The Steelers broke patterns in free agency in recent years, which Gerry Dulac believes was to their disadvantage. So far this season, he sees them going in another direction, or rather their previous ways. In Mike Tomlin’s final seasons, they welcomed older veterans in their 30s, seeking short-term satisfaction. With their moves this offseason, there is more room to grow.
The oldest outside player the Steelers have added in free agency so far is DL Sebastian Joseph-Day. He is about to turn 31, but that is the anomaly. CB Jamel Dean is still 29, going on 30, but the rest of the signings are in their primes. Even trade acquisition Michael Pittman Jr. is 28 and has years left in the tank.
“This is the third year in a row that they’ve gone out and signed a free-agent cornerback to pair with Joey Porter [Jr.], Dulac pointed out on the DVE Morning Show. “I like the signing of Jamel Dean. I think that that’s one of the other things they’ve done. Instead of signing a bunch of 31-, 32-year-old guys, this time, a lot of guys were 27 years old, 28 years old, and I thought that was key as well”.
Perhaps the most “typical” Steelers free agency move they have made so far is adding S Jaquan Brisker. A Pittsburgh native who has talent and pedigree but has also had some setbacks, he is just turning 27 and is ready to hit his stride. They signed him on a one-year deal worth $5.5 million, but he could prove worth much more than that.
After losing RB Kenneth Gainwell in free agency, the Steelers replaced him with Rico Dowdle. Set to turn 28, he has under 600 career carries over six seasons. That is partly due to injuries, but he has shown his durability the last two years. With 471 rushes for 2,155 yards, he will bring another dimension to the offense.
It’s worth pointing out that even Darnell Savage, who hasn’t officially signed yet, is still 28. A veteran of seven seasons, he is another “typical” Steelers free agency signing of old. Or he will be when he signs a contract. Being brought in as depth, he still has a little something left in the tank. And he could even potentially be a depth piece for the next few years, rather than running on fumes.
There is a reason the Steelers didn’t chase older veteran players nearing the end of their careers in free agency in the past. They were trying to build for the future. James Farrior is the typical gold-standard signing we bring up, and for good reason. You’re not going to find a James Farrior every year—most years—but that is the goal.
But it’s especially obvious in hindsight that Mike Tomlin saw the writing on the wall. And he saw that it was his handwriting. He wanted to deliver another Super Bowl, and when time is running short, you don’t think about the long term. That’s why the Steelers deviated in his final seasons by signing older players in free agency and acquiring them via trade. Mike McCarthy is years older than Tomlin, but he’s here for a while. That’s a different vision, and it merits a different strategy that looks beyond the upcoming season.