The Steelers have a host of players scheduled to become free agents in March, but how many are priorities to re-sign? For former Steelers QB Charlie Batch, now an analyst, he believes there are three. They all just so happen to be on offense, but we won’t hold that against him.
Starting quarterbacks are always the most notable free agents, and so it is for the Steelers. Batch signaled Aaron Rodgers as the most significant name, though it seems down to whether he chooses to play for another year. But he also wants to give Rodgers help on the offensive line and the backfield.
“Kenneth Gainwell, you have to figure out a way to keep this guy on the roster”, Batch said on the Snap Count podcast of one of the Steelers’ most notable free agents, the running back voted as the team’s MVP in 2025. “I don’t think it gets done. I think he works his way to free agency, and I think ultimately there’s gonna be a bidding war with Kenneth Gainwell as it relates to him coming back”.
“The third one for me that I have to look at is gonna be Isaac Seumalo”, Batch added, Seumalo being one of the Steelers’ most notable free agents signed in recent years. Already an established veteran, he signed a three-year, $24 million contract in 2023. “This is a free agent here, this guy is the anchor of the offensive line, and it is very noticeable when he is in the lineup versus when he’s not”.
All three of these free agents make sense for the Steelers in one form or another. They know that Rodgers can give them a baseline quality of play at quarterback. Seumalo has been the veteran of a young offensive line that is still growing. Gainwell recorded 1,023 yards last season with 8 touchdowns, and you certainly want to keep that productivity on the roster.
But Rodgers is more than a little long in the tooth, and Seumalo is also nearing the end of his career. The Steelers have other free agents to consider, as well as in-house options. Some want them to sign QB Malik Willis, for example. As for Seumalo’s left guard spot, there is Spencer Anderson on the roster.
Some of the Steelers’ own more notable free agents include CBs Asante Samuel Jr. and James Pierre, S Kyle Dugger, WR Calvin Austin III, and DL Dean Lowry and Daniel Ekuale. There are also DBs Chuck Clark, Jabrill Peppers, and Tre Flowers, and ILB Cole Holcomb.
But, outside of Rodgers if the Steelers want him back, do they really have any must re-sign free agents? For my money, I think re-signing at least one of the cornerbacks is most important. At running back, you still have Jaylen Warren, and it’s way too early to give up on Kaleb Johnson. And running back help is definitely one thing you can find—they found Gainwell last year. He worked out so well that people are convincing themselves he’s going to spark a bidding war, after all.
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