Steelers Decline to Tender Five Free Agents

Now that the new league year has begun, the Pittsburgh Steelers have decided not to tender five of their free agents.

That list is comprised by restricted free agents Corliss Waitman, defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo, offensive lineman Ryan McCollum and outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon as well as exclusive rights defensive lineman Jacob Slade.

Pittsburgh, though, reportedly agreed to re-sign Otomewo to a one-year deal earlier this week.

The lowest level of the tender for restricted free agents, which gives teams the right of first refusal, is worth $3.520 million this year, according to Over the Cap.

Just because Waitman, McCollum, Moon and Slade weren't tendered doesn't mean those players won't still return to the Steelers somewhere down the line, however.

Outside of Otomewo and Waitman, who won Pittsburgh's punting battle with Cameron Johnston last summer, the other three players played either a small or non-existent role for the team for one reason or another in 2025, meaning it wouldn't have made sense to tender any of them for the amount it would've cost.

Given their experience with the team despite the fact that a new staff is in place, they remain names to watch over the coming weeks and months.

Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers center Ryan McCollum (62) takes the field against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Each Player's Experience in Pittsburgh

Waitman is the most notable of the Steelers that weren't tendered, as previously mentioned, considering he's had three different stints with the organization and has appeared in a total of 35 games for them.

McCollum is a close second, though, as he's been with the team since he was claimed off waivers from the Detroit Lions ahead of the 2022 campaign. He appeared in all 34 of Pittsburgh's contests over the past two seasons, though he's logged just 164 offensive snaps during that span.

Otomewo suited up for 12 games with the Steelers in 2025 after signing a one-year deal with them last offseason.

Moon, who appeared in 13 contests for Pittsburgh in 2024, returned to the organization after it signed him off the Carolina Panthers' practice squad in December and found his way into a single game.

Slade spent the entire 2024 season on the Steelers' practice squad without appearing in a regular season game. He later re-signed with them on a reserve/futures deal last January before suffering a season-ending knee injury during training camp, resulting in the Michigan State product being placed on the reserve/injured list in August.

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