Pittsburgh

Steelers

DeFabo calls Roman Wilson the WR3 “at this exact moment,” which isn’t exactly a qualifier that lends to us believing that Wilson will be there at the end of training camp after his first few lost seasons. Bernard “has a really high floor” per DeFabo’s looks at OTAs and we wouldn’t be surprised if he had a role in his first season. It’s hard to see how it would be more than mildly fantasy interesting behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman, but perhaps Bernard can establish himself for a bigger 2027.

Pittsburgh has been handling in-house business over the last week, re-signing Darnell Washington and Nate Herbig to major extensions. It would not be surprising if Porter — whom DeFabo classifies as a “hold in” in OTAs — as next on the priority list.

Watt, 31, and Highsmith, 28, were the starting EDGE rushers last year. Their 24-year-old backup, LB Nick Herbig, signed a four-year, $100 million extension on Tuesday, prompting questions as to whether the Steelers could consider trading away one of their two veterans. Highsmith was not present at mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, but this was reportedly due to a stomach bug, not discontent over his backup’s big payday. Per Rapoport, Watt’s “enormous” contract, coupled with the amount of money the Steelers have invested elsewhere in their EDGE unit, means that they will probably “have a decision to make” in 2027.

Davis totaled three tackles and one quarterback pressure in two games with the Raiders last season. Perhaps surprisingly, he did not play on special teams. Doing so could increase his odds of making the Steelers’ roster this season.

Tonyan earned one target while playing for the Chiefs last year. He turned it into a one-yard reception. He earned zero targets playing for the Vikings in 2024. Do not expect him to contribute in fantasy football this season.

Washington’s contract includes $21 million in guaranteed money. A third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from Georgia, he’s been as advertised so far in his pro career. Washington has only 57 catches, 625 yards and two touchdowns in three seasons, but is a tremendous blocker and extremely difficult to tackle when he has the ball. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 264 pounds, he’s one of the most physically imposing players in the NFL. With a $10.5 million average annual value, Washington is 12th in AAV among tight ends. That level of commitment could be a sign the Steelers plan to use a good amount of two tight end sets with Washington and Pat Freiermuth in head coach Mike McCarthy’s first season.

$42 million of this money is guaranteed per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Herbig was entering the final year of his rookie contract and coming off a career-high 7.5 sacks. The extension locks him in next to Alex Highsmith and J.J. Watt, and the Steelers would have three separate edge players on $20 million cap hits in 2027 if they all stayed. This extension sure seems to forecast that either Highsmith or Watt isn’t long for Pittsburgh.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was quick to point out that Wilson “may not be retiring,” but it would be surprising if the former ten-time Pro Bowler and 2013 Super Bowl champion returned at this point. Wilson was on a Hall of Fame trajectory early in his career, earning the starting job for Pete Carroll’s Seahawks over Matt Flynn as a third-round rookie in 2012. With the help of the legendary Legion of Boom defense, Wilson and the Seahawks dominated the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVII to bring the franchise their first championship title, and fell just short of repeating as champions in 2014. A trade to the Broncos in 2022 didn’t work out as either side had hoped, as Wilson’s five-year, $245 million contract quickly turned into one of the worst deals in the league. After officially moving on to the Steelers in 2024, Wilson played marginally better in his 11 starts, but not well enough to come back in 2025. A forgettable six-game stint with the Giants last season, in which he threw for 831-3-3 on 119 passes, may be the last we see of Mr. Unlimited on the gridiron, as he now prepares to join CBS as a member of their Sunday pregame show. Wilson and the Jets were rumored to have interest in one another earlier this offseason, but this move to TV had been foreshadowed for a while, so it doesn’t come as much of a surprise.

Queen, 26, ranked second on the team with 79 tackles last season. He also chipped in 17 quarterback pressures, one sack and one pass breakup. He is scheduled to enter free agency next offseason. The Steelers can save $13.3 million by trading him after June 1. Queen addressed rumors about a potential trade by saying, “some of it was true, but some of it was extended truth.” Queen was a second-team All-Pro member in 2023 and earned Pro Bowl nods in 2023 and 2024. The Steelers have a capable backup in LB Cole Holcomb. Although they would surely like to retain Queen, we suppose a trade could make sense.

The nature of the “violation” appears to be purposefully omitted, although the fact that Swinton lasted less than three months with the club raises significant questions. It remains uncertain whether the full details will ever be released, with the only thing we know for sure being that Swinton is out in Pittsburgh.