Steelers Best Free Agent Signings of Last Decade

The Pittsburgh Steelers put together a forgettable free agent class in 2025. Headlined by players like Aaron Rodgers, it was also marked with some stinkers like Juan Thornhill and Darius Slay. Neither Slay nor Thornhill finished the season in Pittsburgh, and the now team is hoping to right their wrongs in free agency this year.

While their recent performance might cast doubt, the Steelers have found success in free agency before.

Over the last decade, the Steelers have avoided huge, damning contracts. They've stayed away from those monstrous deals in favor or shorter term contracts. With his approach, they've landed some incredible players. These three in particular stand out as the best Steelers free agent signings of the last decade.

Tyson Alualu - The Glue in the Middle

Back in 2017, the Steelers added a hard-nosed defensive lineman in Tyson Alualu. The former Jacksonville Jaguars draft pick was brought in on a cheap, two-year contract. The Steelers paid him $6 million in total, but guaranteed only $1.75 million. In return, they received a starting nose tackle who was one of the more underrated pieces and factors in the rise of Cam Heyward. Alualu was a stout run-stopper and a pocket collapser who filled his role perfectly.

Alualu parlayed that first contract into a few more with Pittsburgh, ultimately playing six years with the Steelers. That's a hell of a return for a two-year, $6 million deal.