Steelers set to look different in 2025 after start of free agency
The NFL’s legal tampering period began on Monday, with a flurry of news hitting the airwaves around Noon Eastern. Pittsburgh, however, made their big splash of the offseason a day earlier, trading with the Seattle Seahawks for WR D.K. Metcalf – and extending the 27-year-old star to a deal reportedly worth $30 million per year in average salary.
Following that major move, the Steelers were relatively quiet. Their announced additions on Monday include veteran and former Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion CB Darius Slay (who turned 34 on January 1st) and former Baltimore Ravens LB Malik Harrison.
Harrison, who rotated as a starter alongside Baltimore’s Roquan Smith, is the second linebacker Steelers GM Omar Khan has poached from their division rival in consecutive years, adding Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen as a key piece of the defense last offseason.
While those changes are minimal, the players the Steelers aren’t bringing back will truly change the face of the franchise this upcoming season. As of publication, Pittsburgh is still without a true starting quarterback. Last year’s three passers – Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Kyle Allen – were all scheduled to become free agents at the start of the new league year on Wednesday at 4 p.m. At least one of those QBs won’t be back for 2025, as Fields’ agents announced he’s signing a two-year, $40 million deal with the New York Jets. $30 million of that contract is guaranteed.
Fields started six games for the Steelers last season, leading them to a 4-2 record before Russell Wilson returned from injury and assumed the starting role for the remainder of the year.
While Fields’ numbers were spotty, many believed he was the top candidate to take the Steelers starting job in 2025. The chatter on Wilson has been minimal, with some sides speculating the Steelers were hopeful to have either Wilson or Fields return, but not both.
If Wilson isn’t retained, the Steelers will have a new starting quarterback. The Steelers are rumored to be in talks with New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers, but the 41-year-old has yet to be released by his current team. Rodgers was traded to the Jets in 2023 where he signed a revised contract worth $112.5 million with $75 million guaranteed. Rodgers is still on the books for $86 million before his announced release.
The only quarterback currently signed with the Steelers is former Miami Dolphins backup Skylar Thompson, who was added via a futures contract in January and could serve as one of two backups behind the eventual starter.
Titans signing LT Dan Moore to 4-year, $82M deal with $50M guaranteed. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/OWldcrfr6y
— NFL (@NFL) March 10, 2025
Who’s under center isn’t the only change as Pittsburgh’s heavily criticized offense over the last few seasons lost two of it’s big pieces. Left tackle Dan Moore Jr. is headed to the Tennessee Titans on a massive four-year, $82 million deal that has $50 million guaranteed. Moore has been the butt of criticism since being picked in the fourth round by the Steelers in 2021.
Strictly a left tackle, the team tried to replace him two seasons ago with Georgia prospect Broderick Jones. Moore started 66 of a possible 68 games since joining the team. According to Pro Football Focus, Moore allowed 41 QB pressures and 12 sacks in 2024.
In Moore’s place, Jones, a first round draft pick of the Steelers in 2023, will be expected to finally shift to the left side of the line. That should allow 2024 first round pick Troy Fautanu to assume the starting role at right tackle after missing almost all of the 2024 season.
That’s not the only offensive line shift, as last year’s Week 1 starting right guard, James Daniels, is expected to sign with the Miami Dolphins. Daniels was lost for the season following a Week 4 loss to the Colts. His replacement, 2024 fourth round pick Mason McCormick, is the presumed 2025 starting right guard in his place.
The #Steelers placed the second-round restricted tender on RB Jaylen Warren, per his agents @davidcanter and @NessMugrabi at @aurasportsgroup. It’s worth $5.346 million. pic.twitter.com/lzBDk1WIrb
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 10, 2025
A familiar face will likely replace a familiar face in the Steelers backfield too, as the team placed a second round tender on restricted free agent Jaylen Warren. The tender is worth $5.3 million and allows the Steelers to match any opposing offers this offseason.
They’ll likely do so, or extend the former undrafted back, as his counter part Najee Harris will sign with the Los Angeles Chargers for around $9 million. Harris, the Steelers first round pick in 2021, played in all 68 games since joining the team and gained over 1,000 yards in each of those four seasons.
Harris’ snaps could be replaced by another former Eagle, RB Kenneth Gainwell, who’s signing with Pittsburgh was announced late Tuesday evening. Gainwell is a four-year veteran who played as a backup in Philly. He had 75 carries for 290 yards and one touchdown, plus 16 receptions for 116 yards in 2024. Gainwell doubles as a special teams kick returner, gaining 456 yards on returns last season with a 36 yard long.
The Steelers offense isn’t the only side of the ball that will look different. As the secondary adds Darius Slay they say goodbye to Donte Jackson, who will also be joining the Chargers. His two-year deal is worth up to $13 million. Jackson came to Pittsburgh last season via the Carolina Panthers in the Diontae Johnson trade. Jackson appeared in 15 games with five interceptions.
Another change on the current roster that occurred on Monday is the release of DT Larry Ogunjobi. Appearing in 48 games with Pittsburgh over the last three seasons, Ogunjobi totaled six sacks and 132 tackles. His tackles-for-loss and QB pressures have regressed year-to-year in Pittsburgh. Ogunjobi’s release frees up $7 million in cap space for the Steelers.
A final new look is another old look, as the Steelers revised LB Cole Holcomb‘s contract last week. Holcomb, the team’s play caller who suffered a knee injury in November 2023, didn’t appear in a game in 2024. His 2025 cap number was reduced to $3.6 million (from nearly $10 million) to remain with the Steelers. At this time he’s expected to rotate or start alongside Patrick Queen, adding yet another different face to the fold for Pittsburgh this upcoming season.
Holcomb’s retention along with the signing of Malik Harrison forced Elandon Roberts out of town. Roberts is joining the Las Vegas Raiders on a one-year, $3 million contract.
