Last-Minute Guide to Pittsburgh Steelers' Free Agency
As the official start to the 2015 league year begins on March 10, the Pittsburgh Steelers will enter the free-agency period with the potential to make a bigger splash than usual.
Typically tight up against the cap, the Steelers sit about $11 million under the 2015 salary cap, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. This leaves them with enough room to have a more active free-agent period than usual.
As Kevin Colbert demonstrated last season when he signed seven outside free agents, he is willing to when the price is right. He could take a similar approach in 2015, as there are several significant depth issues that must be addressed prior to training camp.
“There were more numbers, I guess, last year than we've done. But we go through those periods every once in a while,” Colbert told Kaboly. “Occasionally, we'll have a priority free agent like we did with James Farrior, Jeff Hartings.”
Defense will be Colbert's primary focus this offseason. The Steelers ranked in the bottom half of the league in yards allowed and points against, and their situation won’t improve unless the front office is able to acquire more talented players for new defensive coordinator Keith Butler.
Expect the Steelers to find young, experienced players to help rebuild the depth on defense, via Kaboly:
“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.
“We will certainly be looking at improving the pass rush, the coverage in the secondary, and those go hand-in-hand. But we will look at the free-agency part first and move into the draft afterward.”
Whether it’s starters or backups, Colbert seems intent on using free agency to fill the holes on the roster. But will he do that with his own free agents or explore the open market? Here is a final preview of the Steelers’ free-agent situation.
Salary-Cap Situation
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On March 2, NFL teams learned that the 2015 salary cap was set at $143.28 million. According to the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), the Steelers have an adjusted cap figure of $144,058,469 due to $778,469 in unused cap space from 2014.
That places the Steelers in a comfortable spot under the cap as free agency is set to begin on Tuesday. According to Scott Brown of ESPN.com, the Steelers have more than $10 million in cap space available. Pittsburgh created extra cap space by restructuring the contracts of Marcus Gilbert and Mike Mitchell as well as through the release of Lance Moore.
The Steelers could create more room through additional contract restructures, a contract extension to Ben Roethlisberger or through the release of veteran players, such as Cam Thomas, Brett Keisel or Troy Polamalu.
Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette told 93.7 The Fan’s The Cook and Poni Show that he believes that the Steelers are ready to move on from the former All-Pro safety (via CBS Pittsburgh):
"That is the elephant in the room," Bouchette said. "I expect him not to be here by some means. The Steelers are hoping he would retire, but I don't know if he is going to."
Polamalu’s agent Marvin Demoff told Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that his client is still deciding what he will do in 2015:
“Troy is still determining whether he wants to retire or try and play in 2015,” Demoff said. “We will make a decision fairly soon, but (it is) not imminent.”
Polamalu has an $8.25 million cap hit for 2015, and the Steelers may not be willing to wait. If they released him, he could save the Steelers $3.75 million or $6 million if he receives a post-June 1 designation.
Moving on from an all-time great player is never an easy decision, but the additional cap room will help the Steelers fill some of their biggest holes on the roster.
Restricted Free Agents
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Restricted Free Agents
- Antwon Blake, CB
- Robert Golden, S
- Will Johnson, FB
Under the collective bargaining agreement signed in 2011, all draft picks receive a four-year contract. The lone exception is that teams have a fifth-year option on first-round draft picks. As a result, restricted free agency has virtually disappeared.
The only players still subject to restricted free agency are undrafted free agents. Pittsburgh has three players who fall under this category and are candidates to return.
There are four levels of qualifying offers for restricted free agents, as explained by Dom Cosentino of NJ.com. Pittsburgh’s restricted free agents should all receive—at most—the lowest tender. This provides the Steelers with the right of first refusal and costs $1.542 million.
Another option is to allow their players to become unrestricted free agents and re-sign them for a lower value. No matter the approach, the trio of Blake, Johnson and Golden not only provides valuable depth but can also play on special teams.
