Keep or Cut Decisions for Steelers' 2015 Free Agents
Now that the NFL regular season is over and the Pittsburgh Steelers have been eliminated from the playoffs, it is time to look to free agency. For the Steelers, this means making some hard decisions about the future of this team. Finishing the regular season 11-5 with an AFC North title is great, but there is little doubt that this team has the potential to be a Super Bowl contender with just a few changes.
As far as free agents go, the Steelers currently have 10 players I would consider priority free agents and important to either keep or cut in order to make this team better. And rest assured, this team will be made better if some of these players are on a bus going far away from Pittsburgh.
You will notice that not every free agent is listed. Some choices are fairly obvious and don’t need a lot of analysis. Punter Brad Wing is gone, while veteran long snapper Greg Warren comes back for another year.
So, let's take a look at the top 10 Pittsburgh free agents and give a final verdict. Do they get a contract or the ax? Read on to find out.
1. Jason Worilds, OLB
1 of 10
The Steelers had a decision to make with outside linebacker Jason Worilds last offseason. His play hadn't really earned him a big fat extension. However, he was sure to get paid on the open market. Pittsburgh was happy with his eight sacks in 2013, but wanted to see more. So instead they offered him a one-year transition tag contract worth $9.8 million.
The goal was to let Worilds earn that new extension. Unfortunately, 7.5 sacks in 16 starts is not the way to get a raise with the Steelers. This means the Steelers need to decide if they should shoot Worilds an offer or just let him walk. Unless Worilds is willing to take one for the team and really work to remain on this roster without creating financial hardship, I see no reason for him to stay.
Final Verdict: Cut
2. James Harrison, OLB
2 of 10
With multiple questions at outside linebacker, the Steelers chose to bring veteran outside linebacker James Harrison back into the mix after a year with the Cincinnati Bengals. Harrison was part of a rotation at outside linebacker, and even earned himself three starts. Harrison finished the season with 5.5 sacks, and more importantly, added an element of veteran leadership that this defense needed.
Now, ESPN's Scott Brown says that head coach Mike Tomlin isn't sure about what Harrison wants to do, and I believe that. However, unless Harrison is planning to return on a one-year, minimum offer, I can't see a reason to not let him walk. Harrison is an icon in Steelers history, but he could end up being one more underperforming veteran on the roster while younger players are waiting for their shot.
Final Verdict: Cut
3. Arthur Moats, OLB
3 of 10
The addition of linebacker Arthur Moats was something of a surprise. Moats came from a 4-3 base defense with the Buffalo Bills where he played primarily inside linebacker. So, needless to say, when Moats was listed at outside linebacker on the Steelers depth chart, there were questions about if he could produce.
And let me be clear about one thing: Moats was far from a great player in 2014. Moats finished the season with a very mediocre 23 total tackles. However, Moats did muster four sacks, which is promising. At 26 years old, Moats could continue to build on this season. If he can be had on the cheap, without a long-term commitment, by all means keep him on the roster.
Final Verdict: Keep
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4. Brice McCain, CB
4 of 10
The biggest thing that cornerback Brice McCain has going for him is need. McCain isn't terribly talented and didn't have a great season. However, with a real possibility that veteran cornerback Ike Taylor retires, the Steelers will need bodies at the position.
That doesn't mean McCain would make the final roster, but in the short run, keeping him on a small contract makes sense. The hope is that the Steelers draft at least one top cornerback, which could make him expendable closer to the start of the season. But when the flourish of signings start, look for Pittsburgh to lock up McCain as insurance if nothing else.
Final Verdict: Keep
5. Ike Taylor, CB
5 of 10
It is never easy to face the reality that an icon's time has come. Cornerback Ike Taylor has been a fixture in the Steelers secondary since making his way to the starting lineup back in 2005. The endless jokes about his inability to catch the football will be forever ingrained in our minds. Parting is such sweet sorrow, but as it is, there must be a parting of ways.
I honestly hope that Taylor finds his way to a coaching position with the team and can remain a part of the Steelers organization for many years. What I don't want is to see him out in coverage getting torched by wide receivers. No, this is goodbye for Taylor the cornerback, and the Pittsburgh staff can usher in the future at the position.
Final Verdict: Cut
6. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR
6 of 10
How wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey continues to find employment is a greater mystery than Area 51 and the Loch Ness Monster wrapped into one. Pittsburgh brought Heyward-Bey in because what we've come to understand is that if you are fast enough, teams will keep trying to pry some production out of you.
But with Pittsburgh, Heyward-Bey was only able to muster three catches. That worked out to around $210,000 per catch. There's no way with the talent on the wide receiver depth chart that Heyward-Bey gets another contract in Pittsburgh.
Final Verdict: Cut
7. Antwon Blake, CB
7 of 10
Cornerback Antwon Blake is a restricted free agent, which gives Pittsburgh lots of leverage with him. Blake did a nice job when he stepped in and took over the nickel cornerback role. When Taylor went down with injury, Blake assume an ever larger role on defense and played much better than expected.
As a restricted free agent, the Steelers can make an offer to Blake—one high enough that, should a team match the offer, it could potentially cost them a draft pick. I think it is safe to say that the Steelers are going to make Blake and offer, and rightfully so. As with McCain, the secondary needs bodies, and keeping McCain offers the team flexibility.
Final Verdict: Keep
8. Will Johnson, FB
8 of 10
One might not think of a fullback as a high priority, but Will Johnson is another matter altogether. If you have one of the elite running backs in the league, you do all you can to keep his favorite lead blocker.
Running back Le'Veon Bell racked up plenty of yards off of that Counter OF with Johnson as his lead blocker. The league might not covet the fullback anymore, but the Steelers still do. Johnson is only 26 years old, so lock him up long-term and put that one to bed.
Final Verdict: Keep
9. Will Allen, S
9 of 10
Much like Taylor, safety Will Allen seems to be holding a seat for a young player. In 2014, Allen was the primary backup safety even though he showed diminishing skills. This makes one wonder if safety Shamarko Thomas just isn't ready, or is this prompted by loyalty to the veteran?
Well, just in case it is the latter, it is time for Allen to go. The Steelers need to add youth and athleticism at the safety position, and in order to do that, they have to trim the fat. And that fat, I am afraid, is Allen. I won't be shocked if Allen finds a team in 2015, I just hope it isn't Pittsburgh.
Final Verdict: Cut
10. Matt Spaeth, TE
10 of 10
The Pittsburgh coaching staff have put a lot of energy into the offense. And the cast of characters they have assembled is truly elite. Nevertheless, the tight end position is one Pittsburgh could look to as an area to improve. For as great as Heath Miller is, there needs to be a plan in place for the future.
With the signing of tight end Rob Blanchflower to a futures contract, it seems that the second-year player has the confidence of the coaching staff. That also means that in order to get him on the active roster, someone has to go.
Veteran tight end Matt Spaeth has been a steady performer for Pittsburgh, especially as a blocker. However, with he and tight end Michael Palmer both being free agents, it makes more sense to keep the younger, more athletic players and let Spaeth walk.
Final Verdict: Cut
Player stats courtesy of NFL.com. Salary-cap information courtesy of Spotrac.com.
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