NFL free agency is off and running, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2026 offseason, with analysis from our NFL nation reporters and grades from our experts.
The new league year begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, which means free agents can be made official after that. The first round of the 2026 NFL draft begins April 23 on ESPN.
On Monday, the Indianapolis Colts traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a swap of late-round draft picks, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The physical and reliable Pittman will pair with DK Metcalf and gives Aaron Rodgers — should he opt to return for the 2026 season — a veteran who has had at least 65 catches in each of the past five seasons.
Here’s a breakdown of every 2026 NFL free agent deal by the Steelers and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Jump to a player:
Dean | Dowdle | Samuel | Johnston
The Steelers agree to a three-year, $36.75 million deal with the cornerback.
What it means: The Steelers’ search for a cornerback to pair with Joey Porter Jr. continues with the addition of Dean, who put up a solid season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2025.
Dean had three interceptions in 14 starts last season, his most productive season as a pro since being selected by the Bucs in the third round of the 2019 draft. He also scored his second pick-six with a 55-yard return against the New York Jets in Week 3. The Steelers re-signed cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. just before the negotiation period opened, and this signing further upgrades and fortifies the position.
The Steelers are signing the running back to a two-year, $12.25 million deal, NFL Network reported Monday.
What it means: Dowdle, 27, is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, first with the Dallas Cowboys and then with the Carolina Panthers. Dowdle was a must-add addition for the Steelers after losing team MVP Kenneth Gainwell to the Buccaneers in free agency, but he’s a much different type of running back. While Gainwell was prolific in the receiving game, Dowdle is a more pure, physical runner.
Dowdle has familiarity with coach Mike McCarthy’s scheme from his time in Dallas, and he’ll join a running back room that also includes the uber-physical Jaylen Warren and 2025 third-round pick Kaleb Johnson.
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Source: Steelers add RB Dowdle on 2-year deal
Source: Steelers add RB Dowdle on 2-year deal
The 26-year-old cornerback is set to re-sign on a one-year, $4 million deal, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
What it means: The Steelers made a low-risk move last season by signing Samuel to the practice squad after he was medically cleared after spinal fusion surgery last April. The move not only paid off in the short term as the Steelers got crucial depth at the position down the stretch, but they also got a deal done to keep him in the building before he hit free agency. Samuel showed he can be a valuable option with three starts and an interception late last season.
The Steelers and the punter agree to a one-year deal.
What it means: Though Johnston wasn’t with the Steelers in 2025, he’s not unfamiliar to the organization. He was slated to be the team’s starter in 2024 before suffering a season-ending leg injury in Week 1. He returned to compete with Corliss Waitman for the job in 2025, but Waitman, now a free agent, won the job out of training camp.
Johnston wound up playing three games for the Buffalo Bills before he landed on injured reserve. He then punted one game for the Giants. Before his injury in Buffalo, Johnston averaged 44 yards per punt, and Waitman averaged 45.5 per punt in Pittsburgh last season.
