The Steelers’ top players must re-sign in NFL free agency in 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a solid season in 2024. Pittsburgh finished the regular season 10-7 and clinched a spot in the AFC playoffs. Unfortunately, they he was bounced by the Ravens in the Wild Card round. Now the Steelers have a lot of questions to answer as they try to improve the roster during the offseason.

In some ways, the Steelers feel like a team stuck in purgatory. Yes, Pittsburgh continues to have winning season after winning season. However, they haven’t made significant playoff noise since Ben Roethlisberger retired.

At this rate, it appears the Steelers won’t be able to overcome the problem unless they find a new franchise quarterback. Obviously, this is easier said than done, but Pittsburgh desperately needs one to create a new direction for the franchise.

Quarterback is the most important role on the team, but Pittsburgh has other needs on both sides of the football. They have approximately $52 million in cap space to work with the start of the off-season, which is a solid position to be in.

The Steelers need to keep several of their key players on offense to give them flexibility during free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.

But which players should they keep?

Below, we’ll explore three Steelers players Pittsburgh needs to re-sign before NFL free agency begins in March.

How the Steelers decide between Justin Field and Russell Wilson?

The Steelers are in a sticky situation at the quarterback position. Pittsburgh brought in both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson to replace Kenny Pickett after he proved he wasn’t a franchise quarterback. This ended up working out well for the Steelers in a throw-everything-against-the-wall strategy. However, they will have to do better going forward.

Unfortunately, this offseason may not be the time to go hunting for a new quarterback. There is a high demand for a starting quarterback in the NFL and very few options available. Vikings QB Sam Darnold is the top option in free agency, and Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward look like the top quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Neither of those players is a realistic option for Pittsburgh. Darnold will be incredibly expensive if he hits free agencyand both Sanders and Ward will be drafted in the first five picks of the draft. Pittsburgh could try to get into that range, but that would be an irresponsible move.

All that said, I believe the Steelers should re-sign either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson with the idea of ​​starting one of them in 2025. But which should Pittsburgh select?

Fields would be an advantage for me, both because of the age and because of how much they are likely to cost.

Through the Cap projects that Wilson could command approximately $16 million per season on a new contract, which would likely be a one- or two-year deal. Meanwhile, Fields’ the projected value is only $7 million per season.

Fields may not be the future of the franchise, but taking a cheap deal is a smart move the Steelers should seriously consider.

Pittsburgh needs a veteran like James Daniels on the offensive line

The Steelers put a ton of resources into their offensive line during the offseason last year. Pittsburgh signed three rookies on the offensive line, all of whom played major roles on the team in 2024. They will be counted on to be future starters.

Pittsburgh would be wise to bring back a player like James Daniels to have veteran leadership on the line. Daniels suffered an Achilles injury in late September ending his campaign in 2024. That shouldn’t scare them away from re-signing him.

Daniels played incredibly well during his three-year deal with the Steelers. As long as the two parties can agree on a fair price, this seems like a no-brainer.

Fortunately, Over the Cap believes that Daniels he will only be able to make a cheap contract because it comes from a serious injury.

Should the Steelers keep Jalen Warren? Najee Harris?

The Steelers love to run the football. Both Najee Harris and Jailen Warren are impending free agents, making the position a complete mystery at this point in the 2025 draft.

I believe Pittsburgh needs to re-sign at least one of these players. Personally, I prefer Jaylen Warren.

The Steelers know what Najee Harris is at this point in his career. Harris will get you 1,000 rushing yards over the course of a season, but he’s not an efficient running back. Over the Cap projects you might want at least $7 million per season on a new contract, which is too expensive for the limited impact he has on Pittsburgh’s offense.

Meanwhile, Warren is a quarterback who can do it all. His efficiency is much better than Harris, and can probably be kept for about half the price.

Keeping Warren shouldn’t prevent Pittsburgh from drafting a quarterback in the stacked 2025 draft. However, it gives the Steelers a reliable running back to build around over the next few seasons.