The Pittsburgh Steelers started off the 2026 free agency period hot. On March 9th, the team traded for Michael Pittman Jr. from the Indianapolis Colts, the same day they traded for DK Metcalf a year ago. The team potentially finally fixed its biggest problem, the wide receiver room. While they should still look to upgrade at the position, they now have some breathing room. Pittman is a very high-character player and a reliable target on the field. He will be a nice complement to Metcalf, who struggled at times in 2025 as the team's top receiver. Pittman's route-running ability and strong hands will be huge for the Steelers going forward.
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Steelers' Michael Pittman Jr. makes a miraculous catch on his helmet during a home game while with the Indianapolis Colts.
Not only did the Steelers fix one of their biggest needs, but they did it for next to nothing. They gave up just a sixth-round pick and received a seventh in return. In retrospect, they moved down just 20 spots -- not bad for a two-time 1,000-yard receiver. The team has not yet made any other moves at wide receiver; they currently have just Metcalf, Pittman, Ben Skowronek, and Roman Wilson under contract. There are surely more moves to be made at receiver for the Steelers, whether that is through the 2026 NFL Draft, or any leftover free agents. There is one move that was recently made that the Steelers could have made, had they not made the move for Pittman.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly recently spoke on his show Kaboly + Mack, where he and his co-host discussed all the Pittsburgh sports teams. They mentioned the recent news that Miami Dolphins star receiver Jaylen Waddle was shipped off to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a first- and third-round pick. Kaboly suggests that if the franchise had not gotten Pittman so cheaply, they would have been in play for Waddle.
"I would imagine the Steelers would have been in play for him if they did not get such a sweetheart deal from a guy like Pittman," Kaboly said. "I mean, you're giving up nothing for Pittman, you're giving up a first-rounder for Waddle. The salary is probably gonna be dug on, close to the same."
Pittman signed a three-year extension worth $59 million once traded to Pittsburgh. He'll have a base salary of just $19 million. Depending on his production, this could be an absolute steal of a contract. The team tried trading for Waddle this past season, but nothing ever went through.
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Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle looks on during a game in Miami.
The Dolphins reportedly wanted at least a first-round pick for Waddle, which they ultimately received from Denver. Waddle would have been nice, but it's hard to complain with the Steelers' free agency so far going in a different direction.
Steelers Trading For Waddle Wouldn't Make Sense
Both Waddle and Pittman are very solid receivers, and both have different skill sets. Pittman may fit the Steelers' style better than Waddle does, but Waddle is arguably the better receiver. Waddle is younger and more explosive than Pittman. Even though the Steelers were trying to make a serious upgrade at wide receiver, giving up a first- and third-round pick likely would have been the complete wrong move. The Steelers and Broncos are in completely different spots in terms of their contention status.
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Denver Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton looks up at the scoreboard with his play sheet in hand during a regular season game.
The Broncos made it to the 2025 AFC Championship game and were one of the best teams in the regular season. They narrowly lost in the conference championship to the New England Patriots. They were playing with their backup quarterback due to an injury to Bo Nix. Had Nix played, the Super Bowl could have been a different story. The Broncos are ready to win now, as they have a championship-caliber defense and a franchise quarterback in place. The Steelers have neither of these things.
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