With the NFL Combine in the books, the next big event on the league’s calendar is free agency and the start of the new league year. The legal tampering period opens one week from today, March 9th, at Noon/EST with the official start of the year starting Wednesday, March 11th, at 4 PM/EST. Armed with a new coaching staff and roster holes to fill, the Pittsburgh Steelers figure to be active in free agency.
Below is a list of pending free agents across the league with connections to this refreshed staff. Keep in mind some names on this list might re-sign with their current teams or aren’t necessarily a major team need. But just in the way we connected the dots to who the Steelers’ new coaches would be, these names connect to Pittsburgh’s new group.
This list won’t include any former Steelers who could return to Pittsburgh.
One last point. This is not my personal Steelers’ free agency wish list, which will be released later this week.
Offense
QB Easton Stick/Falcons
Connection: QBs Coach Tom Arth
If Aaron Rodgers opts for retirement, the Steelers could add to the quarterback room with a low-level vet and round out the depth chart. Stick worked under Arth in Los Angeles. In 2023, he started four games for the Chargers. He lost all four but threw just one interception while scoring four total times (three passing, one rushing). Hardly a needle-mover but a connection worth mentioning.
RB Rico Dowdle/Panthers
Connection: HC Mike McCarthy, RBs Coach Ramon Chinyoung
From their days in Dallas, Dowdle could be an option especially if RB Kenneth Gainwell departs in free agency. Signed by McCarthy’s Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Dowdle posted a 1,000 yard season in 2024, McCarthy’s final year in Dallas. Departing to Carolina for 2025, Dowdle followed up with another 1,000-yard season.
He’s also been active as a receiver, catching 39 passes in each of the past two seasons. Not turning 28 until June, Dowdle has size and under 600 NFL carries. He won’t scratch the itch of providing consistently big plays in the run game, just seven of 20-plus yards the last two combined years, but he could play alongside Jaylen Warren as a new 1-2 punch.
WR Jalen Nailor/Vikings
Connection: OC Brian Angelichio
Mentioned by our Josh Carney yesterday, Nailor is an certainly worth watching. Overshadowed by Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and 2025’s spotty quarterback play, Nailor never posted big numbers in Minnesota. But he’s a prime breakout candidate with a bigger role.
A playmaking threat averaging over 14 yards per reception each of his last two years, Nailor caught 29 passes for 444 yards and four touchdowns in 2025. That included a short score in a failed comeback bid against Pittsburgh.
The question would be if Nailor is the answer as a No. 2 receiver or if Pittsburgh’s group would still feel incomplete. Of course, the team could then add in the draft.
Today is Nailor’s 27th birthday. A week from now, his late gift could be a solid, though certainly not gaudy, contract from the Steelers.
WR Romeo Doubs/Packers
Connection: QB (?) Aaron Rodgers
While not a coach, Rodgers has the experience and knowledge of someone wearing a headset. For this list, Doubs is a worthy exception to make given his logical fit in Pittsburgh. A consistently productive wideout who doesn’t turn 26 until April, Doubs is one of the few rookies to have decent success with Rodgers. In 2022, he caught 42 passes for 425 yards and three touchdowns.
“Every single day, there’s been at least one ‘wow’ play,” Rodgers said of Doubs during the Packers’ 2022 training camp. “And that’s rare for a young guy like that. We’ve had some guys over the years do that, but they are all in the top 10 of Packers receiving history. Good start for him.”
This past summer, Rodgers reportedly inquired about Doubs’ standing with Green Bay, suggesting he had interest in a reunion. That never happened but there’s a chance for the two to get together now.
In fairness, Doubs will play much longer than the one year Rodgers might continue having in the league. And Doubs’ price tag could go up if the top of the receiver market is light. With George Pickens franchise-tagged and the Colts’ Alec Pierce possibly receiving the same, Doubs could have multiple suitors. Still, a deep draft class will prevent receiver-needy teams from overpaying. A Doubs’ contract of $20 million per year seems reasonable and given Pittsburgh’s cap situation, affordable.
WR Jalen Tolbert/Cowboys
Connection: HC Mike McCarthy
A name worth monitoring that hasn’t been discussed much. Drafted under McCarthy in 2022, Tolbert broke out in 2024 with a 49 catch, 610 yard, and seven touchdown campaign. With George Pickens in the fold, Tolbert’s numbers cratered back to Earth in 2025.
