Tag: Steelers free agency

Myles Jack acquisition forecasts release of LB Joe Schobert

Well… it was (not) good while it lasted. 

Well… it was (not) good while it lasted.

With the recent news the Pittsburgh Steelers are signing linebacker Myles Jack, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reports that the team will release linebacker Joe Schobert.

According to Over the Cap, the potential move would clear $7.834 million in cap space, though the Steelers would still be on the hook for $1.416 million in dead money. Schobert’s 2022 cap number is $9.722 million.

Schobert played in all 16 games logging 112 tackles (two for loss), one quarterback hit, a forced fumble and one interception.

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Steelers expected to sign All-Pro Linebacker Myles Jack

The Pittsburgh Steelers made that splash move everyone expected from a team flush with cash. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers made that splash move everyone expected from a team flush with cash.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported today that the Steelers are expected to sign All-Pro linebacker Myles Jack.

More to come from Steelers Wire

REPORT: Jacoby Brissett ‘among the considerations’ for Steelers at QB

Brissett has ties to several on the Steelers coaching staff.

Of all the quarterback banter this offseason, here’s one that actually makes sense.

“The Steelers are discussing the possibility of adding a quarterback when free agency begins next week, and among the considerations is a player who has not been mentioned among the myriad of names being tossed around, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac wrote.

According to Dulac’s sources, Jacoby Brissett is that quarterback.

Dulac points to ties with Brissett and several on the Steelers coaching staff — Matt Canada (offensive coordinator), Eddie Faulkner (running backs), Frisman Jackson (wide receivers) and Brian Flores (senior defensive assistant).

Brissett was at North Carolina State with the offensive coaches and with Flores on two separate occasions — New England in 2016 and the Miami Dolphins last season.

Brissett, 29, fits the bill of the kind of quarterback Mike Tomlin is seeking: Long, stout and mobile.

Though the veteran could be brought to Pittsburgh on the cheap (he played with the Dolphins for $5 million last season), he’s not head and shoulders above presumed incumbent Mason Rudolph.

In six seasons and with three teams, Brissett has put up 7,742 yards, 36 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. On the ground, Brissett’s produced 653 yards and 13 touchdowns.

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Steelers sign restricted free agent Ray-Ray McCloud

The Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to terms with wide receiver/return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud.

Per a source of NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms with wide receiver/return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud.

The Steelers signed McCloud after the Carolina Panthers released him on his birthday, Oct. 15, 2019.

McCloud took over punt returns from wide receiver Dionte Johnson when he struggled to maintain control of the ball. Ray-Ray ended the season with 298 yards in punt returns and 646 in kick returns. Though close to taking one to the house, his longest was 57 yards (punt returns) and 49 yards (kick returns).

Though a small sample size, McCloud shouldn’t be discounted as a depth receiver. He contributed 77 yards on 20 receptions and three first downs for a 91 percent catch rate. He also added four rushing attempts for 65 yards and a first down.

Steelers Wire ranked McCloud second among 2021 restricted free agents. The speediness he showcases on returns and his ability as a weapon on offense are talents Pittsburgh needs.

The Steelers are still an estimated $5 million over the $185.5 million salary cap as of Wednesday. After the McCloud signing, 20 pending free agents remain for the new league year on March 17.

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Steelers reinforce linebacker depth with Marcus Allen contract

The Steelers announced on Tuesday that they have tendered exclusive rights free agent linebacker, Marcus Allen. 

The Steelers announced on Tuesday that they have tendered exclusive rights free agent linebacker, Marcus Allen.

An exclusive rights free agent (ERFA) is any player with less than three accrued seasons and an expired contract. The player cannot negotiate with other teams if his original team offers him a contract. The contract is for one season at the NFL league minimum salary, which, according to Spotrac, is $850,000.

Allen entered the NFL as a safety, but the Steelers converted him to linebacker last season. The bulk of Allen’s work came via special teams with six tackles on 196 snaps. Defensively, he contributed 30 tackles (two for loss), and two quarterback hits in two starts and 14 appearances.

Pittsburgh selected the Penn State product in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft.

Allen is still a work in progress, but the switch to linebacker afforded him more opportunities to see the field than at safety. The linebacker position is where Pittsburgh desperately needs depth, so it’s good that they got this deal done.

After signing J.C. Hassenaur last week, the remaining ERFA is linebacker Robert Spillane.

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