The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
RUSS PALLONE FROM TRINIDAD, CO: Can you post a list of the restricted and unrestricted free agents on the current roster?
ANSWER: Here you go:
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
OL Ryan McCollum
LB Jeremiah Moon
DE Esezi Otomewo
P Corliss Waitman
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
WR Calvin Austin III
SS Chuck Clark
OT Jack Driscoll
SS Kyle Dugger
DT Daniel Ekuale
RB Kenneth Gainwell
TE Connor Heyward
LB Cole Holcomb
SS Miles Killebrew
DE Isaiahh Loudermilk
DE Dean Lowry
WR Scotty Miller
TE Donald Parham
OL Andrus Peat
SS Jabrill Peppers
CB James Pierre
QB Aaron Rodgers
CB Asante Samuel Jr.
OG Max Scharping
OG Isaac Seumalo
WR Adam Thielen
QB Skylar Thompson
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
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MIKE FOSTER FROM EWA BEACH, HI: Have there been any updates on players' health status? There was no end of year press conference, which was when Mike Tomlin usually gave updates. I'm specifically curious about Broderick Jones.
ANSWER: As you mentioned in your question, Mike Tomlin did not do the traditional end-of-season news conference, and so there have been no updates from the Steelers on the health status of any of the players who ended the season on the injured reserve list.
JAMES HARRISON FROM IOWA CITY, IA: I've truly enjoyed the last few weeks as the Steelers have posted the many "On this date we won Super Bowl ??" Reliving the games through highlights has been fun. One thing that really stood out to me has been the enormous pads worn in the 1970s. I'm not sure Jack Lambert could fit through a standard doorway wearing his shoulder pads. Did pad size change gradually over the years or, did I fall asleep at some point?
ANSWER: The protective equipment NFL players wear has evolved and improved into lighter, smaller, and more durable versions of what was worn in the 1970s. That applies to cold-weather gear as well.
DON STITZENBERG FROM LONGBOAT KEY, FL: I am responding to the last item in the Feb. 3 Asked and Answered where you mused whether the whiney, uninformed opinions that you receive are the majority of your readers. The answer is THEY ARE NOT THE MAJORITY. I am 50-plus year Steelers fan who lives in Florida. It is the middle of February after a painful season. As always, there are numerous Steeler fans with caps, shirts, etc., on the street and in the malls. We routinely greet each other, and recently talk about the Mike McCarthy selection. The answer is always, "Let's see how it goes," or "Let's give it a try." The whiners are loud, but they are not the core of Steelers Nation.
ANSWER: Thank you for restoring my faith.
NICK SCIULLI FROM COLUMBUS, OH: With Aaron Rodgers to seemingly prefer more veteran receivers (the Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen signings last season), could that potentially hurt the development of any WRs the Steelers may draft this spring? Assuming Rodgers comes back that is.
ANSWER: When asked about the possibility of Aaron Rodgers returning, President Art Rooney has said, "We don't know what Aaron's plans are right now … We'll see where Aaron is, and we've left the door open, but obviously we all have to sit down and see if that makes sense." I'm sure the team's plans at the WR position will be among the things discussed when the sides "sit down and see if that makes sense." I expect both sides to go into a second season together with their eyes wide open, if there4 ends up being a second season together.
SHAWN BITTNER FROM JACKSONVILLE, NC: Prior to the start of free agency, are teams allowed to discuss a player's willingness to sign, potential contract terms, or any other terms with agents of players they are interested in, or is there a restriction on any and all contact?
ANSWER: Here is the specific language regarding teams contacting prospective free agents: "During the period beginning at noon, ET, on March 9 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. ET, on March 11, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2025 player contracts at 4 p.m. ET, on March 12 … No prospective unrestricted free agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4 p.m. ET, on March 11." That's the rule, but in my opinion it's naïve to believe there is not contact between agents and teams before that noon on March 9 starting time.
JEFFREY SMITH FROM CLEWISTON, FL: There is no argument that Aaron Rodgers has a good arm and great football IQ. But at what point do the Steelers also covet skills like escapability and mobility. We saw Rodgers take some serious hits last year.
ANSWER: Sam Darnold was the starting quarterback for the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks, and Matthew Stafford was voted AP Most Valuable Player. Neither one of them has escapability and mobility among their primary qualities. Sometimes protecting a quarterback from taking a lot of hits starts with a corps of receivers getting open quickly and making plays on the football.
ADAM BOZICH FROM ALIQUIPPA, PA: Any word on alternate uniforms for 2026? I assume Color Rush is back, but I would love to see the Steelers bust out white pants with black stripes for 1 road game.
ANSWER: Things such as throwback uniforms and Color Rush games never are determined until after the NFL releases its complete regular season schedule, which typically happens at some point in mid-May. And the general rule is that teams can wear throwbacks or Color Rush for home games, not road games.
MICHAEL JOHNSON FROM HOUSTON, TX: If Aaron Rodgers returns, then that's great. And if he doesn't we still have Mason Rudolph and Will Howard at QB. Worse case is we don't make the playoffs, but we have decent draft position for 2027. I can live with that. Can Steelers Nation do so as well?
ANSWER: Read the next two submissions, and you tell me.
JOSH CAMPBELL FROM CINCINNATI, OH: You took a question from Brad Smith in Maryland about fans wanting the Steelers to tank for a rebuild. I am a fan, and I have never wanted that. You play the game to win or you don't bother showing up. You can't win the Super Bowl without making the playoffs.
ANSWER: You were one of many expressing that opinion.
ROB WARREN FROM BILLINGS, MT: More of a statement than a question, but I am growing tired of all these "Steelers fans" who are demanding we have a terrible season in order to get better. We didn't have a throwaway year before we went to Super Bowl XL. What's more, we are one to two pieces away from having a Super Bowl team now. I for one am excited to see what 2026 holds for our team.
ANSWER: Thanks for helping me answer Michael Johnson's question.
MIKE BARNA FROM YULEE, FL: I was wondering what your thoughts are as to the direction you think the Steelers are leaning towards as far as keeping the RBs that they currently have or leaning more towards finding different ones. Also, what are your thoughts on the RB situation going into next season?
ANSWER: Starting with the 2025 depth chart, Jaylen Warren is under contract for 2026 at a reasonable salary and is a valuable and versatile player. Kenneth Gainwell also is versatile and was valuable enough to be voted Steelers MVP by his teammates, but he is due to become an unrestricted free agent on March 11. Kaleb Johnson, last April's No. 3 pick (83rd overall) did not distinguish himself as a rookie, and his playing time was limited because of his shortcomings in the passing game at the NFL level, both as a receiver and a blocker. But I would be surprised if Johnson wasn't one of those players given a fresh start with the changes to the coaching staff and the offensive system, because he was a quality runner-of-the-football during his college career at Iowa. If the Steelers re-sign Gainwell, it would appear the top of the depth chart at RB is full, which would mean there is no need to spend a premium draft pick or commit free agent money to bring in someone from the outside. But there's still a lot of time between now and when those decisions will have to be made.
