PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – An active first day for the Steelers as the free agent negotiating period began Monday, so what are some of the takeaways?
Additions
· Steelers filled the glaring need of a number two receiver with one of the most reliable receivers in the game, Indy’s Michael Pittman, plus he’s 6’4” to add another big target.
· Joey Porter, Junior established himself as a top tier corner in 2025, he will have Jamel Dean on the other side after the Steelers signed the Tampa Bay veteran. Dean has given up one touchdown in the last two seasons, Porter did not give up one last year.
· With team MVP Kenneth Gainwell leaving for the Bucs, Steelers signed Rico Dowdle for a pair of seasons as he is coming off a pair of one-thousand-year seasons.
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Key losses
· Isaac Seumalo started each of his three seasons as the 32-year-old left for a three-year deal with Arizona
· Kenneth Gainwell went to Tampa Bay for $7 million a year
· Last year corner James Pierre improved as he started the down the stretch, the 29-year-old signed with the Vikings
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Retained
· Asante Samuel, Junior returned from missing 2025 to play in six games with the Steelers, starting three
· Cole Holcomb started a few games after returning from his own devastating knee injury
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Salary cap implications
· According to overthecap.com, the Steelers have $18.8 million below the salary cap. This does not include the reported $6.12 million per season for Dowdle. That would take it to $12.6 million left without the potential signing of Aaron Rodgers.
· If you are looking for a couple of players to give you significant cap space—releasing Jalen Ramsey would save $19.5 million, linebacker Patrick Queen would save $13.3 million
· Steelers also have the ability to restructure contracts and the current hit by Pittman is $24 million, that could be reduced to $19.8 when the new contract takes place.
· Steelers have two of the top 25 paid receivers in the NFL
Needs
· Guard-Spencer Anderson could become the starter and Steelers could use the draft
· Safety-another draft need with only DeSean Elliott signed although Jalen Ramsey might continue as safety
· Wide receiver-Steelers have their top 2 now, draft is an option with inexpensive veterans to fill out the room
· TE-last year it was a crowded position, but the release of Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward currently a free agent, somewhere in the draft they would likely want another, especially one who could be a special teams regular
· Swing tackle-with Calvin Anderson released and Broderick Jones health a question mark, bringing in a young tackle to build with makes sense
· There is also need for depth on the defensive line and corner
This can all change quickly, just think about how different mock drafts might look now than on Sunday.