Tag: 2024 Steelers free agency

Patrick Peterson’s situation more complicated for return to Steelers

Patrick Peterson says he needs some lead time if he’s going to play safety this season.

From the moment the Pittsburgh Steelers released veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson at the start of the offseason, we speculated he is a perfect candidate to return to the team at some point. We also wondered if his best bet to return would be as a safety instead of a cornerback.

Peterson addressed this on the NFL on Fox Podcast and made it clear he does not want to return to the NFL as a safety.

I don’t want to start at safety because that’s a different animal back there,” Peterson said. “That’s a different view back there. If that is the case, I would need to be warned going into the season to get my body, my mental prepared. It’s different being at the safety from the cornerback position, having those open-field tackles.

In 2023, injuries forced Peterson to play a significant amount of safety for the Steelers. He played over 1,000 defensive snaps last season and nearly 1/3 of those were at safety in some capacity. While we appreciate what Peterson is saying about needing lead time, he played well at safety last season and a case can be made he was better at safety than he was at outside cornerback.

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Steelers lose out on free agent wide receiver target

The Steelers were set to meet with Chargers FA WR Mike Williams this week, but that’s not happening now. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers were set to meet with L.A. Chargers free agent wide receiver Mike Williams this week, but that’s not happening now.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Williams is signing a one-year deal with the New York Jets.

One less top receiver is off the free agent market. If the Steelers are planning to ink one without risking significant draft capital in a trade, their options are dwindling.

Las Vegas Raiders’ Hunter Renfro and Cincinnati Bengals’ Tyler Boyd are still out there.

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Steelers QB Russell Wilson now has a new pass-catcher in Van Jefferson

Steelers QB Russell Wilson now has a new pass-catcher in Van Jefferson.

Russell Wilson now has a new pass-catcher. Van Jefferson officially became a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced on Monday.

In a span of five seasons, Jefferson managed just 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns. Where there’s hope is his yards-per-catch average of 14.2.

The Jefferson acquisition has Arthur Smith‘s name all over it. In what would be Smith’s last season as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, the team received Jefferson and a 2025 seventh-round pick from the Rams in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round selection.

In 12 games (five starts) in 2023, Jefferson logged 101 yards and zero touchdowns. As a depth piece, he should do well in Smith’s system.

The Steelers are hosting L.A. Chargers free agent wide receiver Mike Williams later this week. Although his injury history (back, ankle, knee, and neck) is concerning, Williams has been productive when available.

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Bud Dupree opens up about potential reunion with Mike Tomlin, Steelers

Ex-Steelers EDGE Bud Dupree would love to reunite with Mike Tomlin.

Since the 2021 season, it’s been the T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith Show on the edge of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense.

But a familiar name popped up recently as a guy who would like to return to Pittsburgh: Bud Dupree. If the opportunity presented itself, the free agent would like to give Watt and Highsmith a helping hand.

“For sure,” Dupree said in an interview with Ron Lippock, author of “Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades.”

“If the opportunity came up. Definitely. It’s a great organization and Tomlin – he is who he is. The standard is the standard – for sure, I’d go back.”

There were rumblings of a potential reunion last offseason and the Steelers even brought him in for a visit. Instead, Dupree signed on with the Atlanta Falcons, coached then by Steelers new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

In his time away from Pittsburgh, Dupree has logged 13 sacks, 74 tackles (16 for loss), four defended passes, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 25 quarterback hits in 38 games (33 starts).

That sounds like a guy who’d be perfect to rotate in — something we suggested last month. Of course, the Steelers have newcomer Jeremiah Moon and second-year player Nick Herbig, who are also ready to answer the bell.

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QB Mitch Trubisky opens up about ‘breakup’ with Steelers

Mitch Trubisky, the first of two starting QBs released from Pittsburgh, talked about his departure from the Steelers.

Mitch Trubisky, the first of two starting quarterbacks recently jettisoned from Pittsburgh, recently opened up about his “breakup” with the Steelers.

As is typical with NFL players, it seems Trubisky initially heard through the grapevine — not directly from the Steelers — that the team was looking to move on.

“There were rumblings that they were going to do it,” Trubisky said in a Buffalo Bills press conference on March 7. “In my mindset, if it’s going to happen, it’s probably more beneficial to do it sooner rather than later… it was beneficial for both sides in the end.”

The Steelers respected Trubisky enough to release him ahead of free agency so he could get the process of speaking with other teams rolling.

It wasn’t long before Trubisky returned to Buffalo — where he was once Josh Allen’s backup for a season before landing with the Steelers — and signed a two-year, $5.25 million contract. When Pittsburgh signed him in March 2022, it was on a deal nearly three times the value, at $14.28 million.

“I was thankful the Steelers released earlier than free agency actually started,” said Trubisky. “My agent was able to start talking to some teams. I took a very relaxed approach. I just had a feeling that I would end up exactly where I was supposed to be… It felt like coming home in the end.”

Trubisky had some preferred teams in mind, but rejoining Allen and the Bills was a “no-brainer.” He and the two-time Pro Bowler had kept in touch during his two seasons with the Steelers.

While his time in Pittsburgh wasn’t successful from a career standpoint, Trubisky learned a lot about himself and what he needs from a team.

