Day 1 Steelers Free Agency Recap - Additions, Subtractions And Possibilities

The free agency negotiation period is officially underway, and NFL teams have wasted no time making impactful moves—whether to solidify their rosters, secure marquee additions, or part ways with big-name players. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, it proved to be an eventful opening day.

Prelude: The D.K Metcalf Signing

Arguably the biggest free agency news from what was a chaotic Sunday of deals involved the Pittsburgh Steelers trading their 2025 second-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for All-Pro receiver D.K. Metcalf, along with a pick swap. The Steelers solidified the trade by signing Metcalf to a five-year, $150 million contract—one of the largest in franchise history.

The Quarterback Situation

With a pressing need for a quarterback, ESPN NFL analyst Adam Schefter reported earlier this morning that the Steelers were set to meet with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, while continuing negotiations with both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. By the afternoon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette journalist Gerry Dulac provided an update confirming that the Steelers were in talks with Rodgers, though no deal had been finalized. However, by mid-afternoon, Fields had agreed to a two-year, $40 million deal with the New York Jets, effectively ending any possibility of his return to Pittsburgh.

With Fields signing with the Jets and Sam Darnold securing a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks, the Steelers now face limited options at the quarterback position.

Dan Moore Jr. Hits It Big

One of the biggest stories for the Steelers today involved former left tackle Dan Moore Jr., who signed a lucrative four-year, $82 million contract with the Tennessee Titans. The deal includes $50 million over its first two years, with $30 million in the first year alone. Moore Jr. enters the upcoming season with 66 starts and over 4,000 offensive snaps to his name. For the Steelers, this move could potentially result in a compensatory draft pick.

Subtraction and Additions On Defense

One might have assumed that the team would make moves to free up more cap room following the Metcalf deal. Indeed, the team did just that by releasing veteran defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, freeing up over $7 million in cap space. They also bolstered their secondary by adding veteran cornerback Darius Slay Jr., reuniting him with Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin from their days with the Detroit Lions.

Later during the evening, the team would add former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison on a 2-year, 10 million dollar deal.

Ogunjobi's release may have confirmed the team's intentions to address the interior of their defensive line early in the upcoming Draft.

RFA Tendered

In what appeared to be minor yet important moves, the Steelers tendered both running back Jaylen Warren and backup center Ryan McCollum.

Harris Signs With The Chargers

Later in the day, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that running back Najee Harris had agreed to a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers worth up to $9.25 million. This agreement officially marked the end of his tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Harris became the fourth player to depart from the team on the first day of free agency.