Trade, sign, cut, extend

steelersrule6 · Feb 7, 2026 at 10:09 AM

NorthernBlitz said: ↑

Thanks to Turndown for putting the list together!

NOTABLE FREE AGENTS: SIGN OR NOT

Aaron Rodgers (QB): If around the same price as last season. I think he's a good mentor. Sounds like he has a good relationship with Howard. Probably will be true if we draft another project type this year too.

Kenny Gainwell (RB): I don't think so. He played very well for us last season. But I'm guessing / hoping that we end up with 3 NFL caliber WRs next season instead of one. So he's not going to get the production he had this year.

Calvin Austin III (WR): NOT

Isaac Seumalo (OG): I'd rather draft a young guy to fill in. If we're following the Philly model here, we won't be spending big money on guards. OL play for a long time, but he's 32. I'd take him at a home town discount, but not market price.

Miles Killebrew (ST): Vet minimum if he's healthy. Special teams demon who seems to get a block a year. But big injury.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR): NOT

Connor Heyward (TE): SIGN...agree with turndown here. Valuable on ST. Versatile and can get you out of a game at a couple positions. Good end of the roster guy.

Asante Samuel (CB): On a cheap deal. Bring him to camp to compete with hopefully a high draft pick.

Chuck Clark, S Jabril Peppers, S Kyle Dugger, LB Cole Holcomb, WR Scotty Miller, ALL NOT...I kind of feel like I do about Samuel with all these guys. Cheap deals with small SBs. If they want to come to camp to compete, OK. No big plans.

VETERANS: CUT/KEEP/TRADE?

T.J. Watt (OLB): Trade. If we can get something that helps us get a QB next draft (looks like the class this year isn't great), I'd do it. But it looks like it might not be the best year to do this. Crosby sounds like he's going to get traded. Also sounds like Garrett will try to do what he did last season....demand to leave to see if they give him more money. I think this gets easier cap wise next year...but if he has another season like this one demand will likely be less. But he's the face of the franchise and the only player on the team who's arguably elite (though he hasn't been recently). They keep him as a business decision and hope it's a good football decision.

Cam Heyward (DL): KEEP. Yep. I'd even give him the same incentives if it makes him feel better because he isn't going to hit them.

Jalen Ramsey (CB): KEEP There are two decisions here. If keep, also have to decide about whether or not to exercise his option. The option reduces the cap hit next season, but pushes more dead money into the future. I think the difference is something like $5MM. I like the versatility he brings, but he wasn't all that great at S (would have been better to keep Minkah if Ramsey is just a S IMO). Depends on what the rest of the cap situation looks like. Because he'll certainly be overpaid as a S.

Patrick Queen (LB): KEEP. Yep. Hopefully we see Wilson clearly take over this role this season. But he didn't / couldn't do it last season.

Jonnu Smith (TE): CUT Easiest cut. Just like Patterson last season. In some ways, Smith is the reason I don't want to sign Gainwell based on his production last season. I wasn't here when we traded for Smith, but I was saying "don't get fooled by his stats the year before, that was a very special circumstance, he's an older less-good version of PF". I think some team is going to pay Gainwell based on his production this season. But he won't be their WR2, so he won't get that production again IMO.

EXTEND OR PLAY IT OUT

Chris Boswell (PK): EXTEND Yep.

Broderick Jones (LT): EXTEND/OPTION I'm on team play it out, although I'd do a cheap extend. Hard no on the option. Only made the playing time tier (like Edmunds and Najee). I think he might have even missed that tier if TF didn't get hurt 2 seasons ago (that was the path Pickett was on). Looked a little better last season, but has mostly been disappointing. We knew he was raw when we drafted him. Hopefully a new offense / scheme will turn the light on for him. But the option is a big get for high value positions like OL (basically determined by the high LT salaries).

Joey Porter Jr. (CB): EXTEND Yep. Easy decision here. Very good CB. Best we've had in a while. I never understood why people (including the team?) thought Ramsey would be our CB1 last year.

Keeanu Benton (DL): EXTEND Probably. Had his best year. Not flashy, but not terrible. Just OK. Was hoping for more, but I'd do a reasonable deal with him.

Nick Herbig (OLB): EXTEND I hope that he'll want to do an extension. Wish we could do more to get the three OLBs on the field at the same time (I know we did do this last season).

Darnell Washington (TE): EXTEND I'd do this. Probably won't be expensive. But I really worry about what his usage is going to look like on a team that's bass 11 personnel. Will PF become TE1 in a more passing focused offense? With PF and JW, we have two TEs that are worth playing. How do we divide that time up? I like Washington better because I think he's more of a matchup problem. But what is MM going to think?

