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Michael Pittman Jr. Travis Register-Imagn Images

Steelers' trade for Michael Pittman Jr. has hidden bonus that is huge for Pittsburgh

Originally posted on Steeler Nation | By Parker Abate | Last updated Mar 9, 2026 2:46 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been aggressive throughout the tenure of general manager Omar Khan. Since May of 2022, the team has often been involved in trade rumors that occur across the league.

One area where the front office executive has faced criticism, however, is at the wide receiver position. The organization has had a tough time finding a legitimate one-two punch. One of the main goals for the 2026 offseason had to be finding a running mate for DK Metcalf, and the franchise did exactly that on Monday. Michael Pittman Jr. will be arriving in the Steel City after a big-time acquisition.

Now, all the team has to figure out is who will be throwing the new dynamic duo the football. This isn't a short-term solution for the pass-catching group, as the Steelers didn't just trade for Pittman.

The wideout is also receiving an extension, which puts him in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future. It was truly a solid move from Khan and co.

Steelers are signing their new WR Michael Pittman to a three-year, $59 million deal. https://t.co/E9xOdfDOfB
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2026

This is a very key piece to the puzzle. The Steelers are still hunting for a franchise signal-caller, and the 2027 NFL Draft could absolutely be when the team invests in the position in the first round. Without a rebuild in place, the organization could certainly look to trade up early come April of 2027. That's why having the maximum amount of picks possible would be beneficial.

In 2026, the Steelers are going to have the most compensatory selections that are allowed. The team could be attempting to repeat this strategy moving forward. The important part about Pittman's situation is he is technically receiving an internal extension because of the trade.

By trading for a receiver instead of signing one on the open market, the Steelers might also benefit when compensatory picks are handed out next offseason.
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) March 9, 2026

His massive worth, nearly $20M per season, will not affect the formula that grants franchises extra draft picks. Not only did Khan get a legitimate wide receiver to pair with Metcalf, he also beat the system.

The sign-and-trade of Pittman also hints that Aaron Rodgers may absolutely be returning to play for Pittsburgh. The veteran prefers to play with established pass-catchers, as opposed to inexperienced ones.

Beyond simply adding a receiver, it’s the *type* of receiver that also makes sense. If Aaron Rodgers does come back, he seems to prefer veterans who understand the nuances of route running, how to read coverages and prepare for an opponent. Pittman checks a lot of those boxes.
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) March 9, 2026

This is a legitimate move by the Steelers to kick off the 2026 legal tampering period. Landing someone like Pittman changes the dynamic of the offense and immediately makes the unit more respectable in the Steel City. The team now is not locked into taking the position in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but didn't have to necessarily sign an external free agent.

The compensatory pick formula is rather tricky, but the Steelers are off to a great start. It will be intriguing to see what contracts are signed by individuals like Isaac Seumalo, if he does indeed walk in free agency. Pittsburgh could absolutely use as many picks as possible in 2027 if the end goal is to make an aggressive move up the board on day one to take a signal-caller.

Steelers already lost two internal free agents

Both Kenneth Gainwell and James Pierre will be playing elsewhere in 2026, as the two signed deals with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings, respectively. Neither was a massive deal; however, everything counts in regards to compensatory selections and how they are given out. Khan is already starting out the offseason with the following year's draft in mind, something that he also did back in 2025.

This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.

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