PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There are the 20 Steelers free agents, but there are also a number of key defensive players entering the final year of their contracts in 2026. Let’s look at the list and see whether you would re-up with one, some, any, all of the key defenders in the final year of their deals.
The Steelers maintain their policy of trying to sign players to contract extensions going into the final years of their contracts. While they’ve changed some rules, the team philosophy is no negotiations during the season.
DL Cam Heyward
· Entering his 16th season at age 37, Heyward is still playing at a high level. Rated the last two seasons as the best interior defender in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. He has played every game in four of the last five seasons with 32 sacks, 50 tackles for loss and 30 passes defensed in his four full seasons.
· Last contract-two-year, $29 million extension that was restricted before the start of the 2025 season
LB Patrick Queen
· In his two seasons with the Steelers after four with Baltimore, has combined for 249 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 11 passes defensed and three forced fumbles in 34 games as a Steeler.
· Last contract-three seasons, $41 million
CB Joey Porter, Junior
· Inarguably took a big step forward this year with a career high 14 passes defensed in 14 games and raised his PFF corner rankings from 96th to 28th. He also had eight fewer penalties in 2025 compared to 2024
· Last contract-four years, $9.6 million (rookie deal)
DL Keeanu Benton
· 1st season starting every game, quadrupled his sack total (5.5) and finished with career highs in 2025 in TFL (6), quarterback hits (12) and tackles (51). Second round pick in 2023 will turn 25 in July.
· Last contract-four years, $7.3 million (rookie deal)
LB Nick Herbig
· Will be 25 in November, coming off career-highs in sacks (7.5), tackles (30), tackles for loss (13), quarterback hits (18) and had his first interception. In three seasons as mostly a reserve, 16 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, 32 QB hits
· Last contract-four years, $4.5 million (rookie deal)
CB Brandin Echols
· First season with the Steelers working mostly in the slot with a pair of interceptions, his first career sack, 48 tackles, three TFL, a forced fumble and a sack. Will be 29 in October.
· Last contract-two years, $6 million
LB Malik Harrison
· Run-stuffing linebacker had 41 tackles in 11 games with two tackles for loss in his first year with the Steelers, soon to be 28.
· Last contract-two years, $10 million