Are the Steelers done signing outside free agents before the draft?
Since the new league year began, the Steelers have traded for, signed, or agreed to deals with eight outside free agents. Of course, the trade—Michael Pittman Jr.—wasn’t a free agent, but the Colts were going to release him. The point is, he is a player the Steelers brought in from outside of the organization.
The question is will the Steelers add more free agents before the draft, or will they wait? They have added starters or likely starters at cornerback, safety, and wide receiver. On top of that, they’ve added a running back and offensive lineman who will compete to start or for a significant role. Other signings bring them either depth or significant contributions on special teams.
With the free agents the Steelers have brought in so far, though, where are the remaining holes? At least, how does the current roster set up as it reflects the strengths of the 2026 NFL Draft? They could use some wide receivers, but the draft has what they need. The Steelers could also potentially find a starting guard on Day 2, plus a future starter in the secondary.
The last remaining piece in terms of free agents for the Steelers would be a quarterback, if anything. They are waiting for Aaron Rodgers, and presumably they will wait him out through the draft if necessary. At this point in time, I don’t see them adding an outsider. They already have Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, and they can bring back Skylar Thompson.
Not that the Steelers can’t use depth, but the depth they need at this point in terms of free agents could wait until after the draft to see how it unfolds. There will be plenty of unsigned veterans in May. Indeed, there will be more, as teams will release players based on their draft hauls.
One thing that seems likely, at least, is that the Steelers have no big outside free agents left to sign. Aaron Rodgers is the last big domino to fall, assuming that he chooses to re-sign with them. And he might not even show up until April or even May, for all we know. After all, we’re nearly at the end of March and seem no closer to movement on that front.
The Steelers exited the playoffs in the first round yet again, a pattern going back to 2017.With seven consecutive postseason losses, and no wins in nearly a decade, they are facing another long, long offseason. No doubt we will see many changes, but none will top Mike Tomlin resigning.
The NFL has crowned its latest champion, but for us and the Steelers, we have been in offseason mode. That’s what happens when the team you coverloses by the middle of January all the time, but you’ve been around, so you know that already. Enjoy the ride, even the turbulence, because it’s the only way we know how to travel anymore.
Recommended for you