Steelers 2023 free agency tracker: Signings, departures, who's left
As NFL teams look to reshape their roster, the Pittsburgh Steelers are no exception. Here’s a look at their comings and goings in free agency:
Signings
● Miles Boykin, who signed a one-year contract to return for a second season with the Steelers, caught only two passes last season but was one of seven players to appear in more than 200 special-teams snaps for the team last year.
Read more: Steelers re-sign veteran special teams standout Miles Boykin
● Tanner Muse, a core special teams player who spent the past two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, agreed to a one-year deal with the Steelers.
Read more: Report: Steelers to sign special teams player, former Clemson LB/S Tanner Muse
● In a move that continues to build depth on the defensive line, the Steelers signed free agent Armon Watts, according to his agent, David Canter.
Read more: Agent: Steelers sign free agent defensive lineman Armon Watts
● Safety Keanu Neal, a former first-round draft pick, and nose tackle Breiden Fehoko agreed to deals with the Steelers, according to David Cantner, the agent for both players.
Read more: Agent: Steelers add safety Keanu Neal, nose tackle Breiden Fehoko on free-agent deals
● A 6-foot-8 tight end who is the tallest player on the roster, tight end Zach Gentry and the Steelers agreed on a contract to keep him in Pittsburgh, the NFL Network reported on March 25.
Read more: Steelers reportedly re-sign Zach Gentry, keeping their entire tight end corps together
● The Steelers signed tackle Le’Raven Clark, who spent the 2022 season with the Tennessee Titans, to a one-year contract on March 24.
Read more: Steelers find another Eagles connection, agree to deal with swing tackle Le’Raven Clark
● A week after declining to tender him a contract to prevent him from hitting unrestricted free agency, the Steelers re-signed cornerback James Pierre to a one-year contract on March 21.
Read more: Steelers re-sign reserve CB James Pierre
● Former Philadelphia Eagles guard Isaac Seumalo agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the Steelers on March 18. The 6-foot-4, 303-pounder was graded as the ninth-best guard in the NFL by Pro Football Focus in 2022, during which he allowed only one sack.
Read more: Steelers add top free-agent guard Isaac Seumalo from Eagles in free agency
● The Steelers agreed to a two-year deal with former New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins linebacker Elandon Roberts, 28. Not only did Roberts have a team-high 107 tackles last season, he showed an ability to rush the passer with 4.5 sacks.
Read more: It took 7 years, but ILB Elandon Roberts finally gets to play for Steelers, coach Mike Tomlin
Read more: Steelers sign LB Elandon Roberts from Dolphins, cut LB Myles Jack in cap-saving move
● Former Washington Commanders inside linebacker Cole Holcomb is joining the Steelers on a three-year deal, according to the NFL Network. Holcomb, who will turn 27 during the first week of training camp, has been a four-year starter since being signed as an undrafted rookie by Washington in 2019.
Read more: New inside linebacker Cole Holcomb believes he fits in nicely with Steelers tradition
Read more: Steelers address inside linebacker in free agency with reported addition of Cole Holcomb
● Larry Ogunjobi is returning to the Steelers on a three-year deal worth a reported $28.75 million. The 28-year-old defensive tackle spent last season with the Steelers after agreeing to a one-year, $8 million contract in June.
Read more: Defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi agrees to 3-year deal to return to Steelers
● Twelve months after signing veterans who became their starting right guard and center, the Steelers agreed to terms with Nate Herbig on Tuesday, according to a source. The deal is worth $8 million over two years, with $4 million guaranteed.
Read more: Newcomer Nate Herbig looking to become latest ‘stud’ on Steelers roster
● Safety Damontae Kazee, 29, who missed the first half of the season after suffering an arm injury, joined the Steelers last year after the NFL Draft when he was signed to a one-year deal. This new deal is for two years.
Read more: Steelers agree to contract with free-agent guard Nate Herbig, bring back Damontae Kazee
● The Steelers agreed to a two-year contract with Patrick Peterson, 32, a two-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl selection who spent the past two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. The total value is a reported $14 million with $5.85 million guaranteed.
