Armed with the fifth-highest salary cap space among the 32 NFL teams, Omar Khan won’t be afraid to spend his resources when free agency begins this week.
The Pittsburgh Steelers general manager has $63-64 million at his disposal, per salary-cap tracking websites. It’s more money than he has had available in an offseason since he became a GM in 2022, and he expects to be active in the market.
“I’d say it will be consistent with how we were the last couple years,” Khan said last month at the NFL Combine.
The Steelers signed 20 players last season after free agency commenced, topped by the three-year, $41 million contract allocated to inside linebacker Patrick Queen. The previous year, the Steelers added 22 players, including three-year contracts worth at least $24 million to defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi and left guard Isaac Seumalo. Those figures include players already on the Steelers roster who were re-signed as well as those receiving the veteran minimum.
Khan follows a philosophy in free agency that was used by predecessor Kevin Colbert. Use free agency to plug holes in the roster so the team has a viable starter at each position. That strategy reduces the urgency for the Steelers to make picks based on immediate “need” during the NFL Draft.
And Khan readily admits he will use free agency to fill positions that may not feature as much depth in that year’s draft class.
“You have to consider it,” Khan said. “Sometimes things come your way in free agency that maybe you didn’t expect to address that you take a shot at it, and we’ll do the same.”
The biggest question, of course, is when the Steelers will secure the quarterback who will be their starter in 2025. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields remain the internal options, but the Steelers had signed neither to a contract entering the weekend, increasing the likelihood those quarterbacks will receive outside offers when the NFL’s legal tampering period begins at noon Monday.
Teams may negotiate contracts with any unrestricted free agents, although no deals can become official until 4 p.m. Wednesday.
“It’s an ideal scenario where you’d like to have this done before the start of the new league year,” Khan said. “Obviously, who you sign impacts the type of receiver you know you may go after, or how you build the rest of the team. All of that has an effect.”
The Steelers have watched two potential wide receiver candidates go elsewhere in trades, with Washington acquiring Deebo Samuel and Houston getting Christian Kirk.
Here is a look at what is out there for the Steelers at wide receiver, plus other positions they are expected to explore in free agency:
Wide receiver
If the Steelers want to go with experienced commodities who are north of 30 years old, they could invest in Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Tyler Lockett or DeAndre Hopkins. Adams is the only one in the group, however, who is coming off a 1,000-yard season. He also had 85 catches.
A younger option includes Chris Godwin, who missed the second half of last season with a dislocated ankle. His market value is $22.5 million, according to Spotrac. Darius Slayton is just 28, and although he never compiled a 1,000-yard season in six years with the New York Giants, he has exceeded 700 yards on four occasions.
Cornerback
The Steelers would like to pair a veteran with third-year pro Joey Porter Jr., and as much as they like Cory Trice Jr., his injury history is a concern. Khan admitted the Steelers have talked to Donte Jackson about returning for a second season.
Four other options are younger than 30 but could be expensive investments: Carlton Davis, Charvarius Ward, D.J. Reed and Byron Murphy. Of that quartet, Murphy has the highest calculated market value, according to Spotrac, at $22 million. The other three are projected to receive contract offers in the $13-15 million range.
Defensive line
Washington added former first-round pick Jonathan Allen to the market when they agreed to release the 30-year-old defensive tackle after being unable to find a trade partner. Milton Williams, formerly of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, may be one of the most coveted interior linemen on the market. At 26, he’s the youngest of the top free agents at his position.
The Steelers also need to decide whether to move on from Ogunjobi, who is due a $3 million roster bonus Friday. Cutting Ogunjobi would free another $7 million from the salary cap for the Steelers.
Offensive line
The Steelers plan to enter the season with Broderick Jones at left tackle for the first time in his three-year career, and Troy Fautanu at right tackle after he was limited to one start last season because of injury.
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A veteran could come in handy to push for playing time at either side. Former first-round pick Jedrick Wills is available and is just 25. He also has missed time the past two years because of injury and was benched by Cleveland early last season. For the interior of the line, the Steelers could opt to re-sign Nate Herbig as a veteran backup after he entered last offseason as the starting center.