The Steelers' season officially came to an end after a pitiful playoff loss against the Baltimore Ravens, and that means all eyes are on the offseason and finding ways for this team to improve. While everyone will begin salivating over mock drafts and potential free agent additions (myself included), this team has a notable list of pending free agents.
Naturally, there will be a few names brought back, but this isn’t 2024 where your most important free agent was Miles Killibrew. From the quarterback room being empty to some core starters being pending free agents, there will be quite a bit of turnover this offseason.
Following another early exit from the playoffs, here are the five Steelers who just played their last down for Pittsburgh.
Steelers won’t bring back Isaiahh Loudermilk
While the least notable name on this list, it doesn’t seem likely that the Steelers bring back Isaiahh Loudermilk with his rookie contract expiring. To be fair, Loudermilk exceeded my expectations when the team drafted him. He seemed like a major reach, but he lasted all four seasons in Pittsburgh and became a viable rotational piece.
That said, I think this team is ready to overhaul the defensive line room. Only one name, Keeanu Benton, is poised to be around for the long term, so upgrades across the board are needed. You also have Logan Lee around, who is a very similar player to Loudermilk. Unless it is for the minimum, I can’t see the team bringing Loudermilk back.
Steelers won’t bring back Damontae Kazee
An unheralded signing, Damontae Kazee has gone on to be a very good depth piece for this defense. In his three seasons here, he has played a healthy amount of snaps at a variety of positions. He has proven to be a jack of all trades while in Pittsburgh, and for someone who is depth at multiple positions, that is a great fit.
Entering his age 32 season though, regression is right around the corner, and in a deflated safety market, there are likely other options to replace him. The only way I could see him coming back is if it is on a cheap deal and this team cuts Minkah Fitzpatrick. Even then, the team will surely want to have a more viable starter than Kazee if they go that route.
Steelers won’t bring back Dan Moore Jr.
I have been one of the biggest Dan Moore defenders out there, but the writing is on the wall for this one. On the plus side, he leaves the Steelers having gotten better as a pro, and he should see a healthy payday this March with a new team. With back-to-back first-round picks used on the offensive line though, it is hard to justify giving Moore what he will likely earn from another team.
While Moore was the butt of a lot of jokes in years past, his fourth season was an impressive one. He took some major strides as a blocker, and was easily the best tackle on this team and arguably one of the most consistent linemen. No, he isn’t elite, but entering the prime of his career, it isn’t unthinkable that he maintains that steady level of play wherever he goes. I am thrilled that he had a breakout season before going, and I hope he lands a life-changing contract this offseason.
Steelers won’t bring back Cameron Sutton
It seemed like Cameron Sutton was permanently out the door when he signed a big contract with the Lions a few years ago, but following some inconsistent play and some ugly legal issues, he was cut last year. This opened the door for a reunion with the Steelers, and he ended up seeing a lot of slot work after he served his suspension.
His play hasn’t been the versatile and efficient style that he was famous for before. He looked lost at times, and he was outplayed by Beanie Bishop for most of the season (and Bishop has his own issues as a player). I can’t see Sutton returning for a third stint with the team, and his career could very well be over. Cutting bait and looking elsewhere for slot help is the only option this offseason.
Steelers won’t bring back Najee Harris
It hasn’t been the career that many thought Najee Harris would have with the team. The hope was that by using a first-round pick on him, he would become the core of this offense and provide the run game with a boost. Instead, he has been an average at best option that statistically looks decent because of the usage that the team gives him.
While he had a strong stretch of games this year, he faltered after the bye week and became ineffective. While some fans still think he is special, the Steelers clearly don’t. They declined his fifth-year option, so it would be a shock if Pittsburgh inked him to a big deal coming off another lackluster year. The team has been preparing for a different direction for some time, and I can’t see Harris coming back this offseason.