A new report reveals a surprising reason why this will likely be TJ Watt’s final season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Watt is going to go down as one of the greatest players ever in a franchise that has had a lot of players. In his nine seasons in the Steel City, Watt has been to the Pro Bowl every season except his rookie year, is a four-time All-Pro, and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors when he posted a ridiculous 22.5 sacks in 2021.

He already leads the franchise in sacks and QB hits, and could take the No. 1 spot in forced fumbles and tackles for loss this season. He’s a Steelers legend. However, as great as his performances have been, including playing a key role in six trips to the playoffs, all good things come to an end. And this could be Watt’s last year in Pittsburgh, even though he has two more years on his contract after 2026.

Teams think TJ Watt could hit the trade block next spring

On Thursday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the team wants to retain linebacker Nick Herbig after he made more progress in 2025 and posted 7.5 sacks in a part-time role. He’s only 24 years old, and another good season will make him a top free agent target for many teams next spring. However, the Steelers have already invested a lot of money in Watt and Alex Highsmith.

Something will have to give if the Steelers want to sign Herbig to a new long-term deal, and an NFL insider claims teams around the league believe Watt will be the odd man out and could hit the trade block next year.

Trading Watt would upset many Steelers fans. However, Fowler has a point, and it would be smart to move on from the future Hall of Famer while his value is still high and before he suffers age-related decline. Still, if Herbig doesn’t show much growth this season, it will certainly change opinions on a potential Watt trade.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are still awaiting quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ decision on whether he will play in the 2026 NFL season. As the process moves forward, it appears that a contingency plan is now in place.

NFL insider Jason La Canfora reports that the Steelers are not pursuing any other veteran options via NFL free agency or trade. Instead, the team will have a quarterback battle between Mason Rudolph and Will Howard this summer.

RELATED: The Aaron Rodgers saga takes another turn for the Steelers

While there is real excitement in the organization about third-round pick Drew Allar, who is being coached by Mike McCarthy, the rookie isn’t set to see the field any time soon. Rudolph will likely be the favorite to win the Steelers’ starting quarterback competition, but it will be an open battle.

The Steelers organization is reportedly “very excited” about Howard’s development entering his second season. While the Eller selection added some uncertainty to Howard’s future in Pittsburgh, he remains a signal-caller who is highly rated in the organization.

RELATED: Insiders predict who the Steelers starting QB will be in 2027

In his career as the Steelers’ starting quarterback, Allard has compiled a record of 8–5–1 in 14 starts. He also has a 21-13 TD-INT ratio with an 86.7 passer rating in 26 career appearances with Pittsburgh. Howard, a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, never saw the field in his rookie season.

For now, there remains tentative hope that Rodgers will announce his return and be the Steelers’ starting quarterback in 2026. If he retires, the team that looked to be a playoff contender this upcoming season may instead be headed for a transition year where it will struggle to post a winning record.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have been waiting for months for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to decide whether he will play in the 2026 NFL season. Just as a solution was in sight, the story has reportedly taken another turn.

K Mark Kaboli Pat McAfee Show reported that, as far as his knowledge, “no meeting is scheduled or expected” between Rodgers and the Steelers organization.

RELATED: Insiders predict who the Steelers starting QB will be in 2027

93.7 The Fan reported Thursday that Rodgers will visit Pittsburgh in the coming days and is expected to sign a contract. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said that while the visit was taking place, there was no indication of a deal being made.

Additionally, Steelers general manager Omar Khan came forward on Friday and said he was not aware of Rodgers’ whereabouts. This is consistent with Mark Caboli’s reporting that everyone he spoke to in Pittsburgh said they had not seen Rodgers and were not aware of a possible meeting.

READ MORE: 2026 NFL Power Rankings, see where the Steelers rank

Examining the Steelers’ situation with Aaron Rodgers

At the beginning of the offseason, it seemed like the Steelers organization and head coach Mike McCarthy were willing to be patient with Rodgers. The understanding was that the future Hall of Famer would take some time off this offseason and eventually return to the team.

However, there have been signs recently that Pittsburgh is losing patience with the waiting game. The team used a rare “right of first refusal tender” on Rodgers in April. That means Pittsburgh can match any offer he gets, and he can only sign with Pittsburgh when NFL training camps start this summer.

