{"id":179881,"date":"2026-04-30T02:15:49","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T02:15:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/179881\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T02:15:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T02:15:49","slug":"best-remaining-free-agent-fits-for-steelers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/179881\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Remaining Free Agent Fits for Steelers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Steelers Analysis<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"PittsburghStephen Lew-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The deadline for free agents signed by NFL teams to count against the compensatory draft pick formula passed on Monday, and that deadline passing usually sets off another wave of free agent signings around the league.<\/p>\n

The Pittsburgh Steelers have dipped their toe into that market, re-signing<\/a> wide receiver Brandon Johnson<\/a> on Monday and trying to re-sign defensive tackle Dean Lowry.<\/a><\/p>\n

What other positions do the Steelers still need after the 2026 NFL Draft, and what free agents that remain on the open market could be targets?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n

WIDE RECEIVER<\/p>\n

Just kidding! For the first time in forever, the Steelers don\u2019t really need any help at the receiver position. They have six and a half on the roster: DK Metcalf<\/a>, Michael Pittman Jr.<\/a>, Germie Bernard<\/a>, Roman Wilson<\/a>, Ben Skowronek<\/a>, Kaden Wetjen<\/a>, and Eli Heidenreich<\/a> will probably play in the slot just as much as anywhere else.<\/p>\n

TIGHT END<\/p>\n

On roster: Pat Freiermuth<\/a>, Darnell Washington<\/a>, Riley Nowakowski<\/a>, JJ Galbreath<\/a>, Lake McRee<\/a>, Chamon Metayer<\/a><\/p>\n

Need: Pass-catching backup for Freiermuth<\/p>\n

Players available:<\/p>\n

Taysom Hill<\/p>\n

\"TaysomTaysom Hill, quarterback and utility player with the New Orleans Saints before a game in 2019. \u2014 GrabitMike \/ CC<\/p>\n

The former quarterback has been with the New Orleans Saints since 2017, but has been sitting on the free agent market without a home since March, and it seems like the Saints are looking to move on.<\/p>\n

Hill didn\u2019t have a big 2025 season, catching 11 passes for 91 yards and rushing 52 times for 114 yards and a touchdown.<\/p>\n

With Aaron Rodgers<\/a> likely to play at 43 years old, having someone else around to run tush push plays sounds like a good idea.<\/p>\n

Harrison Bryant<\/p>\n

\"HarrisonTight end Harrison Bryant at the 2020 NFL Combine. \u2014 Alan Saunders \/ Steelers Now<\/p>\n

Formerly a very productive member of a deep tight end room with the Cleveland Browns, Bryant had a very forgettable season after being traded to the Houston Texans in 2025. He was cut, ended up on the practice squad, got called up, suffered neck and shoulder injuries, went on the injured reserve list, and finished the season with two catches for seven yards.<\/p>\n

Just 28 years old, Bryant probably has more gas left in the tank than most of the other options.<\/p>\n

Robert Tonyan<\/p>\n

\"RobertGreen Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan (85) runs for a first down on a reception against the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter during their football game Sunday, January 1, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. \u2014 Dan Powers \/ USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin<\/p>\n

A former teammate of Rodgers, who played for Mike McCarthy<\/a> with the Green Bay Packers, the best days of Tonyan are definitely in the past. He played just five games in 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings, before appearing in all 17 for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025, but he was targeted only one time in 133 offensive snaps.<\/p>\n

Will Dissly<\/p>\n

\"PittsburghLos Angeles Chargers tight end Will Dissly blocks Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt in a game on Sept. 22, 2024. \u2014 Ed Thompson \/ Steelers Now<\/p>\n

Dissly was released two years into a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers after playing in just nine games in 2025. But despite being more well known as a blocker, he\u2019s been more productive more recently than the rest of this list, posting a 481-yard season in 2024.<\/p>\n

Best of the rest: David Njoku probably wouldn\u2019t take a TE 2\/3 job. \u2026 Jonnu Smith<\/a> is the funniest possible option. \u2026 Darren Waller somehow had six touchdowns for a moribund Miami Dolphins offense last year despite playing just nine games around two trips to the injured reserve in his return from retirement. \u2026 Zach Ertz tore his ACL in December and probably isn\u2019t ready to sign anywhere yet. \u2026 Marcedes Lewis was the oldest tight end in NFL history when he played five games for the Denver Broncos last year. \u2026 Donald Parham <\/a>was an interesting dart-throw by the Steelers a year ago before he tore his Achilles in OTAs. He should be healthy soon.<\/p>\n

