Tag: Steelers free agency

Why the Steelers should keep Russell Wilson over Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stuck to his guns with Russell Wilson, who could be the club’s quarterback in 2025.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, a franchise built on a legacy of strong leadership and consistent success, face a decision on which quarterback will lead their team in the coming years. While both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields bring unique talents, keeping Wilson could offer more immediate and sustainable benefits.

Russell Wilson brings experience and leadership

Wilson’s resume speaks for itself. As a Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Wilson has proven he can perform at the highest level and lead a team under pressure. His experience is invaluable for a franchise like the Steelers, who are committed to winning and have a fan base that expects playoff contention each season. Wilson’s presence would stabilize the field and locker room, making him an ideal mentor to younger players and the perfect fit for a team focused on maintaining a winning culture.

Adaptability and consistency for Steelers

Wilson’s play style aligns with the Steelers’ offensive philosophy. Known for his adaptability and clutch performances, he can execute passing and rushing plays effectively, creating a versatile offensive scheme. While talented, Fields is still developing his skills at the pro level and, therefore, lacks the consistency that Wilson has honed over his career. Given the unpredictable nature of the NFL, Wilson’s ability to perform under any circumstance is a crucial asset.

Steelers’ short-term success and long-term growth

While Fields has potential, Wilson’s immediate impact is irrefutable. Keeping Wilson allows the Steelers to continue their pursuit of championships (one thing Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt are without) without the uncertainties of developing a young quarterback. By building around Wilson, the Steelers can maintain a balance of veteran stability while gradually nurturing future talent.

In a league where experience and dependability are essential, the Steelers’ best option is to stick with Russell Wilson over Justin Fields.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers insider shares financials of Pat Feiermuth’s new contract

The Steelers wrapped up Pat Freiermuth’s new contract just days before the team’s first game.

Shortly after practice ended on Friday for the Pittsburgh Steelers, tight end Pat Freiermuth got the call in the locker room that the Steelers and his representatives had worked out a new five-year contract that has a full value of $49.88 million. This is according to Steelers beat writer Gerry Dulac.

In this case, Freiermuth had one year left on his deal so while it was called a four-year extension, they just tore up his old deal and created a new five-year contract making him one of the 10 highest-paid tight ends in the NFL. The contract includes $23.38 million in guaranteed money.

https://twitter.com/gerrydulac/status/1832110728322674828

The Steelers selected Freiermuth in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft. Freiermuth’s career best in receptions (63) and receiving yards (732) was in 2021. We expect him to be a significant part of the new Pittsburgh passing game with this new contract.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers running out of free agent options at wide receiver

Corey Davis and Michael Thomas are the best available options for the Steelers in free agency.

While watching how the Pittsburgh Steelers have handled (mishandled?) the wide receiver position this offseason, we have to wonder what trick the coaches and front office have up their sleeve for the upcoming season.

Nevertheless, we continue to hope Pittsburgh isn’t satisfied with their current crop of receivers. That could mean the Steelers are still in the market to trade for a player like Brandon Aiyuk or the like. But if not, free agency is still out there. That’s not to say things are great, quite the contrary. The free-agent market is quickly drying up with few options left.

The best player still on the market is former New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas. Injuries have limited him over the past several years but when healthy he’s better than anyone Pittsburgh already has on the roster to line up with George Pickens and should come cheap.

It’s hard to believe the player we saw catch only 95 passes over the last four seasons combined is the guy who caught 149 alone the season before. If the Steelers could count on Thomas for between 45 and 55 catches, he’s worth the add.

Another name to keep in mind is Corey Davis. Davis was the No. 5 overall pick back in 2017. Davis was on the Tennessee Titans in 2020 when now-Steelers OC Arthur Smith ran the offense. He had career highest in receptions (65), receiving yards (984) and receiving touchdowns (5) that season. He’s our sleeper pick to join the team during training camp even over Thomas after taking the 2023 season off.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers ST coordinator Danny Smith gushes about his new punter

Danny Smith took a shot at his old punter after practice on Tuesday.

Perhaps the most under-the-radar move the Pittsburgh Steelers made this offseason was moving on from punter Pressley Harvin III and adding Cameron Johnston in his place in free agency.

After the first day of mandatory OTAs, special teams coordinator Danny Smith addressed the media and subtly threw Harvin under the bus in his praise of Johnston.

I love him. He’s a real pro. He’s strong. He’s got game and I call game different types of punts. We could do a lot of things with him in that game,” Smith said. “He’s a pro. I love him. I really do. He’s going to really help us. I think you’re going to see a big improvement in that area with him.

It was a real head-scratcher as to why the Steelers kept Harvin as long as they did but the past is the past and Johnston is going to be the difference maker on special teams this group has been lacking.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

TD Wire ranks Steelers LB Patrick Queen among best linebackers in NFL

The Steelers signed Patrick Queen in the offseason to bolster the middle fo the defense.

One of the big splash moves of the offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers was the addition of linebacker Patrick Queen from the Baltimore Ravens in free agency. The addition of Queen gives the Steelers as good of a playmaker as this team has had at inside linebacker since Ryan Shazier.

