By Ray Porter Jr. for Urban Media Today
For the third consecutive year, the Pittsburgh Steelers opened the National Football League free agency period aggressively, making several moves aimed at strengthening their roster. For the second straight season, the Steelers began the new fiscal year by acquiring a wide receiver. In 2025, it was DK Metcalf, and in 2026 the team added Michael Pittman Jr., acquiring him in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for one of their sixth-round draft picks. Pittsburgh then signed Pittman to a three-year, $59 million contract extension.
Pittman, 28, has spent his entire NFL career with the Colts after being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of University of Southern California. Like Metcalf, Pittman brings size to the position at 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds, but he also has the versatility to play in the slot. Over his career, Pittman has caught 485 passes for 5,285 yards and 25 touchdowns. He has recorded two 1,000-yard seasons, with his best coming in 2023 when he hauled in 109 receptions for 1,152 yards.
While Pittsburgh added a major weapon on offense, they also suffered a notable loss as running back Kenneth Gainwell, the team’s 2025 MVP, signed a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gainwell was a key addition for the Steelers in 2025, leading the team with 73 receptions while compiling 1,023 total yards from scrimmage and eight total touchdowns.
The Steelers quickly moved to fill that void, signing running back Rico Dowdle. Dowdle, 27, was originally drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2020 before joining the Carolina Panthers last season. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound back is coming off consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons and has accumulated 2,540 rushing yards during his NFL career.
Defensively, Pittsburgh addressed another departure after losing veteran cornerback James Pierre to the Minnesota Vikings. The Steelers replaced him by signing veteran cornerback Jamel Dean to a three-year contract. Dean, 29, is a seven-year veteran who spent his entire career with the Buccaneers. At 6-foot-1 and 206 pounds, he brings size and experience to the secondary and was part of Tampa Bay’s championship team in Super Bowl LV. Dean has 11 career interceptions and is expected to start opposite Joey Porter Jr..
The Steelers also re-signed cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to a one-year contract. Samuel, 26, joined Pittsburgh after four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and is expected to compete for playing time alongside Porter and Dean.
In other moves, the Steelers re-signed linebacker Cole Holcomb to a two-year, $5 million deal, brought back punter Cameron Johnston on a one-year contract, and signed offensive tackle Jack Driscoll to a one-year deal.
The team also secured the return of longtime defensive leader Cameron Heyward, who agreed to a new two-year, $32.25 million contract that includes $16.25 million fully guaranteed.
Time will tell whether the Steelers make final decisions regarding veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Isaac Custin III as the offseason continues to unfold.
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