The Pittsburgh Steelers approached free agency with several glaring holes on the roster, but also plenty of room to make a splash.
But general manager Omar Khan didn’t wait for free agency to make that splash, as Pittsburgh agreed Sunday evening to trade a second-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for star wide receiver DK Metcalf, who will sign a five-year, $150 million deal. And the Steelers certainly aren’t done.
Pending the structure of Metcalf’s contract (which will likely carry a cap hit under $10 million in 2025), Over the Cap estimates the Steelers have $63.7 million in cap space. That could be used to tap into a deep veteran cornerback market, bolster the trenches with a defensive lineman and more.
Oh yeah, and you might have heard, they still need a quarterback, as Justin Fields has left for New York.
Keep this page bookmarked. Throughout free agency, it will be updated with the latest Steelers moves, the salary-cap situation and analysis and grades for each transaction.
Before we jump in, a look at the team’s free agents:
Unrestricted: QB Russell Wilson, RB Najee Harris, CB Donte Jackson, RG James Daniels, ILB Elandon Roberts, WR Mike Williams, WR Van Jefferson, DT Isaiahh Loudermilk, S Damontae Kazee, TE MyCole Pruitt, CB James Pierre, DB Cameron Sutton, WR Ben Skowronek, OL Nate Herbig, QB Kyle Allen, LB Tyler Matakevich, OL Calvin Anderson.
Restricted: RB Jaylen Warren
Fields leaves for the Jets
Impact (out of 5): 5
Analysis: As the Steelers’ 2024 campaign unraveled with five consecutive losses to close out the season, it was fair to wonder how things might have gone differently if coach Mike Tomlin stuck with Fields instead of pivoting to Wilson in Week 7.
We’ll never find out.
Steelers owner and team president Art Rooney II said right after the season that his preference was to re-sign either Fields or Wilson. But as the process unfolded, the truth was the team made Fields their top priority. However, by dragging out the process, the Steelers allowed other teams to get in on the bidding. Ultimately, Fields agreed to terms on a two-year, $40 million deal with $30 million guaranteed with the Jets.
Was he simply choosing more money, or did the Steelers’ decision to change streams after a 4-2 start sour his feelings on the organization?
Given Fields’ checkered history in the league, it’s reasonable that the Steelers didn’t want to open their wallet too far for a quarterback who hadn’t proved through four years that he could be a legitimate QB1. After all, if Tomlin didn’t think Fields was the answer in the middle of the season, what would have changed?
Although we can debate whether the Steelers made the right move to pass on Fields, the problem is they’re now running out of options at QB. A 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers is emerging as the most likely candidate. Other options include Wilson, Daniel Jones or Kirk Cousins.
Grade: D. If the Steelers decided Fields was their top option, they should have started this process much earlier, rather than dragging it out and allowing other teams to get involved. While you can agree (or disagree) that the Steelers shouldn’t have forked over tens of millions in guaranteed money for an unproven QB, they’re now left with a picked-over QB market that was awfully weak in the first place. This also almost guarantees the Steelers will need to draft a QB this year or in 2026.
Warren tendered at second-round level
Impact (out of 5): 3.5
Analysis: In the hours before the floodgates opened on legal tampering, the Steelers handled one piece of internal business, placing a second-round tender on restricted free-agent running back Jaylen Warren, a team source confirmed. The move comes with a $5.346 million price tag. Warren will be permitted to negotiate with other teams, but the tender should effectively deter other teams. If he signs an offer sheet elsewhere, the Steelers can either match the contract or get a second-round pick in exchange, a price another team is unlikely to pay.
Warren joined the Steelers in 2022 as an undrafted free agent. After impressing during ‘backs on backers drills at training camp, he earned a roster spot and tallied 379 yards on 77 carries (4.9 average), plus 214 receiving yards as a rookie. The 5-foot-8, 215-pound back carved out a niche thanks to his excellent pass protection skills and quick-twitch running style. His workload increased considerably in 2023, as Warren racked up 784 yards on 149 carries (5.3 average) to go along with 370 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
In 2024, Warren sustained a hamstring injury leading up to the start of the season and then a knee injury early in the season, limiting his usage and effectiveness. But by the end of the year, he often out-snapped and out-touched lead back Najee Harris. At the time, it seemed the Steelers were beginning to pivot to Warren. By placing an expensive tag on the ball carrier, he now might be in position to be a more central piece of the Steelers’ offense.
Grade: B. Keeping Warren was a prudent piece of business for the Steelers. After working primarily as a third-down back early in his career, he now has a chance to step into an elevated role on a team that wants to run the football, especially if Harris moves on in free agency. The Steelers could have placed a less-expensive right-of-first-refusal tag on Warren for $3.263 million. By choosing the second-round tender, the Steelers are investing more to retain Warren, a sign of how he’s earned the coaching staff’s trust and respect over time.
Steelers save $7 million by cutting Ogunjobi
Impact (out of 5): 2.5
Analysis: The Steelers created more salary-cap space on Monday afternoon, releasing defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, a team source confirmed.
The veteran defensive lineman signed with the Steelers in 2022 after tallying double-digit TFLs and QB hits in three of his first five seasons. But during his three years in Pittsburgh, he endured repeated injuries and inconsistencies and only once reached double digits a single time in those categories (QB hits in 2022). Though the Steelers now have a hole on the defensive front, they can fill it in the draft.
