NFL Free Agency Recap: Pittsburgh Steelers

With almost one full week of NFL free agency in the books, it is time to review the moves made by the Pittsburgh Steelers. There were plenty of signings, and even a trade, throughout this first week of the 2025 league year. Which moves were good? Were there any head-scratchers? And what do these moves mean for the team going forward?

We will aim to answer all of those questions below! It is time for a free agency recap for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittsburgh Steelers Free Agency Moves

DK Metcalf: Traded to Steelers, signs five-year, $150 million extension

Regarding moves for the Steelers, the blockbuster one this offseason was landing a superstar wideout in DK Metcalf.

In exchange for a package of draft picks that included Pittsburgh’s 2025 second pick, the Steelers landed the star wideout from the Seattle Seahawks. They also rewarded Metcalf with a significant pay raise, extending him for five years and $150 million total. Metcalf gives the Steelers a number-one wideout who can do everything down the field.

Since arriving in the league in 2019, the wideout has not had under five touchdown receptions or under 900 yards receiving. According to Next Gen Stats, Metcalf “has gained a league-high 2,457 receiving yards on targets where the completion probability was less than 50%. Metcalf has also caught 30 touchdown receptions on such targets over that time frame, tied for the 3rd-most in the NFL.”

Since entering the NFL in 2019, DK Metcalf has gained a league-high 2,457 receiving yards on targets where the completion probability was less than 50%.

Metcalf has also caught 30 touchdown receptions on such targets over that time frame, tied for the 3rd-most in the NFL.… https://t.co/IJ40qMDOo9 pic.twitter.com/JJIEzWs565

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 10, 2025

Alongside George Pickens, the Steelers now have one of the most dangerous and must-watch wideout duos in the NFL. They are both hot-headed, deep route-centric players who can open up passing attacks consistently. With both players on the same team, the vertical offense could be special in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers still need to find a quarterback to get Metcalf the ball, and there is an argument that the contract was a bit much for the former Seahawk. However, Metcalf is the type of player the Steelers needed on their offense, and his addition could make things much better for the foreseeable future.

Grade: A-

Darius Slay: One-year deal for $10 million

On the defensive side of the ball, the Steelers added a veteran who was one of the best cornerbacks in the league over the past decade.

Pittsburgh added former Eagles and Lions cornerback Darius Slay to the team on a one-year deal worth $10 million. He joins the Steelers after a five-year stint with the Eagles from 2020-2024.

Another Pittsburgh pickup: Free-agent CB Darius Slay reached agreement on a one-year, fully-guaranteed $10 million deal with the Steelers. Deal negotiated by Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey. pic.twitter.com/Ey3IwHtKgU

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2025

Slay’s production has started to decrease in recent years, but he is still serviceable at the position. He had a good PFF coverage grade of 75.5, with 16 pass breakups and an interception last year. Slay also provided 57 tackles on the season, a mark in which he has had in all three of his most recent seasons.

For a secondary that will likely be adding talent and needs its current talent to develop, Slay will serve two purposes. Not only will he be able to produce results for the Steelers on the field, but he will be able to mentor or guide the prospective future of Pittsburgh’s secondary. It is not a perfect signing, but Slay will make his value known immediately to the organization on the field.

Grade: B

Kenneth Gainwell: One-year deal worth up to $1.79 million

Due to their other running back moves, the Steelers bringing in former Philadelphia Eagle Kenneth Gainwell is a bit of a head-scratcher on the surface.

Pittsburgh agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $1.79 million with the running back on March 13, according to the team’s website. This was after letting Najee Harris walk and putting a second-round tender on Jaylen Warren, who shares a very similar play-style to Gainwell.

Pending Aaron Rodgers‘ free agency decision, the Steelers could easily target a running back early on in the 2025 NFL Draft. Whether it’s a player like UNC’s Omarion Hampton or Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins, Pittsburgh can create a very dynamic running back room with a draft pick, Warren, and Gainwell.

On his own, though, Gainwell brings some nice versatility as a runner and pass catcher. The running back can do a little bit of everything, and despite the confusing fit alongside Warren, Gainwell is in a position to produce in 2025.

