It’s been a busy offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers, complete with a new head coach, a mostly new assistant staff, and many new roster pieces. So what are the best moves the organization has made this year? In order, here’s my top five ranking.

This list will focus solely on players and not coaches.

5. Trades For Receivers Michael Pittman Jr. And Germie Bernard

Lumping these pickups together. Even as someone who wasn’t crazy about adding Pittman, it’s hard to ignore the trade value. In the deal with the Indianapolis Colts, the Steelers moved down less than 20 picks to pick up Pittman as a No. 2 receiver. Pittsburgh still had to pay him, but compared to the rest of the market, the Steelers got Pittman at a discount.

Missing out on Makai Lemon in Round One, the team moved up to land Bernard in the second round. A six-spot jump that didn’t cost much, a fourth and seventh rounder, to do. This smart move ensured Pittsburgh wouldn’t lose out on two targeted receivers in as many rounds.

From a pure capital and trade standpoint, these were two wins.

4. Signing S Jaquan Brisker

A steal of a deal for a quality safety who played well – and stayed healthy – last season. Brisker’s concussion history and the natural depression of the safety market made him cheap, signing a one-year contract for $5.5 million. He is top-notch depth, likely to carve out a sub-package role. A new coaching staff could even favor him over DeShon Elliott.

Brisker is a strong fit under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.

It’s hard to dislike anything about such a low-risk signing. The only question is what the 2027 safety group looks like. Brisker will be a free agent while Jalen Ramsey and Elliott aren’t locks to be part of the ’27 roster.

3. Signing CB Jamel Dean

Dean didn’t exactly make Pittsburgh’s defense younger, one of my personal offseason goals.  A player who had a great 2025 season, he earned a solid contract. Dean’s career has been a little bumpy, but he fits the mold of a physical press cornerback coming off a career year.

The contract structure is excellent for Pittsburgh. Less than $13 million per year and No. 26 paid corner, with the ability to get out of the deal next offseason with little pain. It’ll be frustrating if another free agent corner signing is one-and-done, but it’s a smart escape hatch just in case.

2. Chris Boswell’s Extension

Boswell inked a four-year extension on Monday that ties him with Brandon Aubrey as the league’s highest-paid kicker. There was little doubt that Boswell would get paid this offseason; he deserved it, but it’s good for Pittsburgh to get the deal done and get it done early. That leaves plenty of time to focus on bigger contracts on the horizon: CB Joey Porter Jr., and perhaps EDGE Nick Herbig and DL Keeanu Benton. Tight end Darnell Washington could also see an extension, though his contract will be smaller than the rest of his draft peers.

Extending Cam Heyward in March was also wise to avoid a third-straight summer saga that wasn’t good for anyone.

1. Offensive Line Investments (Max Iheanachor, Gennings Dunker, Brock Hoffman)

Pittsburgh hasn’t been shy about beefing up the offensive line. Part of it stems from Broderick Jones’ issues with play and health, and Iheanachor can’t become a bust. But you have to respect the Steelers for being doggedly committed to building up the trenches on both sides of the ball. Drafting Dunker in the third, making another small trade up to nab him, fits like a glove.

Hoffman doesn’t have the same ceiling, but his cheap one-year contract is perfect as versatile interior depth who knows Mike McCarthy.

BONUS: Signing DL Sebastian Joseph-Day

Joseph-Day isn’t going to turn into a star. He is who he is. But he fits Pittsburgh’s need to stop the run and gives the defensive line better depth than it’s had in years. At two years, $11 million, the money felt right, too.

With Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Gabriel Rubio, and Joseph-Day, the Steelers have a deep group of run-stuffing defensive linemen.

Honorable Mentions: Signing RB Rico Dowdle, Drafting WR/RET Kaden Wetjen, Not Trading ILB Patrick Queen, Not Cutting DB Jalen Ramsey