With McCarthy at the helm, the Steelers will focus on assembling a roster aligned to his vision, leveraging free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft to reload. A key challenge will be youth, as Pittsburgh finished among the league’s oldest teams last season, making the draft a critical pathway to younger, longer-tenured contributors.
Current draft capital sits at No. 21 overall with 10 selections. Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton floated a bold scenario: packaging veteran cornerback-turned-safety Jalen Ramsey to gain additional draft capital. Ramsey’s $19.5 million cap hit and age-32 season complicate long-term planning, but a Ramsey-included deal could unlock mid-round flexibility or higher selections.
Ramsey’s production has dipped since his Pro Bowl peak, transitioning from cornerback to safety after a strong run with the Rams. While the move may extend his career, questions remain about on-field impact and cost, particularly given his current contract.
Any decision on Ramsey will hinge on McCarthy’s early assessment of the roster and cap strategy, balancing immediate competitiveness with long-term flexibility. The Steelers’ offseason plan will thus center on reshaping the defense and overall depth through trades, free agency, and draft picks to support a more sustainable competitive arc.
