Which free agents should the Steelers not re-sign this offseason?
We often talk about the free agents that teams “must re-sign”, but who should the Steelers bypass during this new cycle? They were more than willing to let plenty of players walk last year, and they were hardly worse off for it. And interestingly, the same name could top either list, depending upon one’s disposition.
You wouldn’t have to look far to find people who will tell you Aaron Rodgers is one of the Steelers’ top free agents to re-sign. You also would have no trouble locating those who say they should run in the opposite direction. At the very least, he isn’t a long-term answer, and he could be delaying foundational growth.
One could argue that, even though he is a starting offensive lineman, Isaac Seumalo is not one of the Steelers’ priority free agents. He has a history of injuries, and perhaps it’s time for Spencer Anderson to start. Anderson is entering a contract year, and he has already started games ably.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen are a pair of free agents the Steelers don’t need back. The latter retired, but has threatened to play again as a slight possibility. Pittsburgh rearranged its offense for them late last season, and…it didn’t really do much.
The other big name among the Steelers’ free agents is, I think, S Kyle Dugger. He came in via trade and started right away, but is he a starter? Pittsburgh will get DeShon Elliott back, but then, who is your other safety? Do you leave Jalen Ramsey there and let him continue to develop? Dugger would make a better third safety than a starter, so it’s about what you’re willing to pay him. If you have to pay him as even a low-level starter, perhaps you pass.
Scotty Miller, Chuck Clark, Isaiahh Loudermilk, and Dean Lowry—none of these free agents have any future business with the Steelers. Loudermilk has no loyalty to the new coaching staff, as the staff that drafted him was just uprooted. Lowry hasn’t been healthy, but at best, he could return on a veteran salary benefit deal. Odds are, the Steelers will want—and should want—to go younger.
The Steelers exited the playoffs in the first round yet again, a pattern going back to 2017. With seven consecutive postseason losses, and no wins in nearly a decade, they are facing another long, long offseason. No doubt we will see many changes, but none will top Mike Tomlin’s resignation.
The NFL has crowned its latest champion, but for the Steelers and us, we have been in offseason mode. That’s what happens when the team you cover loses by the middle of January all the time, but you’ve been around, so you know that already. Enjoy the ride, even the turbulence, because it’s the only way we know how to travel anymore.