The Steelers Are Walking A Fine Line In 2025 Free Agency
As we continue to sail through the first few days of the 2025 NFL free agency period, the Steelers haven’t been as active as many anticipated, despite having a surplus of cap space. However, if you read between the lines, the blueprint for the Steelers’ future may have just become a bit clearer, based on some assumptions that can be made from their activity—or lack thereof—during the early stages of free agency.
So far, Pittsburgh has made four key additions: the blockbuster trade for DK Metcalf, an agreement in principle with veteran corner Darius Slay, and two value signings in linebacker Malik Harrison and running back Kenneth Gainwell. Despite those moves, the volume and value of unrestricted free agents departing Pittsburgh heavily outweigh what’s coming in. This sets the Steelers up to be in prime position to secure multiple compensatory draft picks in 2026, which could be a significant part of their long-term roster-building strategy.
Why does this matter?
To many, it may seem like the Steelers are punting on the 2025 season due to their lack of urgency in bringing in unrestricted free agents during the early portions of free agency. However, it’s becoming clear that they are taking a more narrow and strategic approach—targeting trades or being linked to players who were released by their former teams, such as Aaron Rodgers, Darius Slay, and Cooper Kupp. These types of signings do not count against the compensatory pick formula, which seems to be a major priority for the Steelers front office right now. It’s fair to say these are all “win-now” moves for a franchise that prides itself on competing year in and year out, even if it doesn’t always seem like the most obvious or wisest path from the outside looking in.
Reading between the lines, it certainly appears the Steelers are trying to build the best possible roster around their less-than-ideal quarterback situation for 2025. At the same time, they’re positioning themselves to continue adding talent in 2026—potentially at the most important position on the field.
Looking ahead to 2026, this method of acquisitions in free agency could allow the Steelers to reap the rewards of their patience and planning. According to Over the Cap, as things currently stand, the Steelers are projected to receive a 3rd-round, 4th-round, and three 6th-round compensatory picks for the 2026 NFL Draft. Obviously, these are subject to change depending on any future free agent signings that could offset their losses—or if a player like Russell Wilson signs elsewhere, they could potentially gain another pick.
The bottom line is this: as Alan Saunders of Steelers Now pointed out, there’s a real chance the Steelers are stockpiling draft capital for 2026 They could use those picks to fill out the depth of the roster in the later rounds, or, as I believe is very possible, package them to move up in a draft that could feature several top-tier quarterback prospects. With the 2026 draft being held in Pittsburgh, it’s easy to envision the Steelers making a big move in front of their home crowd to select the quarterback they hope will be their future.
The fine line the Steelers are walking is largely one they’ve brought upon themselves. If they’re able to secure the names they’ve been linked to—players who were released from their prior teams—as their “big moves,” it’s hard to argue they wouldn’t be an improved team compared to the 2024 iteration of the Steelers on paper. However, if they swing and miss on these limited options, there’s a real chance they’ll have let most of the top names come off the board during these first few days of free agency, potentially leaving themselves in a weaker position.
Now, the entire comp pick milking process is still speculative, based on just a small sample size from the first two days of the legal tampering period. But the more you think about it, the more this idea seems to make sense. And if they can somehow pull this off, I think this could go down as one of the smarter offseason strategies they’ve employed in recent years.
How do you feel? Do you think this idea they seem to be trying to implement is a smart one? Or do you think the Steelers are trying to finesse this offseason too much?
Well, this would be quite the impressive “long game”. I could buy this as a “plan” if it didn’t so conveniently cover over their recent missteps. Color me rather skeptical.
Also, this kind of simmering roster build basically says F. U. to guys like Watt, and Heyward. So if the plan is to land a QB in the 26 draft why not trade them? If I’m TJ and they soft play the QB position this off season, I’m not trying to extend – I’m hitting free agency in 26.
Who would be the “hard play” at qb be this offseason? Is fields that much better than Wilson or Rodgers? QB is a tough position to fill. This class of free agents and the draft is not strong. No one they can acquire this offseason will be the qb beyond a few years most likely, let alone win them a Super Bowl. So why go all in on this year, when you can play it smarter this offseason to set up next offseason where the crop of talent is supposed to be better, leading to a qb that is there for the next 10-15 years hopefully. It’s a qb driven league. I cannot stress enough how tough it is to find a guy like Ben Roethlisberger. The pats are still looking to replace Brady, the colts/manning, saints/Brees, etc. It’s not common to go from Favre to Rodgers.
I think the only guy you could’ve signed this offseason and how he’s the future is Darnold, and I do not think he is worth the money, especially considering the comp picks
I’m well aware of the difficulty landing a better than good QB, and I’m not expectingthem to 3D print one. I did expect them to have a target and be aggressivein his pursuit.
“Soft play” meaning not identifying a guy and getting a deal done – exactly how they handled the WR position last season.
If they liked Fields as much as were being lead to believe why is he now a Jet? They allegedly offered Darnold, no dice. I’ve read reports that Wilson is still in the picture, but still no QB. Now we’re on a very expensive for what they’re
gonna get option 4. Shure doesn’t look like there was a plan if Fields said thanks but no thanks.
It’s easy to forget (or not realize) that Terry Bradshaw’s last pass for the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger’s first one came 20 years (and about a dozen other starting quarterbacks) apart.
Why wait to start doing this until this year? The Ravens have 4 extra picks in the 2025 draft. Certainly things can change as off season goes on but so far it looks like the Steelers had a bad plan.
You have to have players that people want along with not signing other teams players. For the record, Alex Highsmith was a comp pick. And let’s call it like it is. Colbert did not do a great job drafting his last few years. Khan is 2 for 2 in my opinion.