Naming the Pittsburgh Steelers biggest winners from an aggressive first week of NFL free agency

Coach Tomlin celebrated his 52nd birthday last week, and while I don't know what he asked for as a present, it's clear that he got what he wanted in free agency, especially following the news at the QB position. 

But there's a double edge sword that comes with this wishlist. Tomlin has admitted as recently as last offseason that he has, "seen more days then he's going to see," when it comes to his coaching career. 

The lack of contract extension and increased urgency in last year's draft and this year's free agency prove that even if Tomlin isn't feeling the heat, he knows Pittsburgh needs better results. 

The "never had a losing season" routine is starting to get old for even the staunchest of supporters, as T.J. Watt who is approaching his eighth season in the league at age 30 has yet to win a playoff game. 

So Mike Tomlin and the Steelers organization overall, "won the week." But when the calendar turns to September, March couldn't mean any less as the results oriented business will kick in. 

GM Omar Khan

Other teams made more acquisitions, or maybe even ones with more splash. But you will be hard pressed to find any team and more specifically, any GM that got the bang for his buck that Khan did. 

Whether you like the QB additions and subtractions or not, it's a low-risk move given the Steelers will be allocating a mere 1.72% of their cap allowance to the QB position in 2024. 

Beyond that, Pittsburgh signed one of the best overall free agents on the markets in LB Patrick Queen to a franchise record contract.

But when analyzing the actual contract structure, Queen is basically on a year-by-year deal that allows Pittsburgh to get out if and when they choose with little ramifications. 

Add on additions like DeShon Elliott at safety and suring up special teams with the signing of punter Cameron Johnston and re-signing of Christian Kuntz and Miles Killebrew, and Khan is showing those that had him "red flagged" as a GM, just how smart he is. 

Oh, and Pittsburgh still has money left to spend, with a big name scheduled to visit later this week. 

Veteran Defenders

Now we'll see how the QB changes play out, but should they turn out to elevate the team to a playoff run, those moves alone will be a much-needed bone throw to the Steelers' defense. 

But with the additions of players like Patrick Queen and DeShon Elliott, the burden that was placed on Minkah Fitzpatrick, T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and Alex Highsmith is lessened to say the least. 

Fitzpatrick can get back to playing the role that has him honored as one of, if not the best safety in the league as the centerfielder of the defense. For the defensive linemen and linebackers like Heyward, Watt, and Highsmith, adding one of the most intense linebackers in the league allows them to play with even more confidence knowing who's behind them. 

So rest assured, should Pittsburgh's business decisions in March pan out in September, the veterans atop the defense will be the one's smiling the most.