Blake is the star of this group. With his outstanding play on special teams and physical nature at playing cornerback, he developed into a valuable backup for the Steelers. His role on the defense increased as the season progressed, and he delivered with 42 tackles, six passes defended, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Unrestricted Free Agents
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Unrestricted Free Agents
- Will Allen, S
- Clifton Geathers, DE
- James Harrison, OLB
- Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR
- Brice McCain, CB
- Arthur Moats, OLB
- Michael Palmer, TE
- Matt Spaeth, TE
- Ben Tate, RB
- Ike Taylor, CB
- Jason Worilds, OLB
The Steelers have 11 unrestricted free agents, but only one of those players was a full-time starter.
Jason Worilds is the key member of the Steelers' 2015 free-agent class, and they are intent on allowing him to test the market. Once a free agent, he will likely draw interest from multiple franchises and may ask for over $10 million per year, according to Joel Corry of CBS Sports.
That will place him out of the Steelers' price range, meaning they will need to go in a different direction. However, this is a better option than overspending for an outside linebacker who has shown to be inconsistent as a pass-rusher.
Besides Worilds, Geathers, Heyward-Bey, Tate and Taylor are unlikely to return. Pittsburgh will also choose between Spaeth and Palmer as Heath Miller’s backup while going with a young player as the No. 3.
Allen and Harrison are options to return as depth players, though Colbert may want to see what younger options are available first. Although it makes sense, as he wants the team to get younger, both are dependable veterans who can step in as spot-starters if necessary.
The most likely players to return—and two players who should already be re-signed—are Brice McCain and Arthur Moats. Both players outperformed their contracts last season and are due for a modest pay raise.
McCain stepped in to start at cornerback and tied for the team lead with three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown to help seal a victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Including the playoffs, McCain started 10 games last year and can step in as the nickelback in 2015.
Like McCain, Moats started 10 games and finished the season with 23 tackles and a career-high four sacks. He is not an ideal candidate to start at outside linebacker, but he could keep the seat warm for a young player or play as a rotational backup.
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Top Free-Agent Needs
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Each year, the Steelers enter the offseason across the board. Rarely is there a position on the team that doesn’t have room for improvement, whether it's finding a starter or depth. That is once again the case in 2015 where Pittsburgh must address significant issues on the defensive side of the ball but also find depth for the offense.
Although the Steelers need help at tight end, safety and defensive end, none is as important as the following three roster needs.
Outside Linebacker
With Worilds, Harrison and Moats set to hit free agency, the only experienced outside linebacker whom the Steelers have under contract for 2015 is Jarvis Jones. Despite being a former first-round draft pick, Jones has yet to establish himself as a viable starter.
That means the Steelers must place a strong emphasis on not only improving their depth at the position but also finding at least one starter in free agency—and a backup as well. The Steelers cannot rely on the unproven Jones and a rookie if they want the defense to improve in 2015.
Cornerback
The Steelers will bring back William Gay and Cortez Allen next year, but the rest of the depth chart remains unsettled.
Taylor is on his way out of Pittsburgh, and though there is a strong possibility that the Steelers will re-sign McCain and Blake, there are too many problems in the secondary to ignore the cornerback position again this year.
Unless the Steelers find two new starters, Gay is slotted for one of the starting spots, but the other slot will be up for grabs. Allen will be given every opportunity to reclaim a starting job during training camp, but until his performance can match his potential, he will remain on the bench.
Not only do the Steelers need to address their starting cornerbacks, but they also must make sure that they have a quality nickel corner. Working primarily with five defensive backs on the field, the nickel has turned into Pittsburgh’s base defensive package, and they need three starting-caliber cornerbacks on the field at any given time.
Backup Running Back
As a result of his DUI arrest last season, Le’Veon Bell will be suspended for the first two games of the 2015 season (via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).
Bell’s absence was on full display last year during the playoffs, when Pittsburgh’s ground game sputtered. The trio of Ben Tate, Josh Harris and Dri Archer combined for 15 carries for 43 yards and a fumble. Granted they faced a tough Baltimore Ravens’ defense, but they can do better.
Harris and Archer will return in 2015, but Harris has a lot to prove, and Archer isn’t a true running back. Asking either player to handle the bulk of the carries for the start of the year is a lot. A veteran running back with starting experience is a better option and one that the Steelers must consider as they enter free agency.
