It’s that time of year again. The 2024 season has come to a screeching halt. Time to start shifting attention to next season. The first step in that process is to asses the Steelers 2025 free agents. Figuring out who to keep, and who to let walk is the first step in this long offseason process. For this article we will be breaking up this fairly large group into several categories ranging form “must have”, to “please god no”:
Must haves:
Justin Fields, Jaylen Warren
Yes, you read that right. Out of the 24 impending Steelers free agents, there are just two they absolutely must have back. The number is really one when you consider Jaylen Warren isn’t an unrestricted free agent. Warren has very little leverage to leave the team, and will undoubtedly be back.
In Justin Fields case there is an argument that even he is not a must have for the Steelers next season. Given how poor the options are both in the draft, and through free agency, re-signing Fields should be a priority. At the very least have him in to compete with another quarterback should the Steelers elect to that route.
Maybe, maybe not:
Elandon Roberts, Dante Jackson, Tyler Matakevich, Ben Skowronek
Elandon Roberts best football is probably behind him now. Having said that, I wouldn’t be opposed to a veteran minimum contract. He is a good locker room guy, and still has some value as a run stopping linebacker. I’ve never been a fan of Dante Jackson, and the 2024 season did nothing to change my view. He could be a serviceable third or fourth corner, but the Steelers need to invest heavily in this position before going down this road again.
In the cases of Matakevich, and Skowronek it is all about their special team’s value. They are good in that role, but are also easily replaceable. Neither has much value outside the teams.
Time to move on:
Najee Harris, Nate Herbig, James Daniels, Damonte Kazee, Isaiahh Loudermilk
Let’s start with Najee Harris. We hated the draft pick at the time, but in all honesty he grew on us over the years. All the shortcomings he was thought to have in the draft turned out to be true. He does not have elite speed, or burst to make him worthy of a first round pick. What Najee Harris has is a big body, and a willingness to use it…..sometimes. He did represent most of the offense at times during this dark period on that side of the ball. So much so the Steelers put far too many miles on this player. Signing him to a long term extension would be risky at best. We wouldn’t hate a franchise tag for one more year, but better off to let this loyal soldier go get a deal somewhere else.
James Daniels injury really clouds his value on the open market. If he were ok to come back on a reasonable deal, there could be a conversation. He probably still gets enough interest to price him out of Pittsburgh however. Kazee’s career is likely over at this point. He may catch on with a roster at some point, but it’s doubtful he survives the final 52. Loudermilk is a serviceable backup in this league, he’ll catch on somewhere.
Please god, no!:
Van Jefferson, Dan Moore, Russell Wilson, Cam Sutton, Mike Williams
Let’s start with the quarterback. We now understand why the Denver Broncos paid tens of millions of dollars for Russell Wilson to play elsewhere. He has very clear limitations at age 37. His lack of mobility has forced him to be a pocket passer, and that is something he is simply not built for. No one is sure what the Steelers will do here given how much it seemed Mike Tomlin loved Russ. We are hoping, no praying, that we have seen the last of Russell Wilson in black and gold
There was a point this season where Dan Moore may have been making himself some serious money by playing actually respectable. That however is long gone after the horrendous way he finished out the season. He is destined for a swing tackle contract. Anywhere but Pittsburgh is fine.
If we are being honest, neither Van Jefferson or Cam Sutton belonged in the NFL in 2024. Certainly not in the key roles they were put into by the Pittsburgh Steelers. It would not shock us in the least if neither were in the league next season. Mike Williams may be on that same level, but he will get signed late in the process by someone and have the same impact he had in Pittsburgh. Which is to say not much at all.
Who cares:
C.J. Henderson, Mycole Pruitt, Calvin Anderson, Kyle Allen
I suppose as long as Arthur Smith is around, there’s a decent chance Pruitt could be back, He is a serviceable third tight end. CJ Henderson is a former high draft pick at a position of great need so it wouldn’t hurt to have him back either. None of this group moves the needle in either direction.
Conclusion:
The fact that there is no real desire to bring any of the 24 impending Steelers 2025 free agents speaks volumes about the state of this roster. Omar Khan and company need to really hit this upcoming offseason out of the park. The talent on this team is really lacking, and it showed in the last 5 weeks of the season. Hopefully when we do this post in future years there will actually be players worth retaining. Time to stop giving Omar Khan a pass in the Steelers blame game