Identifying upgrades that truly fit the Pittsburgh Steelers’ mold is never easy, and finding legitimate value in free agency is even more challenging.
Each offseason brings expectations, but those judgments mean little until the results are proven on the field. Teams may look like winners on paper, yet individual moves can quickly unravel if performance fails to justify the contracts. Ultimately, only how these signings perform during the season determines whether an offseason is remembered as a success or a costly mistake.
Despite adding several free agents to the roster, the Steelers still have notable holes to fill. The team must continue searching for upgrades, whether through the remaining free-agent market or the upcoming NFL Draft. Pittsburgh addressed some key needs by bringing in proven talent from around the league, with names like Michael Pittman Jr., Jaquan Brisker, and Jamel Dean joining the fold.
Free‑agency spending can look brilliant or see contracts age poorly. Only time will reveal the true outcome. There were several moves Pittsburgh could have made that appeared to be obvious upgrades, yet the team chose to pass on certain players. Depending on how the NFL Draft unfolds, missing out on those free agents could ultimately prove to be a costly decision.
Pittsburgh Steelers could eventually regret skipping over these Fee Agent signings
Rasheed Walker, OT: 1-year $4 million
Failing to add a reliable veteran could become a significant issue for the Steelers. Rasheed Walker was widely expected to command a sizable contract in free agency, yet he ultimately signed for a modest deal. With uncertainty surrounding how soon Broderick Jones will return, Pittsburgh could be facing a major void at left tackle.
Walker would have provided affordable insurance at a critical position, but instead, the Steelers chose to take an unfortunate gamble.
Chris Paul, OG: 1-year Money TBD
After Isaac Seumalo departed in free agency, many expected the Steelers to add a veteran replacement. One potential option was Chris Paul, who was coming off his first season as a starter and performed respectably in that role. Signing him would have allowed Pittsburgh to keep the door open for a rookie to compete for the starting job. Instead, Paul re-signed with Washington.
Devin Lloyd, LB: 3-year $45 million
Nothing ultimately materialized, but the Steelers appeared to explore the possibility of shopping Patrick Queen on the trade market. Once the contract details of Devin Lloyd’s free‑agency deal became public, Pittsburgh may have missed an opportunity to find an upgrade over Queen. Lloyd could have served as a cost‑effective replacement without straining the budget.
Instead, the Steelers chose to retain Queen, even though Lloyd may have offered a better long‑term value.
Kyler Murray, QB: 1-year $1.3 million
All signs suggest Aaron Rodgers could return to the organization at some point, though the timing remains uncertain. Kyler Murray emerged as the top quarterback available this offseason, yet he ultimately signed a team‑friendly one‑year deal with the Vikings. Pittsburgh could have pursued Murray at a low cost, a move that may have delivered positive upside, instead of waiting for Rodgers.