Rookies still on the board late on Day 3 don’t wait until the conclusion of the draft to engage in undrafted free agency negotiations. Running back Eli Heidenreich revealed that’s what happened for him during the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie said on the latest episode of The Christian Kuntz Podcast that he even came to terms on an undrafted free agency deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“My agent was talking to Tampa Bay, and I agreed that I would sign with them in preferred free agency,” Heidenreich told Kuntz. “So I was kind of set there and now I was sitting and all of a sudden, I got that phone call, and I pick up, and it was Omar [Khan].
“He was like, ‘Ready to be a Pittsburgh Steeler?’ And I was like, ‘Holy crap.'”
The Steelers selected Heidenreich at No. 230 overall in the seventh round. At the time, there were only 28 picks remaining in the draft.
It was also Pittsburgh’s final choice in the draft class.
Steelers Selected Eli Heidenreich in 2026 NFL Draft
GettyRunning back Eli Heidenreich averaged 11.3 yards per touch during his college career at Navy.
The Steelers picking Heidenreich became the top feel-good story of the seventh round and perhaps even all of Day 3 in the 2026 draft. In addition to being a U.S. service member, Heidenreich grew up and played high school football for Mt. Lebanon, which is located about seven miles from Acrisure Stadium.
With the Buccaneers, Heidenreich could have received a terrific opportunity as an undrafted free agent. Who knows — maybe he also would have signed with more guaranteed money than a seventh-round pick receives?
But it’s hard not to see Heidenreich landing with the Steelers as fate. Steelers Depot’s Josh Carney described the selection as meant to be.
“He’s right where he’s meant to be in the end,” wrote Carney. “Things happen for a reason.”
The Buccaneers didn’t have a seventh-round selection. If they wanted to ensure landing him without hoping he went undrafted, the Buccaneers needed to pick him at No. 185 overall or sooner.
Tampa Bay could have also traded into the seventh round with a pick next year. But the Buccaneers didn’t make either of those moves.
Could Heidenreich Make Steelers 2026 Roster?
GettyPittsburgh Steelers running back Eli Heidenreich revealed which NFL team he nearly signed with as an undrafted free agent.
While the Steelers invested a draft pick in Heidenreich, the Navy product still has to perform well in training camp and the preseason to earn a roster spot.
The Steelers lost Kenneth Gainwell in NFL free agency. But Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson will return. The team also signed Rico Dowdle and Travis Homer in free agency.
Heidenreich will probably have to display versatility throughout the summer to make the 53-man roster. That includes playing on special teams.
Fortunately, Heidenreich is accustomed to filling a lot of different roles. At Navy last season, he ran for 499 yards and caught 51 passes for 941 yards. Heidenreich averaged 6.5 yards per rush and 18.5 yards per reception as a senior.
Earlier in his college career, he returned punts and played some other roles on special teams.
Heidenreich finished his Navy career with 3,151 yards from scrimmage and 23 total touchdowns in 38 games.
Steelers’ Eli Heidenreich Spills He Nearly Landed With NFC Foe