The Pittsburgh Steelers went into the last off-season in unfamiliar territory. They had an exceptional amount of cap space and money to give them an opportunity to be aggressive in the free agent market. First-year General Manager Omar Khan with the help of Kevin Colbert got to work right away and made the most of the opportunity. And it’s safe to say those free agents have made a significant impact so far this season.
Of the free agents that were signed, none have made more of an impact than the ones brought in to help a struggling offensive line. Mason Cole has made a significant impact in the first year of his three-year contract. After spending his first four seasons in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals and the Minnesota Vikings, it appears as if he has found his long-term home in Pittsburgh. He has started seven games so far for the Steelers in 2022 and has filled a huge hole at the center position. A position the Steelers have struggled to find an answer to since the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey.
Another player that is making a significant impact on the revived offensive line is right Guard, James Daniels. Daniels, who is currently in his fifth season in the NFL was drafted out of the University of Iowa by the Chicago Bears. He has started all 15 games for the Steelers and has yet to give up a sack all season.
The offensive line wasn’t the only part of the trenches the Steelers needed help on. Larry Ogunjobi has been a solid addition on the defensive side of the ball and has made a significant impact in 2022. Ogunjobi so far this season has only recorded half of a sack and 43 combined tackles but he has been consistent at putting pressure on the quarterback and disrupting the line of scrimmage.
After failing a physical this off-season with the Chicago Bears, he landed in Pittsburgh on a one-year deal worth up to $8 million . If I were the Steelers’ front office, I am doing everything I can to keep him in town next season. With the recent decline of Tyson Alualu, Ogunjobi has seen his role expand this season and can play a crucial part in the defense’s success in 2023.
The secondary is also another area the Steelers targeted in free agency last off-season. Most notably former Buffalo Bills Cornerback Levi Wallace. Wallace has been a big surprise this season and has played a crucial role in the secondary. In his first year of a two-year contract, he has recorded three interceptions and 31 solo tackles. Pro Football Focus is currently giving him a 75.5 score in the run defense category. Although he is not that true “lockdown” corner the Steelers are desperate in finding, he has been a tremendous addition to the secondary and will hopefully stay in the black and gold for many years to come.
Steelers did not make any “splash” moves the last off-season, but they did however spend their money very wisely and found guys that have made a significant impact on relatively team-friendly contracts. With another off-season upcoming where the Steelers yet again will have an above-average amount of cap space, it will be interesting to see where they focus their efforts in trying to get the Lombardi Trophy back to the city of Pittsburgh for the seventh time.
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