The Steelers have a lot of decisions to make regarding the construction of the roster this spring. This year, they have more flexibility with salary cap space than they've had in recent years.
But, what to do about their own free agents? How much could it cost to bring them back? We're going to look at just five of the Steelers' 22 unrestricted free agents, ones ranked in Pro Football Focus' Top 75 free agents. That should give enough of a barometer for how Omar Khan and the front office can attack free agency once it begins in mid-March.
JUSTIN FIELDS
• PFF free agent ranking: 19th • Projected contract by PFF: One year, $11 million (fully guaranteed)
Fields might be the Steelers' best option at quarterback this spring. It's just not a great crop of free agents and the draft class is pretty underwhelming, too. The trade market could be interesting, especially if the Rams make Matthew Stafford available to shed cap space. But if that doesn't happen, bringing Fields back to be the unquestioned starter gives the Steelers the most amount of upside at the position, and meets Mike Tomlin's desire to have a mobile quarterback. And, if they can get him on a one-year deal like PFF projects, it comes with little risk.
JAMES DANIELS
• PFF free agent ranking: 28th • Projected contract by PFF: One year, $5.5 million ($3 million guaranteed)
Daniels was on his way to a big payday, as he was having a career year before an Achilles injury in Week 4 ended his season. Guards are getting paid higher and higher nowadays, and at 27 years old, would have likely gotten a bag or two thrown at him with the way he was playing. But, no team knows of Daniels' recovery better than the Steelers. In theory, they could cut Isaac Seumalo to shed $7.8 million in cap space, sign Daniels to a cheap one-year deal and move Mason McCormick over to the left side, where he played while at South Dakota State. But, that would obviously come with quite a bit of risk.
RUSSELL WILSON
• PFF free agent ranking: 44th • Projected contract by PFF: Two years, $70 million ($40 million guaranteed)
The Steelers signed Wilson last March to be their starting quarterback, and it remained that way through the end of the season, even with Fields getting six starts while Wilson recovered from a preseason calf injury. Wilson injected life into the Steelers' offense with his continued ability to complete passes at a high rate out of play-action and, of course, with his superb deep ball. However, defenses eventually began to figure out Wilson's game and his play deteriorated over the final five games of the season, leading to yet another first-round playoff loss for the Steelers. Wilson's a couple steps slower than he used to be, which limits his ability to be consistently dangerous outside of the pocket, which has always been his game. This contract PFF projects would be a gigantic risk for the Steelers given the way Wilson played in December and January.
DAN MOORE JR.
• PFF free agent ranking: 47th • Projected contract by PFF: Three years, $40 million ($25 million guaranteed)
Moore spent his rookie contract getting every opportunity to improve and perhaps had his best season in 2024. For the first half of the season, Moore was in his best form of his career, but his played over the second half of the season regressed. He wound up with 12 sacks allowed and 41 pressures allowed, per PFF. The Steelers need better from left tackle. But, teams are desperate for even average left tackles, so it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see a team hand him a contract in the ballpark PFF is projecting. However, I don't see the Steelers and Moore pursuing any reunion here. The plan right now is to move Broderick Jones back to the left side, where he played at Georgia. It would be best to try and let their 2023 first-round pick develop at his natural position rather than run it back with the same left tackle, but this time at a much higher cost.
NAJEE HARRIS
• PFF free agent ranking: 48th • Projected contract by PFF: Three years, $34.5 million ($22.5 million guaranteed)
Say what you will about Harris, but he produced over his four seasons in Pittsburgh. He recorded 1,000-yard performances in each of those seasons, climbing to sixth all-time in franchise history with 4,312 yards. However, at just 3.9 yards per carry, he was not the most efficient running back. He got his yards more out of sheer volume rather than being an efficient runner. And after the Steelers hired Arthur Smith and his wide zone system, the team declined to pick up his fifth-year option for 2025 out of concern about his fit in the system. Those concerns were realized with yet another year that looked a lot like the others. Given his Alabama background and sheer talent, there will likely be a team willing to take a chance on him. It certainly appears the Steelers will be focusing on re-signing restricted free agent Jaylen Warren and then finding someone to complement him, ending the relationship with the team's 2021 first-round pick.
FINAL TAKEAWAY
Two of the three most expensive projections here -- Moore and Harris -- are likely gone. We have yet to see the Steelers' decision on what they are going to do at quarterback. Should they go with Fields and not re-sign any of the others, that gives Khan and the front office a lot of room to go out and get some firepower at receiver and perhaps reinforce other positions such as cornerback.
According to OverTheCap.com, the Steelers currently have $40 million in cap space. Signing Fields to the contract projected above would bring that number down to $29 million, but they'd get another $5.8 million in cap space when the league year begins and the Top-51 rule goes into effect. And, a few other simple cuts could clear as much as $20-30 million in cap space.
The opportunity for change, at least regarding the roster, is there for the taking.
THE ASYLUM
Which top free agents should Steelers bring back?