Cory Trice (CB): CUT I'm on team bring to camp and see what he has. But even then, can you trust him to be able to take the field? Too bad because he looks like he could play at least some snaps if he could ever stay healthy. But he can't.

Spencer Anderson (OL): PLAY IT OUT I'd maybe even extend him. He's good OL depth, which is worth having. Probably won't play as much TE eligible in a more modern offense though.
Click to expand...

You want to get rid of Gainwell, but the team still needs another RB Kaleb Johnson hasn't shown anything yet. Let Trice come to camp he's cheap and this is his last chance. I'm not sure Herbig will want to stick around for another contract with the Steelers there are rumors he wants to be a starter.

mac daddyo · Feb 7, 2026 at 10:30 AM

gainwell will work well in this offense. i think lew nichols could work out better than johnson.

CK 13 · Feb 7, 2026 at 11:19 AM

Out: Issac Seumalo, Jonnu Smith, MVS, Cory Trice, Conner Heyward, Miles Killebrew(contract is up}

Play it Out: Broderick Jones, Spencer Anderson

Extend: Chris Boswell (high priority) Nick Herbig, Keeanu Benton, Asante Samuel (one year deal) Calvin Austin III (one year deal), Darnell Washington on a tight end deal. Joey Porter Jr. Like jeh stated its going to be expensive.

Trade: TJ Watt. The one helmet huge contract mistake. Probably won't be traded though.

Back: Cam" I need to feed my Family" Heyward. As long as he doesn't cry and hold in for more money. I believe he is still chasing down all the running backs that he let run by him at the point of attack. Could still use him as a rotational piece. He is not the future.

Jalen Ramsey: I would look for him to be approached to take a pay cut. If not I would still keep him for 2026. Big dead cap for 2026,

Others:

Kenneth Gainwell. Will look to get a nice fat contact in which he earned. I see him leaving for another team. Already has a Super Bowl ring.

"Run it Back" Rodgers. What's the point? But I wouldn't be surprised. After watching him get beaten continuously and wilt against the Texans was all I needed to see, Time to move forward.

NorthernBlitz · Feb 7, 2026 at 11:31 AM

steelersrule6 said: ↑

You want to get rid of Gainwell, but the team still needs another RB Kaleb Johnson hasn't shown anything yet. Let Trice come to camp he's cheap and this is his last chance. I'm not sure Herbig will want to stick around for another contract with the Steelers there are rumors he wants to be a starter.
Click to expand...

I don't "want" to get rid of him.

But I think that his price is going to be high relative to his actual value. Because I assume we'll have multiple WRs to throw to next year.

There's another thread here where it says that his value would be 2 years $3MM/year ($6MM total). At that price, I'd be in.

But if it's more like $6MM/year, I don't think he'll deliver value in whatever the new offense is as the 2nd RB in a committee (maybe not even the first RB in the committee).

I hope Johnson can emerge.

I also think we should take a RB with one of our 3rd or 4th round picks. And I think we should always bring in a UDFA or two at RB because I think it's the position where you're most likely to find a contributor as a UDFA.

I worry that if we sign him for big money (for a RB), he'll be next year's J Smith. Where it's technically possible that he could have a lot more productivity. But there are better options for his touches (particularly the targets...because I assume that MM will want more than one NFL WR on the team).

But again...if it's $3MM / year, I'm in without thinking about it too much.

Karl · Feb 7, 2026 at 12:15 PM

NOTABLE FREE AGENTS: SIGN OR NOT
Aaron Rodgers (QB): SIGN ---------- Only if he agrees to a transition role.

Kenny Gainwell (RB): SIGN ---------- There could be a lot of money involved. I don't want to tie up a bunch of money between him and Warren. I'd rather Draft a 3-down back.

Calvin Austin III (WR): NOT -------- Agree. He's not moved the needle.

Isaac Seumalo (OG): SIGN --------- Age bothers me. Maybe, it depends on the cost.

Miles Killebrew (ST): NOT ------------ Special Teams ace, expendable.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR): NOT ----- Definitely not.

Connor Heyward (TE): SIGN ------ Adds that versatility the McCarthy can use.

Asante Samuel (CB): NOT ------- Disagree. I sign him as long as it isn't a crazy ask. Excellent depth and rotational starter.

Chuck Clark, S Jabril Peppers, S Kyle Dugger, LB Cole Holcomb, WR Scotty Miller, ALL NOT ----- Duggar is the only one I'd even think about.

VETERANS: CUT/KEEP/TRADE?

T.J. Watt (OLB): Trade ------ Trade is impossible. Keep.

Cam Heyward (DL): KEEP ------ He should retire. A reduced role maybe at a good cost.

Jalen Ramsey (CB): KEEP ------- Trade. He did a decent job at Safety but I think it's the beginning of a downfall. Probably wouldn't be able to trade though but I would attempt it.

