NEWSLETTER
The Pittsburgh Steelers have some decisions to make in NFL free agency after a 9-8 record in the 2022 season in which the team missed the playoffs. Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett started 12 games for the team and looks like he will be the future of the franchise. Which players will become free agents after their contracts expire on March 15? Here’s a look at Pittsburgh Steelers free agency for 2023.
2023 Free Agents Overview for the Steelers
The team is losing quite a few players on defense. Cornerback Cameron Sutton, who is 28 years old, will be a top priority and target for the team after a solid season. Will the team let him walk? It’s likely the Steelers won’t overpay. The team has several members of its secondary with expiring contracts. It will have to be addressed in the NFL Draft or free agency.
Linebacker Devin Bush and quarterback Mason Rudolph are likely to hit the open market and not return. Rudolph spent the 2022 season as the third-string quarterback. Bush was benched in the second half of the season. They are hoping they can make an impact on another team.
Another position the Steelers will have to address this offseason is the defensive front. They have a few free agents after sitting near the middle of the league in sacks after TJ Watt went down with an injury.
Unrestricted Free Agents
An unrestricted free agent is free to sign with any team once they hit the open market on March 15, 2023, at 4 p.m. eastern time. Here are the unrestricted Steelers 2023 NFL free agents.
Quarterbacks
Mason Rudolph
Running Backs
Benny Snell Jr. – RB
Derek Watt – FB
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Steven Sims Jr. – WR
Zach Gentry – TE
Centers, Guards, and Tackles
Jesse Davis – G
Trenton Scott – G
Defensive Ends, Defensive Tackles, Edge Rushers
Tyson Alualu – DE
Larry Ogunjobi – DE
Chris Wormley – DT
Linebackers
Malik Reed – OLB
Robert Spillane – LB
Devin Bush – ILB
Cornerbacks and Safeties
Marcus Allen – S
Terrell Edmunds – S
Karl Joseph – SS
Damontae Kazee – S
Cameron Sutton – CB
Restricted Free Agents
A restricted free agent can receive a qualifying offer from their team before March 15 to remain restricted. The players can have negotiations with other teams but the Steelers would be able to match any offer.
Steven Sims Jr. – WR
JC Hassenauer – C
James Pierre – CB
Jamir Jones – LB (exclusive rights free agent)
Salary Cap and Roster
The salary cap for the 2023 season is $224.8 million. TJ Watt is the biggest cap hit for the organization in 2023 sitting at $29.3 million. Additionally, Cameron Heyward is a $22.3 million cap hit. The team will be looking to make upgrades and surround young QB Kenny Pickett with strong talent heading into the 2023 season.
The team will likely be looking to clear some cap space heading into free agency to add some key players. It will be interesting to see how things play out moving forward as the Steelers look to return to the top of the sport. Pittsburgh is a storied NFL franchise.
Pittsburgh Steelers Free Agency 2023 FAQs
NFL free agency begins at 4 p.m. eastern on March 15, 2023.
An unrestricted free agent is a player whose contract expires on March 15 and he is free to negotiate with any team in the league. He has no ties to his former team.
A restricted free agent can be extended a qualifying offer. However, they are still allowed to negotiate with other teams. Their current team is allowed to match any offer.
