The Pittsburgh Steelers have crucial decisions to make regarding the roster. Since the Steelers hired Omar Khan as the franchise's general manager, Pittsburgh has become far more aggressive during free agency periods. Khan and the Steelers have been trying to add a big-time wide receiver to pair with George Pickens for nearly a year now, and fans won't be satisfied until that ends up happening. Along with receiver, the Steelers have other positional needs like defensive tackle and cornerback that they will hopefully attack in the upcoming free agency period.
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Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan speaking on the sidelines inside Acrisure Stadium in 2024.
The Steelers have over $63 million in cap space for 2025, which is the fifth most in the NFL. Rarely do the Steelers have this kind of opportunity to go out and spend some big bucks to upgrade the roster, a roster which wasn't able to come away with a playoff victory for the eighth consecutive season.
Although the Steelers don't have a quarterback for 2025 lined up to this point, Pittsburgh has great options on the free-agent market to bolster its other needs. Here are the Steelers' top seven potential free agent targets that could realistically be playing for the black and gold in 2025.
1. Jonathan Allen - Defensive Tackle
The Washington Commanders released long-time defensive tackle Jonathan Allen after spending eight years with the Commanders and Redskins. After his rookie deal wrapped up in 2021, Washington signed Allen to a four-year deal worth $72 million, averaging $18 million per year.
Allen was released with just one year remaining on his contract after missing nine games in 2024 due to a pectoral injury. Allen, just 30 years old, has 42 career sacks and would be a great pairing on the line with Cam Heyward.
2. Milton Williams - Defensive Tackle
Philadelphia Eagles' Milton Williams is another defensive stud that the Steelers would be ecstatic to pair with Heyward. Williams was taken in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft and has earned the right to ask for a sizable contract.
During the championship run with Philadelphia, Williams tallied a career-high five sacks in the regular season. Williams showed his worth on the biggest stage of the season, when he sacked Patrick Mahomes twice in the Super Bowl. Williams' market value is about $17.8 million per year, which is something the Steelers could afford.
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Eagles defensive lineman Milton Williams celebrates after making a big play during the 2024 season at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadephia, PA.
3. Tershawn Wharton - Defensive Tackle
The final potential defensive tackle target on this list is Tershawn Wharton, who is coming off of the best season he's ever had in his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. Wharton's been with Kansas City since 2020.
The only season he's had more than two sacks was last year in 2024 where he collected six and a half sacks. Wharton was in a Chiefs system paired with guys like Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, a similar setup that Pittsburgh has with Heyward and TJ Watt. Wharton would be a solid addition to the Steelers' defense, and at just 26 years old, he should only cost about $7 million per year.
4. DJ Reed - Cornerback
After defensive tackle, the Steelers' next most important need on the defensive side of the ball is cornerback. There are a lot of free agent options at corner to pair with Joey Porter Jr. this offseason, but DJ Reed seems like one of the more likely outcomes.
Reed, now a 28 year-old veteran, has finished his time with the New York Jets, which lasted for three years. Reed hasn't picked off a ton of passes in his career, but he's been excellent in coverage and happens to have a lot of passes defended against.
In his previous contract with New York, Reed was making about $11 million each season. That number is expected to go up some, but not so much that the Steelers wouldn't be interested. The Steelers will likely need a replacement for Donte Jackson, who led the team in interceptions last season. Reed and Porter would be a great pairing in Pittsburgh on the outside.
New York Jets
Steelers' 2025 free agent target DJ Reed lining up at cornerback for the New York Jets in 2024.
5. Talanoa Hufanga - Safety
The Steelers also could be interested in adding a prolific safety to the defensive backs group. Talanoa Hufanga just finished his rookie contract with the San Francisco 49ers, who aren't expected to re-sign him. Hufanga's market isn't going to be too big due to the problems he's had with injuries over the last two seasons.
Hufanga had a big game against Pittsburgh during the 2023 regular season opener when he picked off Kenny Pickett. Hufanga, drafted in 2021 out of USC, has a similar style of play to Steelers' legend Troy Polamalu, which could be what gets him in a black and gold jersey in 2025.
6. Darius Slayton - Wide Receiver
There are a lot of wide receiver options on the market in 2025, but the Steelers haven't been able to pull off a singing or trade for a big-name wideout for awhile. Especially if the Steelers do in fact plan to offer Pickens a big contract after 2025, Pittsburgh may want to grab a receiver that won't cost them an arm and a leg.
Darius Slayton is an intruiging option that Pittsburgh was even linked to during the 2024 regular season before the trade deadline. Slayton is expected to get around $15 million per season after being ready to move on from the New York Giants.
Seth Wenig / Associated Press
Steelers' free agent option and Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton running a route in 2024..
7. Jedrick Wills Jr. - Offensive Tackle
A more of a wildcard signing possibility for Pittsburgh could be offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. The Cleveland Browns' 2020 10th overall draft choice is set to hit the market after his rookie contract has expired. Although the Steelers seem to be set at tackle with Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu, Wills could be brought in as extra depth or as a swing tackle in Arthur Smith's offense.
It'd also be smart to have a backup plan in case Jones' struggles continue in 2025, or if either become injured. Having three tackles taken in the first round within the last five years is better than two. Dan Moore Jr. is also expected to sign elsewhere in free agency.
Steelers Have Huge Offseason Choices To Make
The Steelers need to find a quarterback, and they also need to find another receiver to create a more explosive offense. Who they grab at those positions will ultimately decide how well the 2025 season goes for Pittsburgh.
Who do you want to see the Steelers add to the roster, on both offense and defense? Which of these potential targets would fit best in Pittsburgh? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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