Steelers Face Roster Reality Check as McCarthy Era Begins: WR Help and ILB Depth Top the List
Mike McCarthy is officially the new head coach in Pittsburgh, and let’s just say the reaction hasn’t exactly been warm and fuzzy. Whether you're scrolling through social media or talking to die-hard fans in the Steel City, the general vibe is a mix of confusion and concern. But while the coaching hire will dominate headlines for weeks, there’s another pressing issue that deserves just as much attention: the roster.
With the offseason underway, it’s time to talk about where this team really needs help - and where they might actually be able to improve quickly.
Quarterback Still the Elephant in the Room
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: yes, the Steelers still need a quarterback. That’s been true since Ben Roethlisberger retired, and it remains the biggest obstacle between this team and legitimate Super Bowl contention. Until they find a true difference-maker under center, the ceiling remains frustratingly low.
But let’s set that aside for a moment. Because even if Pittsburgh somehow lands their quarterback of the future this offseason, they still have glaring holes elsewhere - starting with the guys that quarterback would be throwing to.
Wide Receiver: A One-Man Show That Needs Reinforcements
Take away quarterback, and wide receiver might be the most urgent need on the roster. The Steelers limped through another season with a paper-thin receiving corps, and when D.K. Metcalf missed two games due to suspension, the passing game all but disappeared.
Metcalf managed just 850 yards on the season - a modest number for a WR1 - but behind him, things got bleak fast. Calvin Austin III, who lost his starting role by season’s end, was the only other wideout to crack 200 yards.
He finished with just 372. That’s not WR2 production - that’s barely WR4 territory.
To put it bluntly: the Steelers had one functioning wide receiver in 2025. Everyone else was just filling space.
Even more telling? The team’s second-leading receivers weren’t even wideouts.
Running back Kenneth Gainwell and tight end Pat Freiermuth each finished with 486 receiving yards. That’s solid for their positions, but it’s also a red flag for the offense as a whole.
Across the league, 83 players topped 500 receiving yards last season. Only one of them wore black and gold.
That kind of production just doesn’t cut it in today’s NFL. Whether it’s through the draft or free agency, Pittsburgh has to add firepower on the outside - and soon. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a Round 1 pick, but if they don’t address the position on Days 1 or 2 of the draft, or with a significant free agent signing, they’re setting themselves up for another year of offensive stagnation.
Inside Linebacker: The Underrated Weak Spot
While wide receiver is the obvious fix, there’s a less talked-about need that’s just as important: inside linebacker.
Patrick Queen remains the most productive player at the position, but his name has surfaced in offseason cut rumors - a sign of both cap concerns and performance questions. If Queen does move on, the Steelers will be left with a major hole in the middle of their defense.
Payton Wilson began the season with an expanded role but faded down the stretch, losing snaps to Malik Harrison. The problem? Harrison was brought in to be a run-stopping specialist, and even in that limited role, he struggled to make a consistent impact.
That leaves the Steelers thin at a position that’s critical to their defensive identity. The good news?
Inside linebacker is one of those spots where you can find real value outside the first round. Many of the league’s best weren’t Day 1 picks - they were smart, well-scouted additions on Day 2 or 3.
Pittsburgh doesn’t need to swing for the fences here. But they do need to take another shot - whether it’s a mid-round draft pick or a savvy veteran signing - to shore up the second level of the defense.
The Bottom Line
Mike McCarthy’s arrival brings plenty of questions, but roster construction might be the more immediate concern. Until the Steelers find a quarterback, they’ll be fighting uphill. But even with that long-term search ongoing, they can’t afford to ignore the rest of the depth chart.
Wide receiver and inside linebacker aren’t just areas of need - they’re opportunities. If Pittsburgh can nail those additions this offseason, they’ll give themselves a much better chance to compete in 2026, regardless of who’s under center.