NFL.com analyst Nick Shook has raised concerns about the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive depth heading into the 2026 season, particularly at quarterback. He described the unit as feeling held together by chicken wire despite recent additions.
Shook pointed to lingering issues from the 2025 season, when the Steelers relied on midseason signings such as Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen due to limited options at receiver.
The team added DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. this offseason, but Shook noted that backups Germie Bernard and Roman Wilson remain unproven. He also highlighted questions along the offensive line following the drafting of Gennings Dunker and Max Iheanachor.
Most of Shook's concerns center on the quarterback position behind Aaron Rodgers. The backups include Mason Rudolph, 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard and 2026 third-rounder Drew Allar. Shook wrote that a crisis at quarterback could end hopes of a playoff victory, something the Steelers have not achieved since 2016.
Shook acknowledged some strengths, including the running back tandem of Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle and solid play from offensive linemen Zach Frazier, Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick last season.
