The Pittsburgh Steelers finished 2025 with a 10-7 record, capturing the AFC North, before a Wild Card loss to Houston ended the season.

They enter 2026 boasting a projected $65M of cap space against an estimated $304M league threshold. This figure includes 38 contracts, led by T.J. Watt ($42M) & WR D.K. Metcalf ($31M).

The Steelers currently hold 12 draft picks according to our projections, including three third-round selections (their own, Dallas, and a compensatory pick), and two fourth-rounders. Steelers Future Draft Picks

Early Offseason Questions

  • How will Pittsburgh address another offseason without a clearcut QB1? Is 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers the favorite to return? Will the Steelers dedicate a Top 100 draft pick toward the position? Will they be in the mix for Daniel Jones, Malik Willis, Mac Jones, Kyler Murray, etc…?
  • The Steelers made a splash for WR DK Metcalf last offseason, but still lack a consistently potent attack. Will they double down on bringing in experienced talent, or use their ample draft capital to replenish the pool?

Notable Free Agents

(Spotrac’s Valuation APY)

QB Aaron Rodgers ($10.6M)
G Isaac Seumalo ($9.6M)
WR Calvin Austin ($5M)
RB Kenneth Gainwell ($3M)

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Option Decision

OT Broderick Jones

Jones has split time at both right and left tackle through 2+ seasons, but finished off 2025 on the IR due to a neck injury. The Steelers may have found a viable replacement for him in Dylan Cook in the meantime, which could very well impact their looming decision on what projects to be a $20M 5th-year option salary for 2027.

Extension Candidate

K Chris Boswell

Boswell remains one of the most reliable legs in football, and is headed toward a contract year in 2026. The 34-year-old is set to earn $3.1M against a $4.7M cap hit, and currently projects toward a 3 year, $20M extension.

OLB Nick Herbig

A 4th-round pick out of Wisconsin, Herbig has now posted back-to-back strong seasons, and is widely considered to be a rising star in the league. He enters a contract year in 2026, and is now extension-eligible for the first time, currently projecting toward a 4 year, $54 million deal in our system.

Bubble Candidates

LB Patrick Queen

Release Candidate

Queen remains a tackling machine in the center of the Steelers defense, but the overall resume may no longer be worth the $13M+ price point he’s been costing them for two seasons. Pittsburgh can free up $13.3M of cap by moving on in some fashion before a $2.5M roster bonus is due on March 13th.

DL ​​Cameron Heyward

Retirement Candidate?

The 36-year-old continues to perform at a very high level, and his $14.25M salary for 2026 isn’t necessarily bad value for a player who saw more than 70% of the snaps this past season. But Heyward and the Steelers battled all offseason for a contract adjustment that amounted to a small incentive package being added. Will he be looking for a pot sweetener again? Is he ready to hang up the cleats instead? There’s a $12.95M roster bonus due on March 12th that will make this an early decision, one way or another.

TE Pat Freiermuth

Release Candidate

The 27-year-old signed a 4 year, $48M extension in early 2024, but his role has been largely reduced of late, putting an unprotected 3 years, $27M remaining on notice. Freiermuth has a $1.5M roster bonus due March 13th, and an early offseason release can free up $4.9M of cap.

TE Jonnu Smith

Release Candidate

Still a viable option in the passing game, it stands to reason that at least one of Freiermuth & Smith will be moved on from this coming offseason. The 30-year-old’s cap hit doubles to $10.8M in 2026, and there’s $7M of cap to be saved with a trade or release.

Potential Cap Conversions

OLB T.J. Watt’s 2026 salary is already fully guaranteed. Processing a simple salary conversion on it (plus two void years) can free up $24.5M.

WR D.K. Metcalf’s 2026 salary is no longer guaranteed (2025 suspension), but converting it to bonus still makes business sense for the Steelers. There’s a maximum of $19M to be freed up here by doing so.

RELATED LINKS
2026 Steelers Salary Cap
Steelers 2026 Free Agents
Spotrac’s Offseason Guides