2026 Steelers Free Agents

[Crossdogblitz]

Here's the list of UFAs for reference. If I missed one, let me know and I'll add it. Who do you want to see retained?

QB - Aaron Rodgers, Skylar Thompson
RB - Kenny Gainwell
TE - Connor Heyward, Donald Parham
WR - Calvin Austin III, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Scotty Miller, Adam Thielen (ret)
OL - Isaac Seumelo, Andrus Peat, Max Scharping, Jack Driscoll

S - Kyle Duggar, Julius Peppers, Chuck Clark, Miles Killebrew
CB - James Pierre, Asante Samuels Jr
LB - Cole Holcomb
DL - Isaiah Loudermilk, Dean Lowry, Daniel Ekuale

Free Agency Tampering Period - 3/9 - 3/11. Free Agency begins 3/11

 

[slashsteel]

Here's the list of UFAs for reference. If I missed one, let me know and I'll add it. Who do you want to see retained?

QB - Aaron Rodgers, Skylar Thompson
RB - Kenny Gainwell
TE - Connor Heyward, Donald Parham
WR - Calvin Austin III, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Scotty Miller, Adam Thielen (ret)
OL - Isaac Seumelo, Andrus Peat, Max Scharping, Jack Driscoll

S - Kyle Duggar, Julius Peppers, Chuck Clark, Miles Killebrew
CB - James Pierre, Asante Samuels Jr
LB - Cole Holcomb
DL - Isaiah Loudermilk, Dean Lowry, Daniel Ekuale

I don’t see any must bring backs.

They have an opportunity to upgrade the roster, they should.

 

[xjx]

Gain well might be nice. Probably expensive now.

 

[Djfan]

Gainwell, CA3 (hoping we can upgrade from him, but if not, keep him), Killebrew

 

[slashsteel]

Gain well might be nice. Probably expensive now.

Guess that depends on how you see Warren do you see him as a clear cut starter or prefer him as a number 2 option? If Warren is a number 2 they should bring in a number 1…

 

[Crossdogblitz]

I don’t see any must bring backs.

They have an opportunity to upgrade the roster, they should.

James Pierre for me, but that's about it. And I agree, 12 draft picks plus FA, if used correctly, could really reshape the roster.

As XJX mentioned, Gainwell obviously had a great year and I was surprised tbh. I didn't have high expectations, but what a great player. I think he will get a bigger contract and MM seems to like bigger backs, (just looking at his Dallas roster thru the years) so I wouldn't be surprised to see him move on.

 

[Djfan]

As XJX mentioned, Gainwell obviously had a great year and I was surprised tbh. I didn't have high expectations, but what a great player. I think he will get a bigger contract and MM seems to like bigger backs, (just looking at his Dallas roster thru the years) so I wouldn't be surprised to see him move on.

He and Warren taking turns made things very good, IMO. Maybe we get a coach who knows how to have a two back set, and really play with the defenses. They both can catch and block for the QB. That kind of pairing won't get many HOF guys made, but will build towards a really good offense. Keep him if not too expensive.

 

[Skott]

So who’s RB 1?

We need fresh blood and energy at that position

 

[TheDudeAbides]

Gainwell and Pierre (can he stay healthy?). Dump Seumelo and his bloated contract.

 

[Litos]

Gainwell, CA3, Pierre, Samuel.
Ekuale?

 

[CoolieMan]

Here's the list of UFAs for reference. If I missed one, let me know and I'll add it. Who do you want to see retained?

QB - Aaron Rodgers, Skylar Thompson
RB - Kenny Gainwell
TE - Connor Heyward, Donald Parham
WR - Calvin Austin III, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Scotty Miller, Adam Thielen (ret)
OL - Isaac Seumelo, Andrus Peat, Max Scharping, Jack Driscoll

S - Kyle Duggar, Julius Peppers, Chuck Clark, Miles Killebrew
CB - James Pierre, Asante Samuels Jr
LB - Cole Holcomb
DL - Isaiah Loudermilk, Dean Lowry, Daniel Ekuale

bring back Gainwell, Duggar, Pierre and maybe Killebrew

none of the rest will be missed

 

[BLITZ]

Depends on how the new regime feels about bloodlines

 

[stillwright]

Guess that depends on how you see Warren do you see him as a clear cut starter or prefer him as a number 2 option? If Warren is a number 2 they should bring in a number 1…

Then you have our rookie RB from last year. Where do they see him fitting in role wise.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Gainwell and Pierre (can he stay healthy?). Dump Seumelo and his bloated contract.

Seumalo is somewhere around the 25th paid guard. When healthy, he plays at a pretty high level.

Must sign: None

Should sign at the right price: Heyward, Pierre

Only if cheap: Gainwell, Miller, Duggar

Only if no other option: Rodgers, CAIII, Seumalo, Killebrew, Samuels Jr.

Last resort: Thompson, Peppers, Holcomb, Loudermilk, Lowry, Ekuale

No thanks: Parham, MVS, Sharping, Driscoll, Clark

 

[Steelersreign]

I would try to resign Gainwell and Seulmalo depending on how much they want

 

[Drink IRON City]

Here's the list of UFAs for reference. If I missed one, let me know and I'll add it. Who do you want to see retained?