The Steelers have a lot of decisions to make regarding the construction of the roster this spring. This year, they have more flexibility with salary cap space than they've had in recent years.
But, what to do about their own free agents? How much could it cost to bring them back? We're going to look at just five of the Steelers' 22 unrestricted free agents, ones ranked in Pro Football Focus' Top 75 free agents. That should give enough of a barometer for how Omar Khan and the front office can attack free agency once it begins in mid-March.
JUSTIN FIELDS
• PFF free agent ranking: 19th
• Projected contract by PFF: One year, $11 million (fully guaranteed)
Fields might be the Steelers' best option at quarterback this spring. It's just not a great crop of free agents and the draft class is pretty underwhelming, too. The trade market could be interesting, especially if the Rams make Matthew Stafford available to shed cap space. But if that doesn't happen, bringing Fields back to be the unquestioned starter gives the Steelers the most amount of upside at the position, and meets Mike Tomlin's desire to have a mobile quarterback. And, if they can get him on a one-year deal like PFF projects, it comes with little risk.
JAMES DANIELS
• PFF free agent ranking: 28th
• Projected contract by PFF: One year, $5.5 million ($3 million guaranteed)
Daniels was on his way to a big payday, as he was having a career year before an Achilles injury in Week 4 ended his season. Guards are getting paid higher and higher nowadays, and at 27 years old, would have likely gotten a bag or two thrown at him with the way he was playing. But, no team knows of Daniels' recovery better than the Steelers. In theory, they could cut Isaac Seumalo to shed $7.8 million in cap space, sign Daniels to a cheap one-year deal and move Mason McCormick over to the left side, where he played while at South Dakota State. But, that would obviously come with quite a bit of risk.
RUSSELL WILSON
• PFF free agent ranking: 44th
• Projected contract by PFF: Two years, $70 million ($40 million guaranteed)
The Steelers signed Wilson last March to be their starting quarterback, and it remained that way through the end of the season, even with Fields getting six starts while Wilson recovered from a preseason calf injury. Wilson injected life into the Steelers' offense with his continued ability to complete passes at a high rate out of play-action and, of course, with his superb deep ball. However, defenses eventually began to figure out Wilson's game and his play deteriorated over the final five games of the season, leading to yet another first-round playoff loss for the Steelers. Wilson's a couple steps slower than he used to be, which limits his ability to be consistently dangerous outside of the pocket, which has always been his game. This contract PFF projects would be a gigantic risk for the Steelers given the way Wilson played in December and January.
DAN MOORE JR.
• PFF free agent ranking: 47th
• Projected contract by PFF: Three years, $40 million ($25 million guaranteed)
Moore spent his rookie contract getting every opportunity to improve and perhaps had his best season in 2024. For the first half of the season, Moore was in his best form of his career, but his played over the second half of the season regressed. He wound up with 12 sacks allowed and 41 pressures allowed, per PFF. The Steelers need better from left tackle. But, teams are desperate for even average left tackles, so it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see a team hand him a contract in the ballpark PFF is projecting. However, I don't see the Steelers and Moore pursuing any reunion here. The plan right now is to move Broderick Jones back to the left side, where he played at Georgia. It would be best to try and let their 2023 first-round pick develop at his natural position rather than run it back with the same left tackle, but this time at a much higher cost.
NAJEE HARRIS
• PFF free agent ranking: 48th
• Projected contract by PFF: Three years, $34.5 million ($22.5 million guaranteed)
Say what you will about Harris, but he produced over his four seasons in Pittsburgh. He recorded 1,000-yard performances in each of those seasons, climbing to sixth all-time in franchise history with 4,312 yards. However, at just 3.9 yards per carry, he was not the most efficient running back. He got his yards more out of sheer volume rather than being an efficient runner. And after the Steelers hired Arthur Smith and his wide zone system, the team declined to pick up his fifth-year option for 2025 out of concern about his fit in the system. Those concerns were realized with yet another year that looked a lot like the others. Given his Alabama background and sheer talent, there will likely be a team willing to take a chance on him. It certainly appears the Steelers will be focusing on re-signing restricted free agent Jaylen Warren and then finding someone to complement him, ending the relationship with the team's 2021 first-round pick.
FINAL TAKEAWAY
Two of the three most expensive projections here -- Moore and Harris -- are likely gone. We have yet to see the Steelers' decision on what they are going to do at quarterback. Should they go with Fields and not re-sign any of the others, that gives Khan and the front office a lot of room to go out and get some firepower at receiver and perhaps reinforce other positions such as cornerback.
According to OverTheCap.com, the Steelers currently have $40 million in cap space. Signing Fields to the contract projected above would bring that number down to $29 million, but they'd get another $5.8 million in cap space when the league year begins and the Top-51 rule goes into effect. And, a few other simple cuts could clear as much as $20-30 million in cap space.
The opportunity for change, at least regarding the roster, is there for the taking.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits!
We’d love to have you!