Free-Agent Targets
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The Steelers rarely spend big money in free agency, but Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review speculated that there is a “possibility of a significant free-agent signing.”
Significant doesn’t necessarily signing one of the top free agents, but rather it's signing a starter just as they did with Mike Mitchell last year and Ryan Clark, James Farrior or Jeff Hartings in previous years.
Could a starting outside linebacker, corner back or veteran running back be on the horizon? Here is a quick look at possible free-agent targets.
Outside Linebacker
The issues at outside linebacker are well-documented, and it will be an area of emphasis for the Steelers. Not only do they need to improve their depth, but they also must come out of free agency with at least one starter.
A logical option is to re-sign Moats; however, he does not offer an upgrade as a pass-rusher and would only start until an early draft pick is ready to step in. Instead, the Steelers need to explore all of the options on the market, including the top names available.
Pernell McPhee is arguably the best free-agent fit for the Steelers. His combination of size, power and versatility would be fantastic signing for Keith Butler as he takes over the defense. However, the lack of quality pass-rushers in free agency means he will draw plenty of interest from around the league.
Joe Corry of CBS Sports believes that McPhee will demand upward of $10 million per year. For a player who has never had a full-time starting job, that is a lot of money and will likely place him out of range for the Steelers. That means Pittsburgh must examine another option, such as Brandon Graham.
Like McPhee, Graham has been a part-time player during his time in the NFL. Over his five-year career, he has started only 13 games and sacked the quarterback 17 times. He will hit the market with the hopes that a team will spend based on his potential rather than his production.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports believes that Graham could fetch upward of $7.5 million. Again, this may be too much for the Steelers’ interest. Instead, it may make more sense for the Colbert to focus his attention on mid-tiered options such as Jabaal Sheard or Derrick Morgan.
Sheard and Morgan are not elite, but they offer the ability to get to the quarterback at a much lower cost than the top options in free agency.
Cornerback
For several years, the Steelers have ignored their need to address the cornerback position. Colbert has little choice now after virtually every quarterback they played last season torched the secondary.
Re-signing McCain and Blake would be a good start to the offseason and one that would likely signal a focus on the draft to address the future at cornerback. However, the Steelers have already reportedly shown interest in a veteran cornerback on the market, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan:
"Also on Cary Williams, #Ravens and #Steelers have some interest. Vets on street already have advantage before free agency opens.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 5, 2015"
Given the emphasis on getting young veterans to build their depth, the 30-year-old Williams does not seem like the best option. Davon House, Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox are three young, experienced cornerbacks who fit the bill of what Colbert hopes to sign this offseason.
Culliver and Cox—both 6’0”—were contributors to the San Francisco 49ers’s fifth-ranked pass defense. Culliver bounced back from an ACL injury in 2013 to put up 45 tackles and four interceptions in 14 starts last season. Cox also started 14 games and had 53 tackles and five interceptions.
House is another 6’0” cornerback, but he lacks the same starting experience. He only started four games out of 13 games played last year, but he managed 28 tackles and one interception.
Backup Running Back
Not only do the Steelers need a backup running back to start the season but they also need one who can ease the load on Bell over the course of the 16-game schedule. Luckily, the market is flooded with veterans.
Last year, Colbert took a risk when he signed LeGarrette Blount to a two-year deal, and it didn’t work out. Blount was released before the end of the season, but we learned that he was willing to spend on a quality backup.
Rather than find a multidimensional back like Bell, the Steelers went with a physical runner. They could do the same this year where Steven Jackson fits the mold. The problem is the 12-year veteran has a lot of mileage and has not averaged over 4.0 yards per carry since 2012.
Another option is Pierre Thomas. He is capable as a runner and a receiver and has experience sharing the load with another running back. Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley and Roy Helu are in a similar mold, but they are four years younger. All four would cost more than Jackson would.
Even if none of these players works out, another five to 10 running backs would be able to step in and provide a quality backup. Good running backs are one of the easiest positions to find in the NFL, and the Steelers have no need to break the bank.
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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