Becker: Four Free Agents Steelers Should Go All In On
Here are four upcoming free agents the Pittsburgh Steelers should do their best to sign in the coming weeks.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to have upwards of $60 million in salary cap space this offseason after the NFL informed teams that the 2025 per-team salary cap will fall in the range of $277.5 million to $281.5 million.
The Steelers can still make a few more moves to create even more salary cap space if they so choose, too. Either way, Pittsburgh will have plenty of money to spend in free agency to fill several holes on its roster.
With that in mind, here are four free agents the Steelers should do their best to sign.
Wide receiver Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Steelers have been searching for another wide receiver to pair with George Pickens since last offseason and it seems they missed out on the opportunity to land wide receiver Tee Higgins after it was reported that the Cincinnati Bengals are expected to use the franchise tag on him.
That leaves Godwin as the next best option on the open market, as long as he doesn’t re-sign with the Buccaneers, of course.
The 28-year-old already has four seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards and was having a great start to his 2024 campaign, recording 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns, before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 7.
Godwin did have surgery to repair the damage caused by his ankle dislocation, leaving his status for the start of the 2025 season up in the air. However, if he can return as a similar player, he’s more than worth the risk.
The former third-round pick has served as Tampa Bay’s No. 2 wide receiver to Mike Evans throughout his eight-year NFL career, but clearly has the capability to be a No. 1. He wouldn’t have to be that in Pittsburgh with Pickens filling that role, but it would allow the team to make Pickens expendable if he does pick up where he left off.
Godwin is expected to receive a three-year, $67.58 million contract ($22.5 million per year), per Spotrac.
Defensive tackle Milton Williams, Philadelphia Eagles
It’s pretty clear that the Steelers want to follow the Eagles’ blueprint after stealing assistant general manager Andy Weidl from Philadelphia. Pittsburgh has already spent a lot of resources to revamp its offensive line, which is why it’s fair to expect the team to do the same for the defensive line this offseason.
The Steelers have also signed several former Eagles, given the ties between the organizations and Williams could easily be the next. The 25-year-old is an emerging defensive lineman, who posted a career-high five sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 2024 while buried on the Eagles’ talented defensive line.
Outside of Keeanu Benton, Pittsburgh doesn’t have much youth along its defensive line. Cameron Heyward will turn 36 in May and soon-to-be 31-year-old Larry Ogunjobi has been named a potential cut candidate following a few disappointing seasons.
The Steelers could opt to address their defensive line via the 2025 NFL Draft, which is supposed to be very deep at the position, but Williams would be tough to pass up for the right price.
Williams is expected to receive a three-year, $36 million contract ($12 million per year), per Spotrac.
Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., Los Angeles Chargers
The Steelers should add at least two cornerbacks — an outside and a slot. But if they’re hoping to get the most out of their money, Samuel could prove worth a contract.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound corner has spent most of his NFL career as an outside corner while registering 176 tackles (148 solo), six interceptions and 37 passes defensed. However, he has the capability to bump inside if necessary, which would allow promising cornerback Cory Trice Jr. to serve as the No. 2 outside corner.
The 25-year-old has had some tackling woes and is coming off a season in which he played in just four games due to a shoulder injury, but he has an intangible that the Steelers look for: An NFL bloodline. He is the son of former two-time Super Bowl champion and four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel.
Samuel is expected to receive a four-year, $45.85 million contract ($11.5 million per year), per Spotrac.
Offensive lineman Patrick Mekari, Baltimore Ravens
The Steelers took linebacker Patrick Queen from the Ravens last offseason and now they could go back to their AFC North rival once again. While Pittsburgh has spent a lot of draft capital on their offensive line the past two years, it is lacking some depth heading into 2025.
Offensive tackles Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu, guards Isaac Seumalo and Mason McCormick and center Zach Frazier are projected to be the team’s starters next season. However, who will serve as their backups remains a mystery.
Mekari, 27, has played all over the offensive line throughout his NFL career, which would give Pittsburgh the versatility they look for from their non-starting offensive linemen.
That doesn’t mean Mekari couldn’t be a Week 1 starter for the Steelers, though. He served as the Ravens’ starting left guard for the entire 2024 season. McCormick showed promise as a rookie, but he shouldn’t be handed the starting job right away. Mekari could prove to be exactly the push McCormick needs.
Not to mention, Seumalo will also turn 32 next season and is heading into the final year of his contract. Mekari could then step into his role in 2026.
Mekari is expected to receive a three-year, $31 million contract ($10.3 million per year), per Spotrac.