The Pittsburgh Steelers have already undergone massive changes this offseason. Former head coach Mike Tomlin is gone, and Mike McCarthy now ushers in a new era. McCarthy's hiring bucked the Steelers' recent trend of targeting young defensive-minded coaches, but it could prove more beneficial than many realize. His offensive pedigree and track record of building productive units are significant reasons for optimism.
Expectations are high for a rejuvenated offense in 2026. However, if the season goes poorly, Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show believes even more sweeping changes could be on the horizon, even if that means moving on from longtime veterans.
On his show, "Steelers Collective," Kaboly discussed the possibility of significant roster turnover.
“If they have a 6-11 season, I can see them moving on from a whole heck of a lot of people,” Kaboly told his fellow beat writers. He listed Jalen Ramsey, DeShon Elliott, Patrick Queen, and even franchise legend Cam Heyward among the players who could be shown the door.
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Steelers Bracing for Change
While a disappointing 6-11 season would not be ideal, it also would not be shocking. McCarthy is taking over a team with several major questions, including the defense's ceiling. Despite defensive coordinator Patrick Graham's ability to maximize his personnel, several key contributors on that side of the ball are aging.
In reality, the Steelers should prepare for significant changes regardless of how the 2026 season unfolds. If the year goes especially poorly, those changes will be even more dramatic. Still, several players are entering the final years of their contracts or nearing retirement. Aaron Rodgers has already indicated that 2026 will be his final season, and Heyward may be closer to retirement than many fans realize.
So while the doomsday scenario of a massive roster overhaul may seem tied to a disastrous season, change is coming either way. Several key figures are unlikely to be with the Steelers in 2027.
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New Steelers Era Brings New Unknowns
Change can be daunting, but the Steelers have already experienced plenty of it this year. Both players and local media members have noticed the difference. Longtime beat writer Gerry Dulac has highlighted McCarthy's approach and how it differs from the previous regime. For someone who has covered the team for decades, that observation carries weight.
Players such as T.J. Watt have also acknowledged the changes and the new demands coming from the coaching staff. If any unit needed a shake-up, it was the defense. The offense, of course, also required significant upgrades.
The 2026 season will bring plenty of unknowns, and Steelers fans should be prepared to embrace change. Whether Kaboly's prediction comes to pass or the organization experiences a more routine transition, the franchise is clearly entering a new chapter.
