Risers and Fallers after Wave 1 of Steelers Free Agency: Major holes have been filled, but huge questions linger on offense
Here is a stock watch for the Steelers after the first wave of NFL free agency.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a busy two-day negotiating window. While free agency technically didn’t start until Wednesday at 4:00 pm EST, if you waited that long to make a move, you missed the whole exercise.
So today, after grading multiple acquisitions, we are going to do a stock watch for the Steelers. It should be noted that this is merely an analysis for the Steelers after the first wave, and it is subject to change if and when Pittsburgh fills some more holes on its roster.
Risers after Wave 1 of Steelers Free Agency
Cam Heyward
Amid all of the earth-shattering Maxx Crosby news, the Steelers and team captain Cam Heyward came to a solution on a new deal that ties him to the Steelers through the 2027 season, and helps free up nearly $6 million in cap space for the Steelers.
Heyward and Pittsburgh spent the last two offseasons going back and forth about his deal, but it won’t be a concern going forward. Heyward was set to play on an expiring contract that would have smacked the Steelers with a $19 million cap hit for 2026, but instead, Heyward signed a record deal for a player over the age of 36.
DK Metcalf
Far too often in 2025, the Steelers’ offense was DK Metcalf or bust. Teams would roll coverage to his side and dare the collection of Adam Thielen, Calvin Austin III, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and whoever else took snaps at WR that week to beat them.
With the big move to trade for Michael Pittman Jr., the pressure has been alleviated. The Steelers will aim to form a dynamic similar to what Metcalf had in Seattle with Tyler Lockett, where he had the best seasons of his career.
Oh, and I would be shocked if the Steelers are done adding to that room.
Steelers secondary
Before Tuesday night’s last call signing by the Steelers, I would have given the last riser spot exclusively to Joey Porter Jr., but with Darnell Savage and Jamel Dean coming to Pittsburgh, the issues at CB No.2 and safety depth have been solved.
Now, Pittsburgh could use another true starter at safety, but the NFL Draft is rich with talent, and the cornerback trio of JPJ, Jalen Ramsey as a nickel, and Dean as the opposite corner makes for a great grouping.
Fallers after Wave 1 of Steelers Free Agency
QB situation
The Steelers can make all the moves they want, but until they know for sure who is under center, it’s hard to be bullish or even project a 2026 outlook for the team. If we want to just assume that it’s Aaron Rodgers, that’s fine, and their free agency thus far would be a resounding win.
We don’t know that to be the case, however, and the Steelers and Rodgers remain in a holding pattern. Rumors about a potential Kyler Murray signing have begun to swirl, but it feels like it will be Rodgers or Will Howard under center for the Steelers in 2026, and the suspense of that decision raises questions.
Left side of the offensive line
As it stands, the Steelers don’t know who their starting LT and LG duo will be for 2026. Broderick Jones is still labeled as out indefinitely, and after the loss of Isaac Seumalo, the Steelers are in the market for a starting guard as well.
Jaylen Warren
With the signing of running back Rico Dowdle, the Steelers didn’t replace Kenny Gainwell, who departed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; they replaced Najee Harris. Dowdle is a true north-south runner that will use his brawny frame to break arm tackles and run downhill.
I don’t think Warren suddenly becomes obsolete in the Steelers’ offense, but I could see him returning to a role similar to what he had when Harris was in the backfield, especially given Mike McCarthy’s ties to Dowdle.
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