Next week, the Steelers and the rest of the NFL will enter the free agency period, ending the month’s worth of anticipation that builds between the Super Bowl and the first major transactions of the 2026 season. Every year, Read & React takes turns playing general manager, formulating an offseason plan for the Steelers that includes everything from signings, cuts, and trades to the NFL draft.
This exercise is not meant to be read as predictive, but rather is just a fun exploration of what options
the Steelers have this offseason, and what the given writer would do if they were in Omar Khan’s shoes. Last week, we saw Ryan’s plan. Now it’s Ryland’s turn.
RP: OK, Ryland. Last week, you played the gracious moderator, but now it’s time to let you run wild. But first, how would you describe your mindset about this roster? Are there any thematic strategies about how you are going to approach this offseason?
RB: There are definitely some central themes I want to address this offseason. With a new coaching staff, lots of cap space, and a projected 12 draft picks, I think this is as good a year as ever to start a youth movement on the roster and try to reconstruct the depth.
As for long-term team building, I think there are some common themes from the past few Super Bowl winners (and contenders) that the Steelers could copy.
- The idea of the franchise quarterback might be just a tad overrated. I’m by no means saying having a Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Matt Stafford is a bad thing, but I do think we can underestimate the value of team-building around the position. You still need well above-average quarterback play — don’t get me wrong — but Sam Darnold and Jalen Hurts, the last two signal-callers to hoist the Lombardi, aren’t surefire mentions on the top-10 lists at their positions. If anything, this further backs the idea of the Steelers taking a big swing at quarterback this offseason — you don’t need to hit on a future Hall of Famer for it to pay off.
- That said, I think the team needs to move on from Aaron Rodgers, whose limitations and lack of long-term upside were apparent last season. Especially with a new coaching staff and my proposed youth movement, someone like Rodgers, who (understandably) wants to run the offense his way, hinders that forward development. Plus, I don’t think it’s entirely a coincidence that Darnold and Drake Maye — the two Super Bowl quarterbacks this year — ranked first and second in yards per attempt, respectively (and both were top 10 in air yards per attempt) in 2025. You need to push the ball deep and gain explosives on offense. Rodgers wasn’t doing that, ranking at or near the bottom of both of those metrics last season. He’s definitely not the worst option for the Steelers at quarterback in 2026, but I think we need to take a bigger swing if we really want to turn the team around.
- And if we do need that swing, we need to do everything we can to prop that quarterback up. In last season’s blueprint, I left a lot of spare cap space to roll into the next season. This year, I want to try something different and spend big. The NFL salary cap keeps increasing, bailing the teams out who are making far more reckless monetary decisions. Let’s take the steps to start building that successful “super team” model Seattle and Philadelphia have recently seen success with.
- And what is that model? It starts with the trenches, with talent and depth across the board on both the offensive and defensive line. Did you see how the Seattle D-line took over in the playoffs? Beyond that, the value of a talented, aggressive, and versatile secondary has become incredibly clear. Having a few more quality pass-catchers than obviously needed is also a good move. Think of how Chicago loaded up on weapons ahead of the team’s breakout in 2025, or the Seahawks’ in-season trade for Rashid Shaheed when the team already looked like a contender. Again, you have to be able to help your quarterback out to succeed.
Sure, it more or less boils down to “get good players at every position.” That should be the goal anyway, right?
RP: Before we get into the spicier parts of the offseason, let’s start with what I like to call the Housekeeping Phase. This includes all the internal moves the Steelers should be making between now and summer camp. Who gets cut? Who are you re-signing?
RB: I toyed with the idea of a blockbuster trade to move on from T.J. Watt or even Jalen Ramsey, but given that the Steelers don’t desperately need the cap relief, and both players are still quality contributors, I didn’t think any realistic deals would make it worth it to move on this offseason.
Pittsburgh just isn’t going to get premium draft capital in return for expensive defenders over the age of 30. We’ll keep them for now. Plus, moving Jalen Ramsey back to the slot in 2026 could result in a more impactful year for him than last season, when he had to wear almost every hat in the secondary.
We will, however, be moving on from two decently-sized contracts:
- Cut TE Jonnu Smith (saves around $7 million)
- Cut LB Malik Harrison (save around $4.75 million)
I don’t think either move needs much explanation. I still think Smith might be a little over-hated by the Steelers fanbase, but there’s no denying he didn’t add much to the offense last year as a pass-catcher, and he’s a clear liability as a blocker. Harrison was brought in to be a run-stuffer and never looked great in that role. I think we can get a more effective player for cheap.
