PITTSBURGH — For years, free agency felt like a mere blip on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ calendar. While much of the league dove headfirst into the open market, Pittsburgh only dipped in its toes, using free agency sparingly to supplement a draft-and-develop approach.
However, a new front office brought a slight shift in philosophy.
During Omar Khan’s first free agency in the pilot’s chair last year, the general manager inked several significant starting-caliber players and handed out a handsome extension to Larry Ogunjobi. The $30 million increase in the salary cap and the numerous roster cuts to save money should provide Pittsburgh with enough wiggle room to find a few more impact players this year.
Khan didn’t even wait for free agency to open before making a huge splash, adding nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson on a one-year deal late Sunday night and setting off a chain of events during the first week of free agency.
Below are the latest details on what the Steelers have done, where the salary cap stands and what the moves mean in the big picture. This post will be updated as new roster moves are made. Grades will be handed out with every transaction.
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Players under contract: 68 of 90
Estimated salary-cap space entering free agency: $27.2 million, according to Over the Cap
Current estimated cap space: $15.1 million (pending specifics on Elliott’s, Adams’ and Jefferson’s contracts)
Unrestricted free agents: CB Levi Wallace, ILB Kwon Alexander, OLB Markus Golden, DB Chandon Sullivan, DB James Pierre, WR Miles Boykin, LB Blake Martinez, LB Mykal Walker, S Godwin Igwebuike, S Elijah Riley, LB Chapelle Russell, DL Renell Wren
Date: March 16
Impact: High
Kaboly’s thoughts: After the Steelers moved on from Kenny Pickett on Friday, they needed to find options and talent to fill out the quarterbacks room. It took 24 hours for general manager Omar Khan to acquire a talented quarterback with potential yet doing it in a way that is safe for them. They acquired Fields for a conditional sixth-round pick that could transform into a fourth-round pick depending on playing time. It is less than what the Eagles gave up to acquire Pickett. Fields is far from a sure bet, but with the Bears in a position to take a quarterback with the No. 1 pick and Fields heading into his fourth year, he became expendable. And with the quarterback market softening, a potential fourth-round pick is chump change in terms of compensation to acquire a young quarterback with potential. Fields will back up Russell Wilson, and the Steelers will surely not pick up his fifth-year option in early May, but that’s not the reason they moved on him. He was the best available backup and can now provide the Steelers with options at the end of the season when Wilson also becomes a free agent. Fields will have a year to learn the Steelers system before a long-term decision needs to be made. OK, he’s flawed and who knows if he will ever be as good as he was two years ago, but the risk in acquiring him was low.
Grade: B+ — It’s hard to come up with a negative with this acquisition other than Fields could be a one-year rental. It might not work out, but it does provide the Steelers depth (38 starts in three years) this season and options after the season.
Date: March 15
Impact: Low
Kaboly’s thoughts: The Steelers needed to add players to the wide receiver room, and Jefferson fits that role. He’s not a high-quality receiver in terms of production but does have some upside and should battle for a roster spot.
The son of former NFL receiver and current Carolina receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, Van Jefferson had a promising second season with the Rams, catching 50 of 89 targets for 802 yards and six touchdowns. But he missed time with injuries in 2022 and was traded midway through 2023 to Atlanta, where he played for now Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, finishing with 12 catches in 12 games. The 27-year-old was a second-round pick out of Florida in 2020.
Grade: C — Jefferson will provide down-the-field depth but does little to move the needle in terms of the starting receiver position.
Kenny Pickett sent to Philadelphia
Date: March 15
Impact: High
DeFabo’s thoughts: Any talk of a possible QB competition quickly went out the window Friday. Just hours after Russell Wilson held an introductory news conference to celebrate his signing in Pittsburgh, general manager Omar Khan traded Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a modest return.
The Steelers sent Pickett and a fourth-round pick (No. 120) in exchange for a third-round pick (No. 98) and a pair of 2025 seventh-round picks. The compensation shows how far Pickett’s stock has fallen. The 2022 first-round pick was worth only 22 places to move up from Round 4 to Round 3, plus a pair of seventh-round picks.
