There are plenty of questions surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers now that Mike McCarthy is at the helm. All eyes are on McCarthy as he navigates some big decisions with the 2026 season slowly approaching. It is shaping up to be a long offseason, filled with crucial questions, but none bigger than free agency and, of course, the 2026 NFL Draft, which will be hosted in Pittsburgh.
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Mike McCarthy coaching on the sidelines as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
Many Steelers fans are curious about what McCarthy and the front office have planned for free agency. The 2026 free agent class is certainly eye-opening, with playmakers who could make an immediate impact. However, with an aging roster and a clear need to get younger, many pundits believe Pittsburgh may not be very active in free agency.
What General Manager Omar Khan and McCarthy will actually do remains to be seen. However, Steelers insider Brian Batko dropped an intriguing name on Monday while answering questions during his Pittsburgh Post-Gazette chat. Batko floated the idea of McCarthy reuniting with former All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs.
"As I said earlier, I view the Steelers as needing more youth than veteran impact at those spots," Batko said while speaking about free agents Pittsburgh may be keen to target. "Cornerback Trevon Diggs has had a strange career, but Mike McCarthy coached him in Dallas, so there's familiarity there for better or worse."
As Batko mentioned, Diggs’ recent career trajectory could not be much stranger. Diggs was a superstar for the Dallas Cowboys while playing under McCarthy. In 2021, Diggs broke out in a major way, earning his first All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in just his second NFL season. He recorded 11 interceptions that year, with two going for pick-sixes. It was a truly special season, and he followed it up with another Pro Bowl campaign in 2022.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy speaking with former player Trevon Diggs in Dallas.
Just before the 2023 season, Diggs signed a $97 million contract extension. Unfortunately, his momentum came to a halt when he suffered an ACL injury just two games into the 2023 season. After continued injuries and off-field concerns, the Cowboys released the veteran in late 2025. Now, Diggs is looking for his next opportunity at just 27 years old.
On paper, this is an exciting cornerback who should still be in his prime, but there are several major question marks surrounding his attitude and what truly happened in Dallas, as well as during his brief stint with the Green Bay Packers. It is widely believed Green Bay moved on due to Diggs’ contract commitment following an injury-filled stretch with the team.
If Diggs proves he is healthy and capable of returning to form, the Steelers would almost certainly consider the move. After he was waived, this opened the door for Khan to potentially sign Diggs at a more affordable cost. He could be an intriguing fit opposite Joey Porter Jr., who is quickly emerging as one of the league’s rising stars.
Steelers Could Take A Relatively Low Risk/High Reward Gamble On Trevon Diggs
The connection with his former head coach now leading the Steelers only strengthens the case. While Diggs may not be the same player he was in 2021, he would be motivated to prove himself again. Pittsburgh could have a chance to benefit from a relatively low-risk, high-upside free agent signing if Khan decides to take the gamble.
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Former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs comes down with an interception against the Washington Commanders, showcasing the ball skills and playmaking ability that once made him one of the NFL’s most dangerous defensive backs.
If Pittsburgh is willing to bet on talent over uncertainty, Diggs represents the type of calculated risk that can shift a roster’s ceiling really fast. For a team chasing relevance again under a new regime, upside may finally outweigh hesitation.
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