This page lists all the 2025 NFL Signings for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I’ve listed all of the NFL Free Agent Signing Grades here, which included the Signings. Because I’ve begun posting polls for the Signings, I thought it would make sense to list just the NFL Signings here, so archiving the voting would be easier.
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- Total Signings: 8
- Average Grade: B+ (88.9)
July 2025 – Signings
Steelers re-sign DE/OLB T.J. Watt (3 years, $123 million): A Grade
signed on 7/17/2025
Some players who receive huge contracts aren’t ranked atop their position. Trey Smith is a recent example, though Smith is still young and could reach that distinction in a couple of years. Conversely, T.J. Watt is definitely one of the best players at his position. Some could even argue that he’s the best defensive player in the NFL. Thus, it makes sense for him to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, thanks to his new 3-year, $123 million contract.
Watt is a dominant player whose presence directly correlates to Pittsburgh’s success. Whenever he’s out with an injury, the Steeler defense suffers, and the team struggles to win. It was wise for Pittsburgh to lock up Watt, even at this price. The one downside is that Watt turns 31 in October, but he should still play at an All-Pro level over the next couple of years.
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June 2025 – Signings
Steelers re-sign S DeShon Elliott (2 years, $12.5 million): A Grade
signed on 6/17/2025
Teams tend to overspend for safeties, but the Steelers are not doing that with this signing. The $12.5 million contract they gave to DeShon Elliott is quite the bargain and very much worth an “A” grade.
This past season marked the fourth team Elliott had been on in as many years. However, he has finally found a home, as he was a very capable player for Pittsburgh in 2024. Elliott isn’t amazing in coverage, but he’s not a liablity there either. His strength is run support, where he’s stellar. He’s only 28, so he should be able to perform at a high level throughout the duration of this deal.
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Steelers sign QB Aaron Rodgers: A Grade
signed on 6/5/2025
This signing isn’t official yet, but Aaron Rodgers informed the Steelers that he will fly to Pittsburgh tomorrow and sign before next week’s minicamp.
Rodgers signing with the Steelers can’t surprise anyone, although Terry Bradshaw is probably crying himself to sleep right now. It was always going to be either Rodgers or Kirk Cousins, as Pittsburgh’s quarterbacking situation was dismal without them. One could argue that it will still be dismal, but both Rodgers and Cousins should be much better in 2025 because they won’t be recovering from a torn Achilles. Rodgers will turn 42 before the end of 2025, so age is an obvious concern, but he will likely be 100 percent at the start of the season.
Though we don’t have official terms yet, it’s hard to imagine this signing not warranting an “A” grade. Mason Rudolph, despite how the fans feel about him, can’t lead a team to the Super Bowl. Rodgers, if healthy, can do so. And given that this is almost certainly a 1-year deal, there won’t really be any major long-term ramifications for signing Rodgers.
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March 2025 – Signings
Steelers sign S Juan Thornhill (1 year, $3 million): A Grade
signed on 3/26/2025
What happened to Juan Thornhill in Cleveland? Perhaps it was the money or the poor coaching, but he regressed terribly with the Browns. He was an excellent safety with the Chiefs, but turned out to be a complete bust in Cleveland.
I like the Steelers taking a chance on Thornhill on a 1-year “prove it” deal. He’s not quite 30 yet, so he could rebound with a superior defensive coaching staff in Pittsburgh.
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Steelers sign RB Kenneth Gainwell (1 year, $1.79 million): A Grade
signed on 3/13/2025
I love the cheap contracts we’re seeing today (the details of this move were just released.) Kenneth Gainwell is a quality backup running back who can contribute as a receiver out of the backfield. With Najee Harris gone, the Steelers needed to add a back to complement Jaylen Warren. I imagine they’ll be targeting a running back in the first few rounds of the draft, but Gainwell is a nice insurance policy just in case they can’t land a runner they want.
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Steelers sign QB Mason Rudolph (2 years, $8 million): A- Grade
signed on 3/13/2025
I’m sure Steeler fans are happy about this because they were not thrilled when the hero of the 2023 season went to Tennessee. Rudolph has shown that he can be a solid backup quarterback. Things didn’t work out with the Titans, but he is familiar with most of the personnel in Pittsburgh, so there won’t have to be any sort of transitional concerns.
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Steelers sign CB Darius Slay (1 year, $10 million): B+ Grade
signed on 3/12/2025
This contract is fully guaranteed, and it’s one that a team with aspirations of making a deep playoff run would make. The Steelers seem to think they qualify as such, presumably with Aaron Rodgers, based on the moves they’ve made this offseason.
If the Steelers are right, then this contract makes a lot of sense. There’s some risk attached to this because Darius Slay is 34 and could bottom out. However, Slay, who is not nearly the dominant cornerback he once was, happened to be a solid starter for the Eagles last year, and he could play the same way in 2025.
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Steelers sign LB Malik Harrison (2 years, $10 million): C Grade
signed on 3/10/2025
This is an overpay. Malik Harrison is a fine backup who can play the run somewhat decently. However, he tends to get abused in coverage, so he can only be a part-time player at best. I don’t get why he deserves $5 million per season, but it’s not like this contract will kill the Steelers.
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