To finish up some housekeeping before the Steelers 2011 season gets underway, here is the list of Steelers players that will be free agents and whether or not they are restricted, unrestricted or exclusive rights free agents. All of these players are in the final year under contract in 2011. Exclusive free agents must accept the minimum tendered them, so that means Isaac Redman and Steve McLendon are almost certain to return if wanted. Mike Wallace will likely be given the highest tender possibly, while David Johnson, Doug Legursky, Ramon Foster, Keenan Lewis and Ryan Mundy tenders will depend on their quality of play in 2011. They likely will only require low level tenders in order to retain them. We will have the tender amounts for the various levels closer to the end of the season. The most notable unrestricted free agent is of course Troy Polamalu. If an extension is not reached before the end of the season, he will likely be given the franchise tag until a new deal is reached prior to the start of the 2012 season.
Unrestricted
QB Charlie Batch
QB Byron Leftwich
QB Dennis Dixon
WR Jerricho Cotchery
DE Aaron Smith Contract extended in October
G/T Trai Essex
NT Chris Hoke
S Troy Polamalu Signed extension prior to start of season
CB William Gay
P Daniel Sepulveda
DB Anthony Madison
T Max Starks
RB Mewelde Moore
T Jamon Meredith
Restricted
WR Mike Wallace
TE David Johnson
G/C Doug Legursky
G/T Ramon Foster
CB Keenan Lewis
S Ryan Mundy
Exclusive Rights
RB Isaac Redman
NT Steve McLendon