QB - Aaron Rodgers, Skylar Thompson
RB - Kenny Gainwell

I would try to resign him, price being the controlling factor.

TE - Connor Heyward, Donald Parham

GONE, Heyward if reduced price and no brother interference (that won't happen as brother is a big mouth)

WR - Calvin Austin III, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Scotty Miller, Adam Thielen (ret)

No longer need any of these guy's services. Austin if cheap.

OL - Isaac Seumelo, Andrus Peat, Max Scharping, Jack Driscoll

S - Kyle Duggar, Julius Peppers, Chuck Clark, Miles Killebrew
CB - James Pierre, Asante Samuels Jr
LB - Cole Holcomb
DL - Isaiah Loudermilk, Dean Lowry, Daniel Ekuale

Free Agency Tampering Period - 3/9 - 3/11. Free Agency begins 3/11

Nothing here is pressing for return. If Isaac signed for back-up money, then yes. All the rest can scatt.





Salute the nation

 

[steelhurt]

Gainwell, Pierre, Cal Austin.

 

[Superman]

QB - Skylar Thompson
RB - Kenny Gainwell
OL - Isaac Seumalo

S - Kyle Dugger, Miles Killebrew
CB - James Pierre, Asante Samuels Jr
LB - Cole Holcomb

---
Gainwell is the most must-sign we have. Coming off a career year and should be very good in McCarthy's system with Warren again.

Thompson, is a quality signing, even if he'll never be a franchise QB. He'll be just 29 when the season starts and that's not too old for a QB (especially since we trotted out one with a pacemaker and walker last season).

Seumalo will be entering his 11th season. He's good and a solid anchor on the OL, but he'll be a bit pricey this go-around. His contract will be at least what he got on his last one - 3 years, $24 mil - if not a bit more. My idea would be to let Cook and Jones battle it for LT with the "loser" moving to LG, making Seumalo expendable.

Dugger and Killebrew if the price is low. Killebrew for the ST experience. BUT, he's 32 right now, so it may be time for him to move on to coaching. Dugger will be 30 when the season starts. With Elliott back, and Ramsey currently on roster, then he's not a must-sign.

Lamar Jackson's cousin, James Pierre, who is Lamar Jackson's cousin, James Pierre will be 30 in 2026. That's a bit on the aging, slowing decline for a CB. Not a must-sign. Samuel, however, I'd bring back at a fair price.

Holcomb has spot-starter ability, even after the injury. Good depth signing at a fair price.

 

[TDX27]

Not a FA, but Jonnu Smith should absolutely be cut. Keep Muuuth, Washington, and another young TE.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

I like Miles K. but his time is done. Skow replaced him admirably and brings a toughness to the offense. I think we can move on from Killebrew.

I would try and trade Jonuu for whatever we can get before cutting him. Even if it is him and 7th for a 6th, I would take it.

Gainwell would be nice to have back but I wouldn't overpay for him.

Pierre I would bring back for a reasonable deal same with Samuel.

I would prefer to move on from Isaac for someone younger.

 

[madinsomniac]

Here's the list of UFAs for reference. If I missed one, let me know and I'll add it. Who do you want to see retained?

QB - Aaron Rodgers, Skylar Thompson
RB - Kenny Gainwell
TE - Connor Heyward, Donald Parham
WR - Calvin Austin III, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Scotty Miller, Adam Thielen (ret)
OL - Isaac Seumelo, Andrus Peat, Max Scharping, Jack Driscoll

S - Kyle Duggar, Julius Peppers, Chuck Clark, Miles Killebrew
CB - James Pierre, Asante Samuels Jr
LB - Cole Holcomb
DL - Isaiah Loudermilk, Dean Lowry, Daniel Ekuale

Free Agency Tampering Period - 3/9 - 3/11. Free Agency begins 3/11

QB - Aaron Rodgers, he will be back regardless of what we think...
QB - Skylar Thompson only if mason is gone
RB - Kenny Gainwell retain him
TE - Connor Heyward, up to the OC
TE - Donald Parham meh
WR - Calvin Austin III, retain him and use him in the slot
WR - Marquez Valdez-Scantling, no mas!
WR - Scotty Miller, meh
WR - Adam Thielen (ret) retired
OL - Isaac Seumelo, Retain him.. he was at times our best olineman in a dumb scheme
OL - Andrus Peat, meh
OL - Max Scharping, meh
OL - Jack Driscoll meh

S - Kyle Duggar, retain him
S - Julius Peppers, meh
S - Chuck Clark, meh
S - Miles Killebrew, love him, but after that injury at his age he is likely done
CB - James Pierre, Keep him as a top backup
CB - Asante Samuels Jr meh
LB - Cole Holcomb if he is cheap, keep him as a backup
DL - Isaiah Loudermilk, meh
DL - Dean Lowry, meh
DL - Daniel Ekuale - meh

RFAs
P - Corliss Waitman - keep or upgrade
DL - Esezi Otomewo - cheap camp body
OLB Jeremiah Moon - cheap camp body
OL Ryan McCollum - keep as backup

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

I think someone will offer Pierre a nice contract.