“I definitely had some ups and downs in Pittsburgh. I learned a lot more about what not to do and things I don’t like necessarily. Just being able to voice those opinions and have those opinions be heard, I think, is important.”

Trubisky intimated that his voice wasn’t heard in Pittsburgh. Maybe he should’ve spoken a little louder.

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Steelers free agency: Ex-Rams, Falcons WR Van Jefferson signs deal with Pittsburgh

The Steelers signed former Rams second-round WR Van Jefferson to a one-year contract.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed a Jefferson today. It wasn’t the Jefferson fans would’ve liked to see in the black and gold (ahem, Justin) — instead, Van Jefferson, former second-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams.

According to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, the Steelers signed Jefferson to a one-year deal.

This clearly puts the Steelers in the market for a top-round receiver in the NFL draft. For those looking for a receiver who can come in and replace Diontae Johnson, this ain’t it.

In a span of five seasons, Jefferson managed just 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns. Where there’s hope is his yards-per-catch average of 14.2.

His experience playing in and winning a Super Bowl will come in handy, too.

The Jefferson acquisition has Arthur Smith‘s name all over it. In what would be Smith’s last season as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, the team received Jefferson and a 2025 seventh-round pick from the Rams in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round selection.

In 12 games (five starts), Jefferson logged 101 yards and zero touchdowns in 2023.

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LB Patrick Queen reveals main reason for signing with Steelers

Newly-signed linebacker Patrick Queen had his introductory press conference on Friday.

We’ve heard time and time again the reason why players sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers is Mike Tomlin. It’s no different for newly-signed linebacker Patrick Queen.

“That man standing right there,” Queen said, nodding in Tomlin’s direction, as to what attracted him to the Steelers. “Just the organization itself, known for winning, known for great defense and they’ve got a bunch of stars over here. I just wanted to come be a part of that, be that extra piece to try to win again.”

Queen comes from the Steelers’ top rival, the Ravens, and is eager to help Pittsburgh further improve on its 7-1 head-to-head record since 2020.

“It’s gonna be weird, but I want to be that villain, I wanna be that guy.”

The inside linebacker started all 67 games for the Ravens, amassing four interceptions, 15 passes defended, five forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries for 58 yards and a score, 13.5 sacks, 454 tackles (37 for loss) and 33 quarterback hits.

Queen, 24, had the first of what could be many Pro Bowl nods in 2023.

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Chiefs signing WR seems to give Steelers a better shot at landing Tyler Boyd

The Kansas City Chiefs appear to be out of the running to sign free agent WR Tyler Boyd

Three teams were reportedly in the mix to sign coveted Cincinnati Bengals free agent wide receiver Tyler Boyd: the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs.

On Thursday, the Chiefs signed WR Marquise Brown to a one-year deal worth up to $11 million, effectively eliminating them from the running for Boyd.

The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly reported on Wednesday that Boyd and the Steelers have a “mutual interest.” Now there’s one less team competing for the veteran’s services.

Omar Khan has been quiet since the low-key signing of safety DeShon Elliott and internal re-signings. Hopefully that means he’s working his magic to bring Boyd back home to Pittsburgh.

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Steelers free agency: QB Russell Wilson officially signs deal

It’s officially official. The Steelers have their new QB under contract.

It’s officially official. The Pittsburgh Steelers have their new quarterback signed. Even as recently as last season, no one would’ve believed Russell Wilson would be donning the black and gold.

Wilson is expected to compete with Kenny Pickett for the QB1 gig this offseason, but we all know who will win that — and it’s not Pickett.

Wilson, who threw for 26 touchdowns to just eight interceptions in 2023, now has a defense that can help him win games. During Wilson’s tenure with the Broncos, their defense allowed a staggering 78 touchdowns (to the Steelers’ 68 in same span).

Exactly who Wilson will be throwing to in 2024 is still a work in progress. Pittsburgh traded WR1 Diontae Johnson on Tuesday, leaving a substantial void.

93.7 The Fan’s Jeff Hathhorn reported that Cincinnati Bengals free agent Tyler Boyd wants to “come home” to Pittsburgh, but Steelers fans have been waiting patiently for that to happen. Otherwise, the team could draft a top-tier receiver high and move George Pickens into the WR1 role.

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Ravens All-Pro Kyle Hamilton posts hilarious meme about loss of Patrick Queen

The Ravens lost free agent LB Patrick Queen to the Steelers, and their All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton got a little choked up.

The Baltimore Ravens lost free agent inside linebacker Patrick Queen to their rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, and their All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton isn’t too happy.

Hamilton still mustered a little humor, tweeting a Vince McMahon meme with: “Dad, didn’t you play with @Patrick queen_ in Baltimore?”

The classic meme is a scene from the 2020 documentary “Undertaker: The Last Ride,” in which McMahon gets choked up while discussing his friendship with wrestler The Undertaker.

Once official, Queen will be a welcome addition to a Steelers defense that has struggled with the inside linebacker spot since Ryan Shazier‘s unfortunate retirement.

The Ravens first-round draft pick has started all 67 games, amassing four interceptions, 15 passes defended, five forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries for 58 yards and a score, 13.5 sacks, 454 tackles (37 for loss) and 33 quarterback hits.

Queen earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2023.

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