NFL | Steelers free-agency information, grades: Kenny Pickett shipped out, Van Jefferson in

PITTSBURGH — For years, free company felt like a mere blip on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ calendar. Whereas a lot of the league dove headfirst into the open market, Pittsburgh solely dipped in its toes, utilizing free company sparingly to complement a draft-and-develop method.

Nevertheless, a brand new entrance workplace introduced a slight shift in philosophy.

Throughout Omar Khan’s first free company within the pilot’s chair final 12 months, the final supervisor inked a number of important starting-caliber gamers and handed out a good-looking extension to Larry Ogunjobi. The $30 million improve within the wage cap and the quite a few roster cuts to save cash ought to present Pittsburgh with sufficient wiggle room to search out just a few extra impression gamers this 12 months.

Khan didn’t even wait totally free company to open earlier than making an enormous splash, including nine-time Professional Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson on a one-year deal late Sunday night time and setting off a sequence of occasions through the first week of free company.

Under are the most recent particulars on what the Steelers have achieved, the place the wage cap stands and what the strikes imply within the huge image. This put up can be up to date as new roster strikes are made. Grades can be handed out with each transaction.

Stay updates: Free-agent information from throughout the NFL
FA tracker: New groups and contract particulars for the highest 150 free brokers
Greatest obtainable gamers: Who’s nonetheless in the marketplace?
Grades: Greatest and worst of free-agent offers

Gamers below contract: 68 of 90

Estimated salary-cap area coming into free company: $27.2 million, in line with Over the Cap

Present estimated cap area: $15.1 million (pending specifics on Elliott’s, Adams’ and Jefferson’s contracts)

Unrestricted free brokers: CB Levi Wallace, ILB Kwon Alexander, OLB Markus Golden, DB Chandon Sullivan, DB James Pierre, WR Miles Boykin, LB Blake Martinez, LB Mykal Walker, S Godwin Igwebuike, S Elijah Riley, LB Chapelle Russell, DL Renell Wren

Date: March 15

Influence: Low

Kaboly’s ideas: The Steelers wanted so as to add gamers to the huge receiver room, and Jefferson suits that position. He’s not a high-quality receiver by way of manufacturing however does have some upside and may battle for a roster spot.

The son of former NFL receiver and present Carolina receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, Van Jefferson had a promising second season with the Rams, catching 50 of 89 targets for 802 yards and 6 touchdowns. However he missed time with accidents in 2022 and was traded halfway by 2023 to Atlanta, the place he performed for now Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, ending with 12 catches in 12 video games. The 27-year-old was a second-round select of Florida in 2020.

Grade: C — Jefferson will present down-the-field depth however does little to maneuver the needle by way of the beginning receiver place.

Date: March 15

Influence: Excessive

DeFabo’s ideas: Any discuss of a doable QB competitors shortly went out the window Friday. Simply hours after Russell Wilson held an introductory information convention to rejoice his signing in Pittsburgh, common supervisor Omar Khan traded Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles in trade for a modest return.

The Steelers despatched Pickett and a fourth-round choose (No. 120) in trade for a third-round choose (No. 98) and a pair of 2025 seventh-round picks. The compensation reveals how far Pickett’s inventory has fallen. The 2022 first-round choose was value solely 22 locations to maneuver up from Spherical 4 to Spherical 3, plus a pair of seventh-round picks.

The e book on Pickett popping out of faculty was that he had a excessive ground however not an particularly excessive ceiling due to restricted arm power and questions on his poise within the pocket. The truth that he didn’t succeed early definitely diminished hopes for him in the long run.

Punting on a QB after two seasons is rarely preferrred, nevertheless it additionally reveals one other instance of the brand new approach the Steelers are doing enterprise. Fairly than sitting and ready, they admitted their mistake and minimize ties with the quarterback. The entrance workplace deserves a degree of credit score for acknowledging actuality and shifting ahead regardless of the ill-advised draft choose two years in the past.

Whereas the transfer might need fast-tracked an inevitable divorce, it additionally leaves the Steelers with only one quarterback on the roster. Contemplating Wilson is about to show 36 years previous in November and is on a one-year contract, the Steelers will as soon as once more have to discover a long-term reply behind middle ahead of later.

GO DEEPER

How the Kenny Pickett period fizzled and the place the Steelers go from right here at QB

Grade: C — The Steelers eradicated a doable distraction of their locker room however introduced again solely a minimal return. Questions in regards to the quarterback place will proceed to persist until Wilson proves he’s worthy of an extension or the Steelers discover a dependable passer elsewhere.