Read more: Steelers agree to deal with veteran CB Patrick Peterson after losing Cam Sutton to Lions
Read more: New cornerback Patrick Peterson believes he can ‘do it all’ for Steelers secondary
Departures
● Offensive lineman J.C. Hassenauer, who started seven games over the past three seasons, agreed to terms with the New York Giants.
Read more: Offensive lineman J.C. Hassenauer heads to New York Giants
● Nine days after the Steelers declined to tender an offer to restricted free agent wide receiver/returner Steven Sims, he signed a contract with the Houston Texans.
Read more: Former Steelers slot receiver Steven Sims signs contract with Texans
● Safety Terrell Edmunds, the former first-round pick who spent the past five seasons with the Steelers, agreed to a one-year deal with the Eagles on March 24. He had posted a message on social media on March 23 that appeared to be a farewell message to Pittsburgh.
Read more: Safety Terrell Edmunds leaving Steelers to sign with Eagles
● Offensive tackle Trent Scott, who served as a reserve for much of the 2022 season with the Steelers, signed with the Washington Commanders on March 23.
Read more: Steelers reserve offensive lineman Trent Scott signs with Commanders
● Less than seven months after the Steelers acquired him, Malik Reed has left the organization, with the outside linebacker signing a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins on March 20.
Read more: Steelers have gaping hole at backup OLB after Malik Reed signs with Dolphins
● Embattled former Steelers linebacker Devin Bush agreed to a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks. The former No. 10 overall draft pick’s fall from grace with the Steelers was such that they agreed to multi-year contracts with two veteran inside linebackers while he remained on the open market.
Read more: Devin Bush seals exit from Steelers, signs 1-year deal with Seahawks
● Robert Spillane, a 27-year-old inside linebacker, agreed to a two-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday, a source confirmed. The deal is worth $9 million and includes $4 million in guaranteed money.
Read more: LB Robert Spillane set to leave Steelers, sign 2-year deal with Las Vegas Raiders
● Cornerback Cameron Sutton, a starter for the past two seasons and a member of the Steelers organization since 2017, agreed to a three-year deal with the Detroit Lions that is worth $33 million, including $22.5 million in guarantees.
Read more: Steelers agree to deal with veteran CB Patrick Peterson after losing Cam Sutton to Lions
Who’s left
The Steelers had 18 unrestricted free agents entering the offseason, eight on offense/special teams and 10 on defense. Here’s the full list of Steelers unrestricted free agents at the end of the 2022 season:
- Fullback Derek Watt
- Running back Benny Snell
- Special teamer Marcus Allen
- Quarterback Mason Rudolph
- Offensive lineman Jesse Davis
- Defensive lineman Chris Wormley
- Defensive lineman Tyson Alualu
- Safety Karl Joseph
- Safety Terrell Edmunds (signed with Eagles)
- Cornerback Cameron Sutton (signed with Lions)
- Inside linebacker Robert Spillane (signed with Raiders)
- Inside linebacker Devin Bush (signed with Seahawks)
- Outside linebacker Malik Reed (signed with Dolphins)
- Offensive lineman Trent Scott (signed with Commanders)
- Wide receiver Miles Boykin (re-signed with Steelers)
- Tight end Zach Gentry (re-signed with Steelers)
- Safety Damontae Kazee (re-signed with Steelers)
- Defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi (re-signed with Steelers)
The Steelers declined to offer tenders to their four restricted free agents by March 15, making them unrestricted free agents.
- Center J.C. Hassenauer (signed with Giants)
- Cornerback James Pierre (re-signed with Steelers)
- Wide receiver Steven Sims (signed with Texans)
- Running back Jeremy McNichols
Before free agency began, Tribune-Review writer Chris Adamski broke down the cases for keeping or letting go each of the Steelers’ free agents.
Read more: The case for — and against — Steelers keeping each of their free agents on defense
Read more: A case for — and against — the Steelers keeping each of their UFAs on offense/special teams
Important dates
April 21: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
April 26: Deadline for team to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents
May 2: Deadline for teams to exercise fifth-year option for players selected in first round of 2020 draft
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