The book on Pickett coming out of college was that he had a high floor but not an especially high ceiling because of limited arm strength and questions about his poise in the pocket. The fact that he did not succeed early certainly diminished hopes for him in the long term.
Punting on a QB after two seasons is never ideal, but it also shows another example of the new way the Steelers are doing business. Rather than sitting and waiting, they admitted their mistake and cut ties with the quarterback. The front office deserves a level of credit for acknowledging reality and moving forward despite the ill-advised draft pick two years ago.
While the move might have fast-tracked an inevitable divorce, it also leaves the Steelers with just one quarterback on the roster. Considering Wilson is set to turn 36 years old in November and is on a one-year contract, the Steelers will once again need to find a long-term answer behind center sooner than later.
GO DEEPER
How the Kenny Pickett era fizzled and where the Steelers go from here at QB
Grade: C — The Steelers eliminated a possible distraction in their locker room but brought back only a minimal return. Questions about the quarterback position will continue to persist unless Wilson proves he’s worthy of an extension or the Steelers find a reliable passer elsewhere.
Date: March 14
Impact: Medium
DeFabo’s thoughts: General manager Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl have repeatedly stressed the importance of building quality depth in the trenches. On Thursday, they kept one of their own with that objective in mind, agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with defensive tackle Montravius Adams, per multiple reports.
Adams’ career was trending in the wrong direction in 2021 when he was relegated to the Saints’ practice squad. The Steelers claimed him on Nov. 30 and promptly thrust him into the starting lineup. He’s started 21 of the possible 35 games in which he’s been healthy. (For this reason, you might not find a bigger Mike Tomlin supporter in the locker room than Adams, who has said he’s forever indebted to the team.)
Last season, when Adams went down with injury, it opened a door for Keeanu Benton. The rookie took full advantage of the opportunity. Tomlin made it known in his end-of-season news conference he expects big things from Benton in Year 2. Adams very well might start the season behind Benton at nose tackle on the depth chart.
But given Benton is continuing to diversify his skill set across the defensive front, and Khan said they want to be cautious about how quickly they bring Cameron Heyward back from offseason surgery, Adams should have opportunities to be part of the rotation in certain packages and situations.
Grade: C — Adams is a solid depth piece but, in an ideal world, will serve more as a backup.
Steelers add potential starting S
Date: March 14
Impact: Medium
DeFabo’s thoughts: The Steelers addressed their secondary on Thursday, agreeing to terms with former Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott on a two-year, $6 million deal, according to multiple reports.
Elliott, who turns 27 in April, started 15 games for Miami last season, posting a career-high seven pass breakups along with an interception and 82 tackles. He started 13 games for the Lions in 2022 and 22 games for the Ravens from 2020 to 2021.
Where Elliott fits in the defense remains to be seen. The Steelers have an obvious need at strong safety after releasing Keanu Neal with a failed physical designation. At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, Elliott would be capable of filling that void in the box.
But that’s not his only position. Last season, Elliott took the majority of his snaps from a deep, free safety position. Over his five-year career, he’s also been deployed as a strong safety, nickel linebacker and slot cornerback.
Last year’s free safety, Damontae Kazee (who is still under contract for 2024), underwhelmed and often took poor angles, and nickel corner Chandon Sullivan remains unsigned, so the Steelers could use Elliott in any of these roles. At the same time, as much as they like to move defensive backs around their defense, chances are Elliott will probably end up in numerous positions anyway.
Grade: C — Instead of spending big on an impact safety, the Steelers took a more cost-effective approach. That was their path last year, and it didn’t pay off. Maybe this one will.
Date: March 13
Impact: Low
Kaboly’s thoughts: Khan said the Steelers wanted Rudolph back, but when the team did a 180 and signed Russell Wilson, that all changed. Rudolph signed a one-year deal with the Titans worth as much as $3.62 million with incentives, per team and league sources, to backup second-year pro Will Levis. Rudolph has never made more than $3 million in a season across six years in the NFL, all with Pittsburgh.
The Steelers held out hope that Rudolph would return as the No. 3, but he had zero interest after not getting an opportunity to win the starting job, following 2023’s late-season surge. Rudolph started the last three regular-season games, winning them all and getting the Steelers into the playoffs before losing to the Bills.
