Steelers Face Looming Contract Crunch: Who Stays, Who Goes in 2026?

The 2025 season just wrapped, a familiar story ending with a Wild Card round exit against the Bills, a 23-17 loss in Orchard Park. Now, Omar Khan and Andy Weidl get to work on the 2026 roster. It's not just about who they'll bring in; it’s about who they *can* keep from their own guys, especially with some big names hitting the open market. This next offseason will be a true test of this front office's long-term vision.

Let's start with the big one: T.J. Watt. His deal runs through 2025, but the Steelers always extend their foundational players a year early. Watt finished the 2025 season with 16.5 sacks, his fifth straight year with double-digit sacks, and picked up his third Defensive Player of the Year award. He’ll be 32 when the 2026 season kicks off, but you don't let a player like that walk. Expect a massive extension, likely pushing past the $30 million per year mark, making him the highest-paid defensive player in league history again. And honestly, he deserves every penny.

Context and History

**The Offensive Line Shuffle**

The offensive line has been a work in progress, and 2026 brings some tough decisions. Left tackle Broderick Jones, a 2023 first-round pick, will be entering the final year of his rookie deal. He's steadily improved, giving up just four sacks in 17 starts last year. The team absolutely needs to lock him up long-term. Center Zach Frazier, a 2024 second-rounder, also becomes eligible for an extension. He’s been a rock in the middle, playing every snap in 2025. It’s hard to imagine the Steelers letting either of those guys hit the market.

Here’s the thing: Guard Isaac Seumalo's contract expires after 2025. He's been solid, a steady veteran presence since signing in 2023, but he'll be 33. Given the youth movement on the line, and the cap space needed for Watt and others, I'd bet Seumalo plays his last game as a Steeler this season. They’ll look to go younger and cheaper there. It's a business, and sometimes reliable veterans get squeezed out.

Current Situation

**Skill Position Dilemmas**

Diontae Johnson signed an extension in 2022, but that deal is up after 2025. He’s still capable of 1,000-yard seasons, hauling in 88 catches for 1,012 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2025. However, George Pickens has emerged as the clear WR1, especially after his 1,345-yard campaign last year. Johnson will be 30. The Steelers have a history of letting veteran receivers walk if they can’t agree on a team-friendly deal. I don't see them paying Johnson top-tier money to be a secondary option. He's gone.

Pat Freiermuth's rookie deal is up, too. He's been a dependable target, grabbing 65 receptions for 720 yards and 5 scores in 2025. Tight ends usually don't command the monster deals of receivers or linemen, so a mid-tier extension, maybe $10-12 million per year, makes sense. He's a key part of the offense, especially in the red zone, and still relatively young at 27. They'll keep him.

What Happens Next

Real talk: Najee Harris’s fifth-year option for 2025 was picked up, so he's on the books for one more year. He’s been a workhorse, consistently getting 1,000+ yards, including 1,180 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2025. But running backs have a short shelf life, and the Steelers drafted Jaylen Warren in 2022. Warren averaged 5.3 yards per carry last season on limited touches. It's a no-brainer: Harris walks, and Warren steps into the RB1 role, backed up by a cheaper rookie.

My bold prediction for the 2026 offseason: The Steelers will surprise everyone by trading Minkah Fitzpatrick, who has two years left on his deal, to free up significant cap space and draft capital, fully committing to a youth movement in the secondary.