Larry Foote To Become a Free Agent: Could He Return To the Steelers?

It is not very often that when a team makes a mistake, that they get the chance to correct it a year later.

Last off season, the Steelers released Larry Foote. It was thought at the time, Lawrence Timmons was ready to become the full time starter, and that Foote was not capable of replacing James Farrior. Nor would Foote want to stay in Pittsburgh as a back up.

One year later, looking at the situation, the Steelers made a mistake. Timmons was, and is, ready to be the full time starter, but James Farrior has obviously lost a step.

There was debate here on Bleacher Report that Foote should have been kept, and that James Farrior should have been the one worrying about playing time.

Foote went from playing on one of the best defenses to ever play the game, on a team that won the Super Bowl, to the worst team in the NFL, that was unable to win a single game.

Why would Foote want to play for the lowly Lions? Not to break the bank, but to go home, to play in front of the fans he grew up with.

Steelers fans, me included, bid Foote a fond farewell, wishing him only the best.

Now, it is looking like Foote may again be on the free agent market. Foote signed only a one year contract with the Lions, and according to The Detroit News , Foote believes that he has played his final game for the Lions.

"Obviously, I'm not a big priority for them ," he said.  "We're just going to test free agency and see from there."  

Foote is not a young man, he is 30, but he already knows the system, and his talent has not diminished, as he led the Lions in tackles last year.

Farrior is not the player he was two years ago. He is slowing down, as he showed last year. Foote would be able to immediately take over the position held by Farrior, along side of Timmons.

This is a chance for the Steelers to right a wrong that happened last off season. Just as Steelers fans wished Foote a fond farewell, we should all be willing to welcome him back with open arms.

IF he decides to return to Pittsburgh, and IF the Steelers want him.