The Steelers have a number of free agents after this season – 22 unrestricted and 2 restricted. Here are my thoughts on each:
UFAs:
WR Calvin Austin – Tough call but my guess is he walks to go to a place that gets him more opportunity – can see him finding success in KC or Buffalo – just never got settled in Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh needs to reload at WR.
S Chuck Clark – A decent player but they’ll get Elliott and Killebrew back (re-signed hopefully) so no need to re-sign him especially when he can be a liability in coverage.
S Kyle Duggar – A nice versatile piece to keep if they can – would like to see him retained but he may want to go somewhere he can get more playing time.
DL Danielo Ekuale – Nice depth player who can fill the NT spot well – would like to see him back at a reasonable deal.
RB Kenneth Gainwell – May be most important free agent – tough to retain given his value increase this season but if possible they really should – a really nice player who can do a lot of things.
TE Connor Heyward – a really interesting one here especially with Cam’s presence on the team. They are deep at TE and I can see another team utilizing him more. I think he walks for a team that will use him more frequently.
LB Cole Holcomb – A luxury guy to re-sign at this point.
S/ST’s Ace Miles Killebrew – like to see them bring him back – ST’s captain and can play some S too.
DL Isaiahh Loudermilk -Depth guy who should be able to be retained reasonably if healthy but given the depth here I can see him walking.
DL Dean Lowry – Makes sense to let him walk and add more young depth at DL
WR Scotty Miller – I love Scotty Miller – I can see retaining him for a smaller contract to keep some veteran presence in the room as they re-stock at WR.
TE Donald Parham – PS guy
OL Andrus Peat – A nice versatile guy to have as a depth piece – would like to keep him.
S Jabrill Peppers – Clearly fell out of favor – can’t see him returning.
James Pierre – Had a solid season – a player that surprised many this season and earned himself a nice payday. Not sure he’s a starting CB though – a player I think they try hard to keep but at a backup CB price.
QB Aaron Rodgers – He was an adequate bridge QB but unwilling to stand in the pocket and take a hit to make the big play. It’s time to really look to the future at this position.
Asante Samuel – Honestly not sure how they’ll approach Samuel. Didn’t really flash in a brief stretch with the team – played well coming off of injury but nothing special – didn’t look like a guy you plug in as a starter. Maybe they think with a full offseason he can be that guy?
OL Max Scharping – Not a bad depth guy if you can re-sign him inexpensively and he’s healthy- a veteran IOL
OG Isaac Seumalo – At 32+ likely not a guy you re-sign especially considering injury concerns – but it leaves a hole to fill at OG
WR Adam Thielen – Retiring.
QB Skylar Thompson – I expect more movement at QB – can’t imagine him returning.
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling – Another one of the veteran receivers that will be allowed to walk as they re-stock the position.
P Corliss Waitman – An up and down season – I think they look elsewhere for more consistency.
RFAs
C Ryan McCollum – They aren’t deep at C – he’s a guy you want to keep.
DL Esezi Otomewo – Really came on at the end of the season – a nice depth player to keep.