He started 13 of 21 games in his time with the Steelers, finishing with an 8-4-1 record. The Steelers have only two quarterbacks on their roster: Wilson (once he officially signs) and Kenny Pickett.
Special teams ace Miles Killebrew staying in Pittsburgh
Date: March 13
Impact: Low
DeFabo’s thoughts: The Steelers came to an agreement with Pro Bowl special teamer Miles Killebrew on a two-year deal worth up to $6.5 million, a league source confirmed.
When Killebrew was a lightly recruited high school safety, he started his highlight video with clips of him running down the field on special teams and blowing up plays. That willingness to embrace the underrated third phase of the game earned him his lone scholarship offer at Southern Utah. Even as he’s developed, he’s never forgotten his roots, becoming one of the league’s most impactful special teams players.
Since he signed with the Steelers in 2021, Killebrew has blocked three punts, the most in the league over that span. During the 2023 season, he blocked one punt through the end zone for a safety, helping turn the tide in a 17-10 win over the Ravens. Later in the season, he partially blocked another punt, which won’t show up on the stat sheet because it traveled past the line of scrimmage.
Those plays helped Killebrew earn his first Pro Bowl nod and the handsome new contract that will make him one of the league’s higher-paid special teamers.
Grade: B — Killebrew is a team-first player with great football character. He’s a valuable contributor on the field and a high-quality individual to have in the locker room. The price tag is high, but Killebrew is worth it.
Steelers don’t tender RFAs, agree with LS Kuntz
Date: March 13
Impact: Low
Kaboly’s thoughts: Veteran long snapper Christian Kuntz was one of four restricted free agents not tendered by the Steelers on Wednesday, but he will return on a long-term extension.
The Steelers have agreed to terms on a three-year deal with Kuntz, according to a team source. His salary is unknown, but it’s likely not more than the league minimum of $1.125 for a veteran heading into his fourth accrued season. Restricted free agents left unsigned are defensive lineman Renell Wren, linebacker Chapelle Russell and running back/kick returner Godwin Igwebuike. The Steelers can negotiate an unrestricted free-agent contract with any of them.
Grade: B — It’s just a long snapper, but Kuntz has been pretty dependable over his three-year career.
Date: March 13
Impact: Low
Kaboly’s thoughts: Watts’ departure isn’t a huge loss, but it’s not insignificant either. He was a rotational player along the defensive line a year ago. He didn’t provide much in the way of stats (15 tackles and a half-sack) while playing 28 percent of the snaps, but his availability was noticeable, especially at a thin position.
The Steelers don’t have much in the way of depth at defensive tackle, and their two starters — Cameron Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi — are both 30-plus. Watts played three years with the Vikings and one with the Bears before signing with the Steelers. They need to find depth at the position, as DeMarvin Leal and Isaiahh Loudermilk are their only options right now.
Steelers ship off Johnson for CB, pick swap
Date: March 12
Impact: Very high
Diontae Johnson’s tenure in Pittsburgh is over, as the Steelers are trading the wide receiver to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and a swap of sixth- and seventh-round draft picks, league sources confirmed Tuesday. The Steelers will receive pick No. 178 and send back No. 240. The deal cannot become official until the new league year opens Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Trade terms, per source:
Panthers get:
WR Diontae Johnson
Seventh-round pick: No. 240Steelers get:
CB Donte Jackson
Sixth-round pick: No. 178@TheAthleticNFL— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 12, 2024
Johnson’s name had been mentioned in trade rumors after an up-and-down season in 2023. He finished second on the team in receiving yards (717) and tied for the lead in receiving touchdowns (five) despite missing four games because of injury, but he also got into a locker-room spat with teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick and drew criticism for his lack of effort on a play against the Bengals (Johnson later apologized).
The 27-year-old was a Pro Bowler in 2021, when he posted career highs of 107 receptions, 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns. He had one year remaining on his contract. With the trade, the Steelers will save $10 million against the cap while absorbing $5.8 million in dead money.
Jackson, 28, started for most of his six seasons in Carolina, including 16 games in 2023, when he posted five pass breakups. A second-round pick out of LSU in 2018, he was entering the final year of his contract and reportedly was a candidate to be released if he was not traded. He is due $4.7 million in base salary in 2024, plus a $4 million roster bonus and $1.7 million per-game roster bonus.