But he’s just 27, shown bursts of productivity, and has enjoyed past success against Pittsburgh. In 2024, Tolbert caught seven passes for 87 yards and the game-winning touchdown to beat the Steelers.
iOL Cade Mays/Panthers
Connection: OL Coach James Campen, TEs Coach Robert Kugler
Should Isaac Seumalo leave in free agency, a more-likely-than-not possibility, the Steelers will need to fill his spot. That could come via a draft pick to compete with Spencer Anderson, but it might also come with Mays. A former sixth round pick who cracked the starting lineup in 2025, James Campen and Robert Kugler were on-staff with Mays in Carolina.
Mays has worked exclusively at center the past two years. With Zach Frazier anchoring the pivot, that’s not going to fit in Pittsburgh. But Mays logged 362 left guard snaps in 2023. In college, he played a fair amount of guard, albeit on the right side. All that leaves the door open for Mays to sign with Pittsburgh, though it won’t come cheap and he may prefer to play the middle for someone else. Perhaps Tennessee, center-needy after cutting Lloyd Cushenberry.
OG Joe Bitonio/Browns
Connection: OC Brian Angelichio
You gotta look back a decade for this one but Angelichio worked in Cleveland when Bitonio’s NFL career was just beginning. Now a grizzled veteran, Bitonio is likely looking for a new home as Cleveland revamps its offensive line under a new coaching staff of their own.
A durable seven-time Pro Bowler, Bitonio and DL Cam Heyward have enjoyed great battles over the years. Bitonio could plug right into left guard with Pittsburgh and not miss a beat.
Attractive as that looks on paper, Bitonio turns 35 in October. At that point, it might just be better to re-sign Seumalo.
iOL Luke Fortner/Saints
Connection: Asst OL Coach Jahri Evans
Fortner began his career in Jacksonville but spent the 2025 starting for New Orleans where Evans served as assistant o-line coach. Making 10 starts, Fortner played center so similar to Mays, he would have to change positions.
Fortner hasn’t played left guard since his college days at Kentucky, making him a less-likely fit for Pittsburgh. Still, the connection is there so if Fortner gets greeted with a light market, he could lean on that background with Evans.
OG Dillon Radunz/Saints
Connection: Asst OL Coach Jahri Evans
A fit that makes more sense. A former second round pick of Tennessee who didn’t pan out, Radunz found a second chance in New Orleans. In 2025, he started 10 games for the Saints and logged 693 snaps at left guard. At 27 years old and in his prime, he checks a couple of key boxes. But that could bring up his price tag. The o-line “tax” in free agency is very real.
OT Justin Skule/Vikings
Connection: OC Brian Angelichio
Another Minnesota connection to Angelichio, Skule is a veteran tackle with 26 starts across 82 games. For his career, he’s logged over 1,200 snaps on the left side and 350 on the right. With Broderick Jones’ neck injury leaving his 2026 availability uncertain, the Steelers could sign Skule as a veteran option to compete with Dylan Cook. The loser would become the swing tackle and be an upgrade over Pittsburgh’s own pending free agent Andrus Peat.
OL Brady Christensen/Panthers
Connection: OL Coach James Campen, TEs Coach Robert Kugler
The versatile Christensen has played up and down the line in Carolina. Last year, he picked up almost 300 snaps at right guard but has played left guard, center, and tackle in the past. The quality of his play is up for debate but he could sign as a higher-end, multi-position backup. A cheaper cost could make him ideal competition with Spencer Anderson at left guard. If he loses, he isn’t a big contract wasting away on the bench.
WR Brandin Cooks/Bills
Connection: WRs Coach Adam Henry
Cooks would hardly solve the Steelers’ receivers woes, and Pittsburgh didn’t seem to show much interest in him last year after the New Orleans Saints cut him. Still, Cooks found more success in Buffalo where Henry served as receivers coach.
In the regular season, Cooks caught five passes for 114 yards and was active in Buffalo’s two postseason contests. There was plenty of controversy that one downfield catch of his was robbed by the refs, too. Even at 32, Cooks remains plenty fast and would be a cheap add.
Still, even if Cooks signs, Pittsburgh would need to do a lot more to upgrade the receiver room.
Gabe Davis has a similar landscape. But given his knee injury, his focus is on health instead of signing with a team.
Defense
DL Neville Gallimore/Colts
Connection: HC Mike McCarthy
Drafted by Dallas in the third round of the 2020 draft, Gallimore entered the NFL as a athletic and intriguing prospect. He never lived up to that billing but had a career year in 2025, racking up 3.5 sacks with the Colts across eight starts.