Grade: B. The Steelers really could have (and maybe should have) parted ways with Ogunjobi last year. They finally took the inevitable step early into free agency. With a deep and talented defensive tackle class in the draft and a few free agents still available, the Steelers can now begin restocking their defensive front.
Dan Moore Jr. leaves for the Titans, paving way for Steelers’ tackle evolution
Date: March 10
Impact (out of 5): 1.5
Analysis: On Monday afternoon, former Steelers left tackle Dan Moore Jr. agreed to a four-year, $82 million deal ($50 million guaranteed) with the Tennessee Titans, league sources told The Athletic’s Jeff Howe.
It’s no surprise that the Steelers let Moore walk. Pittsburgh has been essentially trying to replace him for two seasons, using back-to-back first round picks on tackles in 2023 (Broderick Jones) and 2024 (Troy Fautanu). Last year, Moore led the league in sacks allowed with 12, according to Pro Football Focus. The fact that he got a big-money deal shows how important the tackle position is in the modern, pass-happy NFL. It’s also a credit to Moore, who continued to refine his game and develop in a division that features Myles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson.
While the move was expected, now that it’s official, the Steelers’ plan at tackle can take shape. GM Omar Khan reiterated at the combine that he expects Jones to begin offseason work at left tackle. Meanwhile, Fautanu is coming off of a pair of knee injuries as a rookie, including one that ended his season almost as soon as it began. He’s slated to start the year on the right side. The challenge for the Steelers will be to get both young tackles up to speed as quickly as possible to protect their new QB.
Grade: B+. While the Steelers were planning to move on from Moore anyway, they should be thrilled that he got paid handsomely. Pittsburgh already has its future in place with Jones and Fautanu (so long as they’re developed well), and the lucrative contract increases the chances the Steelers will get a compensatory pick in return.
DK Metcalf acquired from Seattle
Date: March 9
Impact (out of 5): 5
Analysis: Khan has been on the hunt for a game-breaking receiver for some time now. Now he’s got one. Metcalf, 27, is still in his prime. He brings size, physicality and great hands. Simply put, he’s a game changer who should immediately step into the No. 1 WR role, no matter what other receivers the Steelers have on the roster. By agreeing to a five-year, $150 million deal, he will be a central piece of the offense this year and into the future. He should help whomever Pittsburgh signs to play QB and also give the team leverage as George Pickens approaches a contract year.
Grade: A. There’s always risk that comes with trading significant draft capital and paying big money to a newly acquired player, but it would have been hard for Khan to do much better to address a glaring need.
Steelers restructure ILB Cole Holcomb’s contract
Date: March 6
Impact (out of 5): 1.5
Analysis: Give Holcomb credit. He had to fight his way into the NFL, first as a walk-on at UNC and then as a fifth-round pick who wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. Just when the former Washington Commander had established himself and earned a big payday with the Steelers in 2023 — signing a three-year, $18 million deal — he sustained a devastating knee injury. He restructured his deal last season and spent the year going through a grueling rehab process. Days before the start of free agency, he again restructured his deal, according to multiple reports, to save the Steelers about $4 million against the cap. He’s now on the books for a $3.64 million cap hit, according to Over the Cap.
When Holcomb was healthy, he was the do-everything, three-down ‘backer. It remains to be seen what role he might (or might not) have. The Steelers deployed a three-ILB rotation last year with Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson and Elandon Roberts, who is a free agent. The fourth and fifth linebackers, Mark Robinson and Tyler Matakevich, were special teamers. Will Holcomb try to add special teams to his resume to carve out a new niche? Or does he factor into the three-ILB rotation? It’s not completely clear at this time.
Grade: Incomplete. This depends on what the Steelers want Holcomb’s role to be. If he’s part of the three-ILB rotation, this is a slam dunk. If he’s a depth piece who is stashed or cut at the end of camp to make room for someone else (like Roberts), it’s a much less impactful move.
Steelers sign TE Donald Parham
Date: Feb. 21
Impact (out of 5): 2
Analysis: If Arthur Smith had it his way, he’d play a tight end at every position — or so it seems based on his infatuation with the position. No team deployed 13 personnel (one back, three tight ends) more often than the Steelers, who used that personnel grouping 177 times in 2024, according to TruMedia. (Side note: They were in the bottom half of efficiency out of this grouping, averaging 3.0 yards per play).
Though the Steelers already have an all-around TE in Pat Freiermuth, a dominant blocker in Darnell Washington and a hybrid H-back in Connor Heyward, it makes sense to add a depth piece like Parham, especially considering MyCole Pruitt is a free agent. The 6-foot-8 Parham caught 67 passes for 764 yards and 11 TDs with the Chargers from 2020 to 2023. He spent the entire 2024 season on the Broncos practice squad. Time will tell whether Parham sticks around and what his role will be. That will be determined based on what other pieces the Steelers add.
Grade: C-. It’s hard to get too excited about a tight end who spent the entire 2024 season on a practice squad. However, it was a logical move at the time, and Parham does fit what the Steelers want to do.
(Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images)
