Steelers Decline To Tender Three Restricted Free Agents

The Pittsburgh Steelers did not offer tenders to three restricted free agents in P Corliss Waitman, EDGE Jeremiah Moon, C Ryan McCollum, making them unrestricted free agents when the new league officially began Wednesday at 4 PM/EST.

A fourth RFA, DL Esezi Otomewo, is reportedly returning not on a tender but via a separate one-year contract. Pittsburgh’s lone exclusive rights free agent, DL Jacob Slade, also was not tendered.

Though untendered, it’s possible these players are re-signed on contracts far cheaper than the tender amount, which was $3.52 million for the lowest level. Long snapper Christian Kuntz hinted that’ll be the case with Waitman, who would then compete with Cameron Johnston in a redo of their 2025 training camp battle. Johnston signed back with Pittsburgh yesterday.

Waitman’s served as the Steelers’ starting punter for the bulk of the past two seasons. His play was inconsistent and though he dealt with the difficulty of a Pittsburgh winter, his numbers weren’t great. In 2024, Waitman averaged 46.4 gross yards followed by a 45.4-yard figure in 2025. A solid holder, he worked well with K Chris Boswell, and his left-footed punting provided a small but important advantage that helped him beat out Johnston last training camp.

Waitman first punted for the Steelers in 2021, filling in for Pressley Harvin III for two games. In 2022, Waitman became the Denver Broncos’ starting punter and led the NFL with 96 boots. Spending 2023 on the sidelines, Waitman found his way back to Pittsburgh in 2024 after Johnston suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1.

Moon has bounced on and off the Steelers’ roster the last two years. In 2025, he appeared in two games and recorded two tackles. His most notable highlight came in 2024, blocking a punt in a Steelers win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

McCollum’s served as Pittsburgh’s backup center the last two seasons. He filled in twice for Zach Frazier in 2024. While McCollum earned one official start in 2025, it came as a tackle-eligible in a Week 10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. With Frazier healthy throughout the year, McCollum logged just 10 offensive snaps. He may return on a cheaper deal, though a new coaching staff may want to assemble its own offensive line depth.

Slade suffered a training camp knee injury and spent the year on injured reserve. He’s yet to appear in an NFL game.

Pittsburgh’s own unrestricted free agents are now able to sign contracts with other teams. Several have reportedly agreed to terms with other organizations: RB Kenneth Gainwell and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, OG Isaac Seumalo and the Arizona Cardinals, and CB James Pierre and the Minnesota Vikings. Notable free agents who have yet to re-sign or reportedly agree to terms elsewhere include WR Calvin Austin III, OT Andrus Peat, S Kyle Dugger, and, of course, QB Aaron Rodgers.