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The Pittsburgh Steelers are in position to be very active in the 2026 edition of NFL free agency.
Why? They have tons of cap space. According to Over The Cap, the Steelers have more than $46 million in space above the salary cap.
There will be plenty to keep an eye on with Pittsburgh.
For one, there's the Aaron Rodgers decision. Does he retire? And if not, does he return to play for the Steelers? Technically, he's a free agent, so he's got all options available to him.
MORE: Check out our full NFL free agency tracker here
Speaking of offense: Do the Steelers sign a WR to complement DK Metcalf? And does Kenneth Gainwell stay or go?
The defense already got good news on Monday when Asante Samuel Jr. re-signed, but there's plenty of improvements to made there, too.
It's all part of the post-Mike Tomlin era. After 19 seasons, the head coach stepped down, and he has been replaced by Mike McCarthy. That adds another layer of intrigue as Pittsburgh tries to win a playoff game for the first time in a decade.
We'll be keeping track of all the latest news here.
MORE: Trey Hendrickson's free agency is getting confusing
Steelers free agency rumors, news, live updates
Refresh for the latest. Times in ET.
TUESDAY
10:45 a.m.: ESPN's Dan Orlovsky provided a very good update on Aaron Rodgers -- read more about it here.
10:15 a.m.: This is a list of the top remaining free agent QBs, something the Steelers might end up needing to look into.
8:30 a.m.: It'll be interesting to see if any noise starts to emerge about the Steelers and Kyler Murray. They'll likely need some kind of alternative if Aaron Rodgers decides not to return. Still a lot of unknown at QB.
7:25 a.m.: We also broke down the bad news for Kaleb Johnson. Read more at this link.
7:15 a.m.: We broke down how Rico Dowdle's signing impacts Jaylen Warren, which you can read about at this link.
6:45 a.m.: A couple key things to note as Tuesday gets underway. Free agency operates much the same way today as it did Monday. It's still the "legal tampering" period. Deals can't be made official until Wednesday. There are still a good chunk of free agents on the board, so more news should emerge throughout the day.
MONDAY
11:30 p.m.: As the week goes on, more and more Steelers fans will start to wonder what is happening with Aaron Rodgers. There weren't really any updates on Monday, so there's still more to come for sure.
11 p.m.: The latest rumors suggest Patrick Queen may leave Pittsburgh, potentially to sign with the Dallas Cowboys.
10:30 p.m.: Steelers beat writer Gerry Dulac reports: "The Steelers next move in free agency is expected to be a starting veteran guard to replace Isaac Seumalo."
10 p.m.: Earlier this evening, the Steelers landed their new RB2. Rico Dowdle signs from the Carolina Panthers, according to Jordan Schultz.
6:40 p.m.: The Steelers lose lineman Isaac Seumalo to a contract with the Arizona Cardinals, per Ian Rapoport.
4:26 p.m.: It's been a quiet day overall for Pittsburgh, which is still awaiting a decision from Aaron Rodgers on what the QB plans to do for next season.
2:31 p.m.: The Steelers have signed a cornerback, Jamel Dean. Ian Rapoport reports it's a three-year deal for $36 million.
2:20 p.m.: News that Mike Evans is leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to sign with the San Francisco 49ers is shocking. It also officially removes Pittsburgh from possibly ending up with Evans.
1:10 p.m.: The Steelers have lost Kenneth Gainwell. He's signing a two-year deal with the Buccaneers, according to insider Jordan Schultz. It'll pay him $7 million per year.
12:45 p.m.: The Steelers have made a trade with the Colts: Michael Pittman is coming to Pittsburgh, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
12:30 p.m.: A slow first half hour, with the highlights being Alec Pierce getting $116 million to return to the Colts, and Kenneth Walker signing with the Chiefs. Lots still to be done.
12 noon: The NFL's legal tampering period opens. Reports from insiders will come soon about agreed-upon signings. Nothing can be officially signed until Wednesday.
11:10 a.m.: One to watch for Pittsburgh: Mike Evans. Reports indicate he may leave the Buccaneers, and he'd make the perfect WR2 for the Steelers.
10:45 a.m.: The official negotiating window opens at 12 noon on Monday, so that's when to start expecting rumors to start humming.
10:40 a.m.: The expectation in recent weeks has been that Aaron Rodgers won't drag his decision out as long as last year, but it's not clear whether that means anything will happen this week with the future Hall of Fame QB.
8 a.m.: The Steelers signed Asante Samuel Jr. to a one-year, $4 million contract to prevent him from reaching free agency at all.
Steelers free agent signings
- A hugely exciting pickup in the backfield: Rico Dowdle joins from the Panthers to join Jaylen Warren after the loss of Kenneth Gainwell.
- The Steelers have signed a cornerback, Jamel Dean, for three years and $36 million.
- The Steelers have their WR2, via trade: Michael Pittman Jr. from the Colts.
- The Steelers agreed with Asante Samuel Jr. before free agency to return to Pittsburgh after six games in 2025 following his midseason addition.
Steelers free agent losses
- Kenneth Gainwell is gone, signing a two-year deal with the Buccaneers.
- The cornerback James Pierre has signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
- Isaac Seumalo leaves to play for the Arizona Cardinals.
More NFL news:
- Cowboys shunned by Eagles' free agent for AFC West
- Panthers shell out $165 million for 2 free agent stars
- This is why the Cowboys failed in trading for Maxx Crosby
- Ravens' former 1st-round pick retires after 8 NFL seasons
- Jets trade rumor would mean major WR upgrade
- Ravens have a $38 million last-gasp Lamar Jackson solution to contract problem
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