Steelers Decide Not to Tender Three of Their 2026 Restricted Free Agents
The Steelers have chosen not to tender three restricted free agents for 2026. The team didn’t give contracts to center Ryan McCollum, linebacker Jeremiah Moon, and punter Corliss Waitman. They became unrestricted free agents when the new league year started on Wednesday, March 11th, at 4:00 p.m. EST. They can now negotiate with other teams. Pittsburgh still has the option to match a deal that’s offered by another team if they decide that they want to keep an unrestricted free agent.
The official NFL website lists the tender amount that a team must offer a restricted free agent in 2026. The website states the following: “For right of first refusal only, a one-year salary of at least $3,520,000.” “For right of first refusal and compensation of one second-round draft selection, a one-year salary of at least $5,767,000 or 110 percent of the 2025 Paragraph 5 salary, whichever is greater.” “For right of first refusal and compensation of one first-round draft selection, a one-year salary of at least $8,046,000 or 110 percent of the 2025 Paragraph 5 salary, whichever is greater.” A Paragraph 5 salary is the base salary listed in Paragraph 5 of the standard NFL player contract.
McCollum has been with the Steelers since August 2022. He’s been serving as their backup center. He’s played in 34 games over the past two seasons, starting three times. He’s logged 164 offensive snaps.
Moon initially signed with the Steelers in February of 2024. He then inked a one-year deal in March of 2025. He was released with an injury settlement in August. Moon was signed to the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad in October. He played in one game. He rejoined the Steelers in mid-December. Moon has provided depth at the outside linebacker position throughout the time he’s been with Pittsburgh. In two seasons with the team, he’s played in 15 games. During that time, he’s amassed 11 total tackles.
Waitman signed with the Steelers in December of 2021. In January of 2022, the team released him. After spending some time as a member of other teams, he returned to the Steelers in September of 2024. He was their primary punter for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Throughout his time with the team, he’s appeared in 35 games. Waitman averaged 46.4 gross punt yards in 2024 and 45.5 gross punt yards in 2025.
