Analyzing the Steelers who were lost in free agency

If the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking at their 2024 roster, they’ll see a lot of names which are no longer within the organization. After a week of free agency, the Steelers have watched a lot of their free agents depart, while retaining very few of them.

While the theory of players leaving for new waters might sound difficult, it begs the question if the players lost are actually a big deal. Time to evaluate just how impactful the players leaving are to the Steelers 2025 efforts, and we’ll do so with a simple rating scale.

Players will be lumped into the following category:

• Big Deal
• No Big Deal
• Good Riddance

When evaluating these players, a lot of factors play a role, so let’s get down to brass tacks and figure out who will be missed, and who won’t.

Players Lost

Justin Fields

Did I think Fields was the long term answer at quarterback? I didn’t. Did I think Fields would be a great bridge quarterback? I did. Him signing with the New York Jets put the Steelers in quite a predicament, which they didn’t seem quite prepared for under the current circumstances. Yeah, I think Fields choosing New York was a big deal this offseason.

Rating: Big Deal

RB Najee Harris

Some people would suggest Harris leaving is a “Good Riddance” situation, but I can appreciate Najee’s durability and availability. No, his yards per carry were never great, but I also don’t think he was put in a situation which helped set him up for success. Harris will get an opportunity to prove himself in Los Angeles, but his departure is just no big deal for me.

Rating: No Big Deal

CB Donte Jackson

Jackson was acquired via trade, and was a relative unknown when the team got him from the Panthers. While he was around the football, him being injury prone, and his lack of want-to in certain situations left me with a bad feeling. Jackson gets a shot with the Chargers, and I bid him farewell.

Rating: Good Riddance

WR Mike Williams

I publicly stated I thought the Steelers should consider bringing back Williams if they don’t make any other moves at the position. Trading for DK Metcalf made that a moot point, but I am appreciative of Williams and the plays he made in 2024.

Rating: No Big deal

OG James Daniels

Good for Daniels for signing a contract with estimates to be roughly $8 million a year in Miami, this after coming off a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2024. The optimist in me thought Daniels might be able to be had on the cheap, but that wasn’t the case. Good luck to Daniels down in South Beach.

Rating: No Big Deal

OT Dan Moore Jr.

I still can’t believe Moore cashed in the way he did with the Tennessee Titans. To that, I say, “Good for you Mr. Moore!” However, the Steelers should be prepared with two young tackles, making Moore’s departure not a huge deal.

Rating: No Big Deal

OG Nate Herbig

I thought the Steelers would kick around the idea of keeping Herbig. Not only is his brother still on the roster, but he could provide some valuable depth on the interior of the offensive line. However, the more I think about it, the more I feel like these type of players can be had at likely a cheaper rate.

Rating: No Big Deal

ILB Elandon Roberts

I loved Elandon Roberts in the two years he spent with the Steelers. I loved everything about his game, but I don’t think the Steelers loved how he wasn’t an every down player, and didn’t play special teams. That’s why they signed Malik Harrison. That doesn’t mean I don’t think there was a void left by Roberts’ departure. To me, this was a big deal.

Rating: Big Deal

QB Kyle Allen

Again, there might be some fans who saw this as a big deal, but when the Steelers signed Mason Rudolph I think it became clear Allen’s talents were wanted in Pittsburgh anymore. Shortly after was when he signed with Detroit. The Steelers are hoping to get another quarterback, and have Rudolph and Skylar Thompson on the depth chart. No room at the inn for Allen, and so he moves on to new pastures.

Rating: No Big Deal

WR Van Jefferson

The Steelers tried to spin Jefferson as the WR2 or even WR3 last season, and that was selling a box full of you-know-what. Jefferson never lived up to the hype as a receiver, or a blocker, and I was actually shocked he got the deal he did from the Titans. In other words, I won’t miss Jefferson on the roster in 2025.

Rating: Good Riddance

Overall:

As you can see, I don’t see Steelers fans, or the team, missing out on many of their free agents who left to go to another team. Could I be wrong? I could, but that would likely happen on in the case of injuries happening at key positions and exposing the lack of depth. It is worth remembering the team can still add depth not just in free agency, but the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.

The Steelers gutted their roster, will get some comp picks in return, and aren’t worse off in the long run. I’d call that playing the cards they were dealt pretty well.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of free agency, and the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.