The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to be back in the quarterback market after they hire their next head coach to replace Mike Tomlin. But the next item on Pittsburgh’s offseason to-do list should be to add playmakers.
Interestingly, the team added a former signal-caller and wide receiver in the same player on a futures deal Wednesday.
The Steelers announced signing ex-college quarterback and current wideout John Rhys Plumlee to a reserve contract. Plumlee played quarterback at Ole Miss and Central Florida during his collegiate career.
Plumlee signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2024. During his rookie season, he also had stints with the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars.
In 2025, Plumlee bounced off and on the Steelers practice squad. He finished the season on the team’s practice squad after re-signing with it on December 17.
In addition to Plumlee, the Steelers signed 12 other players to reserve/future deals.
The list of players included long snapper Cal Adomitis, defensive tackle Kyler Baugh, wide receiver Cole Burgess, defensive end Anthony Goodlow, defensive back Daequan Hardy, defensive back Jack Henderson, defensive end K.J. Henry, wide receiver Max Hurleman, offensive guard Steven Jones, running back Lew Nichols, linebacker Julius Welschof and offensive tackle Aiden Williams.
Steelers Sign 6 Offensive Players, Including John Rhys Plumlee
Of the 13 players the Steelers added to their offseason roster Wednesday, about half were offensive players and the other half were on the defensive side. The team then added one specialist in a long snapper.
Three of the six offensive players were wide receivers — Plumlee, Burgess and Hurleman.
Quarterback will obviously be the top priority for the Steelers this offseason. Aaron Rodgers suggested for most of the season that he didn’t plan to play in 2026.
On Wednesday, Team President Art Rooney II stated Rodgers came to Pittsburgh to play for Tomlin. The comment strongly implied that with Tomlin’s departure, Rodgers is unlikely to return with a new head coach.
But right behind the Steelers’ offseason priority list should be adding an outside playmaker. In 2025, the team didn’t have a single pass-catcher with more than 850 yards. Only D.K. Metcalf had more than 490.
It’s unlikely that Plumlee, Burgess or Hurleman become significant contributors at receiver for the Steelers in 2026. But production can sometimes come from unusual places.
Steelers Sign 6 Defensive Players, 1 Specialist as Well
Futures deals are always about organizations trying to add as much talent to an offseason roster as possible. But under a new head coach, the Steelers could see significant changes on defense.
Players such as Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt and Jalen Ramsey are still performing at a high level. But Watt and Ramsey are not what they were, and Heyward is on the wrong side of 35.
The Steelers defense could go through a much-needed youth movement this offseason. That means a player on a futures deal could have an opportunity.
With their reserve contracts on defense, the Steelers focused on the defensive line and secondary. Five of the six defensive players they signed play those position groups.
Welschof, the lone linebacker the Steelers inked to a futures deal, has been part of the NFL’s international player program the past few years. As part of that program, he has carried a roster exemption that he should have again next season.
Signing Adomitis gives the Steelers depth at long snapper. The team’s starter at that position, Christian Kuntz, suffered a knee injury in December, but he didn’t miss a game.
Steelers Ink Versatile Playmaker, 12 Other Players to Future Contracts