Steelers Face Key Offensive Losses
The Pittsburgh Steelers are bracing for the possible loss of two key offensive players—Kenneth Gainwell and Isaac Seumalo—as NFL free agency approaches. Both are expected to draw significant interest on the open market, forcing the Steelers to potentially retool parts of their offense this offseason.
Isaac Seumalo wrapped up a three-year, $24 million contract he signed in 2023. In 2025, the 32-year-old guard earned a stellar 74.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 12th out of 81 guards. His pass-blocking was particularly elite, grading at 78.5, the fourth-best at his position, while allowing just 20 pressures all season. Kenneth Gainwell, operating on a one-year, $1.79 million deal, was voted the Steelers' MVP by his teammates in 2025. He was a true dual-threat, leading the team with 73 receptions for 486 yards and adding 537 yards on the ground, finishing with a team-high-tying 8 total touchdowns. His versatility was a key component of the offense, and he also served as the primary kick returner. The Steelers have already secured the other half of their 2025 running back tandem, Jaylen Warren. He was signed to a two-year, $11.9 million extension in September 2025 that keeps him under contract through the 2027 season. Warren had a career year as the lead back, rushing for 958 yards and 6 touchdowns. With approximately $42.5 million in available salary cap space for the 2026 season, the Steelers have some financial flexibility. However, their top offseason priorities are widely considered to be addressing the wide receiver position and solidifying the future of the quarterback position, which could impact how much they are willing to spend to retain Seumalo and Gainwell. While the offensive line showed improvement in 2025, Seumalo's departure would create a significant void in leadership and performance. The unit ranked eighth in Pro Football Focus's final assessments, a marked improvement from their 21st preseason ranking. Inside the Steelers organization, second-year guard Mason McCormick, who showed considerable improvement in his second season, could be an internal option to step into a larger role. The 2026 free-agent market for guards includes other veteran options like Joel Bitonio, though at 34, he is two years older than Seumalo. The running back class is deeper, featuring names like Breece Hall and Travis Etienne Jr., which could provide the Steelers with alternative, potentially more affordable, options to complement the already-signed Jaylen Warren.