RELATED: Mike Tomlin predicts whether Aaron Rodgers will return to the Steelers

More recently, Gerry Dulac Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The Steelers’ “patience is beginning to wear thin” with Rodgers, the report said. While the club knows he is the best starting quarterback option for 2026, they want answers from the 42-year-old quarterback soon.

If Rodgers decides to retire or the team also moves on from him, it stands to reason that Mason Rudolph will be the Steelers starting quarterback in Week 1, with Drew Allar and Will Howard also taking the field in 2026.

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Last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers were willing to be extremely patient while awaiting Aaron Rodgers’ career decision. This year, we’ve seen a similar story in Pittsburgh, but now that they have a new head coach in Mike McCarthy, even though he’s familiar from his time with Rodgers in Green Bay, is the team’s leadership nervous?

Rodgers is 42 years old. He has already played 21 seasons; There is no guarantee that he is eager to come back on the 22nd. What if Rodgers leaves the Packers wide open this time?

recently, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteSteelers insider Gerry Dulac suggested that the team’s patience “may be starting to wear thin” regarding Rodgers. Thus, if for some reason Rodgers and the Steelers do not re-align after this offseason, which quarterback could Pittsburgh turn to instead? Here are 10 potential QB options for the Steelers in 2026.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating the worst, best teams after the NFL Draft

jimmy garoppolo

There have been suggestions that Jimmy Garoppolo is considering retirement at the age of 34. He has not found a new home in free agency after spending the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. Still, this is a player who has played very well, playing winning football with a 43-21 regular season record and 4-2 in the playoffs. He may not have a strong arm, but the Steelers may view him as a better version of Mason Rudolph. Plus, he’ll cost less than Rodgers.

Will Lewis

Will Lewis has been largely forgotten about since the Tennessee Titans made Cam Ward the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Will Lewis was a guy who once showed a lot of promise. The 33rd overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft is still just 26 years old, and he has as dynamic an arm as any other option. He also has great size, 6-foot-4, 230 pounds. Lewis hasn’t been accurate enough, but after spending last season on injured reserve following a shoulder injury, we would expect him to be extremely eager to get back on the field and compete. Couldn’t possibly get anything more than a fifth-round pick.

Davis Mills

When CJ Stroud missed three games due to injury, he got a chance to showcase his skills, Mills led the Houston Texans to three inspiring wins. As the Texans’ franchise QB struggled, some even wondered if the 27-year-old former third-round pick should replace Stroud. Given how much he helped the Texans last season, Houston might be hesitant to part ways with him. Still, given that Mills is in the final year of his contract, a trade wouldn’t cost anything more than a third-day pick.

JJ McCarthy

The Vikings will never admit it, but they may be ready to move on from JJ McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Otherwise, the Vikings would not have brought in such a proven player as Kyler Murray, who could now be the team’s franchise QB. McCarthy’s NFL career got off to a rough start after missing his entire rookie season due to a knee injury, but the former first-round pick also displayed elite leadership qualities while making some clutch plays. The question is, are the Steelers willing to put their entire season on the shoulders of a 23-year-old with 10 career starts?

RELATED: 4 Minnesota Vikings WR targets after the 2026 NFL Draft

Anthony Richardson

A player who has displayed superstar potential with a rocket arm and electric athleticism, can Anthony Richardson put it all together, become consistently more accurate while staying healthy? He plays with a reckless demeanor that will cause a stir in the locker room, but it can also hurt a player who has been healthy for just 17 games over the last three seasons. Either way, the Steelers will be cognizant of the star potential of the 23-year-old former No. 4 overall pick, but they will also need a trade.

Jacoby Brissett

Did Jacoby Brissett experience a career renaissance last season at age 33? This is an interesting question. While he only led the Arizona Cardinals to a 1–11 record, Brissett completed 64.9% of his passes for a career-high 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 12 starts. Can that drama be replicated elsewhere in the new system? Brissett is at odds with the Cardinals after requesting a pay raise from his $4.8 million salary set in 2026. After Arizona signed Gardner Minshew and selected Carson Beck in the third round, Brissett could potentially be available for a third-day draft pick in 2027.

jameis winston

With Jacen Dart set to reprise his role as the primary backup QB in 2026, there is a possibility that Jameis Winston could be acquired for the right price. The former No. 1 overall pick has shown that he fits in excellently in any locker room, but he’s also quite capable. Now 32 years old, Winston has not only matured, he still has one of the strongest arms in the NFL, who will play well on the outside in Pittsburgh.

mac jones

The former first-round pick wore out his welcome early in New England, but Mac Jones has turned his career around since getting the chance to play for Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers. He was a key component in helping the 49ers return to the playoffs, leading them to a 5–3 record, completing 69.6% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions. If the Steelers feel the 28-year-old can maintain his play soon, they could look to find their long-term starter with a Day 2 pick in 2027.

