Full list of Steelers outgoing free agents: Will Pittsburgh actually re-sign anyone?

The good news is that the Pittsburgh Steelers don't have any high-profile players with expiring contracts, which means that their best players are all set to return in 2024. The bad news is that this team has some finagling to do when it comes to the salary cap in order to clear up enough spending money to leave a dent in free agency.

This is a trade-off that most teams would take, as others could be losing star players in free agency this offseason (unless they elect to go with the costly franchise tag). Prior to their first wave of releases, the Steelers had 16 players who are set to hit free agency.

It's possible that some of these players could return, but there isn't much incentive to do so, as they can test the market and weigh their value in free agency. So which Steelers players could depart this offseason? Let's break it down.

Complete list of Pittsburgh Steelers free agents 2024

Unrestricted free agents

The Steelers' unrestricted free agents are free to begin negotiating with other NFL teams on March 11th and can sign with a different ball club on March 13th -- which is the start of the new league year.

• CB Levi Wallace
• DT Montravius Adams
• S Miles Killebrew
• EDGE Markus Golden
• LB Kwon Alexander
• CB James Pierre
• DL Armon Watts
• CB Chandon Sullivan
• LB Blake Martinez
• WR Miles Boykin
• QB Mason Rudolph
• LB Mykal Walker
• S Elijah Riley

In addition to their unrestricted free agents, the Steelers also have a restricted free agent and two exclusive rights free agents.

Restricted free agents

• LB Chapelle Russell

A restricted free agent (RFA) is a player who has accrued three seasons in the NFL and whose contract has expired. These players can negotiate and sign with another team, but their previous team may want something in return.

Exclusive rights free agent

An exclusive rights free agent (ERFA) is a player who has accrued less than three NFL seasons and whose contract has expired. The team the player was previously on has the right to retain this player on a one-year veteran minimum contract based on the number of years they have accrued.

• DL Renell Wren
• OT Dylan Cook

Who could the Steelers bring back in free agency?

The Pittsburgh Steelers won't have to spend big if they want to retain some of their players in free agency. The question is: which players are deserving of a roster spot on this team in 2024 and who would be willing to return on a cheap deal?

Omar Khan could consider giving a contract to defensive lineman Armon Watts. He had a very solid season as a rotational interior defender and proved to be consistent in defending the run. They could also have interest in bringing back Markus Golden, who proved to be a reliable pass rusher off the bench. Even though Golden turns 33 this offseason, he was one of their best players off the bench.

The Steelers are also rumored to have an interest in bringing back CB Chandon Sullivan. He had a rough stretch at the beginning of the year but finished strong as the team's primary slot cornerback during his first season in Pittsburgh.

Meanwhile, Kwon Alexander is coming off a ruptured Achilles and won't be ready for the start of the season. Others like Levi Wallace and Mykal Walker are coming off poor performances in 2023 and are unlikely to get another shot in Pittsburgh.

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