It’s fair to wonder if he’s a great scheme fit or what his role would be. Another team may offer more money and a bigger role. But Gallimore checks the connection box, at least, and Pittsburgh could stand to add more depth. Cam Heyward isn’t even guaranteed to return, either.
EDGE Malcolm Koonce/Raiders
Connection: DC Patrick Graham
It’s unlikely Pittsburgh invests much if anything into its EDGE rushers. That’s one place where Pittsburgh has good depth. Still, Koonce was on the verge of breaking out under Graham before a devastating ACL injury stopped his ’24 season before it began. He returned in 2025 to post 4.5 sacks and importantly, was healthy enough to appear in all 17 games.
He’s a rotational rusher and isn’t great against the run. That doesn’t fit with what Pittsburgh likes historically. Koonce likely signs elsewhere but in the slim event T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, or Nick Herbig get traded, Koonce could be a replacement.
EDGE Jacob Martin/Commanders
Connection: DB Coaches Joe Whitt Jr., Jason Simmons
A light option here in connection and need. Whitt and Simmons are pass game-focused in Pittsburgh, but Whitt served as Martin’s DC in Washington. A veteran with 5.5 sacks last season, Martin played a career-high 700 defensive snaps in 2025. If he can’t find a strong fit and good contract from another team, perhaps a reunion happens later this offseason.
CB Eric Stokes/Raiders
Connection: DC Patrick Graham
Admittedly, the defensive list has fewer strong connections and interesting options compared to offense. But Stokes is the most notable name to mention. Finding traction with the Raiders after struggling as a former Green Bay first rounder, Stokes started 16 games and finished with 53 tackles and five pass breakups.
NFL Network analyst Kevin Patra called Stokes the Raiders’ “unsung hero,” citing his positive analytics.
An outside corner, Stokes could slid in opposite Joey Porter Jr. Turning 27 yesterday, his youth would be a breath of fresh air for a franchise that’s too-often gravitated towards old veterans. Stokes’ contract won’t be bare bones but it shouldn’t be crazy money, either.
CB Treveon Diggs/Packers
Connection: HC Mike McCarthy
Diggs played for McCarthy in Dallas, a 2020 second round picks months after McCarthy got the job. His career has been a roller coaster. Plenty of highs, an 11 interception, All-Pro year in 2021. Plenty of lows, a gambler repeatedly burned and not always scheme-sound. Dallas cut bait last year and Diggs finished the year in Green Bay.
Diggs isn’t an advisable signing but if McCarthy thinks he can return him to form, there might be interest. Diggs’ price tag should be relatively cheap and he’s only 27. If Pittsburgh wants him, it’ll at least be a low-risk option.
CB Darnay Holmes/Raiders
Connection: DC Patrick Graham
Possible slot depth behind Brandin Echols, Holmes spent the las two years with Graham. He’s a backup but won’t turn 28 until the summer and should come cheap. In 2025, he posted 19 tackles. Holmes hasn’t played much on special teams, which could be a drawback.
Las Vegas teammate S Lonnie Johnson is a fellow name to consider. He started the final two games of 2025 for the Raiders. But at 30 and an NFL journeyman, it’s hard to see him being a worthy option for a Pittsburgh defense that must get younger. Ditto with Jamal Adams. Janarius Robinson is a big EDGE who spent two years with the Raiders but has scant NFL production.
CB Amik Robertson/Lions
Connection: DC Patrick Graham
Robertson’s shined brightest in his two years with Detroit but spent his final two years with the Raiders working under Graham. His 12 start, two interception 2023 helped earn Robertson a decent two-year contract with the Lions for the 2024 season.
An undersized but aggressive corner, his statue hasn’t prevented him playing outside corner. But he’s versatile enough for either spot and doesn’t turn 28 until the summer.
Special Teams
P Jake Bailey/Dolphins
Connection: STs Coordinator Danny Crossman
A punter to round out the list. Bailey punted for Crossman in 2023 and 2024 and held the job for 2025. Over the last three years, he ranks just 21st in gross average despite the advantage of punting in Miami for 8-9 home games a season (his divisional road games though put him at risk of working in the elements, though).
Bailey began his career in New England and posted strong numbers there, including making first-team All-Pro in 2020. He has a key background of punting in cold and bad weather, making him more attractive to a team like Pittsburgh.
If the team moves on from Corliss Waitman, Bailey might sit atop the list.
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