Steelers Get 'B-Minus' Grade as NFL Execs Question Trades and Contracts, 'What Is the Vision?'

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offseason moves weren't met with unanimous approval from around the NFL.

"They got slower," a league executive told Mike Sando of The Athletic. "Rico Dowdle is a comfort signing for Mike McCarthy, who had him in Dallas. Mike knows what he's getting. Pittsburgh, until they figure out who is going to pull the trigger, is a B-minus team."

With the 2026 NFL draft drawing closer, questions still surround the Steelers.

"What is the plan? What is the vision?" another executive asked Sando.

After Mike Tomlin stepped down as Pittsburgh's head coach, the team hired Mike McCarthy as his replacement.

While McCarthy owns a 174-112-2 career record with a Super Bowl title under his belt, he's coming off a stint with the Dallas Cowboys in which the team posted a 1-3 record in the postseason.

The Steelers haven't won a playoff game since their 2016 campaign.

Pittsburgh acquired wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts just before the start of free agency, subsequently handing him a three-year extension worth $59 million.

The Steelers later signed running back Rico Dowdle to a two-year, $12.25 million contract as a free agent. Dowdle has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons and previously spent time with McCarthy on the Cowboys.

Pittsburgh also made additions to its defense including cornerback Jamel Dean, defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day and safety Jaquan Brisker.

Although the Steelers are still searching for a starting quarterback, they're in contact with Aaron Rodgers regarding a possible second season with the team.

With McCarthy now patrolling the sidelines and Rodgers potentially coming back, Pittsburgh will attempt to win a second consecutive AFC North title in 2026.