DEFENSIVE TACKLE<\/p>\n

On roster: Cam Heyward<\/a>, Keeanu Benton<\/a>, Derrick Harmon<\/a>, Sebastian Joseph-Day<\/a>, Yahya Black<\/a>, Logan Lee<\/a>, Gabriel Rubio<\/a>, Anthony Goodlow<\/a>, Kevin Jobity<\/a>, Jahvaree Ritzie<\/a><\/p>\n

The Steelers tried to sign Lowry earlier this week, so they must want another defensive lineman for depth purposes, even though there isn\u2019t a clear need there, with seven experienced vets plus sixth-round pick Rubio.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of those guys out there, but here\u2019s a few.<\/p>\n

Greg Gaines<\/p>\n

\"GregSep 15, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Greg Gaines (96) celebrates after a sack during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. \u2014 Troy Taormina \/ Imagn Images<\/p>\n

A former starter and teammate of current Steelers defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day with the Los Angeles Rams, Gaines has settled into a run-first rotation role, starting nine games over the last three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.<\/p>\n

Daniel Ekuale<\/p>\n

\"PittsburghPittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale in a game against the New England Patriots on Sept. 21, 2025. \u2014 Ed Thompson \/ Steelers Now<\/p>\n

Ekuale suffered a mid-season knee injury playing for the Steelers last year, and may not be healthy enough to sign yet, but he played well enough that he\u2019d probably be welcomed back. Him getting popped for a PED suspension while on IR might have rubbed some people the wrong way, though.<\/p>\n

Brent Urban<\/p>\n

\"BrentOct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Brent Urban (97) celebrates during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. \u2014 Ken Blaze \/ Imagn Images<\/p>\n

A longtime member of the Baltimore Ravens, Urban spent nine years in the AFC North over two stints in Baltimore. He\u2019s not the player he once was, but you never stop being 6-foot-7 with long arms and hard to move. He started five games last season for Baltimore.<\/p>\n

Best of the rest: Altoona native Kevin Givens has been on the IR with pectoral injuries in each of the last two seasons. \u2026 Khalen Saunders had more teams (three) than sacks (one) last season. \u2026 Pittsburgh native Kurt Hinish missed all of 2025 with a knee injury and was cut this March with a failed physical designation. \u2026 Former first-round pick Taven Bryant played just five games last season before a major ankle injury. \u2026 Mike Pennel is reportedly a person of interest in a murder case in the Dominican Republic, so I\u2019d cross him off your list.<\/p>\n

LINEBACKER<\/p>\n

This is another position the Steelers don\u2019t really need, with their top five players all returning, but it is a place where they might want more depth and didn\u2019t get a player in the draft.<\/p>\n

On roster: Patrick Queen<\/a>, Payton Wilson<\/a>, Cole Holcomb<\/a>, Malik Harrison<\/a>, Carson Bruener<\/a>, Daylan Carnell<\/a><\/p>\n

Elandon Roberts<\/p>\n

\"PittsburghPittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts runs out of the tunnel for a game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 22, 2024. \u2014 Ed Thompson \/ Steelers Now<\/p>\n

If the Steelers want to save some money at the position, they could release Harrison and bring back Roberts, who filled the same role, and did so just as well, for much less money. Roberts played for Patrick Graham with the New England Patriots and again with the Las Vegas Raiders last season.<\/p>\n

Devin White<\/p>\n

\"SteelersTampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) defends in the secondary during an NFL wild-card football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo\/Peter Joneleit)<\/p>\n

Another player that suited up for Graham in Las Vegas last year, the former No. 5 overall pick started all 17 games in 2025, so he may not want a backup role, but it\u2019s about to May. He had a whopping 175 tackles last season.<\/p>\n

Bobby Wagner<\/p>\n

\"SteelersBobby Wagner with the Seattle Seahawks during a pre-season game on September 3, 2015. \u2014 Mike Morris \/ CC<\/p>\n

