The Pittsburgh Steelers are in position to be very active in the 2026 edition of NFL free agency.
Why? They have tons of cap space. According to Over The Cap, the Steelers have more than $46 million in space above the salary cap.
There will be plenty to keep an eye on with Pittsburgh.
For one, there’s the Aaron Rodgers decision. Does he retire? And if not, does he return to play for the Steelers? Technically, he’s a free agent, so he’s got all options available to him.
MORE: Check out our full NFL free agency tracker here
Speaking of offense: Do the Steelers sign a WR to complement DK Metcalf? And does Kenneth Gainwell stay or go?
The defense already got good news on Monday when Asante Samuel Jr. re-signed, but there’s plenty of improvements to made there, too.
It’s all part of the post-Mike Tomlin era. After 19 seasons, the head coach stepped down, and he has been replaced by Mike McCarthy. That adds another layer of intrigue as Pittsburgh tries to win a playoff game for the first time in a decade.
We’ll be keeping track of all the latest news here.
MORE: How the Eagles and Travis Kelce can be a great fit
Steelers free agency rumors, news, live updates
Refresh for the latest. Times in ET.
4:26 p.m.: It’s been a quiet day overall for Pittsburgh, which is still awaiting a decision from Aaron Rodgers on what the QB plans to do for next season.
2:31 p.m.: The Steelers have signed a cornerback, Jamel Dean. Ian Rapoport reports it’s a three-year deal for $36 million.
2:20 p.m.: News that Mike Evans is leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to sign with the San Francisco 49ers is shocking. It also officially removes Pittsburgh from possibly ending up with Evans.
1:10 p.m.: The Steelers have lost Kenneth Gainwell. He’s signing a two-year deal with the Buccaneers, according to insider Jordan Schultz. It’ll pay him $7 million per year.
12:45 p.m.: The Steelers have made a trade with the Colts: Michael Pittman is coming to Pittsburgh, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
12:30 p.m.: A slow first half hour, with the highlights being Alec Pierce getting $116 million to return to the Colts, and Kenneth Walker signing with the Chiefs. Lots still to be done.
12 noon: The NFL’s legal tampering period opens. Reports from insiders will come soon about agreed-upon signings. Nothing can be officially signed until Wednesday.
11:10 a.m.: One to watch for Pittsburgh: Mike Evans. Reports indicate he may leave the Buccaneers, and he’d make the perfect WR2 for the Steelers.
10:45 a.m.: The official negotiating window opens at 12 noon on Monday, so that’s when to start expecting rumors to start humming.
10:40 a.m.: The expectation in recent weeks has been that Aaron Rodgers won’t drag his decision out as long as last year, but it’s not clear whether that means anything will happen this week with the future Hall of Fame QB.
8 a.m.: The Steelers signed Asante Samuel Jr. to a one-year, $4 million contract to prevent him from reaching free agency at all.
Steelers free agent signings
- The Steelers have signed a cornerback, Jamel Dean, for three years and $36 million.
- The Steelers have their WR2, via trade: Michael Pittman Jr. from the Colts.
- The Steelers agreed with Asante Samuel Jr. before free agency to return to Pittsburgh after six games in 2025 following his midseason addition.
Steelers free agent losses
- Kenneth Gainwell is gone, signing a two-year deal with the Buccaneers.
- The cornerback James Pierre has signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
