Already two weeks into the NFL Playoffs, the new league year — and free agency — is rapidly approaching. While the Steelers are unlikely to make any significant signings until the franchise’s new head coach is announced, let’s take an early look at the Steelers set to hit free agency in March.

Which are the Steelers’ top priorities to re-sign this offseason?

First things first. Here’s every current Steeler set to hit free agency in the upcoming offseason (excluding players who can sign reserve/futures deals right now):

Defensive backs James Pierre, Asante Samuel Jr., Kyle Dugger, Miles Killebrew, Chuck Clark, Jabrill PeppersQuarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Skylar ThompsonWide receivers Calvin Austin III, Adam Thielen (retired), Scotty Miller, Marquez Valdes-ScantlingOffensive linemen Isaac Seumalo, Andrus Peat, Max Scharping, Ryan McCollum (restricted free agent), Jack DriscollLinebacker Cole HolcombOutside linebacker Jeremiah Moon (restricted free agent)Defensive linemen Daniel Ekuale, Dean Lowry, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Esezi Otomewo (restricted free agent)Running back Kenneth GainwellTight ends Connor Heyward, Donald ParhamPunter Corliss Waitman (restricted free agent)

At first glance, it’s clear that this isn’t a particularly important free agent class for the Steelers. A lot of players can and likely will be brought back at the right price, but there aren’t any names that would seriously hurt the team if they left in free agency.

Aaron Rodgers is the biggest name, with plenty of questions regarding whether he or the Steelers want to run it back in 2026. Especially with Pittsburgh set to bring in a new coaching regime, I fall on the side of going in a new direction at quarterback this offseason.

In some ways, Rodgers outperformed expectations in 2026. But signing a 42-year-old quarterback with very particular preferences on offense is not the ideal move for a franchise looking to implement new ideas.

The best player on the list, however, might be running back Kenneth Gainwell, who obliterated expectations in the 2025 season en route to 1,023 all-purpose yards and team MVP honors. As I wrote earlier this season, a cheap running back market should make it doable for Pittsburgh to retain one of its top playmakers from 2025, although Gainwell could still look for bigger opportunities (and paychecks) in free agency.

Elsewhere on offense, Calvin Austin III didn’t look close to a WR2 in 2025, but he remains a solid ancillary piece. Depending on his market, he could be a candidate to be brought back.

Left guard Isaac Seumalo, 32, is another tricky decision. Pittsburgh could definitely look to go younger at his position this offseason, but he had a good back half of 2025 and remains the lone veteran on Pittsburgh’s starting O-line. Letting him walk this offseason is reasonable, but so is signing him to a short, one- or two-year deal, supplemented with a mid-round draft pick at the same position.

On defense, the Steelers aren’t set to lose any stars, but the team should try to keep at least one of James Pierre and Asante Samuel Jr. at cornerback, who both looked good in their starting opportunities for Pittsburgh this season. On a defense that has been overly reliant on veterans in recent years, Pierre (29) and Samuel (26) were both encouraging contributors.

Pierre had the better 2025, but he is close to age 30 and has only one good year under his belt. Samuel, on the other hand, is younger but could demand a much bigger market now that he’s shown he recovered from his spinal injury.

The last notable name is safety Kyle Dugger, who made some splash plays as a trade addition in 2025, but was benched to open the Steelers’ playoff game against the Texans. With DeShon Elliott due to return from injury next season, Pittsburgh has a reliable box safety, and Dugger was wildly inconsistent in deep coverage when playing free safety in 2025. He could be a depth option, but he certainly isn’t a priority free agent in 2026.

Who are your top priorities to re-sign in 2026? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!