Steelers Have Perfect Price To Sign Mike Evans Revealed

The fan base for the Pittsburgh Steelers will not have to wait much longer for the franchise to begin making significant roster moves. The 2026 new league year will begin on Wednesday, March 11th, but teams can also start recruiting pending free agents once the legal tampering period begins. General Manager Omar Khan is holding onto over $40 million in cap space, as well as a projected 12 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. It's safe to say that the possibilities are endless, and the front office in the Steel City could be extremely active as it works to revamp a collective that made the playoffs in 2025.

The wide receiver market will be something to keep a close eye on. As DK Metcalf prepares to enter his second campaign in Pittsburgh, the team needs to surround him with playmakers that open up the offense. No one should be surprised if the organization uses the trade market, free agency and the NFL Draft to address the depleted group.

While speaking with the crew on The Fan Morning Show on Wednesday, team beat writer Ray Fittipaldo echoed a sentiment that he mentioned during his fan chat on Tuesday. Mike Evans makes a ton of sense for the Steelers, and not just because he can still play at the age of 32. He would be the perfect mentor to the younger players in the room. Additionally, there's no way Pittsburgh will price itself out of contention, with the veteran being at the backend of his career.

"A guy like Mike Evans would make sense to me," Fittipaldo said. "Like, what would Evans cost at this stage of his career? I don't know, like, he's not going to break the bank. One year, $15 million. Two for 25 [million dollars], whatever that would be, but they need like a [veteran] mentor. They were really missing that leadership last year until [Adam] Thielen and [Marquez Valdes-Scantling] got here."

With the amount of financial flexibility at Khan's disposal, both contracts proposed by Fittipaldo make all the sense in the world. At the end of the day, Evans will have his choice when several franchises start calling when the tampering window opens up. Having a commitment from Aaron Rodgers would go a long way in luring the veteran to the Steel City.

Evans has been one of the most consistent and best pass-catchers of his generation. If he decides to play for another team that isn't the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he will need to be convinced that he has a chance to win and bolster his future Hall of Fame candidacy. As the Steelers are getting set to start the new league year, it should be doubted that Pittsburgh is on the top of the free agent's wish list currently.

Things can change in a hurry. Not only does money talk, but a formidable quarterback does too. Evans would have all the confidence in the world that Rodgers would get him the football. Additionally, the presence of Evans would be sure to open up Metcalf. Lastly, any rookies would have time to acclimate to the professional level and learn from one of the best to ever do it. There are many more positives than negatives, but will the Super Bowl champion even entertain signing with the Steelers?

Steelers Should Immediately Be Calling Evans On Monday

The wide receiver's agent will be awfully busy when the legal tampering period kicks off on Monday, March 9th. Khan should absolutely be one of the general managers calling that phone line, as paying roughly $15 million per year is well within the Steelers' price range. It may be a longshot if Rodgers doesn't commit to playing by then; however, the front office in Pittsburgh will leave no stone unturned, and adding a veteran like Evans would be one of the biggest free agency signings in several years.