The Steelers kicked off free agency, adding to both sides of the ball with the addition of three new players.

The team acquired receiver Michael Pittman in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts and signed him to a new three-year contract. The team also added running back Rico Dowdle on the offensive side of the ball, signing the free agent to a two-year contract.

On the defensive side of the ball, the team signed free agent cornerback Jamel Dean to a three-year contract.

Learn more about the new additions to the Steelers roster, who all arrived in Pittsburgh on Friday

Receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who was acquired in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts, spent the last six seasons with the Colts, appearing in 95 games, with 86 starts.

Pittman said he wasn't shocked by the trade, but was excited he was coming to a franchise like Pittsburgh.

"Obviously there's a little bit of sadness when leaving your team and the people you've been with for six years, but then there is excitement after you realize you're going to one of the best franchises in all of sports," said Pittman. "I'm super excited.

"When I got to talk to (General Manager) Omar (Khan) and Coach Mike (McCarthy), it really got me fired up to be here.

"I was telling Coach that I'm excited for this opportunity and that it's going to be great. He was telling me about his plans and everything for this offense, and the things that we are going to do, and everything just sounded great. I'm excited to turn those words into a reality.

"I am excited to meet everyone, and I can't wait to get out there."

Pittman has 485 receptions for 5,254 yards, a 10.8-yard average, and 25 touchdowns. He also has 11 carries for 100 yards, a 9.1-yard average. He has started one postseason game in his career, finishing with five receptions for 90 yards.

Last season Pittman appeared in 17 games, starting 16. He finished the year with 80 receptions for 784 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns.

Working with McCarthy is something he can't wait for, especially with a head coach who is offensive minded and will be calling plays.

"It's great," said Pittman. "He's an offensive coach and he's calling plays and everything, it's going to be fun."

And there another thing Pittman knows, it's going to be physical.

Which plays right into his style.

"I love going out there and being tough and playing that brand of football," said Pittman. "I feel like I fit in well here with that bully-ball mentality they have here, which they've had for as long as I can remember. I feel like it fits me perfectly.

"Any way that I can add to this team, I'm going to do everything that I can to make this team better and learn from them and try to get it done.

"I bring energy, effort, and fire. Just that tenacity of getting everyone going and being that jumpstart whenever we need it."

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Running back Rico Dowdle, who is entering his seventh NFL season, spent the 2025 season with the Carolina Panthers after playing five seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2020.

Signing with the Steelers was an easy decision for Dowdle, who spent time with Coach Mike McCarthy when he was in Dallas.

"He's a players' coach," said Dowdle. "He's a great leader. He can lead his team. He is from Pittsburgh, so I know he loves that. You have your guy here. It would mean more to him to hold that trophy up here in Pittsburgh.

"Pittsburgh is a great football place. When you hear Pittsburgh, you think football.

"Even when I played for Coach McCarthy back in Dallas, when we were talking about Pittsburgh, when we came here and played he would tell us about the atmosphere, the fan base. Getting back with Coach McCarthy, that was a big factor.

"I am looking forward to getting out here in front of some of the best fans in the world. I know they love football here. That's one thing for certain about Pittsburgh. I am excited and looking forward to getting out there and putting on the black and gold."

Dowdle met with McCarthy when he arrived and got a quick feel for the Greenfield neighborhood where he is from.

"He showed me, he pointed right outside the window to where he grew up," said Dowdle. "That is where his parents live. He used to call it a blue-collar place when we were in Dallas. This is a great place."

And Dowdle wants to be a blue-collar worker for the offense.

Dowdle has appeared in 69 games, starting 26, with 567 carries for 2,540 yards, a 4.5-yard average, and 10 touchdowns. He also has 95 receptions for 690 yards, a 7.3-yard average, and six touchdowns.

The last two seasons he turned in 1,000-yard performances, with 1,076 rushing yards in 2025 and a career-high 1,079 yards in 2024.

In 2025, Dowdle started 11 of 17 games he appeared in for the Panthers, carrying the ball 236 times for 1,076 yards, a 4.6-yard average, while adding a career-high six touchdowns. He also had 39 receptions for 297 yards, a 7.6-yard average, and one receiving touchdown.

"I think I'm a versatile runner," said Dowdle. "I can definitely make guys miss, but I can be physical when I need to be.

"I can definitely fit in with the offense here. I think I can fit in many different offenses with my type of running style. So, I like being versatile."

-->> More about Dowdle

Cornerback Jamel Dean spent the last seven years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after they drafted him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the 94th overall pick.

He has appeared in 96 games, starting 77, and recorded 352 tackles, 278 of them solo stops, 11 interceptions, including two returned for a touchdown, 61 passes defensed and seven tackles for a loss. He also has three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a sack.

Dean is excited to bring his style to Pittsburgh, with a fresh start for an organization he knows plenty about.

"It's about the culture that has been built here over the years," said Dean on what attracted him to the Steelers. "They have a winning culture. And then the defense, the brand of football they play, it fits my play style."

And what is Dean's style?

"Physicality," said Dean in the most matter-of-fact manner.

And that is what he loves about the game.

"That's just the nature of the game," said Dean. "There's no room to not play physical.

"It's better to give the blow, than take it."

Dean led the Bucs with three interceptions in 2025, including one returned for a touchdown, while finishing the season with 46 tackles, 38 of them solo stops. He also had nine passes defensed, two forced fumbles, a tackle for a loss and a sack.

Per NextGen Stats, Dean allowed the fewest yards per target of any cornerback in coverage in 2025, with 4.7 yards. In addition, he allowed the lowest passer rating when targeted among cornerbacks at 41.3.

He will team up with cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in the secondary, something he is excited about.

"I'm excited because I've been watching him ever since he got to the league," said Dean. "He has great technique at the line of scrimmage. He's going to compete. You can't ask for a man to do more than what he is already doing, work the way he is."

Dean wants to do exactly the same.

Come in and just work.

"I'm going to come in and do my job and play football the best way I can," said Dean.

-->> More about Dean