Steelers’ first move of free agency comes via a re-signing that should make a lot more sense in the coming days

The Steelers have re-signed Cole Holcomb, and the contract will make a lot of sense in a few days.

Rob Gregson — NFL News Writer
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Pittsburgh Steelers Cole Holcomb pulls dirt out of his helmet after recovering a fumble during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on October 29, 2023.
© Michael Longo/For USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK

The NFL’S two day negotiating window hasn’t even opened yet, but the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t waisting anytime. The team can re-sign and cut players at any point before the active period begins, and we saw inklings of that last week when Jonnu Smith was released.

Now, the Steelers have started to make new deals, and the first one comes from one of their own.

Cole Holcomb re-signs on a two-year, $5 million deal with the Steelers

Holcomb has had one heck of a journey, not only in the NFL but with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Amid a team-high tackling season in 2023, Holcomb suffered a devastating knee injury that cost him the rest of the season and all of 2024.

In 2025, he was primarily a special teams player, as the main trio in the inside backer rotation was Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, and Malik Harrison. Well, the latter of those three names could be why the Steelers re-signed Holcomb.

Steelers could release Malik Harrison, opening the door for Cole Holcomb to return to the inside backer rotation

Harrison is on an expiring contract, and he would save the Steelers an extra $4.75 million against the cap if they were to release him. He was only meant to be a depth addition last offseason, but then it was clear that Payton Wilson wasn’t ready to be an early-down player, and Harrison had to start in his place.

That role will likely go back to Holcomb after he proved healthy and durable in 2025, and the Steelers will have their stacked backer trio, along with last year’s rookie sensation Carson Bruener as the fourth man in the rotation.

In all, it’s a great achievement for Holcomb, who admitted that he had doubts about his NFL future after that horrific knee injury on Thursday night almost three years ago.

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