NFL free agency is officially underway, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2024 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year began March 13 at 4 p.m. ET, and free agent signings can now become official. The first round of the 2024 NFL draft begins April 25 on ESPN.
Here’s a breakdown of every 2024 NFL free agent signing by the Pittsburgh Steelers and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Russell Wilson, QB
Wilson will sign a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum, which is $1.2 million.
What it means: Wilson will get a chance to resurrect his career, while the Steelers have an immediate upgrade at the position. Though there will still be a quarterback competition for the starting job, signing Wilson signals the Steelers don’t have the “full faith” in Kenny Pickett that general manager Omar Khan expressed less than two weeks ago.
What’s the risk: Financially, none. But make no mistake, this signing is a big gamble. If Wilson wins the job, the Steelers will lose an opportunity to evaluate their 2022 first-round pick outside of a Matt Canada offense — and with the decision on Pickett’s fifth-year option due in May of 2025, time is of the essence in that evaluation. And at nearly 36 years old, Wilson isn’t a long-term solution at the position. If anything, his signing could restart the process of finding the team’s next franchise quarterback — something that hasn’t been easy since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement.
Johnston will join the Steelers after three seasons in Houston.
What it means: The Steelers released punter Pressley Harvin prior to the start of free agency, creating an obvious need at the position. A Ray Guy Award winner in college, Harvin was inconsistent in three seasons in Pittsburgh, averaging 43.7 yards per punt over his career. Johnston, meanwhile, has a 47.3 career average over six seasons. Most recently with the Texans, Johnston led the league with 88 punts for 4,108 yards in 2021.
What’s the risk: There’s not one. The Steelers had a need at the position, and Johnston is a solid veteran option who offers a clear upgrade from Harvin.
What it means: Now this is a splashy move. The Steelers did the anti-Steeler thing and secured the top inside linebacker free agent with a three-year, $41 million deal — not only solidifying the middle of their defense, but taking one of their intra-division rivals’ best players to do it. Restocking the inside linebacker corps was a priority this free agency after serious injuries — ones without a clear recovery timeline — decimated the position. Queen is a complete linebacker and excels in coverage and run defense, and he’s especially necessary to compete in a division that just added RB Derrick Henry.
What’s the risk: There’s not much of one. This signing has all the upside and little downside. Sure, there’s a three-year commitment to Queen, but he’s started 17 games each of the last three seasons and 16 in his rookie year. And according to NFL Next Gen Stats, he led all linebackers with 20 quick pressures last season, and generated a 25.5% pressure rate — sixth-highest among all linebackers. Make no mistake: this is a big win for Pittsburgh.
