Which of the Steelers’ own remaining free agents should they re-sign (besides Aaron Rodgers), if anybody?
With the draft a month away, teams are preparing for the next phase, the Steelers having signed their most significant free agents. It’s possible that they continue to fill a gap or two, but for the most part, the job is done. They lost some key players, but several of the Steelers’ free agents remain available. Should they approach any of them about a return—either now or later this offseason?
The Steelers have 16 unsigned free agents, excluding “street” free agents that they released. QB Aaron Rodgers is the most obvious, and for our purposes, we are not including him. They are already on record as wanting him to return, so the ball is in his court. This exercise is about gauging the interest they should have in the rest of the group. QB Skylar Thompson is also a free agent, so and they currently have two quarterbacks on the roster.
The Steelers have three safeties out there as free agents, but they also signed two from the outside. Or will have, once Darnell Savage officially signs. Kyle Dugger started last season, but is Jaquan Brisker his replacement? Also free agents are Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers, two veterans the Steelers picked up late last year.
The defensive line of another group with a bulk of names with Daniel Ekuale, Dean Lowry, and Isaiahh Loudermilk. All three of them are coming off injuries, though, and the Steelers added Sebastian Joseph-Day as a free agent.
At wide receiver, the Steelers have three free agents in Scotty Miller, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Adam Thielen. For all intents and purpose, Thielen is retired, but the other two are available. They traded for Michael Pittman Jr., a starter, but allowed Calvin Austin III to leave. They clearly still lack depth at this position, even in terms of sheer numbers.
Of the Steelers’ remaining free agents, OL Andrus Peat might have the best argument to return. While they signed Brock Hoffman, the offensive line is a place that can always use reinforcements. And there is enough uncertainty with the left side of the offensive line that it’s particularly prudent now.
But while the Steelers have several of their own still out there, they also have every other team’s free agents to choose from. Odds are someone, somewhere, let a better player go in most cases. And with the nearly complete overhaul of the coaching staff, consistency of coaching is not an issue.
The Steelers exited the playoffs in the first round yet again, a pattern going back to 2017.With seven consecutive postseason losses, and no wins in nearly a decade, they are facing another long, long offseason. No doubt we will see many changes, but none will top Mike Tomlin resigning.
The NFL has crowned its latest champion, but for us and the Steelers, we have been in offseason mode. That’s what happens when the team you coverloses by the middle of January all the time, but you’ve been around, so you know that already. Enjoy the ride, even the turbulence, because it’s the only way we know how to travel anymore.
Recommended for you