Using Spotrac’s team management tool, that leaves us with just over $53 million remaining heading into the re-signing stage. We’ll sign the following restricted free agents and players who won’t have much of a market to one-year, near- or at-veteran minimum contracts:
- P Corliss Waitman
- C Ryan McCollum
- DT Esezi Otomewo
- WR Scotty Miller
- S Jabrill Peppers
- OLB Jeremiah Moon
- DT Daniel Ekuale
- G Andrus Peat
Then, for the bigger-ticket re-signings, we’ll bring back just two names:
- RB Kenneth Gainwell: two years, $10 million
- CB James Pierre: two years, $8 million
That leaves us with around $44 million remaining in cap space entering the rest of the offseason. That’s still plenty to work with.
RP: Lots to unpack here. There’s more players coming back than I expected. Can you share what went into deciding which of the veteran players you wanted to bring back, and which you let walk? Also, what is the plan at linebacker? Harrison isn’t a player the Steelers need to feel married to, but with him and Cole Holcomb leaving, the Steelers are down to three linebackers, none of whom are great against the run.
RB: It’s a lot of names, but I don’t see guaranteed roster spots for many beyond Gainwell, Pierre, McCollum, and maybe Otomewo, who’s sort of a “my guy” on the Steelers depth chart. The rest — especially Waitman — are names I think have earned a shot at competing in camp, but the incoming rookie class should provide good completion. I won’t be drafting a punter in this exercise, but I’d definitely be bringing in an undrafted free agent to vie for the starting job over the summer.
As for who I’m not bringing back, I’m not against reunions with Isaac Seumalo, Asante Samuel Jr., or Calvin Austin III, but I figured all three would likely price themselves out of what I’m comfortable paying.
As for Harrison, I just didn’t think his play was worth his contract in 2025, and especially with a deep inside linebacker class this draft, I figured there will be younger and cheaper options to fill that “thumper” role. Generally, athleticism is the expensive trait when it comes to inside linebackers, and Pittsburgh already has that in spades with Patrick Queen (who I still see as a flawed, but above-average defender) and Payton Wilson.
RP: Is there anyone on the roster you’d extend?
RB: You and I are on a similar wavelength here regarding the team’s future at cornerback:
- Joey Porter Jr. extension: four years, $92 million, $25 million signing bonus
I wrote an article earlier this year if you’re interested in how I arrived at that number. Long story short, Porter is the exact type of young, up-and-coming defender we want to keep around. It’s an easy decision, and he won’t cost much more this year. We still have just over $51 million in cap space remaining.
RP: No arguments here on Porter, I did a similar deal last week. But this means no contract for Keeanu Benton and Nick Herbig. Benton I get. What’s the plan with Herbig?
RB: I won’t argue that Herbig isn’t deserving of an extension, but I still have my doubts when it comes to having three of the top cap hits on the team all at one position — especially when only two tend to be on the field at once.
The Steelers have a new coaching staff on defense this year that might split the snaps between Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Herbig more evenly when all three are healthy, but with Herbig still under contract I’m inclined to wait and see.
Pittsburgh can still extend him next offseason with a low cap hit in 2027, and by then the team might also decide to move on Watt. There’s also the question of if Herbig would rather sign onto a team with a better defined starting role for him if the Steelers attempt to keep all three outside linebackers around long term.
Pass rusher is a premium position and I think Herbig’s market will be expensive. As a result, it seems like the most realistic path for both parties is to wait a year and see how things play out.
RP: With those contracts settled, it’s time to delve into free agency. How are you attacking that this year?
Free Agent Market
- Former Packers QB Malik Willis: two years, $55 million
- Former 49ers WR Jauan Jennings: three years, $67 million
- Former Rams S Kam Curl: four years, $40 million
- Former Jets G/T Alijah Vera-Tucker: one year, $15 million
Told you I’d be spending big. We’ll close the signing period with a reasonable but slightly tight $13 million remaining in cap space.
RP: Willis and Kurl are the two signings that intrigue me most. Talk to me about their fit with the Steelers.