Russell Wilson

Also considering retirement so he could become the latest athlete to cash in on a lucrative career in NFL broadcasting, we’d imagine Russell Wilson will be the starting quarterback this year instead. However, the Steelers are already here with Wilson. Did they step forward only because they believed Rodgers was an innovative person? Was there a disagreement with coach Mike Tomlin, or did Wilson no longer want to be there? Still an unsigned free agent, the Steelers may not feel like they have any other options, and barring a trade, Wilson is the best player available.

derek carr

Retired, Derek Carr was reportedly interested in returning to the NFL this season if he could join a playoff contender. We’d argue the Steelers meet that criteria. However, if he did not retire, he would still be under contract with the New Orleans Saints. However, since they are moving on with Tyler Shaw, it’s possible the Saints will release Carr and allow him to play football again, or perhaps even trade him for a Day 2 or Day 3 pick.

RELATED: 4 potential Brandon Sorsby landing spots in the NFL supplemental draft

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After setting a new attendance record, it’s safe to say that hosting the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was a huge success. As far as the Pittsburgh Steelers themselves, their weekend was one of the strangest among all 32 NFL teams.

It all started Thursday in Round 1, where the Steelers were taken 21st overall. It appears Pittsburgh did what every team does: try to get in touch with the player they plan to select.

The only issue? Pittsburgh just wasn’t on time. It was actually the Dallas Cowboys’ turn to pick the No. 20 pick. Perhaps the Steelers felt strongly about the Cowboys not choosing their target. Still, Pittsburgh did not anticipate that Dallas might trade the pick elsewhere.

That’s exactly what happened when the Cowboys made a trade with their NFC East division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. The real weird part came when the Eagles tried to call USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, who was already on the phone with the Steelers.

Once his people informed him that the Eagles were on the clock, Lemon immediately hung up the phone on the Steelers and started talking to Philadelphia, which was actually selecting them at 20th overall instead of landing them at 21 with Pittsburgh.

This is the moment Makai Lemon thought he was going to be drafted #steelers And realizing in real time that #eagle traded through @gmfb This morning.

He asked Omar Khan “Why is Philly calling?” [me]?” pic.twitter.com/AbXDJONYye

– Ross McCorkle (@Ross_McCorkle) 24 April 2026

According to former Eagles executive Jake Rosenberg, the Steelers may have violated NFL rules by keeping in contact with Lemon when he was not actually on the clock. According to , the NFL intends to examine the Steelers’ draft strategy now that the three-day event has ended. However, he expressed doubt that the league would assess any type of penalty.

We’re guessing this won’t be a big deal. But in the incredibly competitive NFL, it doesn’t take much for a team and agent to create controversy over a small issue.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Draft Day 2: Winners, losers from Rounds 2 and 3

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With only two quarterbacks on their roster, the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to add another quarterback at some point in the 2026 NFL Draft. Although there is a strong possibility that Aaron Rodgers will return for a second season as the Steelers’ starting QB, he is also 42 years old, having played half his life in the NFL (21 seasons). It’s possible that Rodgers eventually decides to retire, even if many don’t expect it.

Either way, right now the Steelers have Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, both sixth-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Another must be added; The question is who?

recently, athleticSteelers insider Mike DeFabo reports that Pittsburgh “probably backs” Miami (FL) QB Carson Beck.

DeFabo wrote, “Of the quarterbacks listed, Beck will be the one who best checks every box.” “Having thrown for over 3,000 yards in each of the last three seasons, he is a high-floor QB; Allard is a high-ceiling passer if someone can help translate his attributes into on-field production. For this reason, the Steelers will likely favor the long-armed, big-handed Miami QB in the middle rounds.”