Patrick Queen (LB): KEEP ----- Probably.
Jonnu Smith (TE): CUT ------- Or trade if possible. I think a lot of his downfall was bad offense design.

EXTEND OR PLAY IT OUT

Chris Boswell (PK): EXTEND ------ as long as he wants!

Broderick Jones (LT): EXTEND/OPTION ---- He might have to fight for a starting spot. That's not bad.

Joey Porter Jr. (CB): EXTEND ---------- Yes, absolutely.

Keeanu Benton (DL): EXTEND --------- Mixed feelings.

Nick Herbig (OLB): EXTEND ------ I think I would. I didn't like letting Spillane walk, we should not let this one go.

Darnell Washington (TE): EXTEND ----- I'd carefully consider this one. He is not a feature TE. If the offense has plans to correctly use him and capitalize off his skills, then he is a nice trick in the bag.

Cory Trice (CB): CUT ---------------- Didn't move the needle.

Spencer Anderson (OL): PLAY IT OUT ------ Not sure he's a fit in the McCarthy offense, maybe. I agree, play it out and prove value.

Overall - Looking to reduce Defense expenditure and get younger on that side of the ball. On offense, increase allocation costs, impact players - 2 legit WR's... if QB cannot happen (a disaster) then focus on Impact players and OL/DL

Steel_Elvis · Feb 7, 2026 at 12:49 PM

Thanks @TuRnDoWnForWaTT for the list that I’ve pasted to work from:

NOTABLE FREE AGENTS: SIGN OR NOT

Aaron Rodgers (QB): NOT: I expect that we will, but I think he needs a near perfect complement of weapons and top-tier pass protection to lead a deep playoff run. It’s time to move forward.

Kenny Gainwell (RB): SIGN: Absolutely sign if the Spotrac projected contract value of 2Y/6M is even close.

Calvin Austin III (WR): MAYBE: I think Austin is being dismissed because he wasn’t enough in a #2 role. I keep him as a #3/4 guy at an appropriate contract level. If the market overpays, let him go.

Isaac Seumalo (OG): NOT: His play looked spotty to me and I expect him to fade more every year. If we get him cheap for 1 year while developing replacement, fine. However my preference would be to get an up and coming younger vet like we did a few years ago with Daniels.

Miles Killebrew (ST): SIGN: Sign if his pay is appropriate for a solid ST player.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR): NO!!!

Connor Heyward (TE): SIGN

Asante Samuel (CB): SIGN: Another contract value based sign decision for me. I’d like to retain him at an appropriate level of pay for what he brings to the table as a #3 or #4 corner who can start in a pinch.

Kyle Dugger (S): SIGN: Another one who I would keep at a backup pay rate. He’s not terrible. You just want your starter to be better.

Chuck Clark, S Jabril Peppers, S Kyle Dugger, LB Cole Holcomb, WR Scotty Miller, ALL NOT

VETERANS: CUT/KEEP/TRADE?

T.J. Watt (OLB): KEEP: I’m not giving up on him yet. I don’t love the contract, but he’s likely not tradeable with it.

Cam Heyward (DL): KEEP: He was one of the half-dozen best defensive linemen in the league last season. I keep him at his contract value.

Jalen Ramsey (CB): CLOSE CALL: He did some nice things as a versatile nickel and had mixed results playing S. If he’s willing to be a full time safety, and will work during the offseason preparing for that full time role, he could be very good. I definitely do not keep him as a corner.

Patrick Queen (LB): CUT/TRADE: Maybe I’m overreacting, but he was one of the most frustrating players last season. His missed tackles, especially when he had opportunities to tackle receivers short of the sticks, was crushing so many times. He makes a lot of good plays, but gives back so much to the opposing offenses. To me, I’d rather save the $13+ million in cut/trade savings and fill other needs with the dollars. I’m not sure what his trade value would be at his pay level vs. performance. I’m guessing minimal to zero.

Jonnu Smith (TE): CUT: Easiest cut decision in a long time.

EXTEND OR PLAY IT OUT

Chris Boswell (PK): EXTEND

Broderick Jones (LT): PLAY IT OUT: I am not sold that he’s developing enough to be a quality starting LT. Let’s see what a new O line coach can do with him.

Joey Porter Jr. (CB): EXTEND

Keeanu Benton (DL): PLAY IT OUT: I see him as scheme fit dependent. He is solid as a penetrator, but struggles to hold his ground. I would consider extending if Graham has a good plan for him.

Nick Herbig (OLB): EXTEND

Darnell Washington (TE): EXTEND

Cory Trice (CB): CUT

Spencer Anderson (OL): PLAY IT OUT

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Trade, sign, cut, extend

steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

mac daddyo Well-Known Member

CK 13 Well-Known Member

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NorthernBlitz Well-Known Member

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