Kaboly’s thoughts: This wasn’t a great return for a top receiver like Johnson, but the Steelers were backed into a corner. Johnson requested a trade entering the final year of his contract, with no extension in sight and a $3 million roster bonus due Friday. With that deadline looming, the Steelers didn’t get much in the way of a return, moving up 68 picks near the end of April’s draft and adding a veteran cornerback.
Jackson, who was reportedly a candidate to be released, comes with a $10.5 million cap hit. It is unknown whether or not the Panthers will eat some of that. The Steelers needed a cornerback, with only three currently on the roster and Joey Porter Jr. being the only one with experience. But Jackson hasn’t played well since being the 55th pick in the 2018 draft. He signed a three-year, $35.1 million deal in 2022 and had three voidable years left on his deal after this season.
The trade puts the Steelers in a tough spot, as they have only George Pickens returning as a starting receiver. Calvin Austin III is highly regarded but played sparingly last year. He missed all of his rookie season with an injury.
The Steelers took Johnson in the third round in 2019, and he’s had an up-and-down career. His numbers dipped recently, and he was involved in locker-room altercations with teammates in each of the past two seasons. He finishes his Steelers career with 391 catches for 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns. Only five touchdowns came over the last two seasons.
Grade: C/Incomplete — The return wasn’t good, but it’s impossible to grade the trade until we see Khan’s coinciding move. The Steelers will likely add a starting-caliber receiver at some point in free agency. Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Josh Reynolds and Marquise Brown are some of the top candidates remaining.
The top free-agent ILB is coming to Pittsburgh
Date: March 12
Impact: Very high
DeFabo’s thoughts: After Omar Khan made an early splash by agreeing to terms with QB Russell Wilson on the eve of free agency, the Steelers GM had a quiet Monday. Only a punter was added in what was an important but not so exciting move.
That changed in a big way on Tuesday, when the Steelers agreed to terms with former Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Queen, who was ranked No. 17 among The Athletic’s Top 150 free agents and No. 1 among linebackers.
At 6-foot, 230 pounds, the 24-year-old Queen hit the open market after the Ravens declined his fifth-year option a year ago. He fills an important void in the Steelers’ defense.
Since Ryan Shazier went down with a career-ending injury in 2017, the inside linebacker position in Pittsburgh has been a revolving door. The Steelers believed they had built a solid rotation last season, only to see do-everything, three-down ‘backer Cole Holcomb and their next-best coverage linebacker, Kwon Alexander, go down in back-to-back weeks with season-ending injuries.
With Holcomb still recovering from a significant knee injury, there is no guarantee he’ll be ready by Week 1. Finding a quality replacement was paramount for a defense that’s been inconsistent for years against the run, in part because of the lackluster inside linebacker play. Khan said so himself at the combine, acknowledging that linebacker was “obviously a position we have to address.”
In Queen, the Steelers have found their new all-purpose linebacker. As our resident GM Randy Mueller wrote in his report, “He can run, blitz and play the pass or run equally well.” The Steelers, who often ask their linebackers to cover tight ends or running backs in man coverage, will need all of Queen’s well-rounded skill set, especially with bruising back Derrick Henry joining the Ravens. But with Queen on board, what was once the glaring weakness of the defense could turn into a strength.
The move also feels like another example of Khan putting his fingerprints on the franchise. When in the past have the Steelers gone out and added the top free agent at his position? This is by far the largest contract they have ever given to an external unrestricted free agent, surpassing the three-year, $26.5 million deal that guard James Daniels signed two years ago.
As the roster is currently constructed, Queen and Elandon Roberts figure to be the two starters. The Steelers can still add to that position group later in free agency or the draft, depending on how they feel about Mark Robinson and Holcomb’s health status.
Grade: A — The Steelers addressed one of their most pressing needs with the most impactful player on the open market. A big swing from Khan is likely to pay dividends.
Steelers land a punter
Date: March 11
Impact: Low to moderate
DeFabo’s thoughts: In most NFL cities, signing a punter wouldn’t move the needle much. But Pittsburgh isn’t like most cities. Former punter Pressley Harvin III’s inconsistencies often drew the ire of the fanbase. The potential of his booming leg was far overshadowed by his shanks, eventually forcing the Steelers to move on.
