Steelers 2026 Free Agent Tracker: Signings, Contract Details, Former Players

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially begun the 2026 NFL season. The disappointment of last year’s campaign is washed away and replaced with optimism.

The Steelers enter their first season under new coaching, as Mike McCarthy begins his first year as the head coach. With general manager Omar Khan still leading the roster construction and nearly $50 million in salary cap space, the organization has plenty of flexibility available to improve the team.

That effort begins with the legal tampering window officially opening, with free agency’s official start 48 hours behind. The Steelers got off to a quick start by re-signing a veteran cornerback, with more moves to come. Check back here for all of the Steelers’ free agent updates.

Steelers Signings

Asante Samuel Jr. - Cornerback - 1 year, $4 million

The #Steelers have re-signed versatile CB Asante Samuel Jr., sources say, as he gets a 1-year deal.

After signing midseason, the former #Chargers standout appeared in six games and flashed the potential that made him a budding star. Now, back in PIT. pic.twitter.com/2Y9m9ViOcb
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2026

Cole Holcome - Linebacker - 2 years, $5 million

The Steelers bring back their second defensive player in free agency, inking the inside linebacker and special teamer. Read more here.

The #Steelers are expected to re-sign LB Cole Holcomb to a 2-year, $5M deal, per source. pic.twitter.com/BdXB5gtwGs
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 9, 2026

Jamel Dean - Cornerback - 3 years, $36.75 million

The Pittsburgh Steelers add to their cornerback room with a 29-year-old veteran who's spent his whole career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Rico Dowdle - Running Back - 2 years, $12.25 million

The Steelers are reuniting former Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle with head coach Mike McCarthy. Dowdle is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, including one with McCarthy in Dallas.

Esezi Otomewo - Defensive Lineman - 1 year

Otomewo is returning for a second campaign in Pittsburgh after signing a one-year deal with the organization last offseason as well. He appeared in 12 games in 2025 and logged nine tackles with a sack.

Cameron Johnston - Punter - 1 Year

Pittsburgh brings back Johnston after signing him to a three-year deal worth $9 million ahead of the 2024 campaign. He suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1 that year, however, and lost the punting battle to Corliss Waitman heading into the 2025 season.

Darnell Savage - Safety - 1 Year, $1.487 Million

A former first-round pick in 2019, Savage has started 83 of the 97 games he's appeared in throughout his career while spending time with the Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills.

Jack Driscoll - Offensive Lineman - 1 Year

Pittsburgh is bringing Driscoll back after signing him to its practice squad last October. He did not appear in a game for the team, though the former fourth-round pick has 67 contests under his belt over six seasons.

Jaquan Brisker - Safety - 1 Year, $5.5 Million

The move comes a few days into free agency, but the Steelers finally get another starting safety with the addition of Jaquan Brisker. The 26-year-old is a Pittsburgh-native and brings a dynamic element to the secondary. Read more about his signing here.

Steelers Trade

The Steelers opted to upgrade their wide receiver position via the trade market. The team acquired veteran WR Michael Pittman from the Indianapolis Colts and signed him to a three-year contract extension. The move gives the Steelers two veteran pass-catchers for Aaron Rodgers or whoever is under center. Read more here.

Former Steelers Players

Former Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was moved once again, marking the second consecutive offseason trade involving the former Pro Bowl defender. This time, the Miami Dolphins sent him to the New York Jets for a seventh-round draft pick. Fitzpatrick reportedly is signing a three-year extension with the Jets as well.

TRADE: Dolphins trading S Minkah Fitzpatrick to Jets in exchange for 2026 7th-round pick. (via @rapsheet, @tompelissero) pic.twitter.com/R7AwiK19B3
— NFL (@NFL) March 9, 2026

Kenneth Gainwell - Running Back - 2 years, $14 million ($10 million guaranteed) with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Steelers' team MVP departs for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he signs a larger-than-expected deal in free agency.

James Pierre - Cornerback - 2 years, $8.5 million with Minnesota Vikings

The steady veteran earns a nice payday with the Minnesota Vikings, where he can reunite with defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander.

Mitch Trubitsky - Quarterback - 2-year deal with Tennessee Titans

A former starter and backup for the Steelers, he'll now mentor second-year signal-caller Cam Ward in Tennesee.

Isaac Seumalo - Offensive Lineman - 3 years, $31.5 million with Arizona Cardinals

After three standout years as the starting left guard in Pittsburgh, he moves on to help solidify another offensive line. He signs in Arizona on a three year deal that will pay him over $30 million.

Kenny Pickett - Quarterback - 1 year, $7.5 million ($4 million guaranteed) with Carolina Panthers

The former first-round pick of the Steelers is now on to his next NFL stop, as he signs a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.

Devin Bush - Linebacker - 3 years, $30 million with Chicago Bears

Calvin Austin III - Wide Receiver - 1 Year, $1.5 million with New York Giants

Austin III heads to New York to play for John Harbaugh. He takes a modest salary for a fresh start, but incentives could make this deal worth up to $4.5 million in 2026.

Connor Heyward - Fullback - 2 Years, $5.5 million with Las Vegas Raiders

Cam’s baby brother gets his first chance to soar with another NFL franchise. A valuable special teams player, he’ll be a key piece of the Raiders’ unit in 2026.

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