Hot Takes, Predictions for Steelers' Most Impactful Free-Agent Signings

The Pittsburgh Steelers may have made the playoffs each of the past two years, but they haven't won a postseason game since the 2016 campaign. The team has undergone some significant changes this offseason and will head into 2022 with notable differences.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has retired while several key players have departed via free agency, including Juju Smith-Schuster. That left the Steelers with numerous holes to fill, which they did through the 2022 NFL draft and by signing free agents themselves.

Will those moves be enough to keep their playoff streak alive and possibly help them make a postseason run? It's too early to tell. But it's not too early to start forecasting how some new players could impact the Steelers this year.

Here's a look at several key players Pittsburgh signed during free agency, along with some predictions for each.

Myles Jack, LB

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Myles Jack watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

The Steelers already had one strong linebacker in the middle of their 3-4 defense in the form of Devin Bush. Now, they've got another standout to play alongside him in Myles Jack, who signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the team this offseason.

The 26-year-old should fit nicely in Pittsburgh's defense, especially because he's been a consistent and reliable player over his first six NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has played in at least 14 games in all but one year (2019), and he's recorded 107 or more tackles in three of the past four seasons.

It hasn't taken long for Jack to impress his new Steelers teammates, including his fellow starting inside linebacker.

“Myles is a playmaker,” Bush said, per Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “When you take away everything and think of Myles Jack, I think of a playmaker. He’s a guy who is rangy, he’s a guy who played running back in college. That tells you a lot.”

Jack is also healthy. So don't be surprised if he plays 17 regular-season games for the first time and puts up some impressive numbers while doing so. He could even set a new career high for tackles.

Prediction: Jack records career-high 126 tackles over 17 games.

Levi Wallace, CB

AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Levi Wallace (29) goes through drills during an NFL football practice, Tuesday, May 31, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Jack wasn't the only impact defender the Steelers signed during free agency. They also boosted their secondary with the addition of cornerback Levi Wallace, a four-year NFL veteran who should immediately slide into a starting role for Pittsburgh.

The 27-year-old has been consistent in recent years, playing 45 games since the start of the 2019 campaign and notching two interceptions each of the past three seasons. So he should be among the Steelers' top defensive backs in 2022.

Even though Wallace doesn't have a ton of interceptions, he provides strong coverage and is capable of locking down top wide receivers. He's not shying away from challenging matchups, either.

"That stuff doesn’t faze me," the Alabama product said, per Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

As one of the expected defensive leaders in Pittsburgh, Wallace should keep up his high level of play. And don't be surprised if he forces a few more turnovers, too. Expect him to start picking off more passes and become one of the Steelers' top defensive playmakers.

Prediction: Wallace records a career-high four interceptions.

Mitchell Trubisky, QB

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PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 25: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) throws the ball during the team's OTA practice on May 25, 2022, at the Steelers Practice Facility in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It's been a long time since the Steelers have had a quarterback battle during training camp after 18 years with Ben Roethlisberger in position. However, Pittsburgh now needs to decide on a new starting signal-caller.

There are three options. Mason Rudolph is the lone returning QB, but he may be the least likely to win the job. There's also Kenny Pickett, the rookie who was selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Pittsburgh. And there's Mitchell Trubisky, who signed during free agency while looking for an opportunity to again be an NFL starter.

Trubisky started 50 games for the Chicago Bears over his first four seasons in the league, but he spent the 2021 season serving as the backup to Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen.

Trubisky didn't get much game action in Buffalo, throwing only eight passes last year, but the 27-year-old may have benefited from being around Allen and a high-powered offense.

Pickett has a chance to be the Steelers' Week 1 starting quarterback, but the prediction here is that it will be Trubisky. It won't be a long-term solution, though, and the 24-year-old rookie will start some games before the 2022 season is over.

While Trubisky will start early, he won't make enough of an impact to fend off Pickett and keep the job. It won't be a terrible showing, but Pittsburgh will decide midseason that it's time to turn to the first-round pick.

Prediction: Trubisky will be replaced midseason after throwing less than 10 TD passes.