The Steelers have the 21st overall pick in the first round of the draft, but they will not use that selection on Beck, who is not expected to be drafted until day two at the earliest. Still, since the Steelers enter the draft with an NFL-high 12 selections, they will have plenty of opportunities to get their QB.

RELATED: Pittsburgh Steelers not confident about Pro Bowler Aaron Rodgers’ return

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When it comes to pairing eccentric athletes, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t usually the first team that comes to mind. Perhaps with a new head coach, as Mike McCarthy takes over, that mentality may change, even if the same general manager, Omar Khan, will still make the final decisions on draft day.

On Monday, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero revealed that the Steelers have met with Arkansas quarterback prospect Tylen Green.

He was one of the top testers at the NFL Scouting Combine, where Green recorded the second-fastest 40-yard dash among QBs in event history at 4.36 seconds. He also recorded the best vertical leap in NFL Combine history among QBs with a jump of 43.5 inches. He also had the second-best broad jump in combined history among QBs of 11 feet, 2 inches.

While he’s clearly a talented athlete, the 6-foot-6 standout’s actual abilities as a QB are still in question after completing 60.7% of his passes in four seasons (two at Boise State, two at Arkansas). Still, with the amount of experience Green has (53 games played), teams will be attracted to the qualities he displays.

Green has met with other teams, including the Cowboys and Ravens, who are no strangers to eccentric athletes. They are projected to be Day 3 picks, falling between the fourth and fifth rounds, but prospects with so much potential are often already selected. After all, it only takes one team to have big faith in his future, maybe even the Steelers.

Pittsburgh has an NFL-high 12 selections in the upcoming draft. This includes five selections in the top 99 selections, and seven more selections from 121 to 237. With so many selections, it only makes sense to evaluate Green’s abilities, especially since Pittsburgh still only has two QBs on the roster as they await Aaron Rodgers’ decision.

RELATED: 2026 NFL mock draft: Trades that captured the first round of the NFL draft

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The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a new identity when the 2026 season begins. In an ideal world, Aaron Rodgers would again lead the charge on offense for Mike McCarthy. Defensively, obviously, Cam Heyward and TJ Watt lead the charge.

Still, the Steelers can only rely on Rodgers for so long. The four-time NFL MVP is in his prime and will need playmakers to help the Steelers’ offense reach its true potential.

Trading for Michael Pittman would certainly help, but is it enough? Pittsburgh may not feel like their work is done at the receiver position, and we’d be willing to bet Rodgers would agree.

Recently, NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports reported that Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. is “in play” for the Steelers with the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Pauline says most analysts have Cooper as the WR4 in this draft class.

Pauline wrote, “Cooper is building momentum among scouts and receivers coaches.” “He’s athletic and a great pass catcher with a developing game, and people rave about his character. Cooper has talked with every team from picks 18 to 36. I’m told Cooper is in play for the Pittsburgh Steelers at pick No. 21 despite being traded for Michael Pittman.”

Of course, each individual team structures their draft board differently and has different prospects than others. We all know the Steelers see Cooper as someone who can be better than the fourth-best receiver prospect.

No matter what, the Steelers could definitely use another playmaker in their offense to help draw attention away from DK Metcalf, Pittman and Pat Freiermuth.

RELATED: 6 best Dexter Lawrence landing spots after Giants trade request

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The Pittsburgh Steelers may have a new head coach, but that hasn’t changed their approach at quarterback. Like last year, the team is waiting for future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. Last year, he waited very patiently for the 2025 NFL Draft. Rodgers did not sign a contract until June. This time the team wants a quick answer.

However, what if the Steelers get a response from Rodgers indicating he is retiring after 21 NFL seasons? Some believe the Steelers will turn to another former Pro Bowl quarterback.

recently, Sports IllustratedAlbert Breer indicated that the Steelers may decide to sign Kirk Cousins ​​instead.

“If the answer is no, the Steelers could turn to Kirk Cousins,” Breyer wrote. “But for now, their inaction is a good sign that they’re comfortable with the state of things.”

Cousins ​​is available in free agency after the Falcons waived him just two years into a four-year, $160 million contract. He started 22 games for the team in that span, leading to a 12–10 record.

