear WR1 and should be treated as such with a high target rate around 8-10 per game, but with so many mouths to feed on the offense, it likely won’t be the case. He’s also not a refined route runner, which Aaron Rodgers prefers.
Warren, listed as RB1, will have his opportunities, but will share time with new acquisition Rice Dowdle, who is a between the tackles, move the sticks type runner – not a big play creator.
The best offenses create big plays and perhaps Mike McCarthy’s offensive genius will put players in position for splash plays, but I believe they will have to be manufactured as the talent on the team doesn’t lend itself to creating them on their own.
