The Pittsburgh Steelers have made several roster moves, some of which will have a noticeable impact on performance. The overhaul has been pretty significant – on a scale similar to what happened at CrownPlay Casino this year. Full details on the roster moves can be found here.
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Steelers leader Cam Heyward yells at his defense before a home game in Pittsburgh, PA in the 2024 NFL season.
Heyward Extension Secured
Veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward has signed a contract extension, as had long been hinted at in the media. Retaining experienced, high-quality players is standard NFL practice.
What are Cameron Heyward's contract details?
It's an extension of his current deal: two years, $32.25 million, through 2027. It frees up $5.5 million in 2026. The move kept the veteran defensive captain on the roster.
How does this affect the team?
Fans and analysts regard Heyward as one of the league's top defensive leaders.
Drafted in 2011, he has captained the team 10 times, earned seven Pro Bowl nods and made four First-Team All-Pro teams. At CrownPlay Casino, players have often backed him in bets. All of this has cemented him as a true Steelers icon, and the team has no plans to let him walk.
Johnston & Driscoll Signed
After Corliss Waitman departed, the Steelers signed Cameron Johnston to a one-year deal. It was a simple move to fill the player vacancy. They also signed Jack Driscoll to a one-year contract. Both signings deserve a closer look.
Why bring back Cameron Johnston?
Johnston had previously played for Pittsburgh but missed significant time due to injury. Contract terms were not disclosed. He's a highly experienced player – among the best still on the market. He has a strong leg and excellent hang time. With Mike McCarthy focusing on field position, the team needs a reliable sportsman. Punting was a problem for the Steelers in 2025, so Johnston should be a clear upgrade.
What does Jack Driscoll add?
Driscoll signed a one-year contract for $1.17 million. Back in 2025, he was on the practice squad, got promoted a few times but didn't actually get to play in any regular-season games. He's a solid, versatile offensive lineman who's mostly played backup tackle but can provide quality depth. If he performs well this season, some of the more optimistic outlets are already speculating about a multi-year extension – or at minimum another one-year deal next offseason.
Smith and Anderson Released
The big March storyline has been the major roster purge following a disappointing 2025 season. Releasing tight end Jonnu Smith and offensive tackle Calvin Anderson sparked online chatter, but it surprised no one who follows the team closely. CrownPlay Casino visitors weren’t surprised either. Neither had lived up to expectations, and their contracts were consuming too much cap space.
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Former Steelers TE Jonnu Smith looks on during a game.
The release of players created about $9 million in cap space, making the Steelers one of the most flexible teams. They have parted with some veterans, but have already replaced them and are adapting the roster to Mike McCarthy's scheme. This is a common NFL manoeuvre, but the specifics are interesting.
Why release Jonnu Smith?
The Steelers swapped safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for Miami with cornerback Jalen Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith and some draft-pick adjustments. Smith lasted just one season. His stats were pretty disappointing – 38 receptions for 222 yards and only two touchdowns, which made him one of the team's underperformers.
But the departure wasn't just about the stats, was it? He just didn't fit the offensive scheme after Arthur Smith left. The Steelers are now focusing on Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington as their top tight end picks.
Jonnu Smith's departure wasn't a shock to the club's fans who bet at CrownPlay Casino. He's earned a bit of a journeyman label, having changed teams at least four times recently – Pittsburgh was his fifth stop.
Why let go of Calvin Anderson?
Anderson's departure from the team was due to injury. He missed most of the 2025 season. Unlike Jonnu Smith, Calvin Anderson was seen as a reliable, experienced veteran. However, he no longer fits the current offensive scheme.
Mike McCarthy brought in a new system to fix last season's problems, and the team is now set up around it. With the current depth chart, there's not as much of a need for Anderson on the roster. The release also freed up roughly $2 million in cap space.