As free agency heats up next week and the NFL Draft kicks off shortly thereafter, it’s time to take a look at some of the top priorities for the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.
Entering his second full year as Pittsburgh’s General Manager, Omar Khan has started some of the offseason process by releasing players ahead of free agency beginning. This has already created some holes on the roster that will need to be filled, but which of those should be prioritized?
Here are some of the more, and less, obvious answers to those questions.
Offensive Line
The Steelers already knew they had a weak link at the left tackle position when they moved up to select Broderick Jones in the 2023 NFL Draft.
While Jones is naturally a left tackle, they were reluctantly forced to play him on the right side during his rookie season due to the poor play of Chukwuma Okorafor. That left Dan Moore as the starting left tackle, which is not something the Steelers will address this offseason by moving Jones into Moore’s starting role.
Okorafor’s release leaves a hole to fill at the right tackle position, but he wasn’t the only offensive lineman let go within the last month as former starting center Mason Cole was also released.
Look for the Steelers to address both the center and right tackle positions in free agency and the upcoming draft, potentially adding as many as three or four more players into the mix heading into training camp.
Cornerback
Another large gap exists on the Steelers cornerback depth chart, as three contributors are all set to hit free agency next week: Levi Wallace, Chandon Sullivan, and James Pierre.
Also add to this mix that soon-to-be 34-year-old CB Patrick Peterson carries a $9,775,000 salary cap hit for the 2024 season, and it becomes abundantly clear that the Steelers need to make a move on a depth chart that only has second-year players Joey Porter Jr. and Corey Trice remaining as potential options: and Trice missed all of the 2023 season on IR.
Pittsburgh will likely add a veteran or two in free agency, but my educated guess is that the cornerback position will once again be highly coveted by GM Omar Khan in this year’s draft.
Safety
The Steelers went through starting safeties during the 2023 season like most common people go through socks and underwear. Perennial All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick missed ample amounts of time, but others missed games due to injuries or suspensions, including Damontae Kazee and recently released S Keanu Neal.
Trenton Thompson and Elijah Riley were called up from the practice squad, but also fell to injuries, leaving the team to scamper for street free agent and veteran Eric Rowe to pick up the slack: which Rowe did admirably.
However, the depth chart looks bare with Fitzpatrick and a 31-year-old Kazee. Kazee could save the team $3 million if he were to be released, but look for the Steelers to add to this room with an abundant free agent class before they begin subtracting further from it.
Quarterback
With Mason Rudolph scheduled to become a free agent and Mitchell Trubisky already released (and signing back with the Buffalo Bills) it’s a no-brainer that the Steelers need options other than Kenny Pickett heading into training camp.
The front office, including team president Art Rooney II, has publicly stated they would like to bring Rudolph back for this season, but they’re also sniffing around at other fits such as soon-to-be released Broncos QB Russell Wilson.
Other rumors suggest they could trade for Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields or sign the former protege of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, QB Ryan Tannehill.
Whatever happens, there will be movement at the most important position in football this offseason!
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