RB: Willis is admittedly an expensive swing, but ultimately I like him more than the other quarterback options available for the Steelers this offseason. As a result, I’d argue that a potentially wasted two-year, $50-ish million contract is worth less in the scheme of things than a wasted first- or second-round pick.
Granted, if Willis’ price tag balloons $10 million or so more, I’d probably switch strategies, but even $30 million per year would make him just the 21st-highest paid at his position. Worthwhile free agent quarterbacks, especially ones who are still just 26, are going to be expensive. That’s the modern NFL.
As for the player himself, Willis has a limited sample size but has already shown a lot of growth moving from Tennessee’s offense to Green Bay. He’s a plus scrambler at his position and had an excellent deep ball in his much-clipped outing against the Ravens in 2025. The tools are there, and those are the quarterbacks you want to take a risk on.
Again, it’s a gamble. I’m by no means guaranteeing Willis will even pan out to be better than Aaron Rodgers was in 2025. But he comes with a lot of upside, and a two-year deal doesn’t prevent the Steelers from moving in a different direction if he bombs in 2026. I don’t love it, but the Steelers are in a spot where they have to keep searching for answers at quarterback until they find one
I’ll keep my thoughts on Curl a bit shorter. Like Willis, he’s just 26, and unlike Willis, he’s a proven plus player at his position. Although he’s listed as a strong safety, Curl is an uber-versatile defensive back who played both in the box and back deep for the Rams last year with success everywhere: 122 total tackles, two interceptions, five passes defensed, and two sacks.
Last year, the Steelers safety room was a clear weakness on defense, with the team struggling to find names who could fill the necessary roles, especially at free safety. Curl should fix that problem, and he and DeShon Elliott should be quite the tandem in 2026.
RP: I’m a little more apprehensive about Jennings and Vera-Tucker. Of all the free agent receivers available, what drew you to Jennings most? Vera-Tucker’s injury history is my biggest concern. I assume that’s why he’s signing a short deal?
RB: My top two free agent wide receiver targets were Romeo Doubs or Jauan Jennings, and ultimately I see Jennings as being the cheaper of the two. Still, he’s just 28 and should remain in his prime throughout the three-year contract I have him signing in Pittsburgh.
Jennings isn’t the most explosive, but the Steelers already have that in D.K. Metcalf. Instead, I see Jennings as a needed, reliable chain-mover on offense with his size and strong hands. He didn’t earn the third-and-Jauan nickname in San Francisco for nothing. As a result, I see him complementing Metcalf well, while still giving the Steelers some much-needed additional size in the wide receiver room.
Jennings is also one of the better blockers in the NFL at his position. I don’t see him becoming a star, but I think he’d be a great WR2 on an offense that just needs some capable role players.
As for Vera-Tucker, I completely understand the apprehension. He’s the signing I’m the least excited about, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. The left side of the Steelers O-line is suddenly a big question entering 2026 given the uncertainty of Broderick Jones’ neck injury and Isaac Seumalo hitting free agency.
It’s hard to know what’s really going on at left tackle, but I’m operating under the assumption Jones will play in 2026 but later in the year. I like Dylan Cook as his backup, but it remains to be seen if he’s a real starter down the road or just a backup. As a result, I don’t want to over-invest at the position, but you don’t want to have a gaping hole at one of the tackle spots entering the season, either.
And at guard, I just don’t love the free agent class this year, and I’m not sure if I want to rely on starting a rookie there Week 1. Thus, Vera-Tucker, who can start at tackle or be a Pro Bowl-level guard when healthy, provides insurance for both spots. I’d enter the season expecting him to start at left guard with Cook at tackle, but if things don’t pan out, Vera-Tucker a quality player who can play elsewhere on the line.
Of course, the elephant in the room is Vera-Tucker’s injury history. He missed all of 2025 with a torn triceps, and played just five and seven games, respectively, in 2023 and 2022. He’s a great player (and also just 26) but a massive injury risk, which is why I think he could realistically sign a one-year “prove it” deal with a team such as Pittsburgh.
RP: With free agency wrapped up, it’s time to turn to the draft. Can you tell us a bit about what goals or strategies you had heading in? How did free agency shape that for you?
RB: Guard and wide receiver are still near the top of the team needs board entering the draft, but we enter the next phase of the offseason without any huge roster questions, allowing us to focus on the best players available.
