Pittsburgh Steelers' Ultimate Free-Agency to-Do List
With the start of free agency less than two weeks away, business is about to pick up for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It all began this week when Kevin Colbert restructured the contract of several veterans to free up millions in salary-cap space.
Pittsburgh restructured the contracts of Marcus Gilbert and Mike Mitchell to free up about $6.2 million in cap room, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported that the Steelers restructured Maurkice Pouncey’s contract as well, which brought the total cap savings to $9.5 million for 2015.
The Steelers may not be done either. By releasing Cam Thomas, Lance Moore and Brett Keisel they would save an additional $5 million against the cap. Although it will be a tough decision, Pittsburgh must also make a decision on Troy Polamalu and his $8.25 cap hit.
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It would save an additional $3.75 million by releasing Polamalu—or $6 million if he is a post-June 1 cut—and even more room will be created with a Ben Roethlisberger contract extension. When these potential moves are combined with the 2015 salary cap projected to increase to about $143 million, the Steelers will have an ample amount of room to work with in free agency.
What will the Steelers do with all of their cap space? Well, according to team president Art Rooney II, they will take a similar approach to last offseason, via Bob Labriola of Steelers.com:
“I don’t expect this (year) to be much different from what we normally are (during free agency),” said Rooney. “If there’s a quality player we can sign, who makes sense for us and is a good fit both as a player and (within our) cap situation, we will certainly look at it.”
Last season, the Steelers were quite active in the offseason, signing Mike Mitchell, Arthur Moats, Brice McCain, Cam Thomas, Lance Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey. Moats and McCain were two of the standouts of last year’s free-agent class. Not only did they sign for a veteran minimum, but they played very well.
There could be similar signings this year, as Colbert told Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he wants to sign young and experienced depth:
“I kind of like that type of depth,” Colbert said. “It's an experienced, young depth, as opposed to the rookie that has to be thrown in.”
With a plan in place and money to spend, Colbert and the Steelers have plenty to accomplish this offseason to keep the team in contention for 2015. From lowest to highest priority, here is a look at Pittsburgh’s to-do list once free agency begins on March 10.
Sign Jacoby Jones
Few special teams players have tortured the Steelers as much as Jacoby Jones has over recent years. Since 2012, Jones scored on two return touchdowns against Pittsburgh’s special teams and was well on his way to a third until Mike Tomlin got in his way.
The controversial play held Jones to a 73-yard return and added to the Pittsburgh Steelers-Baltimore Ravens rivalry, though Tomlin will never admit that he performed the action intentionally. But now that Jones is a free agent, Pittsburgh is in perfect position for a role reversal with Baltimore.
Last year, the Steelers struggled in the return game with an average of 21.7 yards per kick return and 10.0 yards per punt return. By comparison, Jones averaged 30.6 yards per kick return and 9.2 yards per punt return.
| Kick Return Average | NFL Rank | Punt Return Average | NFL Rank | |
| Steelers | 21.7 | 26 | 10.0 | 11 |
| Jacoby Jones | 30.6 | 2 | 9.2 | 9 |
Part of the problem for the Steelers was the failure of rookie Dri Archer in the kick return game. That forced the team to turn to LeGarrette Blount and then Markus Wheaton. Not only would Jones alleviate this problem, but he would keep star receiver Antonio Brown off the field on punt returns.
Field position was a significant problem for the Steelers last season. According to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh was “30th in the league in average starting field position,” and he suggested, “Giving Ben Roethlisberger and his offensive weapons shorter fields will only help their production.”
Jones’ ability as a return specialist would go a long way to improving Pittsburgh’s average starting field position, but he can do much more. With over 200 career receptions, he would fill the void as the No. 4 receiver. That alone makes him a more valuable option than Moore or Heyward-Bey.
Of course, nothing is more important than his potential cost. Jones has a $3.375 cap hit in 2015 but should come at a much lower value on his next contract. He will turn 31 years old before next season and is limited as a returner and No. 4 or 5 receiver.
Jones can help fill out the depth chart at wide receiver and would provide a significant upgrade to the return game. He is the type of low-risk, low-cost signing that the Steelers will be looking for this offseason.
Bolster Defensive Depth
Colbert made two of his best moves last season when he signed Moats and McCain to one-year deals at the veteran minimum. Both players developed into solid contributors and earned a second contract from the Steelers.
Expect each to get a modest raise and make a return. They will once again vie for playing time as key backups—or even compete for a starting job. However, Moats and McCain alone won’t fill out the defensive depth chart. The Steelers are thin all over the defense, and they cannot depend on the draft to address all of their needs.
Jarvis Jones is currently the only outside linebacker under contract, leaving the Steelers some decisions to make with their backups from 2014—unless they feel comfortable heading into the season with Howard Jones and Shawn Lemon.
Expect Moats to return. He told Teresa Varley of Steelers.com that he hopes “to get something done sooner rather than later here.” Re-signing James Harrison is a possibility as well after he recently announced via Twitter his intentions to play again this season.
At cornerback, William Gay and Cortez Allen will return, and there is good chance the Steelers bring back McCain as well. Antwon Blake is a restricted free agent, and it would be a surprise if they didn't retain his services at least one more season.
Depending on what the Steelers do with Cam Thomas and Brett Keisel, there could be a need at defensive end. Unlike last season when they entered training camp with Josh Mauro and Nick Williams, Pittsburgh lacks young depth with upside.
Of course, the Steelers aren’t limited to their own free agents when it comes to adding depth on defense. They will explore the market to try to find cheap, quality backups as they did with Moats and McCain. Consider it a home run if Colbert is able make two or three similar signings this offseason.
