The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a very familiar position during the 2026 offseason. Coming off another first-round playoff exit, the Steelers are looking to get back to the standard that they once held. While the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks play in Super Bowl LX, the Steelers should be keeping an extremely close eye on three soon-to-be free agents in the big game. The Steelers have several positions of need to solidify before the 2026 season. There are several options playing Sunday that can help new Head Coach Mike McCarthy find success in his inaugural season in the Steel City.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers new Head Coach Mike McCarthy addresses the media in his introductory press conference.
It is a very hectic and busy offseason for Pittsburgh, as they not only have several positions to fill on the roster, but have also been busy rounding out their new coaching staff under McCarthy. General Manager Omar Khan still has his work cut out for him, as the Steelers' standard needs to be elevated. The organization needs to regain faith and trust from the fan base, one that has been disgruntled for some time as the Steelers have failed to find playoff success for almost a decade.
While the Steelers will also have the 2026 NFL Draft to work on improving positions on the roster, they could use their nearly $45 million in salary cap room to target one or several players from the Super Bowl.
While many want the Steelers to commit to a rebuild, it is clear that Team President and Owner Art Rooney II is more focused on a quick reset and trying to win immediately. The McCarthy hire eludes to that, as well as the speculation that quarterback Aaron Rodgers may return to the Steelers for a second year.
1) Tariq Woolen, CB - Seattle Seahawks
Tariq Woolen would be an excellent complementary piece to the Steelers secondary alongside Joey Porter Jr., who had a breakout 2025 season. Woolen, a 2022 5th-round pick by the Seahawks, had 33 solo tackles and one interception in the 2025 season.
While the stats do not exactly jump out at you, Woolen is still just 26 years old and would pair well alongside Porter in the Steelers' secondary. Woolen is a big, physical body on the field and also could have been an option for the organization at the trade deadline.
2) Coby Bryant, S - Seattle Seahawks
Coby Bryant is a very interesting name, and would be more of a splash than Woolen. Bryant, who is also 26, had a very strong 2025 season. Bryant had 39 solo tackles and one forced fumble, to go along with four interceptions on the year.
Bryant is not as big as Woolen, but definitely has the numbers that do jump out at you when you evaluate his 2025 season. Bryant projects to command about $14 million to $15 million on his next deal, but this is a price range the Steelers can definitely afford.
Corky Trewin / Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant making a play on a ball against the Chicago Bears in 2022 preseason game.
3) Thayer Munford Jr., T - New England Patriots
Thayer Munford Jr. is also an interesting piece that the Steelers could look to target ahead of 2026. While the Steelers may bring back Isaac Seumalo, it is not clear if they definitely will. While the Steelers offensive line is relatively young, as is Munford at 26 years old, he could mesh well with that unit who improved as the 2025 season progressed. He also will not command much money, as he signed a deal with New England at a little over $1 million for the 2025 season.
Steelers Cannot Remain Stubborn During The 2026 Offseason
Things have not been going the Steelers' way over the last nine seasons. With their most recent playoff win being in January of 2017, the expectations need to be raised in Pittsburgh heading into 2026 if they are not going to commit to rebuilding. With much of McCarthy's coaching staff rounded out, they need to address an issue that has been in front of them for years.
Ryan Sun / Associated Press
Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf walking off the field frustrated during a game at the Detroit Lions in 2025.
The issue the Steelers have faced is their roster construction. While the Steelers have been in the playoffs, they are sitting in a land of high-end mediocrity, as a lot of those playoff appearances have been mostly non-competitive. Adding a few pieces to this current roster on both sides of the ball should be what the Steelers aim to do in order to find success in 2026.
Would you like to see the Steelers target one or several soon-to-be free agents playing in this year's Super Bowl? Let us know in the comments below!
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