4 ways the Steelers can fix their struggling roster in 2026
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4 ways the Steelers can fix their struggling roster in 2026
Andrew Vasquez, Steelers Wire·Steelers Wire
·
2 min read
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It's safe to say thePittsburgh Steelershave been disappointing through two games to start the season. After all, theSteelers' only win in 2026 came against a terribleAtlanta Falconsteam that almost pulled off a victory over Pittsburgh. But don't hit the panic button yet, there is hope the Steelers can reverse theirearly struggles, if they make a few key changes, that is.
From addressing the terrible decision to swap offensive tackle spots to bringing in another wide receiver, here's a look at
Pittsburgh's offensive line has been terrible over the past two games. Mike McCarthy's decision to have offensive tackles Troy Fautanu and Dylan Cook switch sides has been a big reason why. Fautanu and Cook were both extremely successful in 2025 at right and left tackle, respectively. But they have both struggled since flipping spots. Getting them back to their 2025 positions won't solve the entire O-line problem, but it could be a nice start.
Week 1 vs. Atlanta Falcons: Win, 27-17 (1-0)
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 2 at New England Patriots: Loss, 14-24 (1-1)
(Natalie Reid, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 3 vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Win, 31-28 (2-1)
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Week 4 at Cleveland Browns: Win, 27-13 (3-1)
(Patrick Gorski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 5 vs. Indianapolis Colts: Win 20-14 (4-1)
(Justin K. Aller, Getty Images)
Week 6 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Win, 27-17 (5-1)
(John Jones, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 7 vs. New Orleans Saints in Paris: Win, 34-21 (6-1)
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 8 vs. Cleveland Browns: Win, 20-17 (7-1)
(Patrick Gorski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 9: Bye
(Barry Reeger, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 10 at Cincinnati Bengals: Loss, 27-34 (7-2)
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Week 11 at Philadelphia Eagles: Win, 24-21 (8-2)
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Week 12 vs. Denver Broncos: Loss, 14-27 (8-3)
(Ron Chenoy, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 13 vs. Houston Texans: Win, 17-14 (9-3)
(Thomas Shea, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 14 at Jacksonville Jaguars: Loss, 28-31 (9-4)
(Corey Perrine, Florida Times-Union, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Week 15 vs. Baltimore Ravens: Win, 34-31 (10-4)
(Mitch Stringer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Week 16 vs. Carolina Panthers: Win, 21-20 (11-4)
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) hands the ball off to running back Tony Pollard (20) against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at Nissan Stadium.
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 18 at Baltimore Ravens: Loss, 31-34 (12-5)
(Peter Casey, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 1 vs. Atlanta Falcons: Win, 27-17 (1-0)
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 1 vs. Atlanta Falcons: Win, 27-17 (1-0)
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 2 at New England Patriots: Loss, 14-24 (1-1)
(Natalie Reid, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 3 vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Win, 31-28 (2-1)
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
4/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 4 at Cleveland Browns: Win, 27-13 (3-1)
(Patrick Gorski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 5 vs. Indianapolis Colts: Win 20-14 (4-1)
(Justin K. Aller, Getty Images)
6/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 6 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Win, 27-17 (5-1)
(John Jones, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 7 vs. New Orleans Saints in Paris: Win, 34-21 (6-1)
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 8 vs. Cleveland Browns: Win, 20-17 (7-1)
(Patrick Gorski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 9: Bye
(Barry Reeger, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 10 at Cincinnati Bengals: Loss, 27-34 (7-2)
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
11/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 11 at Philadelphia Eagles: Win, 24-21 (8-2)
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
12/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 12 vs. Denver Broncos: Loss, 14-27 (8-3)
(Ron Chenoy, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 13 vs. Houston Texans: Win, 17-14 (9-3)
(Thomas Shea, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
14/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 14 at Jacksonville Jaguars: Loss, 28-31 (9-4)
(Corey Perrine, Florida Times-Union, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
15/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 15 vs. Baltimore Ravens: Win, 34-31 (10-4)
(Mitch Stringer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
16/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Week 16 vs. Carolina Panthers: Win, 21-20 (11-4)
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
17/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) hands the ball off to running back Tony Pollard (20) against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at Nissan Stadium.
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
18/18
Predicting Steelers' wins and losses for 2026 season
This one is rather simple: Do whatever it takes to get Porter back on the field.Asante Samuel Jr.has been admirable throughout training camp and preseason, but he's no Joey Porter Jr. This defense has flashed moments of absolute greatness, and it would be a shame if the unit wasn't able to reach its potential due to contract issues with Porter.
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Sign veteran wide receiver
Michael Pittman Jr.is injured, and Pittsburgh just isn't getting enough return out ofDK Metcalf. Signing a veteran wide receiver likeCurtis Samuelor evenTyreek Hillcould help keep the offense afloat for the time being. Hill, who suffered a devastating leg injury in 2025, is reportedly aiming for an October return, which could be near-perfect timing for Pittsburgh if its offensive struggles don't improve soon.
Sign a quality offensive lineman
Pittsburgh would be wise to add another offensive tackle or guard. Rookie Max Iheanachor likely isn't ready for a starting job, and Cook's struggles put the team in a tough position.Spencer Andersonhasn't exactly been great either. To combat these issues, the team could target an offensive tackle likeTaylor Decker,Cam Robinson, orJonah Williams. For guard, there'sMekhi Becton,Kevin Zeitler, or a reunion withJames Daniels.
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