Draft
1.21 WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
2.53 OG Keylan Rugledge, Georgia Tech
3.67 CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State (trade up with Raiders using 4.135)
3.85 DT Domonique Orange, Iowa State
3.99 S Bud Clark, TCU
4.121 WR Malik Benson, Oregon
5.160 LB Jack Kelly, BYU
6.214 TE Dae’Quan Wright, Ole Miss
6.215 LB Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
7.223 OT Tristan Leigh, Clemson
7.236 DT Albert Regis, Texas A&M
RP: Let’s start with the selection of KC Concepcion. This fills a huge need, obviously. What do you like about the Texas A&M Aggie? Were there other receivers you considered?
RB: Truthfully, my original first-round pick was Texas Tech defensive lineman Lee Hunter, but I didn’t want to give our readers too much of the same after you made the same pick last week — and, Concepcion just keeps growing on me as a prospect.
I understand the drop issues, but he has functional NFL size, great quickness, and high-end route-running upside. I think he’s the perfect complement to a starting duo of Metcalf and Jennings as a premium separator. And by building a strong room around him, he won’t be forced into too big of a role right away.
As for the other receivers I considered here, I love Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Jordyn Tyson’s games, but there’s a very good chance they won’t be available at No. 21. Washington’s Denzel Boston was another option, but Concepcion better fit the mold of the type of receiver I was looking for.
RP: I’m also intrigued by the Rutledge pick. I’m curious if this impacts your plans for Vera-Tucker at all?
RB: The goal is for Vera-Tucker to start all year and not rush Rutledge into the lineup. But we all know the NFL isn’t that simple. The odds are exceptionally high that Vera-Tucker either gets injured or needs to slide to tackle, and/or even Mason McCormick gets banged up and needs someone to step in. That’s why I’m comfortable taking Rutledge in the second even if he isn’t guaranteed a starting role right away (and Vera-Tucker is under contract for just one season).
As for the player, Rutledge fits one of my favorite guard archetypes: a known mauler in college who showed he’s still a plus athlete at the NFL Combine. That’s also why I have him going a bit earlier than his current draft expectations (I also like Chase Bisontis here — but again, I’m trying not to copy Ryan’s homework too much).
RP: I’m biased, but I think you knocked it out of the park with your third-round selections. These are three of my favorite prospects. What can you tell us about this trio of rookies and their immediate fits for the Steelers defense?
RB: I traded up for Igbinosun — I think the Steelers have enough draft capital to move around and get their preferred players on Day 2 — because I think he’s the type of boundary corner that fits Pittsburgh’s mold. He’s a big, long press corner at his best in zone.
Igbinosun had a massive penalty issue in college and his technique is still developing (he’s not quite as fluid as I generally like in cornerbacks, either) but I have Joey Porter Jr. and James Pierre expected to start on the boundary. They’re similar players to Igbinosun, and he could learn how they’ve adapted to the NFL.
The last thing that really drew me to Igbinosun is how feisty he is in run support for a boundary cornerback. Whether it’s deep cover 3 zones or a flat/curl in cover 2, I think he could develop into a quality CB2 for Pittsburgh. And with those measurables, his upside is very high.
Orange — whose “Big Citrus” nickname might be my favorite one this draft cycle — fills the need at defensive line I alluded to earlier by almost selecting Hunter. Cam Heyward isn’t getting any younger and Keeanu Benton and Yahya Black still haven’t solidified themselves as long-term pieces, leading me to think the Steelers need to continue to add quality names to the defensive line room in coming seasons.
Orange is a big, run-stuffing nose, but he’s surprisingly explosive as well. He’ll boost the Steelers run defense, but there’s upside for a bigger role down the road.
As for Clark, he’s a rangy free safety who provides some insurance behind Curl, especially as DeShon Elliott and roster hopeful Jabrill Peppers are box safeties through and through. Clark is also a ballhawk with 15 career interceptions and 21 passes defensed in college. Beyond just providing depth, I think he allows the Steelers to experiment with some three-safety looks in 2026, especially due to his occasional experience as a slot corner in college.
RP: Lastly, anything you want to highlight about your Day 3 selections? I see you’ve joined me in the Jack Kelly and Bryce Boettcher fan clubs.
