Time will tell how different the Pittsburgh Steelers might be under new head coach Mike McCarthy. But at least early in the McCarthy era, the Steelers are still falling short in one area where they often did under Mike Tomlin — undrafted free agency.
The Steelers had just six undrafted free agents this spring. Two of them didn’t survive with the team until training camp.
On Saturday, Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora voiced his discontent for Pittsburgh’s inability to find impact undrafted free agents.
“Pittsburgh’s lackluster UDFA groups continue to be a source of frustration,” wrote Kozora. “It won’t doom the Steelers’ chances to compete, and in fairness, the roster has gotten better in other ways. But the franchise should be competitive in every part of roster building.
“Pittsburgh falls short here.”
This spring, McCarthy and the Steelers have already cut tight end Chamon Metayer and inside linebacker Daylan Carnell. A third 2026 undrafted free agent, kicker Laith Marjan, appears to have an extremely slim path to a roster spot.
Barring a Chris Boswell injury, Marjan has no chance to make the roster.
Pittsburgh’s other three undrafted free agents this year were cornerback Devan Boykin, defensive lineman Kevin Jobity Jr. and tight end Lake McRee.
Steelers Lack of Undrafted Free Agency Impact
GettyCornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. spent a year and a half with the Pittsburgh Steelers are going undrafted.
The Steelers were never going to have a huge undrafted free agency class this spring. Not with who the team already had on its roster and 12 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.
After draft weekend trades, the Steelers made 10 picks in the draft. Still, there just wasn’t a lot of room for a big undrafted free agency class.
But that doesn’t mean Kozora isn’t right about the organization’s investment in undrafted free agency. According to Spotrac, the Steelers were last in the NFL with just $112,000 spent in guaranteed money on undrafted free agents this spring.
That’s nothing new. The Steelers have been last in guaranteed money for undrafted free agents each of the past four years.
The franchise doesn’t appear to believe it’s an effective way to build the roster. That’s the more positive way to put the Steelers lack of undrafted free agency investments. To put it more frankly, the Steelers might simply be counting pennies.
Either way, Kozora finds the team’s approach frustrating and rightfully so.
How Mike McCarthy, Steelers Have Improved Without Undrafted Free Agency Help
GettySteelers Depot’s Alex Kozora argued undrafted free agents continue to be a source of frustration for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Already cutting two rookies is a clear sign the Steelers didn’t add elite undrafted free agents. But if one wants to place a positive spin on that fact, at least the team isn’t settling for those less-than-stellar first-year prospects.
The Steelers improved the bottom of their roster by cutting Metayer and Carnell.
“The latecomers could provide a boost. Pittsburgh added C Greg Crippen out of rookie minicamp and inked CB Tamon Lynum shortly thereafter,” wrote Kozora. “The Steelers also got better in replacing Metayer and Carnell by adding veterans in TE Robert Tonyan and ILB Jacoby Windmon.
“That’s at least a positive.”
It’s also not as if the Steelers have never found impactful undrafted free agents despite their lack of financial investment in that area of roster building.
Starting running back Jaylen Warren was an undrafted free agent. So was slot cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. although he spent only a season and a half with the organization.
Two decades ago, the Steelers signed 2-time Super Bowl champion running back Willie Parker in undrafted free agency.
Pittsburgh finds and develops undrafted rookies on occasion. The organization would just likely increase its success rate if it spent more money on signing the best undrafted rookies.
Steelers Rookies Often ‘Source of Frustration’ in 1 Clear Way: Analyst