PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Monday starts what used to be called legal tampering, now called negotiating period for free agents. We will quickly hear about leaked contracts. Six who started for the Steelers last year are free agents.
Who do you want back?
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
· Told Pat McAfee he hasn’t decided if he wants to return
· 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