The four-time Pro Bowler wants to play, which is why, like Rodgers, he’s taking his time finding the right opportunity. Arizona also has a starting job available, but internal candidate Jacoby Brissett may have the upside to win the job after a career year. Thus, if Rodgers opts out, the Steelers would easily present the best opportunity for Cousins ​​in 2026.

RELATED: Pittsburgh Steelers reveal expected timeline for Aaron Rodgers decision

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What’s up with Aaron Rodgers? Does anyone ever really know?

This time, we just want to know if the 42-year-old is planning to return for a 22nd NFL season. If so, will it happen again with the Pittsburgh Steelers? This is the current expectation, but why is it taking so long?

Well, the Steelers don’t even know where the future Hall of Fame quarterback’s head is at. Still, they’ll likely want answers from the four-time NFL MVP soon.

According to team owner Art Rooney II, the Steelers are expected to hear back from Rodgers before the 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 23 as to whether he is returning, retiring or signing elsewhere.

“I’m still hoping for it,” Rooney told Gerry Dulac. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I hope we get an answer before the draft. That’s when I talked to him and Omar.” [Khan] Talked to him, he told us he won’t take as much time off this year as he did last year [to make a decision]. I’m not 100 percent sure what that means, but I expect something before the draft.

The sooner the better for the Steelers. If Rodgers leaves them alone, they will need to make other plans at the QB position. A QB room composed of Mason Rudolph and Will Howard will not get Mike McCarthy’s Steelers into the playoffs.

Of course, the Steelers could always use the 23rd overall pick on a QB like Ty Simpson, but with only one season of starting experience, he also may not be ready to start right away. The Steelers have a total of 12 selections, and they will likely use at least one selection on a QB. Nevertheless, they still need answers from Rodgers sooner rather than later.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: End of March edition

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There is no doubt that the Pittsburgh Steelers will have a different feel next season following the resignation of Mike Tomlin. But this is Mike McCarthy’s team now and there are more changes coming.

The Steelers have been selective in finding roster upgrades this offseason, even if it means getting creative by trading for proven players like Michael Pittman Jr. On defense, Steelers general manager Omar Khan has made upgrades to the secondary.

While the Steelers will certainly still add more in free agency, speculation is growing as to what the Steelers’ potential plans are with the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Could they target the future defensive leader?

Essential Sports’ NFL insider Tony Pauline believes Georgia middle linebacker CJ Allen could be a “surprise” pick in Pittsburgh. Georgia’s Pro Day had just taken place, and Allen reportedly “looked good” in positional drills.

“Linebacker C.J. Allen looked good in position drills. He was comfortable and covered a lot of area on the field. Allen is unlikely to fall out of the first round, and his range is expected to be anywhere between 15 and 32 picks. The Tampa Bay Bucs love linebackers, and he is a perfect fit for their system. The Pittsburgh Steelers could surprise Allen with the 21st pick.”

Allen is widely projected to land, as Pauline said, somewhere between the middle and end of the first round. After a positive workout at his pro day, Allen may have solidified his spot in the first round. Whether the Steelers want to pair him with Patrick Queen under center remains to be seen, but he could be a good fit.

RELATED: Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame legend urges team to release Aaron Rodgers

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Most would agree that there are only two starting quarterback jobs that are wide open. One remains with the Arizona Cardinals, who could return running back Jacoby Brissett after a career year. The other is with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are expected to return Aaron Rodgers for a second season, but there are no guarantees.

Until the four-time NFL MVP signs a new contract with the Steelers, Pittsburgh has no choice but to keep their eyes open, in hopes of finding their next franchise QB. Heck, even if the 42-year-old quarterback returns to Pittsburgh, who’s to say the Steelers don’t want to find someone who can learn from the future Hall of Famer and, ultimately, replace him?

The Steelers could be busy doing just that by closely evaluating their batch of 2026 NFL Draft QB prospects. He had already met with Drew Allar at the NFL Scouting Combine. More recently, the Steelers scheduled another in-person visit with a different QB prospect who will be drafted in April.

This time, it’s a top 30 tour with Miami (FL) quarterback Carson Beck, who was once viewed as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Steelers also previously spoke with Beck at the combine, but now they will bring him to Pittsburgh for a closer evaluation.

