PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Saturday that three additional members of their 2026 draft class have signed rookie contracts, bringing the total of signed picks to six as the team begins its first minicamp.
The newly signed players are third‑round selections cornerback Daylen Everett, guard Gennings Dunker, and fifth‑round fullback Riley Nowakowski. Their agreements were reported to be standard “slotted” rookie deals, consistent with the salary scale outlined in the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement.
The trio joins wide receiver Kaden Wetjen (fourth round), offensive tackle Gabriel Rubio (sixth round) and safety Robert Spears‑Jennings (seventh round), all of whom previously signed contracts with the Steelers. The remaining draft selections—offensive tackle Max Iheanachor (first round), wide receiver Germie Bernard (second round), quarterback Drew Allar (third round) and running back Eli Heidenreich (seventh round)—have yet to reach agreements.
The signings reflect a growing trend in the league to secure rookie contracts before players step onto the practice field for the first time. Under the NFL’s “letter of protection” system, unsigned draft picks may participate in team activities while receiving a guarantee that, should they suffer a serious injury, a contract will be awarded. However, coaches and agents increasingly prefer to have the full contract in place, eliminating uncertainty for both parties and ensuring players receive the league‑mandated rookie salary.
By finalizing deals early, the Steelers aim to provide stability for their new players and streamline the transition from college to professional football. The early agreements also allow the coaching staff to evaluate the entire group during minicamp without the distraction of pending negotiations.
The team’s front office has not disclosed specific financial terms, noting that all contracts adhere to the league’s rookie wage scale. The Steelers will continue to work with the remaining draftees over the coming weeks, with the expectation that most, if not all, will sign before the start of organized team activities.
Securing the majority of its draft class ahead of the preseason positions Pittsburgh to focus on conditioning, playbook installation, and depth‑chart decisions as the franchise seeks to improve on last season’s performance.