Date: March 14

Influence: Medium

DeFabo’s ideas: Common supervisor Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl have repeatedly careworn the significance of constructing high quality depth within the trenches. On Thursday, they stored one in every of their very own with that goal in thoughts, agreeing to phrases on a two-year take care of defensive deal with Montravius Adams, per a number of stories.

Adams’ profession was trending within the improper route in 2021 when he was relegated to the Saints’ apply squad. The Steelers claimed him on Nov. 30 and promptly thrust him into the beginning lineup. He’s began 21 of the doable 35 video games wherein he’s been wholesome. (For that reason, you may not discover a greater Mike Tomlin supporter within the locker room than Adams, who has stated he’s eternally indebted to the workforce.)

Final season, when Adams went down with harm, it opened a door for Keeanu Benton. The rookie took full benefit of the chance. Tomlin made it recognized in his end-of-season information convention he expects huge issues from Benton in Yr 2. Adams very properly would possibly begin the season behind Benton at nostril deal with on the depth chart.

However given Benton is continuous to diversify his talent set throughout the defensive entrance, and Khan stated they need to be cautious about how shortly they create Cameron Heyward again from offseason surgical procedure, Adams ought to have alternatives to be a part of the rotation in sure packages and conditions.

Grade: C — Adams is a strong depth piece however, in a really perfect world, will serve extra as a backup.

Steelers add potential beginning S

Date: March 14

Influence: Medium

DeFabo’s ideas: The Steelers addressed their secondary on Thursday, agreeing to phrases with former Dolphins security DeShon Elliott on a two-year, $6 million deal, in line with a number of stories.

Elliott, who turns 27 in April, began 15 video games for Miami final season, posting a career-high seven cross breakups together with an interception and 82 tackles. He began 13 video games for the Lions in 2022 and 22 video games for the Ravens from 2020 to 2021.

The place Elliott suits within the protection stays to be seen. The Steelers have an apparent want at sturdy security after releasing Keanu Neal with a failed bodily designation. At 6-foot-1 and 210 kilos, Elliott can be able to filling that void within the field.

However that’s not his solely place. Final season, Elliott took the vast majority of his snaps from a deep, free security place. Over his five-year profession, he’s additionally been deployed as a powerful security, nickel linebacker and slot cornerback.

Final 12 months’s free security, Damontae Kazee (who continues to be below contract for 2024), underwhelmed and sometimes took poor angles, and nickel nook Chandon Sullivan stays unsigned, so the Steelers may use Elliott in any of those roles. On the similar time, as a lot as they like to maneuver defensive backs round their protection, likelihood is Elliott will in all probability find yourself in quite a few positions anyway.

Grade: C — As an alternative of spending huge on an impression security, the Steelers took a cheaper method. That was their path final 12 months, and it didn’t repay. Perhaps this one will.

Date: March 13

Influence: Low

Kaboly’s ideas: Khan stated the Steelers needed Rudolph again, however when the workforce did a 180 and signed Russell Wilson, that each one modified. Rudolph signed a one-year take care of the Titans value as a lot as $3.62 million with incentives, per workforce and league sources, to backup second-year professional Will Levis. Rudolph has by no means made greater than $3 million in a season throughout six years within the NFL, all with Pittsburgh.

The Steelers held out hope that Rudolph would return because the No. 3, however he had zero curiosity after not getting a chance to win the beginning job, following 2023’s late-season surge. Rudolph began the final three regular-season video games, profitable all of them and getting the Steelers into the playoffs earlier than dropping to the Payments.

He began 13 of 21 video games in his time with the Steelers, ending with an 8-4-1 report. The Steelers have solely two quarterbacks on their roster: Wilson (as soon as he formally indicators) and Kenny Pickett.

Particular groups ace Miles Killebrew staying in Pittsburgh

Date: March 13

Influence: Low

DeFabo’s ideas: The Steelers got here to an settlement with Professional Bowl particular teamer Miles Killebrew on a two-year deal value as much as $6.5 million, a league supply confirmed.

When Killebrew was a calmly recruited highschool security, he began his spotlight video with clips of him working down the sector on particular groups and blowing up performs. That willingness to embrace the underrated third part of the sport earned him his lone scholarship supply at Southern Utah. Whilst he’s developed, he’s by no means forgotten his roots, changing into one of many league’s most impactful particular groups gamers.

Since he signed with the Steelers in 2021, Killebrew has blocked three punts, essentially the most within the league over that span. Throughout the 2023 season, he blocked one punt by the tip zone for a security, serving to flip the tide in a 17-10 win over the Ravens. Later within the season, he partially blocked one other punt, which gained’t present up on the stat sheet as a result of it traveled previous the road of scrimmage.

These performs helped Killebrew earn his first Professional Bowl nod and the good-looking new contract that can make him one of many league’s higher-paid particular teamers.

