Steelers Reject Contract Extensions for Five Free Agents After the 5 Superstars Demand Addition of an "Unreasonable" Clause in Their Deals
The Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to decline contract extensions for five of their free agents after a surprising turn of events, where these players requested the inclusion of what the team considered an "unreasonable" clause in their contracts.
The players, including punter Corliss Waitman, defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo, offensive lineman Ryan McCollum, outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon, and defensive lineman Jacob Slade, were all left without new deals. While each of these players had varying levels of involvement in the 2025 season, their demands for contract changes were a major factor in the Steelers' decision not to tender them offers.
Reports suggest that the players requested a special clause that would guarantee them a starting position or a certain amount of playing time, regardless of their current role or performance level. For a team that prides itself on competitiveness and merit-based advancement, such a clause was deemed "unreasonable" and "counterproductive to the team’s goals."
Of the affected players, Waitman was the most prominent, having served as the Steelers' punter after winning the position battle with Cameron Johnston in 2025. After three separate stints with the team, Waitman’s request for guaranteed playing time seemed out of place considering his performance, leading the Steelers to decline his contract extension. Similarly, McCollum, who had been with the team since 2022, also made similar demands. Despite being a versatile lineman, his limited playing time over the past two seasons made his request difficult to justify.
Meanwhile, Otomewo, who had a solid 2025 season, and Moon, who had a more limited role after rejoining the Steelers from the Panthers' practice squad, also found their demands falling on deaf ears. As for Slade, who was injured and missed most of the season, his request was deemed unrealistic given his lack of playing time and recent injury.
While these players may not return in 2026, there remains a possibility that some could be re-signed later in the year if they reconsider their demands. However, the Steelers are staying firm in their commitment to maintaining a competitive and disciplined locker room, which has long been the foundation of their success.
GM Omar Khan shared his thoughts on this decision:
“We’ve been very clear from the start about what we need: dedication, hard work, and results. Demanding an ‘unreasonable’ clause like that not only disrespects the team but also undermines the values that the Steelers have always upheld. We can’t accommodate these demands if we want to maintain our reputation and pursue our goals.”
In the end, Pittsburgh remains steadfast in upholding its core values, focusing on building a roster based on performance and dedication rather than catering to what they considered unreasonable demands from players still looking to prove themselves.
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