By agreeing to terms with Cameron Johnston, per a league source, the Steelers have found the likely replacement for Harvin. In his six-year career (three with Philadelphia and three with Houston), the Australian-born, Ohio State product averaged 47.3 yards per punt.
Last season, his net punting average of 44.0 yards ranked fourth-best in the league. Johnston pinned 30 punts inside the 20-yard line with just three touchbacks. He also added a career-long 74-yard punt to his resume.
Grade: B- — Adding a punter isn’t an exciting move, but it’s a necessary one, especially considering how often coach Mike Tomlin preaches about the “field position component” in news conferences.
Date: March 10
Impact: Very high
DeFabo’s thoughts: Coach Mike Tomlin promised competition for Kenny Pickett at his end-of-season news conference. Even though Wilson’s price tag is the veteran minimum, a nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion likely isn’t here to be the No. 2 to Pickett or push him in a quarterback competition the way re-signing Mason Rudolph might have.
While it wouldn’t be Tomlin’s way to anoint a starter, Wilson has to be the odds-on favorite to win the job.
The question is, at 35, what does he have left? Our resident GM Randy Mueller wrote in his evaluation, “He’s not for everyone at this stage, as his skill set must fit your scheme. He’s best when his targets are predetermined and play-action is a regular part of the offense. He was very risk averse and also had inconsistent accuracy in 2023. He will hold the ball and take too many sacks.”
Wilson might not be at his Pro Bowl best, but the Steelers won’t ask him to be. Pittsburgh’s defense, which finished sixth-best in scoring last season, essentially lugged an anemic offense into the postseason.
With new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith expected to install a run-heavy scheme that takes the pressure off the quarterback (and one that’s awfully similar to the scheme Mueller described), Wilson will be put in a position to do what he does best: Minimize turnovers, hit a few deep balls to maximize George Pickens’ big-play potential and win white-knuckle, wonky games the way he’s built his career.
Grade: B- — Wilson is an improvement over Pickett. But at this stage of his career, how much can he push the Steelers’ ceiling?
Date: March 8
Impact: Medium
DeFabo’s thoughts: The Steelers continued to prepare for free agency Friday by releasing two veterans, defensive back Patrick Peterson and receiver Allen Robinson.
Both players added value to the organization during their lone year in Pittsburgh. Peterson provided mentorship to Joey Porter Jr. and the other young players while filling numerous roles in the secondary, including outside corner, nickel corner and safety. While he told The Athletic during the season he’d like to play two more seasons to get to 15 years in the league, he’s also set to turn 34 and is showing signs of aging.
Pittsburgh saved $6.5 million against the cap but will need to add a corner in free agency or the draft. Last year’s seventh-round pick Cory Trice Jr. has promise but is also coming off a knee injury that robbed him of his rookie year. Considering how slowly the coaches broke in Porter, they’ll need a more established starter ahead of Trice on the depth chart.
Robinson was acquired via a trade last year. While he was a dependable blocker who embraced the role he was cast in, the team saved $10 million against the cap by releasing him, making it an obvious move.
In total, the Steelers have saved $36.3 million by cutting Mitch Trubisky ($2.9 million), offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor ($8.8 million), punter Pressley Harvin III ($1.1 million), center Mason Cole ($4.75 million), safety Keanu Neal ($2.25 million), plus Robinson and Peterson.
Grade: A — This was the right business move considering age and salary.
Steelers agree to terms with depth DL Fehoko
Date: March 8
Impact: Low
DeFabo’s thoughts: On Friday, the Steelers announced they agreed to terms with depth defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko. The 27-year-old nose tackle joined the organization last offseason, as the Steelers made a concerted effort to add quality depth and build through the trenches. However, he toiled mostly on the practice squad last year.
It will be interesting to see how significantly the Steelers address their defensive line this offseason. In an ideal world, they’ll add enough key pieces that Fehoko is again in a reserve role.
Grade: C+ — Fehoko provides good depth, but it’s hard to get too excited given his lack of playing time last year.
(Photo: Emilee Chinn / Getty Images)
