Steelers' 2026 Free Agents, Targets and Draft Needs After NFL Playoff Loss

The Pittsburgh Steelers' gamble with quarterback Aaron Rodgers paid off, at least to a degree. While the Steelers struggled to establish themselves as a true AFC powerhouse, they managed to win the AFC North for the first time since 2020.

While Rodgers didn't turn back the clock and play like the perennial MVP candidate he was early in his career, he helped Pittsburgh make the most of a relatively underwhelming offensive cast. While Pittsburgh's defense wasn't consistently efficient, it did discover a knack for making plays when it needed to.

Head coach Mike Tomlin has still never experienced a losing season in Pittsburgh.

Of course, the year ended the way many others in recent years, with a first-round playoff loss. The squad suffered a 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans at home.

Now that the Steelers' offseason has ended, Tomlin and Omar Khan must decide where to go from here. Long-term quarterback questions loom large, and Pittsburgh has some significant roster deficiencies that must be addressed in the coming months.

Free agency is slated to open on March 11, while the 2026 NFL draft will kick off on April 23. The Steelers have contract situations to consider before the new league year arrives and a plethora of free-agent, trade, and draft targets to evaluate.

Here's a look at what's ahead of Pittsburgh in the 2026 offseason.

Free Agents

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers

Unrestricted Free Agents

WR Calvin Austin III

S Chuck Clark

DL Daniel Ekuale

S Kyle Dugger

RB Kenneth Gainwell

TE Connor Heyward

LB Cole Holcomb

S Miles Killebrew

DL Isaiahh Loudermilk

DL Dean Lowry

WR Scotty Miller

TE Donald Parham

OT Andrus Peat

QB Aaron Rodgers

G Isaac Seumalo

QB Skylar Thompson

P Corliss Waitman

Restricted/Exclusive-Rights Free Agents

C Ryan McCollum

DL Esezi Otomewo

DL Jacob Slade

Between free agency and trades, Khan and the Steelers put a lot of work into cobbling together a roster to contend in 2025. Now, several important pieces are set to become free agents.

Of course, it all starts with Rodgers, who may or may not even consider playing in 2026. The future Hall of Famer turned 42 in December and has spent most of the year acting like this will be his last run. However, he hasn't closed the door on playing next year—and not necessarily with the Steelers.

"You know what the situation is," Rodger said, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "Whenever the season ends, I'll be a free agent. So that'll give me a lot of options if I still want to play.

The problem for Pittsburgh is that Rodgers may not make any decisions early in the offseason—he didn't agree to join the Steelers until June last offseason.

So, the Steelers may have to proceed without a definitive plan regarding Rodgers. However, that shouldn't prevent them from prioritizing other free agents, like guard Isaac Seumalo, safety Chuck Clark, versatile tight end/fullback Connor Heyward, and running back Kenneth Gainwell.

Pittsburgh is projected to have $65.4 million in cap space, so it should be able to bring back important players while still being a factor on the free-agent and trade markets.

Potential Free-Agent/Trade Targets

AP Photo/Scot Tucker

WR Brandon Aiyuk

Last offseason, the Steelers replaced wide receiver George Pickens with DK Metcalf through a series of trades. If they believe they can make another playoff run in 2026, they could be back in the trade market this offseason.

Adding another wide receiver to pair with Metcalf would make a ton of sense. If a veteran like D.J. Moore, A.J. Brown, or Darnell Mooney becomes available, the Steelers should be interested. They'll likely be equally interested if wide receivers like Tyreek Hill and Brandon Aiyuk are released, as many expect.

In free agency, a lot will hinge on how things are looking with Rodgers. If it looks like he won't be back, Pittsburgh may pursue another older veteran, like Kirk Cousins, who is expected to be released by the Atlanta Falcons.

Atlanta recently restructured Cousins' contract, and it will likely cut him before $67.9 million becomes guaranteed on March 13.

Younger quarterbacks, like Daniel Jones and Malik Willis, may be even more appealing to Pittsburgh, since neither Rodgers nor Cousins would provide a long-term answer.

Free-agent receivers will also be on Pittsburgh's radar, and the Steelers should be in the market for defensive depth. Expect free agents like receiver Alec Pierce, cornerback Jamel Dean, safety Kamren Curl, defensive lineman Teair Tart, and linebacker Kaden Elliss to draw interest.

Don't expect Pittsburgh to go all-in on many big-money free agents, though, unless it has a defined quarterback plan early in the offseason. The Steelers can't count on the rest of the AFC North being bad again in 2026.

Draft Targets

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USC WR prospect Makai Lemon

At some point, the Steelers probably need to try taking a big swing on a rookie quarterback prospect. Things didn't pan out with 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett, but Pittsburgh can't keep patching the position with veterans—unless they get a younger QB like Willis or Jones and see him succeed.

However, the Steelers probably won't be able to make such a move this year. Top QB prospect Fernando Mendoza will be drafted well outside of Pittsburgh's range.

A developmental quarterback like Mississippi's Trinidad Chambliss or Penn State's Drew Allar could make sense later in the draft.

Expect Pittsburgh to use its first-round selection on an elite defender, a top guard prospect or a wide receiver. An offensive tackle could also be in play if the Steelers decide to move off of Broderick Jones, who will require a decision on the fifth-year option this spring.

The Bleacher Report Scouting Department paired Pittsburgh with USC receiver Makai Lemon in its post-regular season mock draft:

"Lemon is one of the toughest players in the draft," Dame Parson of the B/R Scouting Department said. "He is gritty and physical after the catch with contact balance to stay on his feet to create extra yards."

Prospects like Penn State lineman Olaivavega Ioane, Alabama tackle  Kadyn Proctor, and Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles should also draw interest on opening night. Prospects such as Penn State edge-rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton, San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson, Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell, and Alabama safety Bray Hubbard should intrigue the Steelers on Day 2.

In all, Pittsburgh is set to have 12 total draft selections, including a trio of third-round picks.

*Cap, contract and free-agent status information via Spotrac. Draft information via Tankathon