The Pittsburgh Steelers are in an entirely new situation now that Mike Tomlin is no longer the head coach. Now, 62-year-old Mike McCarthy comes to his hometown team, aiming to end their playoff drought. McCarthy will explore every opportunity to reshape and improve the roster before the 2026 season begins. For the Steelers and their fan base, there are still many questions that need answers.
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Dan Rooney III, Art Rooney II, Head Coach Mike McCarthy, and Omar Khan after McCarthy singed his contract to become the next head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
What happens with the other 31 teams outside of Pittsburgh can also be very telling for potential opportunities and what may unfold when the new league year begins on March 11, with legal tampering starting two days earlier. Steelers General Manager Omar Khan will be watching other teams closely to see what opportunities may arise.
On Monday, an opportunity did indeed present itself for Khan and McCarthy. The Washington Commanders announced they were moving on from cornerback Marshon Lattimore. He is set to be released before the new league year, giving the Steelers a unique chance to acquire him, especially given his ties to Steelers coaches Jason Simmons and Joe Whitt Jr.
"Commanders have informed former Pro Bowl CB Marshon Lattimore that they intend to release him before the new league year begins, a move that will save the team $18.5 million in salary cap space, per sources," Adam Schefter revealed when he broke the news on Monday.
Replacing a Pro Bowl cornerback is never easy, but it does save the Commanders $18.5 million in cap space, which is a big win for them. Now, the Steelers could get a big win if they decide to pair Lattimore opposite Joey Porter Jr. The Steelers have been very pleased with what they have gotten out of Porter Jr. and are likely preparing to lock him up with top-of-the-league money to be their star cornerback for the next several seasons.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A6557-544x306.jpg "Steelers Joey Porter Jr.")
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Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. runs a drill during his first professional training camp as the team practices at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Lattimore is 29 years old, and there are questions about the level of play he can maintain at this stage of his career. He played only nine games during the 2025 season before an ACL injury sidelined him for the rest of the year. The market for Lattimore will certainly be interesting, as he is coming off a season of regression and a potentially career-altering injury.
The demand for him may be lower than many expect, which could work in the Steelers’ favor if they choose to pursue him. If the price is right, acquiring Lattimore in Pittsburgh could be a big win, as it gives them a player who has been there, done that, has confidence, and is eager to prove himself as an elite cornerback in the league once again after some regression and injury.
Steelers Have Strong Ties To Marshon Lattimore
Simmons was hired to join McCarthy’s staff as Defensive Pass Game Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach. This is significant because Simmons actually coached Lattimore when he held the same role with Washington in 2025.
Even bigger is the fact that Steelers Assistant Head Coach and Secondary Coach, Whitt Jr. was the Commanders’ Defensive Coordinator in 2025. Both coaches have direct experience coaching Lattimore, giving the Steelers a unique familiarity with the now free-agent cornerback.
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Former New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (#23) stands on the field in the Caesars Superdome during a professional football game.
It would be an interesting path for Pittsburgh to consider, especially since they have two own free-agent cornerbacks they could keep for much less, such as Asante Samuel Jr. and James Pierre. While Lattimore is a veteran with some question marks, the Steelers might see this as an opportunity worth pursuing. Either way, the strong Steelers ties to Lattimore are enough to generate interest in the new regime potentially adding him to the defense.
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