Grade: B — Killebrew is a team-first participant with nice soccer character. He’s a helpful contributor on the sector and a high-quality particular person to have within the locker room. The worth tag is excessive, however Killebrew is value it.

Steelers don’t tender RFAs, agree with LS Kuntz

Date: March 13

Influence: Low

Kaboly’s ideas: Veteran lengthy snapper Christian Kuntz was one in every of 4 restricted free brokers not tendered by the Steelers on Wednesday, however he’ll return on a long-term extension.

The Steelers have agreed to phrases on a three-year take care of Kuntz, in line with a workforce supply. His wage is unknown, nevertheless it’s seemingly no more than the league minimal of $1.125 for a veteran heading into his fourth accrued season. Restricted free brokers left unsigned are defensive lineman Renell Wren, linebacker Chapelle Russell and working again/kick returner Godwin Igwebuike. The Steelers can negotiate an unrestricted free-agent contract with any of them.

Grade: B — It’s only a lengthy snapper, however Kuntz has been fairly reliable over his three-year profession.

Date: March 13

Influence: Low

Kaboly’s ideas: Watts’ departure isn’t an enormous loss, nevertheless it’s not insignificant both. He was a rotational participant alongside the defensive position a 12 months in the past. He didn’t present a lot in the way in which of stats (15 tackles and a half-sack) whereas taking part in 28 p.c of the snaps, however his availability was noticeable, particularly at a skinny place.

The Steelers don’t have a lot in the way in which of depth at defensive deal with, and their two starters — Cameron Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi — are each 30-plus. Watts performed three years with the Vikings and one with the Bears earlier than signing with the Steelers. They should discover depth on the place, as DeMarvin Leal and Isaiahh Loudermilk are their solely choices proper now.

Steelers ship off Johnson for CB, choose swap

Date: March 12

Influence: Very excessive

Diontae Johnson’s tenure in Pittsburgh is over, because the Steelers are buying and selling the huge receiver to the Carolina Panthers in trade for cornerback Donte Jackson and a swap of sixth- and seventh-round draft picks, league sources confirmed Tuesday. The Steelers will obtain choose No. 178 and ship again No. 240. The deal can’t develop into official till the brand new league 12 months opens Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.

Commerce phrases, per supply:

Panthers get:
WR Diontae Johnson
Seventh-round choose: No. 240

Steelers get:
CB Donte Jackson
Sixth-round choose: No. 178@TheAthleticNFL

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 12, 2024

Johnson’s identify had been talked about in commerce rumors after an up-and-down season in 2023. He completed second on the workforce in receiving yards (717) and tied for the lead in receiving touchdowns (5) regardless of lacking 4 video games due to harm, however he additionally obtained right into a locker-room spat with teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick and drew criticism for his lack of effort on a play towards the Bengals (Johnson later apologized).

The 27-year-old was a Professional Bowler in 2021, when he posted profession highs of 107 receptions, 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns. He had one 12 months remaining on his contract. With the commerce, the Steelers will save $10 million towards the cap whereas absorbing $5.8 million in useless cash.

Jackson, 28, began for many of his six seasons in Carolina, together with 16 video games in 2023, when he posted 5 cross breakups. A second-round select of LSU in 2018, he was coming into the ultimate 12 months of his contract and reportedly was a candidate to be launched if he was not traded. He’s due $4.7 million in base wage in 2024, plus a $4 million roster bonus and $1.7 million per-game roster bonus.

Kaboly’s ideas:  This wasn’t an ideal return for a high receiver like Johnson, however the Steelers have been backed right into a nook. Johnson requested a commerce coming into the ultimate 12 months of his contract, with no extension in sight and a $3 million roster bonus due Friday. With that deadline looming, the Steelers didn’t get a lot in the way in which of a return, shifting up 68 picks close to the tip of April’s draft and including a veteran cornerback.

Jackson, who was reportedly a candidate to be launched, comes with a $10.5 million cap hit. It’s unknown whether or not or not the Panthers will eat a few of that. The Steelers wanted a cornerback, with solely three presently on the roster and Joey Porter Jr. being the one one with expertise. However Jackson hasn’t performed properly since being the fifty fifth choose within the 2018 draft. He signed a three-year, $35.1 million deal in 2022 and had three voidable years left on his deal after this season.

The commerce places the Steelers in a tricky spot, as they’ve solely George Pickens returning as a beginning receiver. Calvin Austin III is extremely regarded however performed sparingly final 12 months. He missed all of his rookie season with an harm.

The Steelers took Johnson within the third spherical in 2019, and he’s had an up-and-down profession. His numbers dipped not too long ago, and he was concerned in locker-room altercations with teammates in every of the previous two seasons. He finishes his Steelers profession with 391 catches for 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns. Solely 5 touchdowns got here during the last two seasons.

