Pittsburgh Steelers Free-Agency Tracker: Updated Signings, Rumors and Grades
Free agency begins on Tuesday afternoon and the Pittsburgh Steelers, while not expected to be major players when it comes to signing veterans, should still make some roster moves both to re-sign their own veterans and bring a few in from the open market.
We'll round up every signing and rumor for the Steelers' free-agency period here, including grades for each player added. So click through and find out what the Steelers have been up to in free agency.
Steelers Sign Free Agent RB DeAngelo Williams
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The Steelers announced on Friday that they have signed free agent running back DeAngelo Williams to a two year contract. The signing meets a very clear need—a veteran running back to pair with or at least backup starter Le'Veon Bell.
Williams, who previously spent nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers, has rushed 1,432 times in his NFL career, for 6,846 yards and 46 touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He's also caught 178 passes on 245 targets, for 1,621 yards and seven additional scores.
Williams brings downhill power, notable—though not oft-utilized—receiving skills and almost a decade of NFL experience. It is expected he'll play a similar role as LeGarrette Blount did in 2014, offering a contrasting style to Bell that complements the entire Steelers offense.
It was no surprise that the Steelers went after a veteran running back. That they landed Williams is a good sign that Pittsburgh's running game can remain productive for another year.
Grade: A
Steelers Re-Sign OLB Arthur Moats
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Given the Steelers thinness at the outside linebacker position, it's not surprising that they brought back Arthur Moats on Monday. At this time, Moats will be paired up with Jarvis Jones, though the Steelers will likely add additional outside linebackers, either through free agency or the draft.
The Steelers confirmed that the contract is for three years, while the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette reports that it is worth $7.5 million in total value.
Moats, a 2010 sixth-round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills, joined the Steelers in 2014. Though signed for depth at outside linebacker, he played in all 16 games in the 2014 season with 10 starts and notched 23 tackles, four tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery and four sacks.
Depending on how the situation at the position plays out, Moats could reprise his rotational role in 2015 or be promoted to starter, given that both James Harrison and Jason Worilds are also unrestricted free agents and not expected back.
No matter what Moats' duties are in 2015, this was a key signing for one of the Steelers' most under-the-radar free agents. At least now the Steelers have two outside linebackers on the roster.
Grade: A
Steelers Re-Sign TE Matt Spaeth
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The Steelers announced on Monday that they had re-signed tight end Matt Spaeth to a two-year deal. The value of the contract, as of Monday, was unknown.
Spaeth, primarily a blocking tight end, caught three passes for 46 yards and a touchdown in 2014. However, according to Pro Football Focus, he played 361 snaps last season and had nine starts, including the playoffs. He's an important contributor alongside fellow tight end Heath Miller and a talented blocker.
Given the lack of depth the Steelers would have had at tight end without Spaeth and that there were few options to fill his very specific role via other free agents or the draft, re-signing him was a smart and safe move. Though the Steelers will eventually have to find replacements for both Miller and Spaeth, keeping the two heading into 2015 was a no-brainer.
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Steelers Tender Offers to 3 Restricted Free Agents
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The Steelers announced on Monday that they had given tender offers to three restricted free agents—cornerback Antwon Blake, safety Robert Golden and fullback Will Johnson.
Blake was the Steelers' nickel cornerback for much of 2014, recording 42 tackles, six passes defensed, one interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also caught a 25-yard pass from Golden on a fake punt.
Golden was the Steelers' special teams captain in 2014, recording 10 tackles and throwing the aforementioned 25-yard pass to Blake. Johnson, meanwhile, served primarily as a blocker, ranking 11th among fullbacks on the year according to Pro Football Focus. He also rushed twice for a net of zero yards and caught six passes on 10 targets for 41 yards.
The restricted free-agent tenders provide the Steelers with draft-day compensation should any of the three receive offers from other teams that the Steelers cannot match. All three were given original-round/right of first refusal tender offers worth $1.542 million in 2015, according to OvertheCap.com. However, their actual salaries for the season could rise should any team make an offer.
Steelers Release DE Brett Keisel
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The Steelers announced on Monday that they had released 12-year veteran defensive end Brett Keisel. Keisel had been an unrestricted free agent in 2014, one whom the Steelers re-signed to a two-year contract in August.
Keisel had a salary cap hit of just $1.75 million in 2015 and a $1.5 million base salary. However, the Steelers appear ready to move on from the 36-year old player. Keisel totaled 17 tackles, one sack, an interception and five passes defensed in 2014 before being placed on injured reserve in December with a torn bicep.
It's possible Keisel could return, given the state of the Steelers' depth at defensive end, his familiarity with the system, their willingness to bring back their own veterans and his low cost. But for now, Keisel reprises his role from this time a year ago as a former Steeler.
No Update on Troy Polamalu
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Last week, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette spoke to 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh about the future of longtime Steelers safety Troy Polamalu. He said, "I expect [Polamalu] 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 future remains up in the air, with Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert issuing a brief statement on Monday, which read: "At this time, we do not have an update on Troy Polamalu or his contract status. We will continue to communicate with Troy and his representatives regarding his future."
The statement comes on the heels of one issued by Polamalu's agent Marvin Demoff last week via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Mark Kaboly: "Troy is still determining whether he wants to retire or try and play in 2015. We will make a decision fairly soon, but [it is] not imminent."
If Polamalu does not decide soon, the Steelers could be forced to release him. If they do, a post-June 1 designation for release would save the team Polamalu's $6 million salary for 2015. However, that money could not be used before that date.
CB Ike Taylor's Time Is Up
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To no one's surprise, free-agent cornerback Ike Taylor will not be back with the Steelers in 2015—and he knows it. In speaking with Pittsburgh's WPXI last week, he said, "I think my time is done with the Steelers."
The unrestricted free agent turns 35 years old in May. He has spent his entire 12-season career with the Steelers. He played only five games in 2014, having suffered a broken arm, and totaled 16 tackles and two passes defended.
OLB Jason Worilds on His Way out of Town
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Free-agent outside linebacker Jason Worilds is one veteran whom the Steelers simply don't have the cash to re-sign. And it looks like he may have a new home quickly.
Reports surfaced on Sunday that the Tennessee Titans—where former Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is currently assistant head coach—had interest in Worilds, and the Philadelphia Eagles have long been rumored as a potential landing spot for the linebacker as well. Scout.com's Jim Wexell said on Monday that Worilds and his potential new team are "close" to a deal.
Worilds totaled 59 tackles, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and an interception in 2014. While not the most explosive edge-rusher, the lack of available talent at the position in free agency has made him a coveted player. But given the price teams will have to pay for his services, he won't be plying his trade in Pittsburgh in 2015.
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