Grade: C

Brandin Echols: Signed to a two-year deal

Outside of Slay, the Pittsburgh Steelers added another very serviceable cornerback to their 2025 roster.

The AFC North member added former New York Jets cornerback Brandin Echols on a two-year deal in free agency. He joins the Steelers after spending the first four years of his career in New York, who drafted him out of the University of Kentucky.

While never being a full-time starter for the Jets, Echols was very productive when he was on the field. He has racked up five interceptions and seven pass breakups in his career, while also providing sticky coverage against some of the better wideouts in the league. Echols was not perfect, but he kept the Jets’ secondary stable whenever the likes of Sauce Gardner or D.J. Reed were off the field.

For the Steelers, Echols should add some leadership and a high-floor to their cornerback room. At the very least, he will provide depth at a very important position. And at his best, Echols should be able to help improve Pittsburgh’s defense.

Grade: B

Malik Harrison: Two-year deal for $10 million

Despite losing Elandon Roberts, the Steelers found a way to get a solid replacement at the linebacker position.

On March 13th, Pittsburgh and former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison officially agreed to a two-year deal worth $10 million. Harrison played his first five NFL seasons with the Ravens and was utilized in a variety of different ways.

No matter how he was deployed, though, Harrison has been very solid. In 2024, he had 7 pressures and 22 defensive stops, highlighting his ability in the passing and run games. In previous seasons, Harrison was solid in coverage and held his own as a tackler.

Harrison is not the perfect linebacker signing, but he is more than adequate for what Pittsburgh wants to do on defense. The linebacker will help the team’s defense, and that is all you can really ask for in free agency.

Grade: B

Other Notes

• Justin Fields: The dynamic quarterback left for the New York Jets in free agency, leaving the Steelers in no-man’s land when it comes to the most important position in football. It is tough to fully gauge the impact of this move for Pittsburgh, though. Until they put their quarterback plan into motion, the Steelers are in limbo and are an incomplete roster.
• Jaylen Warren: The running back had a second-round tender worth $5.346 million placed on him. Warren, at least for now, is the lead running back for the Steelers. He has been great in a complementary role, and I am interested if he can take another leap forward in 2025.
• Larry Ogunjobi: The veteran defensive lineman was released, which cleared up $7 million in cap space. Pittsburgh should address this position group in the draft.
• Cole Holcomb: The Steelers and the linebacker agreed to restructure, saving $5 million against the cap.
• Najee Harris: After a long tenure in Pittsburgh, the former first-round pick agreed to a one-year deal with the Chargers. He should fit in nicely with LA’s offensive scheme, while Pittsburgh will likely draft his replacement this April.
• Dan Moore Jr.: The former Steeler agreed to a massive four-year, $82 million deal with the Tennessee Titans at the onset of free agency. Moore Jr., a solid tackle with Pittsburgh, gets a fresh start with a hefty day and becomes one of the main pieces on a revamped Titans offensive line. On the other hand, the Steelers will likely look to replace Moore Jr. with a pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
• Donte Jackson: The former Steeler signed a two-year deal with the Los Angels Chargers. As a result of the team signing Echols and Slay, Jackson did not fit the team’s roster any longer.
• Elandon Roberts: After two seasons with the Steelers, the veteran linebacker signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. His solid run defense and leadership will be missed on their defense, but it is likely that the team expects Harrison and Holcomb to fill the void that Roberts leaves behind.
• Ben Skowronek and Scotty Miller: The Steelers signed back both receivers to the roster for the 2025 season. While Miller does it through speed and Skowronek does it through blocking, both players bring depth to the offense and special teams units.
• Mason Rudolph: The Steelers brought back Rudolph on a two-year, $8 million deal in free agency. Pittsburgh’s former draft pick returns to his first franchise and will likely have a chance to compete for the backup quarterback position.
• James Daniels: The free-agent guard agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with the Miami Dolphins. Pittsburgh will likely rely on internal depth or dip into a pretty solid guard class in the 2025 draft to find a replacement.
• Nate Herbig: The offensive lineman signed a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders. Just as he did for the Steelers, Herbig will give Washington some solid depth on the interior of the offensive line.