Another player that has never been a backup, Wagner spent the last two seasons playing for the Washington Commanders with Joe Whitt Jr., now the Steelers assistant head coach.<\/p>\n

Jahlani Tavai<\/p>\n

\"PittsburghNew England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 7, 2023. \u2014 Ed Thompson \/ Steelers Now<\/p>\n

Cut by the Detroit Lions as a second-round pick, Tavai worked his way from the practice squad to a longtime starting role with New England before his release in March. He\u2019s spent most of his career playing in a 3-4 defense.<\/p>\n

Best of the rest: Bobby Okereke will probably land a bigger role. \u2026 Kenneth Murray started 16 games for the Dallas Cowboys last year. \u2026 Josey Jewell is still dealing with concussion symptoms. \u2026 Germaine Pratt also played with the Raiders last season, though he was cut after five games. \u2026 Matt Milano hasn\u2019t played a full season in five years, but did have a career-high 3.5 sacks last season. \u2026 Eric Kendricks played just three games last year after joining the San Francisco 49ers in late November.<\/p>\n

PUNTER<\/p>\n

On roster: Cameron Johnston<\/a><\/p>\n

Need: Someone to compete during training camp<\/p>\n

Johnston lost the Steelers punter battle to Corliss Waitman<\/a> last summer in his attempt to come back from a major injury, went to the Buffalo Bills, got hurt again, came back, got cut, went to the New York Giants, and got cut from there. He\u2019s 34 years old. That\u2019s not the kind of resume that gets handed a starting job, so someone to provide some competition seems necessary. <\/p>\n

The Steelers are bringing in Penn State<\/a> punter Gabe Nwosu<\/a> for a rookie camp tryout<\/a>, and maybe he can fill this void, but there are some others on the free agent market that probably can,\u00a0 as well.<\/p>\n

Jamie Gillan<\/p>\n

Nicknamed The Scottish Hammer, Gillan spent three seasons with the Cleveland Browns from 2019-21 and three more with the Giants from 2022-25. His 2025 injury was the reason the Giants briefly signed Johnston. Gillan is only 28 years old, which is young for a punter.<\/p>\n

Matt Haack<\/p>\n

Haack has bounced around the league since spending four seasons with the Miami Dolphins from 2017-20, kicking around (heh) from Buffalo to the Indianapolis Colts to the Browns to the Giants to the Arizona Cardinals, where he had his the best net average of his career in 2025 at 43.4 over five games.<\/p>\n

Thomas Morstead<\/p>\n

The punter for the Saints for over a decade, Morstead is winding down his career. The 40-year-old one-time Pro Bowler was with the 49ers last season and posted an unimpressive 36.7 yards per punt net average.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned In This Article: Bobby Wagner<\/a> Brent Urban<\/a> Daniel Ekuale<\/a> Devin White<\/a> Elandon Roberts<\/a> Greg Gaines<\/a> Harrison Bryant<\/a> Jahlani Tavai<\/a> Jamie Gillan<\/a> Matt Haack<\/a> Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> Robert Tonyan<\/a> Steelers<\/a> Taysom Hill<\/a> Thomas Morstead<\/a> top<\/a> Will Dissly<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Steelers Analysis Stephen Lew-Imagn Images The deadline for free agents signed by NFL teams to count against the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":179882,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[35561,80328,11943,33003,80329,80330,80331,80332,80333,80334,73,75,74,1833,80335,1829,80336,80337,17531,80338],"class_list":["post-179881","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-pittsburgh","tag-bobby-wagner","tag-brent-urban","tag-daniel-ekuale","tag-devin-white","tag-elandon-roberts","tag-greg-gaines","tag-harrison-bryant","tag-jahlani-tavai","tag-jamie-gillan","tag-matt-haack","tag-pittsburgh","tag-pittsburgh-headlines","tag-pittsburgh-news","tag-pittsburgh-steelers","tag-robert-tonyan","tag-steelers","tag-taysom-hill","tag-thomas-morstead","tag-top","tag-will-dissly"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179881","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=179881"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179881\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/179882"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=179881"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=179881"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=179881"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}