Find a Backup Running Back
In an early February press conference, Colbert expressed the need for a backup plan at running back with Le’Veon Bell likely to miss the start of the season due to a suspension.
Dri Archer, Josh Harris or a rookie could be a part of that plan, but a veteran option would be the safer bet. John Clayton of ESPN reported that Bell would miss the first two games of the season, and that is a tough situation for an inexperienced running back.
The Steelers will enter the 2015 season with Super Bowl aspirations and do not want to risk a slow start to the season because of the lack of a ground game. Instead, they must find a proven backup on an ever-growing list of free-agent running backs.
Reggie Bush, DeAngelo Williams and Steven Jackson recently joined a list of potential options that already included Shane Vereen, Frank Gore, Knowshon Moreno, Stevan Ridley and Roy Helu. The key will be to find a quality backup at the right price.
Last offseason, the Steelers had no problems signing LeGarrette Blount to a two-year, $3.85 million deal. This seems like a logical figure again for 2015 if the Steelers elect to sign a younger backup. If they go for an older option, a one-year deal would be ideal.
As the free-agent market continues to inflate with talent, the price of the veteran options should only go down, putting Pittsburgh in good position. Expect the Steelers to sift through their choices and find the best talent at the best value possible.
Sign a Starting-Caliber Cornerback
In today’s NFL, it is almost essential to have three starting-caliber cornerbacks. Right now, the Steelers only have one—unless you want to count Cortez Allen.
The Steelers expressed a great deal of confidence in Allen prior to the start of last season when they signed him to a five-year, $26 million contract. The future seemed bright for the young cornerback, but after losing his starting job last season, it has become clouded.
Colbert believes Allen can bounce back, and the team will support him however possible, via Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
“It’s up to Cortez,” Colbert said. “We’re certainly going to be there to help him find his game because, if he finds his game, he’s going to make our defense that much better. Obviously, we felt that when we invested in him.”
There was a dangerous word in Colbert’s statement, and that word was “if.” Teams cannot count on “ifs” in the NFL; they need definite—especially when it comes to the starting lineup. For this reason, signing a free-agent cornerback is a priority.
Byron Maxwell is one of the top cornerbacks in free agency but is an unlikely option for the Steelers. Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com reported that Maxwell would demand upward of $10 million per season, which may be too steep for Pittsburgh.
| Name | Age | Tackles | Interceptions | Pass Defended | 2014 Cap Hit |
| Chris Culliver | 26 | 45 | 4 | 15 | $1,580,719 |
| Brandon Flowers | 29 | 52 | 3 | 10 | $3,000,000 |
| Kareem Jackson | 26 | 57 | 3 | 9 | $4,335,000 |
Instead, the Steelers should focus their efforts on a player such as Brandon Flowers. He made $3 million last season, though he will expect a modest raise after a strong performance. Pro Football Focus ranked him as one of the top-five free-agent cornerbacks.
Flowers wasn’t the only top free agent who should interest the Steelers. Kareem Jackson and Chris Culliver are two young options who have demonstrated the ability to perform as starters, but this will have plenty of teams from around the league interested.
A high demand for quality cornerbacks is likely to inflate the cost, which may put any of the top options out of reach for the Steelers. However, given their weakness at the position, making an investment on a talented option may be worth the cap hit.
Find a Starter at Outside Linebacker
What will the Steelers do with Jason Worilds? That is one of the toughest decisions Kevin Colbert must make this offseason.
Although Colbert expressed interest in keeping Worilds in Pittsburgh, he doesn’t seem bothered that the linebacker will hit the open market, via Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
“He understands that if he doesn’t get tagged, which we could still do, he will explore the market and see what is out there,” Colbert said at the NFL combine. “We will stay in communication. Maybe he comes back. Maybe he moves on. But he’s been a good player for us and we would love to have him back if it all fits.”
On Wednesday, Scott Brown of ESPN.com reported that the Steelers will not use the transition tag on Worilds, allowing him to become a free agent.
Between Colbert’s comments and Brown’s report, the Steelers are either sending a message or setting a smokescreen. No matter what they decide, they cannot go into next year without a proven starter at either outside linebacker spot. However, if they do allow him to hit free agency, odds are that he doesn't return.
Worilds may not be another Joey Porter, LaMarr Woodley or Jason Gildon, but he is an above-average player who can defend the run and has 15.5 sacks over the last two seasons.
His problem is the lack of consistency, as explained by the Pro Football Focus Analysis Team: “There’s always the impression with Worilds that if you catch him on the right Sunday you’ll think you’re watching an All-Pro player. The other 15 weeks of the season? Less so.”
If the Steelers allow Worilds to walk, then they will have to explore their other options. The problem with these players, though, is that they may command just as much if not more than Worilds.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported that Pernell McPhee may hit $10 million per year and that the Indianapolis Colts are a likely destination. Meanwhile, he predicts Brandon Graham—like Worilds—will be closer to $7.5 million per year. The difference between Worilds and the other high-profile linebackers is Worilds has more starting experience.
The figures reported by La Canfora are quite high for two linebackers who have combined for 18 less starts than Worilds has in his career. However, top edge defenders earn top contracts, and all three players will be in demand.
Rather than spend big, the Steelers may instead wish to find a stopgap for an early draft pick. If that is the case, they can re-sign and start Moats for a year or two or pursue a free agent such as Jabaal Sheard. Each would cost significantly less than the top free agents and could settle into a platoon role if necessary.
No matter what Colbert and the Steelers decide, they cannot come out of free agency empty-handed at outside linebacker. If they do, the defense is in for a long season.
Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are courtesy of ESPN.com, all salary information is courtesy of Spotrac.com and all roster information is courtesy of Steelers.com.
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