Omar Khan and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ active Day 1 of free agency concluded with three key additions and three departures.
Monday, March 9, marked the opening day of the legal tampering window in the 2026 NFL season. This essentially means teams and players can negotiate deals, but cannot officially put pen to paper until Wednesday, March 11.
With six transactions being announced, there was no lack of excitement for Steelers faithful as the new league year kicked off.
Steelers moves produce social media outburst
The day began with Steelers brass
making a move for Indianapolis receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who was shipped to Pittsburgh as part of a late-round pick swap. It was later reported the Steelers would be extending the 28-year-old to a three-year $59 million deal.
Next on the agenda was bolstering the team’s secondary, which battled injuries for a large portion of the 2025-26 campaign. Here, Pittsburgh added one of the most coveted cornerbacks on the free agent market, Jamel Dean. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneer will sign a three-year deal worth $36.75 million.
Finally, Pittsburgh added running back depth in the form of back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle. The ex-Carolina Panther will ink a two-year contract worth $12.25 million.
As Dowdle joins the Steelers, fan-favorite Kenneth Gainwell departs, signing a two-year, $14 million deal with the Buccaneers. Also on their way out of Pittsburgh are cornerback James Pierre and veteran offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo. The two join Minnesota and Arizona on two- and three-year deals, respectively.
With a lot of movement on both sides of the ball, Steeler fans took to social media to voice their opinion.
One fan wrote, “This changes how every defense in the division will approach Pittsburgh,” in response to the addition of Pittman. The two-time 1,000-yard receiver provides critical depth at the position that the Steelers lacked a season ago.
Further building on the excitement of the 6-foot-four wideout’s arrival, another fan described the business side of the deal, saying, “Less than 20 million a year for a receiver of Pittman’s caliber is a really solid piece of business.”
Moving on to Dean, black and gold faithful appear equally as happy about ‘the 29-year-old’s new deal.
“Great move!! Jamel Dean is considered a top-tier NFL defender, he ranks as the fifth-highest-graded cornerback by PFF,” another X user wrote.
Speaking to his lockdown capability, Tony Holzman-Escareno, an NFL researcher, dove deeper into Dean’s 2025 performance.
The newest addition to the Steelers’ defense boasts first-place ranks in completion percentage allowed, yards per target allowed, passer rating allowed, and completion percentage over expected per Next Gen Stats. The Auburn product will pair up nicely with emerging star Joey Porter Jr., with the two bound to create inevitable headaches for opposing offenses.
Towards the end of the day, NFL insider Jordan Schultz announced that Pittsburgh had replaced Gainwell with the tough runner Dowdle.
One X user was so thrilled by the move that they believe this is the type of addition that “sneaks up and wrecks the division.” Dowdle, 27, broke out midway through the 2025 season with Panthers starting running back Chuba Hubbard, going down to injury. In his opening two contests as the lead back, the 5’11 bruiser tallied 389 rushing yards, 84 receiving yards, and two total touchdowns.
Pittsburgh sports personality Andrew Fillipponi believes Khan and Steelers brass had a good day, rating each addition above a C grade.
Behind the Steel Curtain contributors chimed in, too, recapping a hectic Monday.
As one of the undeniably busiest days this offseason concludes, did the Steelers make the right moves to propel them to a playoff victory? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
