NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote Thursday that QB Aaron Rodgers “will likely” return to the Steelers next season. Rodgers is set to meet with the team Friday, and a new deal could follow shortly after.

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Navy RB Eli Heidenreich in Round 7 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Heidenreich racked up 3,151 yards over the past three seasons while playing both RB and WR. He totaled 169 career carries for Navy’s option-centric attack and churned out a strong 6.8 yards per attempt. He drew 172 targets for his career and tallied a school-record 941 yards in 2025. Heidenreich could stick at RB or even play WR for his new team. Among the 20 RBs invited to the NFL Combine, Heidenreich ranked 12th in yards after contact per attempt (3.17) and second in 2025 Explosive Run percentage (20.8%). He ranked first in 2025 missed tackles forced per attempt (0.30) and in receiving yards per route run (4.73). He is currently 22 years old.

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Indiana TE Riley Nowakowski in Round 5 of the NFL Draft. Nowakowski was an in-line blocker and safety valve for QB Fernando Mendoza this season at Indiana. Among the 27 TEs who attended the NFL Combine, Nowakowski ranked 15th in receiving yard market share (13.7%) and 11th in yards per team pass attempt (1.25). He also ranked ninth in yards per route run (1.68).

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Iowa WR Kaden Wetjen in Round 4 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Wetjen opened his college career with two seasons at Iowa Western Community College before walking on at Iowa. He totaled just 23 catches over the past three seasons, with 22 of those coming last year. Wetjen was dynamic on special teams, though, averaging 27.5 yards per kick return, 17.7 yards per punt return, and scoring six total return TDs over the last three years. That figures to be his primary role as a pro. Wetjen is only on the radar in fantasy leagues that score for return production.

The Steelers added Penn State QB Drew Allar in Round 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft. A former five-star recruit, Allar arrived at Penn State with major expectations and became a three-year starter. He flashed early, even setting an FBS record with 311 straight pass attempts without an INT. His best season came in 2024, when he threw for 3,327 yards with 24 TDs and 8 INTs while helping Penn State reach the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. But Allar’s stock dipped in 2025. He returned to school despite NFL interest, then managed just 1,339 yards, 8 TDs, and 4 INTs before a season-ending ankle injury after six games. The underlying numbers don’t help much. Among 15 Combine QBs, Allar ranked 13th in adjusted completion rate, 10th in aDOT, and last in Big Time Throw rate. His rushing production ranked eighth when removing sacks.

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Alabama WR Germie Bernard in Round 2 (No. 47 overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft. Bernard spent a quiet freshman year at Michigan State, a better sophomore year at Washington, and then a stronger finish at Alabama. He led the team in receptions two straight years after following HC Kalen DeBoer from Washington. Bernard sports NFL size and alignment flexibility. He’s a polished route runner who gets in and out of breaks with precision, making him especially effective on slants and digs. Alabama also leaned into his versatility, giving him 18 carries for 101 yards and 2 TDs in 2025. He forced 17 missed tackles, underscoring his run-after-catch ability. Bernard’s skill set should make him a high-floor fantasy contributor, but does he have a ceiling worth chasing?

The Steelers watched RB Kenneth Gainwell agree to a deal with Tampa Bay on Monday and will apparently fill his spot with Rico Dowdle. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that the former Panther has reached agreement with Pittsburgh, though details are not yet available. Joining the Steelers will meet Dowdle back up with HC Mike McCarthy, who piloted the Cowboys for the entirety of Dowdle's time there.

WR Michael Pittman has been traded from the Indianapolis Colts to the Pittsburgh Steelers. After signing Alec Pierce to a $28.5 million average annual salary, the Colts will move on from Pittman. The Steelers had little receiving depth behind WR D.K. Metcalf, so Pittman adds a No. 2 possession WR for HC Mike McCarthy's new offense. Unfortunately, the uncertainty around the Steelers QB position still makes Pittman a shaky fantasy asset, even if Aaron Rodgers returns.

ESPN's David Newton doesn't expect free agent RB Rico Dowdle to return to the Panthers. "Unless Dowdle wants to return at a bargain price, he appears headed to his third team in three seasons," Newton wrote via ESPN.

Steelers HC Mike McCarthy said at his introductory press conference that he'd "definitely" like to see QB Aaron Rodgers back for 2026. McCarthy took over the Packers' head job in 2006, Rodgers' second NFL season. The pair spent the next 13 years together, encompassing five of Rodgers' six best fantasy seasons. Rodgers was serviceable for Pittsburgh this past year, completing 65.7% of his passes at 6.7 yards per attempt. He ranked 21st among 36 qualifying QBs in Pro Football Focus passing grade. Rodgers is a net neutral at best at this point of his career, but he might be the best the Steelers can do at QB for 2026. Daniel Jones and Malik Willis lead the free-agent QB class, and the draft crop looks weak.

According to multiple reports, the Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to hire former Dallas Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy as their next head coach. McCarthy compiled a 185-123-2 record (including playoffs) in 18 seasons at the helm, first in Green Bay from 2006-2018 and in Dallas from 2020-2024. McCarthy sat out last season after parting ways with the Cowboys, where he led Dallas to a 50-38 record, including 1-3 in the postseason. McCarthy becomes just the fourth HC for the Steelers since 1969, following Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin. QB Aaron Rodgers expressed an interest in reuniting with McCarthy, and could give Pittsburgh one more year of average QB play as a band-aid option in the wide-open AFC North.

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin informed the team that he is stepping down as the head coach. The Steelers now will be looking for only their fourth head coach since 1969. Mike Tomlin has had a historic run as the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach. He never had a losing season in 19 years as the Steelers' head coach. With one Super Bowl win and one loss, he made his mark on the franchise.

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle (toe) is not listed on the final Week 18 injury report. He was held out on Wednesday but put in full practices on Thursday and Friday. The toe shouldn't be a factor in Saturday's game against the Buccaneers. Carolina leaned on the pass in the Week 16 meeting against Tampa Bay, and Dowdle finished with just 29 rushing yards on nine carries.

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle (toe) returned to a full practice on Wednesday. He'll be ready for lead duties in this weekend's game vs. the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay held Dowdle to 43 scoreless yards in their Week 16 meeting.

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle missed Tuesday's practice with a toe issue. HC Dave Canales labeled him "day to day," so it doesn't sound like this is something that will keep Dowdle from playing against the Buccaneers on Saturday. But we'll keep you updated on his status over the next few days. RB Chuba Hubbard would step into a workhorse role if Dowdle missed Week 18.

Steelers TE Darnell Washington broke his arm in Sunday's loss to the Browns, HC Mike Tomlin said afterward. That'll keep Washington from playing in Week 18's must-win game vs. the Ravens. And he'll likely miss all of the playoffs if Pittsburgh gets there. Washington's absence should mean more snaps for TEs Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith.

Steelers TE Darnell Washington is questionable to return to Sunday's game vs. the Browns with a forearm injury. Pittsburgh is already down WRs D.K. Metcalf and Calvin Austin today. We'll update Washington's status when we know more.

Update: Washington has been ruled out.

Colts WR Michael Pittman suffered a calf injury in the first half of Sunday's game vs. the Jaguars. He's officially questionable to return. We'll update his status when we know more.

Update: Pittman returned in the second quarter

Steelers Edge T.J. Watt will miss a third straight game this week following the procedure for his partially collapsed lung. NFL Network reports that he's expected to be ready for Pittsburgh's next "meaningful" game.

The NFL is suspending Steelers WR DK Metcalf two games for "initiating a physical confrontation with a fan" amid Sunday's win over the Lions. Metcalf is appealing the suspension, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.