Beck is coming off a season where he set new career highs in passing yards, touchdowns and interceptions. Beck finished the year by leading the Hurricanes to the national championship. However, his stock declined compared to that of a potential first-round pick after inconsistent performances, including in the CFP Final, where he completed only 59.2% of his passes for 232 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

For now, the only quarterbacks on the Steelers roster are Mason Rudolph and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard, of whom new head coach Mike McCarthy is apparently a big fan. Even if Rodgers potentially returns to Pittsburgh, the Steelers will want to add at least one more QB to the roster, and this could very well be baked in.

The Steelers have 12 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, including the No. 21 pick. But Beck is not viewed as a first-round draft prospect. That’s why the Steelers are seeking more information on him, trying to get a feel for how aggressive they might need to be to land the 6-foot-5, 23-year-old QB.

RELATED: Waiting for Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers considering new QB

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The Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers are two of the NFL’s most famous franchises. After all, they are two of four NFL franchises with four or more Super Bowl wins. Yet, playing in different conferences, we rarely see them clash with each other.

Now that it’s the offseason, both teams can do some business business.

according to Fort Worth Star-TelegramNick Harris, several teams have called the Steelers about trading for linebacker Patrick Queen. Harris says the Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles are two teams that have called up the two-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker.

Harris says the Cowboys entered free agency with several MLB targets in mind, but their board was “pretty much wiped out” on the first day of negotiations. This led them to turn their attention elsewhere, possibly toward a trade for Queens, whom the Steelers are reportedly hanging on to for a mid-round draft pick.

The Cowboys look to continue upgrading their defense after allowing the NFL’s most points in 2025. They have traded for pass-rusher Rashaan Gary and signed safety Jalen Thompson, but Dallas still needs another middle linebacker with Kenneth Murray set for free agency.

Rani could be a good fit. The 26-year-old player has never missed a game in his six-year career. He has recorded 100 or more tackles in five of his six seasons of play, including last year. Queen would definitely help set the tone in Dallas, if they could get her out of Pittsburgh.

RELATED: NFL Free Agency Day 1: The biggest winners and losers

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Last offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded one wide receiver for another, then watched George Pickens have a career year and become a superstar in the process. This offseason, the Steelers are potentially adding another wide receiver for Aaron Rodgers.

The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to trade wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The Colts agreed to a four-year, $114 million contract extension with Alec Pierce, who was set to hit the open market. Now, they are sending Pittman to free up some cap space.

The exact trade compensation is unknown, but the teams are reportedly swapping late-round draft selections. The Steelers are also signing the 28-year-old Pittman to a three-year, $59 million contract as part of the trade.

The 6-foot-4, 223-pound receiver had a peak season in 2023, catching 109 passes for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns. It was the second 1,000-yard season of his career. Pittman still recorded a respectable 80 receptions for 784 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

While he may not be a No. 1 receiver, Pittman profiles as a good fit next to DK Metcalf, giving Rodgers (if he returns) two big, strong receivers who can make plays in the red zone.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 projections ahead of NFL free agency

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For the third consecutive offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers do not know who will be their starting quarterback when the next season begins. While all signs point to Aaron Rodgers returning for a second season, especially now that his old Packers head coach, Mike McCarthy, has been hired to lead the Steelers, he is only a short-term fix.

Ultimately, the Steelers need a long-term plan behind their 42-year-old future Hall of Fame quarterback. Reports suggest the Steelers like 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard, but putting his future on hold for the 185th overall pick in the draft isn’t ideal for a team that hopes to never miss the playoffs.

In the meantime, the Steelers are likely to continue evaluating potential future franchise quarterbacks, whether or not Rodgers returns. Now, they are being linked to a former top QB prospect who is set to enter the 2026 NFL Draft.

according to penliveThe Steelers met with Penn State quarterback Drew Allar at the NFL Combine this week. Before the start of last college football season, Elar was being viewed as the potential No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Still, a difficult year that ended with a season-ending ankle injury after six games has lowered Allar’s draft stock. He is also not seen as someone who can emerge as a fringe player in the first round.

However, the strong-armed QB with legitimate NFL size at 6-foot-5 could emerge quickly during the pre-draft process. Elar is the only quarterback the Steelers have met so far.

RELATED: Aaron Rodgers talks Pittsburgh Steelers after Mike McCarthy hire

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