The Pittsburgh Steelers underwent major changes to their coaching staff this offseason. Now they will aim to build the 2026 roster in alignment with new head coach Mike McCarthy's vision. This starts with a strong showing in free agency. With ample salary cap space to work with and a young foundation of players, the Steelers could finally be on track to usher in long-awaited playoff success.
Pittsburgh's front office has tended to play it safe in free agency, but we saw general manager Omar Khan get aggressive with several notable moves in 2025. Without any highly coveted players hitting the market this year, the Steelers should be able to improve the core of their roster while minimizing significant losses during the 2026 offseason.
This offseason has already been a wild ride since the departure of former head coach Mike Tomlin. Now McCarthy's new staff is in place, and Pittsburgh could be gearing up to fill its biggest roster holes. Consider this your one-stop shop for everything related to the Steelers in free agency.
On This Page:
- Free-agency snapshot
- Major Steelers signings
- Departures:
- Potential Departures to watch
- Best targets remaining
- More free-agency coverage
Free-agency snapshot
- Cap space remaining:Â $27,378,945
- Biggest signing:Â Jamel Dean
- Biggest departure:Â Isaac Seumalo
- Most surprising move:Â Michael Pittman (Trade)
- Biggest remaining need:Â Quarterback
- Last updated:Â 3:46 pm. ET, March 23, 2026
Quarterback is not only the most important position in football, but it also happens to be the Steelers' biggest positional need for the 2026 offseason. With Aaron Rodgers hitting free agency and being vocally non-committal about his NFL future, the Steelers have only veteran Mason Rudolph and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard to turn to at the position.
The Steelers have enough cap space to get into a bidding war for one of the top candidates on a shallow QB market or to pursue a depth signing at quarterback while looking ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft.
Major Steelers signings
Jamel Dean, CB (per Tom Pelissero, NFL Network)
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a splash early in free agency by inking former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean to a three-year, $36.75 million contract, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Dean, 29, was considered one of the hottest defensive names on the market during the 2026 offseason.
Dean's deal with Pittsburgh marks the second-biggest free-agent contract the Steelers have ever handed out, falling roughly $5 million short of Patrick Queen's three-year, $41 million deal during the 2024 offseason. Dean will slot in as the starting boundary cornerback alongside Joey Porter Jr., creating a potentially lethal pairing in the secondary for Pittsburgh.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR (TRADE, per Adam Schefter, ESPN)
In the wake of Alec Pierce inking a massive contract to stick with the Indianapolis Colts, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., ESPN's Adam Schefter reported. The deal was executed with a late-round pick-swap in April's NFL Draft.
Along with the deal, the Steelers and Pittman agreed to terms on a three-year, $59 million contract extension that will net the 28-year-old receiver $19 million per season in average annual value. Pittman finished the 2025 season with 80 receptions for 784 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 games (16 starts).
Rico Dowdle, RB (per Jordan Schultz)
The Steelers are signing former Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle, Jordan Schultz reports. Dowdle recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and found a new home in Pittsburgh.
The departure of Kenneth Gainwell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers likely caused the Steelers to pursue Dowdle. The veteran running back has ties to Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy during their time together in Dallas. Dowdle will work in tandem with Jaylen Warren in the backfield in 2026.
Sebastian Joseph-Day, DL (per Adam Schefter, ESPN)
The Pittsburgh Steelers added defensive line depth to their roster by signing veteran defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day to a two-year, $11 million deal, per Adam Schefter. The NFL veteran is entering his eighth season and coming off a two-year stint with the Tennessee Titans.
Joseph-Day has 90 career starts in 105 games; however, he projects as a rotational defensive lineman in odd and even fronts for Pittsburgh. He's played anything from 3-4 nose tackle to defensive end and should instantly improve the depth on the defensive line.
Jaquan Brisker, S (per Mike Garafolo, NFL Network)
The Pittsburgh Steelers added more safety depth to their secondary by bringing Penn State product Jaquan Brisker to the team on a one-year, $5 million deal, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Brisker, a second-round pick by the Chicago Bears in the 2022 NFL Draft, started all 52 games he played in his first four NFL seasons, recording 342 total tackles, four interceptions, and seven sacks.
The addition of Brisker comes after the Steelers agreed to terms on a one-year deal with safety Darnell Savage. The two newcomers will join Jalen Ramsey and DeShon Elliott in the back half of the defense.
Asante Samuel Jr., CB (per Ian Rapoport, NFL Network)
Ian Rapoport confirmed that the Steelers are retaining cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. for the 2026 season. Samuel, who joined Pittsburgh in the second half of the 2025 season, will return on a one-year, $4 million deal.
Samuel started three of six games for the Steelers from November through the end of the season. Still, just 26 years old and coming up on a year removed from spinal fusion surgery, Samuel will look to revive his once-promising NFL career.
Darnell Savage, S (per Tom Pelissero, NFL Network)
The Pittsburgh Steelers added depth to the safety position with Darnell Savage, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The No. 21 overall pick in 2019 by the Green Bay Packers recorded eight interceptions over his first three seasons, but inconsistency and injuries have plagued Savage much of his career.
Savage signed for just $1.487 million on a one-year deal. He offers limited special teams value, but his speed and ball skills could come in handy in the secondary if and when his name is called in 2026.
Travis Homer, RB, (per Adam Schefter, ESPN)
The Steelers are signing former Bears and Seahawks running back Travis Homer, per Adam Schefter. Homer has just 90 carries in his first seven seasons, but has carved out 1,303 special teams snaps. In addition to working on special teams coverage, Homer has also fielded 19 career kick returns for 473 yards and a touchdown since his rookie season in 2019.
With Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle signed through 2027, Homer could compete with 2025 third-round pick Kaleb Johnson for the team's third running back role on the 2026 roster.
Departures:
Kenneth Gainwell, RB (per Jordan Schultz)
Kenneth Gainwell inked a two-year, $14 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported. The deal includes $10 million in gurarantees. Gainwell earned a massive payday after played for the Steelers on a one-year, $1.79 million contract in 2025.
Omar Khan expressed at the NFL Combine that Gainwell knew the team wanted him back. Instead, he cashes in big with the Bucs after earning 1,023 scrimmage yards with the Steelers last season.
Isaac Seumalo, G, (per Ian Rapoport)
The Pittsburgh Steelers waved goodbye to Isaac Seumalo, as the long-time veteran guard is signing with the Arizona Cardinals, via NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Seumalo agreed to a three-year contract worth $31.5 million.
Seumalo has been with the Steelers since the 2023 offseason. His departure creates a need at left guard for Pittsburgh. Early predictions suggest the Steelers could net a fifth-round compensatory pick in 2027, barring a similarly-valued signing that could cancel this out.
James Pierre, CB (per Cameron Wolfe)
The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to a deal with Steelers' free-agent cornerback James Pierre that will net him $8.5 million over the next two seasons, per Cameron Wolfe. This deal includes $3.7 million in guaranteed money and a $2.5 million signing bonus.
Pierre was exceptional for the Steelers since taking over for Darius Slay during the 2025 season. With Pittsburgh inking Asante Samuel Jr. to a one-year deal just hours earlier, Pierre may have been less of a priority. The veteran cornerback will turn 30 years old at the start of the 2026 season.
Calvin Austin III, WR (per Adam Schefter, ESPN)
After four seasons with the Steelers, Calvin Austin III has found a new home with the New York Giants. The Giants are signing Austin to a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 2022 fourth-round pick of the Steelers leaves the team after a down season in 2025 that included 372 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 14 games.
Over the past three seasons, Austin was Pittsburgh's punt returner—recording 639 punt return yards and a touchdown on 72 returns 8.9 yards per return).
Jonnu Smith, TE (per Adam Schefter, ESPN)
Adam Schefter reported Thursday that the Steelers have released tight end Jonnu Smith. This roster move frees up $7 million in salary cap space, which could be used to bolster the offensive line or wide receiver room.
Smith's lone season in Pittsburgh was nothing short of a disaster. Joining the team in the Jalen Ramsey deal with the Dolphins, the veteran tight end averaged a mere 5.8 yards per reception and 4.1 yards per target last season.
Smith's departure from the team could mean a higher focus on getting Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington involved in 2026. The Steelers could look to add a depth signing in free agency at tight end to round out the positional group.
Connor Heyward, TE (per Adam Schefter, ESPN)
Connor Heyward has reached an agreement on a two-year, $5.5 max value deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, per Adam Schefter. This contract includes $2 million in guarantees. Heyward, the Steelers' sixth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, spent the past four seasons as a reserve tight end and core special teams player in Pittsburgh.
Heyward, the younger brother of Cameron Heyward, played in all 68 regular-season games for the Steelers over the past four years, making 14 starts. He ends his Steelers journey with 1,124 special teams snaps and 28 tackles, while chipping in 44 receptions for 379 yards and three touchdowns on offense.
Corliss Waitman, P (per Tom Pelissero)
Steelers' punter from the 2025 season, Corliss Waitman, agreed to a deal with the San Francisco 49ers, Tom Pelissero reported. Waitman beat out Cameron Johnston for the job last season. Meanwhile, Johnston is returning to Pittsburgh as the team's expected punter for 2026.
Miles Killebrew, S (per Jeremy Fowler, ESPN)
All-Pro special teams ace and veteran safety Miles Killebrew is signing a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports. Killebrew, the Steelers' special teams captain, suffered a season-ending injury five games into the 2025 season.
Killebrew was with Pittsburgh as a backup safety and core special teams player since the 2021 season. He took the field for a combined 73 games for the Steelers.
Potential Departures to watch
Aaron Rodgers, QB, UFA
Just like this time last offseason, Aaron Rodgers is perfectly content leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers in the dark. The 42-year-old quarterback hasn't made a decision on his future or gone as far as to commit to playing in 2026. General manager Omar Khan made it clear that the ball is in Rodgers' court.
Despite aiding the Steelers to a 10-7 record in 2025, the market for Rodgers in free agency could be small, considering his lack of mobility and play-making ability down the field at this stage of his career. Retirement could be looming.
Best targets remaining
Joel Bitonio, G, Cleveland Browns
Joel Bitonio is a player the Steelers fans are familiar with. The seven-time Pro Bowl guard spent his first 12 seasons in the AFC North with the Cleveland Browns. Now 34 and with a ton of mileage on his frame, Bitonio doesn't hold the same luster he once did.
Still, with Isaac Seumalo spurning the Steelers in free agency for the Arizona Cardinals, guard becomes a massive need for Pittsburgh. Bitonio would only be a stopgap solution, but he's missed only two games since 2017 and has 178 career starts. He would give Pittsburgh a veteran presence as a powerful plug-and-play starter at left guard for the 2026 season.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons
This might not be the most appealing quarterback option for Steelers fans, but it still might be better than the alternative. Kirk Cousins is another year removed from his Achilles injury and is itching for a chance to start in the 2026 season.
Meanwhile, Cousins fits the style of offense Mike McCarthy is aiming to deploy in 2026. The veteran could be signed one-year contract until the Steelers can find a long-term solution at the position.