Steelers' Top Players to Consider for Franchise Tag, RFA Contract Tenders

The Pittsburgh Steelers should have a fairly easy decision in front of them when it comes to the franchise tag.

None of their impending 19 free agents appear to be worthy of the franchise tag, which would come with a significant pay increase for most of those players.

Pittsburgh could potentially deliver an offseason surprise, but if that happens, the franchise needs to have a good justification for why the franchise tag is used.

The AFC North side also does not have any key restricted free agents, so that portion of the offseason will not involve the team much.

Kwon Alexander

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 12: Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Kwon Alexander (54) looks on during the regular season NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers on November 12, 2023 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

If the Steelers were to use the franchise tag, Kwon Alexander would be a leading candidate among the list of current Pittsburgh free agents.

Alexander delivered a solid 2023 season before injuries derailed it. He had 41 tackles, five tackles for loss and two quarterback hits in nine games.

The nine-year veteran at linebacker could come back to the Steelers on a team-friendly deal because of his production when healthy.

The Steelers could use some players on affordable contracts on defense because of how much they are paying T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick.

A franchise tag is likely out of the question, though, because that would require the Steelers to overpay for the veteran linebacker.

Miles Killebrew

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 07: Miles Killebrew #28 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Acrisure Stadium on December 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Miles Killebrew is arguably the most important free agent the Steelers should retain for 2024.

Killebrew turned himself into one of the most valuable special teams players on the roster, and as we have seen with Matthew Slater in New England and countless other players, they can stick around for quite some time with a single team.

Pittsburgh likely will not even think about extending the franchise tag to Killebrew because it would have to pay him at the rate for safeties.

However, if you had to rank the most important players to re-sign, Killebrew would sit near the top of the list.

Most of the impending free agents from the Steelers are players on the back end of the roster.

Christian Kuntz (RFA)

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PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 08: Pittsburgh Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz (46) looks on during the regular season NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers on October 08, 2023 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Long snapper Christian Kuntz is the only notable Steelers player who is a restricted free agent.

Kuntz has been with the franchise for three seasons, and if the team wants to keep consistency on special teams, he should stick around.

Long snappers typically come at a cheap contract rate, but if you find a good one, you should stick with him.

If Kuntz remains in Pittsburgh, he will have a new punter to work with. The Steelers released Pressley Harvin III.

An undrafted free agent or veteran punter will likely be added to work with Kuntz and the rest of the special teams unit.