The Pittsburgh Steelers did not tender exclusive-rights free agent Jacob Slade a contract by Wednesday's deadline, which likely ends his tenure with the club.
Slade spent the entire 2025 season on the Steelers' injured reserve list after suffering a preseason knee injury. He was waived with an injury designation, cleared waivers, and reverted to the Steelers' injured reserve list of the rest of the year.
As an exclusive-rights free agent, the Steelers needed only to offer him a contract at the minimum amount in order to keep his rights, so the team declining to do so essentially means they believe his is not currently worth a slot on the 90-man roster.
Unlike restricted free agents that are not tendered, ERFA players that are cut loose usually end up signing elsewhere. The Steelers did not tender any of their four RFAs , re-signing Esezi Otomewo to a separate deal while letting center Ryan McCollum , outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon and punter Corliss Waitman become unrestricted free agents.
Slade, 26, spent two seasons with the Steelers. He first joined the club on a future contract in January 2024. He spent all of the 2024 season on the Steelers practice squad, without appearing in a game, and was re-signed for 2025 last offseason.
A Michigan State alum, Slade originally signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023 and spent his entire first pro season on their practice squad. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL , but never played for the team.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Let ERFA Defensive Tackle Walk without Offer
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