Steelers' Final 2024 Safety Solution Remains Available

There has been a lot of talk surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers' moves throughout the 2024 offseason. Most of the decisions made by General Manager Omar Khan have focused on positions that will make headlines. Specifically, at quarterback, the team signed Russell Wilson, traded 2022 first-round pick, Kenny Pickett, and then essentially stole 2021 first-round selection Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears. As exciting as the offseason has been for Khan and co., the boring moves, like signing a new punter, have to be on their way soon. A familiar face remains available and has proven to work well with Minkah Fitzpatrick.

The Steelers were able to ink DeShon Elliott to a two-year deal. The veteran has plenty of experience and could complement Fitzpatrick well. His contract good for two years proves that he is safe, but no one should forget that Damontae Kazee was suspended in December of 2023 after one too many illegal hits. Pittsburgh needs another reliable safety, and no one fills that potential void more than a former first-round pick.

Terrell Edmunds bounced around during his sixth NFL season. The safety signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, but was traded to the Tennessee Titans. He remains a free agent in the new league year, as he awaits for a team to pick him up. The best fit for Edmunds would be a franchise looking for a guy who has experience, but not necessarily desperate for a starting position.

Pittsburgh has Fitzpatrick, and then there's everybody else. Elliott and Kazee are serviceable players, but an upgrade, or at least some competition, could easily be brought in to improve the unit. Trenton Thompson could provide that element, but a guy like Edmunds knows the system and is not going to be asking for a pretty penny as he enters his seventh year in professional football.

The reunion between the Steelers and Edmunds almost seems inevitable. No one is quite sure when it could happen, but Pittsburgh loves familiarity and if the defender has no suitors, it would be foolish not to bring him back on an inexpensive one-year contract. Fitzpatrick had no interceptions for the first time in his career in 2023. With Edmunds by his side from early in the 2019 season to the conclusion of 2022, Fitzpatrick secured 17 interceptions.

Edmunds is looked at as a first-round bust, but once Fitzpatrick and him worked together, Edmunds didn't just play the "Robin" to "Batman" role, he remained healthy and his superior succeeded. 

There is no problem with Pittsburgh bringing in a guy like Elliott and retaining a hard-hitter in Kazee. One of the biggest things to note, however, is that Fitzpatrick was at the peak of his career when he had Edmunds by his side. Edmunds coming back to the Steel City might make the most sense for all parties involved.

Steelers Have Voids To Fill Despite Big Offseason Moves

Khan has wasted no time adding talent to Pittsburgh's roster. The general manager has proven that he won't cave to the tradition of how the franchise operates. Bringing in Edmunds would be a relatively small move. That type of signing would be welcomed, but it appears as if no one is considering it based on the new expectation in the Steel City. Khan is ready to win and ready to win now. It's hard to acknowledge the potential for small moves when so many big ones are occurring.