Michael Pittman Jr. Is Better Than You Think

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Why the Pittman Hate?

Michael Pittman Jr. is coming off the board outside the Top 40 at the position in the eighth or ninth round of 12-team drafts. While I'm not going to make the case for Pittman to surprise as an elite fantasy asset, I think the disrespect has gone too far. He is more than likely going to be a reliable WR3 as Aaron Rodgers' most dependable, chain-moving target in Pittsburgh.

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The Steelers are embarking on a new era after Mike Tomlin and the team mutually agreed to part ways, bringing in veteran coach Mike McCarthy as his replacement. Say what you will about McCarthy, but he's among the most accomplished offensive play-callers of the last two decades, and he should get the most out of a Steelers offense that's been defined by mediocrity for years under Tomlin. To ensure he has the weapons to do it, the organization traded for Pittman and signed him to a new two-year, $35 million extension with $24 million guaranteed.

McCarthy's hiring and the decision to retain Aaron Rodgers at quarterback set the table for what this offense is going to look like, and that's why Pittman becomes such a compelling mid-draft value pick.

• Mike McCarthy is an experienced, accomplished play-caller.
• The offensive system will be optimized to suit Aaron Rodgers' preferences.
• DK Metcalf struggled in 2025, and doesn't seem to have Rodgers' trust as the alpha.
• Pittman has been a reliable fantasy WR3 throughout his career.

Mike McCarthy's Resume is Legitimate

Mike McCarthy Play-Calling Career (Team Ranks by Category)

In 21 seasons as an NFL play-caller, McCarthy's teams have ranked 10th, on average, in scoring. While a top-10 average is impressive on its own, it is far better than you may think when stacked directly against the long-tenured offensive coaches that most see as the league's best:

Most Respected NFL Veteran Play-Callers (Career Team Ranks, By Category)

Not only is McCarthy likely to yield a more productive scoring offense, but he's also likely to throw more than we're used to seeing under Tomlin. On average, McCarthy's teams have ranked 12th in pass attempts and 20th in rushing attempts. In the 17-game era, that equates to 584 passing attempts and 441 rushing attempts.

By comparison, the Steelers' last five seasons have averaged 558 passing attempts and 468 rushing attempts. Long story short, we need to rewire our brains to expect Pittsburgh to throw more in 2026, and for as long as McCarthy is at the helm.

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