Our friends over at TD Wire ranked the 11 best inside linebackers in the NFL and Queen checked in at No. 11. We might be a little biased but this number feels a little low for how he played last season and we are banking on him moving way up this season in the Steelers defensive system.

Here’s what they had to say about Queen:

Patrick Queen was yet another Baltimore defender who put together a career year under 2023 defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, and the 2020 28th overall pick out of LSU cashed in big with a new three-year, $41 million contract with $13,840 million guaranteed to play for his former AFC North rival. The Steelers have been looking in vain for functionally athletic linebackers since Ryan Shazier’s retirement, and based on his 2023 tape, Queen might finally be That Guy.

Queen finished 2023 with 105 solo tackles, four sacks and nine tackles for loss. Queen and rookie Payton Wilson has a chance to be a special tandem on the inside.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

DB Patrick Peterson might still be the best FA option for the Steelers

Patrick Peterson thinks he can come in and excel as a nickel cornerabck and the Steelers better be listening.

When it comes to the cornerback position, the Pittsburgh Steelers are set with No. 1 corner Joey Porter Jr. However, after Porter, this depth chart has more questions than answers in terms of who will play where. With the NFL draft in the books, it’s all about who is available in free agency.

But there is still a guy out there, a guy who is going to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday who knows the team pretty well. Patrick Peterson went on his All Things Covered Podcast and talked about what his role could be on an NFL defense this season.

“It don’t necessarily have to be a starting situation because I understand the way the league is going, said Peterson. “As far as a backup role, it would have to be like a nickel position because I feel like I can excel at a nickel position. I feel like I can guard whoever’s number two or three receiver in the slot position of a defense. I feel like over the course of the year I started to get more and more comfortable with the assignments.”

If the Steelers could get Peterson back to play the nickel, it might be the final piece of the puzzle in the secondary. We are still holding out hope that Cory Trice Jr. will be healthy this season and can compete to be the primary backup on the outside to Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

8 free agents still on the market who could help the Steelers

It’s nearly June and the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the midst of OTAs. The Steelers have had a very strong free agency period and followed that up with one of the best NFL draft hauls in the league. However, even after all that, there are still …

It’s nearly June and the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the midst of OTAs. The Steelers have had a very strong free agency period and followed that up with one of the best NFL draft hauls in the league. However, even after all that, there are still positions on this roster that need help. Here are eight free agents still on the market who could help the Steelers.

Former Steelers WR Allen Robinson signs with Giants

The New York Giants have signed former Steelers WR Allen Robinson.

Last offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers brought in wide receiver Allen Robinson to be an experienced veteran presence in the locker room and add another weapon in the passing game. The plan never really came to fruition but no fault of Robinson’s and now he finds himself a free agent signing with the New York Giants.

Robinson, like the rest of the Steelers skill players suffered thanks to a nearly full season of subpar quarterback play. Robinson only caught 34 passes for 280 yards in 2023 but did provide solid run blocking on the outside.

The Steelers have spent much of the offseason trying to rebuild the wide receiver depth chart after letting Robinson walk and trading away Diontae Johnson. The Steelers have signed multiple veterans including Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins along with most recently Scotty Miller.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin: We ‘don’t feel overly thirsty’ heading into NFL draft

Pittsburgh had a huge free agency and can cruise into the NFL draft.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the big movers and shakers in free agency this offseason. General manager Omar Khan has put together back-to-back free agency hauls that have Steeler Nation excited about the future.

Khan also did well with the 2023 NFL draft and everyone is hoping for a repeat performance. But when head coach Mike Tomlin addressed the media on Monday he was casual about the draft because of how well the Steelers did in free agency.

You know, it’s two means by which we develop our football team for 2024 that goes with existing talent: It’s free agency and the draft. We’ve been very active in free agency and that makes you really comfortable as we lean in on draft weekend. We’ve addressed a lot of needs and you don’t feel overly thirsty in any particular.

This is not to say the team doesn’t have needs, because it does. After trading away Diontae Johnson, the team is minus a starting wide receiver and they are still in need of another starting cornerback. Pittsburgh could also stand an upgrade at center and offensive tackle. Nevertheless, it sounds like the Steelers are going to let the first round unfold for them and let that dictate the direction they go.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

15 Steelers free agents who remain unsigned

The Pittsburgh Steelers have put on a free agency show like they have never done before this offseason. Many critical voids have been filled, and things have been quiet with the NFL draft just over three weeks away. Pittsburgh has 15 free agents who …

The Pittsburgh Steelers have put on a free agency show like they have never done before this offseason. Many critical voids have been filled, and things have been quiet with the NFL draft just over three weeks away.

Pittsburgh has 15 free agents who remain without a team — linebackers chief among them. Given how recent seasons have played out, it seems the Steelers can’t have enough quality depth there. Re-signing guys like Markus Golden and Kwon Alexander might be a smart move.

Here are the former Steelers players who could (or not) make their way back to the Steel City.