RB: Kelly fits the thumper archetype I wanted the Steelers to find in replacement of Malik Harrison, and like Rutledge, he tested quite well at the NFL Combine. What especially stands out with him is his plus pass-rushing ability (I nearly signed Kaden Elliss in free agency for this same reason) — Kelly had 10 sacks in 2025! With new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham known for his sim pressures, I want to have some inside linebackers on the roster who are above-average blitzers.
Benson and Leigh are both upside-related dart throws on offense. The former ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, but comes with a more NFL-ready frame (6’1, 195 pounds) than Calvin Austin — and a much-improved catch radius. He and Concepcion give the Steelers an exciting group of returners in 2026, as well.
Boettcher is a player I enjoyed watching in college, always making plays for the Oregon defense. With Miles Killebrew moving on in this article (and likely real life), I think Carson Bruener will take that special teams ace roster spot, leaving room for the Steelers to add yet another inside linebacker and take advantage of the strong class.
Finally, Dae’Quan Wright might be one of the more underrated tight ends in this year’s draft class, with solid size/speed upside and promising blocking reps. He’s a good name to fill out the tight end room.
Final roster
Like Ryan, I won’t be putting together a final 53-man roster, instead just highlighting the larger group of players I think will contend for spots over the summer. The practice squad is important too!
As always, I’ve bolded the new names.
Offense
QB: Malik Willis, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard
RB: Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, Kaleb Johnson
WR: DK Metcalf, Jauan Jennings, KC Concepcion, Roman Wilson, Malik Benson, Ben Skowronek, Scotty Miller
TE: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Dae’Quan Wright
OT: Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Dylan Cook, Tristan Leigh
OG: Mason McCormick, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Keylan Rutledge, Spencer Anderson, Andrus Peat
C: Zach Frazier, Ryan McCollum
Defense
DL: Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Domonique Orange, Yahya Black, Esezi Otomewo, Daniel Ekuale, Logan Lee, Albert Regis
OLB: TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer, Jeremiah Moon
LB: Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Jack Kelly, Bryce Boettcher, Carson Bruener
CB: Joey Porter Jr,. James Pierre, Jalen Ramsey, Davison Igbunison, Brandin Echols, Donte Kent, Cory Trice Jr.
S: Kamren Curl, DeShon Elliott, Bud Clark, Jabrill Peppers, Sebastian Castro
Specialists
K: Chris Boswell
P: Corliss Waitman, UDFA competition
LS: Christian Kuntz, UDFA competition
RP: Alright, time to wind down and review. How far do you see this team going in 2026? Which decisions are most likely to earn you a GM extension? Which moves — or moves you didn’t make — could end up as blunders that will have the BTSC faithful chewing you a new one in the comments?
RB: This roster is hard to predict as I don’t think anyone can definitively say how well Malik Willis would look in this offense in 2026.
Optimistically, I think this roster can certainly make a playoff run. Slightly more realistic might be Willis having flashes but proving he isn’t a long-term option — Pittsburgh goes 9-8 (gulp) and looks to trade up for a quarterback in 2027. Either way, though, I’d be happy with the roster foundation I’ve put together for the next few years, and I’d still agree with taking risk at quarterback rather than playing it safe by running it back with Aaron Rodgers.
But if Willis works out, I think this roster compares well with anyone in the AFC. I look forward to the extension.
The worst case scenario is equally extreme, however. I’ll be the first to admit I’m taking some free agent risks: Willis and Vera-Tucker, but also the re-signings of Pierre and Gainwell, who might fail to perform to the standards of their 2025 breakouts. Concepcion and Igbinuson aren’t exactly the most bust-proof draft prospects we’ve seen, either.
I guess we’ll find out.
And there you have it: Read & React’s final offseason blueprint for the 2026 season. Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and if you need some prompts, check out the questions below:
- What are your thoughts on Ryland’s plan at quarterback? Can we trust Malik Willis after such a small sample size?
- Did any of Ryland’s cuts, extensions, or re-signings catch you by surprise?
- What’s your favorite and least favorite free agent signing?
- How would you grade Ryland’s draft?
- What are your thoughts on the overall plan? If Omar Khan made these exact moves, would you be excited, angry, or indifferent?
Join in on Steelers R&R by sharing your takes on this week’s topics. Feel free to pitch future questions in the comment section or on Twitter/X: tag @_Ryland_B or @RyanParishMedia, or email us at steelersreadnreact@gmail.com.
