PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Now that the head coach and most of the assistants, including the coordinators are in place, now let’s take a look at the free agents the Steelers have to decide on before the door opens on March 11.
The list is headlined by a future Hall of Fame quarterback, the Steelers 2025 Team MVP and a team captain.
QB Aaron Rodgers
· 2025 salary ($13.65 million), Spotrac estimated value ($10.56 million)
· 42-year-old won 10 of his 17 starts including the postseason with 65.7% completion, 24 TD, 8 INT, 3468 yards
· Other QBs-Will Howard didn’t play a snap in the preseason or regular season and Mason Rudolph is under contract one more year
S Kyle Dugger
· 2025 salary ($14.5 million), Spotrac estimated value ($5.94 million)
· Acquired in a trade with New England, the 29-year-old played and started 9 games with the Steelers with 42 tackles, 2 interceptions, including a Pick 6. He played 100% of the snaps in six of his games.
· Safety DeShon Elliott returns from injury, he is one of 3 safeties who are unrestricted free agents
RB Kenneth Gainwell
· 2025 salary ($1.79 million), Spotrac estimated value ($2.96 million)
· Steelers Team MVP after 1,023 combined yards and 8 TD, Rodgers noted he was going to make Gainwell a lot of money in his next contract.
· Jaylen Warren is under contract and third-round pick Kaleb Johnson enters his second season
G Isaac Seumalo
· 2025 salary ($8.5 million), Spotrac estimated value (9.6 million)
· Played 100% of the snaps in 44 games with the Steelers, missed four games in 2024 (voted to the Pro Bowl) and three in 2025.
· Guard Spencer Anderson is a potential in-house replacement for the 32-year-old
S Miles Killebrew
· 2025 salary ($3.25 million), no salary estimation
· Special teams captain and Pro Bowler will be 33-years-old in May, played 5 games before devastating knee injury. Played 81 special teams snaps before the injury
· Ben Skowronek named a Pro Bowler for Special Teams in 2025
WR Calvin Austin
· 2025 salary ($1.04 million), Spotrac estimated value ($4.87 million)
· 26-year-old played in 14 games (missed 3 with shoulder injury), 31 receptions, 372 yards, 3 TD (including game-winner at New England)
· Adam Thielen is retiring, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Scotty Miller are other free agent receivers
CB James Pierre
· 2025 salary ($1.17 million), no salary estimation
· Became the starter opposite Joey Porter, Junior finishing with 30 tackles, an interception and career-high 11 passes defensed
· Darius Slay was released, unlikely Jalen Ramsey plays corner, Pierre could be the Steelers starter in 2026 if brought back
TE Connor Heyward
· 2025 salary ($953,800), no salary estimation
· Became QB in short-yardage, 11 first downs, 2 TD, 3 rec, 21 yards
· A key role player & always interesting decision due to his brother, all other tight ends are signed through the 2026 season
WR Scotty Miller
· 2025 salary ($1.3 million), no salary estimation
· A favorite of Rodgers, the 28-year-old played in 13 games with 9 receptions for 62 yards
· Could be re-signed could be later in the process
CB Asante Samuel, Jr.
· 2025 salary ($1.25 million), no salary estimation
· Returned from injury to start 3 of the 6 games he played with the Steelers finishing with 10 tackles and an interception. Played nearly every snap in his 2 starts, but replaced by Pierre
· Likely earned himself an opportunity, likely depends on whether Steelers sign Pierre
Other free agents
· LB Cole Holcomb-returned from injury to play spot duty
· DL Daniel Ekuale-dealt with injury and played 7 games
· DL Dean Lowry-missed the season due to injury, 32 in June
· S Chuck Clark-brought in in training camp & played 15 games (5 starts)
· DL Isaiahh Loudermilk-injured most of 2025
· S Jabrill Peppers- no defensive snaps in 7 of last 8 games
· WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling-played in 5 games, 10 rec, 80 yds, TD
· TE Donald Parham-hurt early in preseason workouts & missed season