Grade: C/Incomplete — The return wasn’t good, nevertheless it’s unattainable to grade the commerce till we see Khan’s coinciding transfer. The Steelers will seemingly add a starting-caliber receiver in some unspecified time in the future in free company. Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Josh Reynolds and Marquise Brown are a few of the high candidates remaining.

The highest free-agent ILB is coming to Pittsburgh

Date: March 12

Influence: Very excessive

DeFabo’s ideas: After Omar Khan made an early splash by agreeing to phrases with QB Russell Wilson on the eve of free company, the Steelers GM had a quiet Monday. Solely a punter was added in what was an essential however not so thrilling transfer.

That modified in an enormous approach on Tuesday, when the Steelers agreed to phrases with former Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Queen, who was ranked No. 17 amongst The Athletic’s Prime 150 free brokers and No. 1 amongst linebackers.

At 6-foot, 230 kilos, the 24-year-old Queen hit the open market after the Ravens declined his fifth-year choice a 12 months in the past. He fills an essential void within the Steelers’ protection.

Since Ryan Shazier went down with a career-ending harm in 2017, the within linebacker place in Pittsburgh has been a revolving door. The Steelers believed they’d constructed a strong rotation final season, solely to see do-everything, three-down ‘backer Cole Holcomb and their next-best protection linebacker, Kwon Alexander, go down in back-to-back weeks with season-ending accidents.

With Holcomb nonetheless recovering from a major knee harm, there isn’t a assure he’ll be prepared by Week 1. Discovering a top quality substitute was paramount for a protection that’s been inconsistent for years towards the run, partially due to the lackluster inside linebacker play. Khan stated so himself on the mix, acknowledging that linebacker was “clearly a place we’ve to handle.”

In Queen, the Steelers have discovered their new all-purpose linebacker. As our resident GM Randy Mueller wrote in his report, “He can run, blitz and play the cross or run equally properly.” The Steelers, who typically ask their linebackers to cowl tight ends or working backs in man protection, will want all of Queen’s well-rounded talent set, particularly with bruising again Derrick Henry becoming a member of the Ravens. However with Queen on board, what was as soon as the obtrusive weak spot of the protection may flip right into a power.

The transfer additionally seems like one other instance of Khan placing his fingerprints on the franchise. When prior to now have the Steelers gone out and added the highest free agent at his place? That is by far the biggest contract they’ve ever given to an exterior unrestricted free agent, surpassing the three-year, $26.5 million deal that guard James Daniels signed two years in the past.

Because the roster is presently constructed, Queen and Elandon Roberts determine to be the 2 starters. The Steelers can nonetheless add to that place group later in free company or the draft, relying on how they really feel about Mark Robinson and Holcomb’s well being standing.

Grade: A — The Steelers addressed one in every of their most urgent wants with essentially the most impactful participant on the open market. A giant swing from Khan is prone to pay dividends.

Steelers land a punter

Date: March 11

Influence: Low to average

DeFabo’s ideas: In most NFL cities, signing a punter wouldn’t transfer the needle a lot. However Pittsburgh isn’t like most cities. Former punter Pressley Harvin III’s inconsistencies typically drew the ire of the fanbase. The potential of his booming leg was far overshadowed by his shanks, ultimately forcing the Steelers to maneuver on.

By agreeing to phrases with Cameron Johnston, per a league supply, the Steelers have discovered the seemingly substitute for Harvin. In his six-year profession (three with Philadelphia and three with Houston), the Australian-born, Ohio State product averaged 47.3 yards per punt.

Final season, his web punting common of 44.0 yards ranked fourth-best within the league. Johnston pinned 30 punts contained in the 20-yard line with simply three touchbacks. He additionally added a career-long 74-yard punt to his resume.

Grade: B- — Including a punter isn’t an thrilling transfer, nevertheless it’s a obligatory one, particularly contemplating how typically coach Mike Tomlin preaches in regards to the “discipline place part” in information conferences.

Date: March 10

Influence: Very excessive

DeFabo’s ideas: Coach Mike Tomlin promised competitors for Kenny Pickett at his end-of-season information convention. Regardless that Wilson’s price ticket is the veteran minimal, a nine-time Professional Bowler and Tremendous Bowl champion seemingly isn’t right here to be the No. 2 to Pickett or push him in a quarterback competitors the way in which re-signing Mason Rudolph might need.

Whereas it wouldn’t be Tomlin’s strategy to anoint a starter, Wilson must be the odds-on favourite to win the job.

The query is, at 35, what does he have left? Our resident GM Randy Mueller wrote in his analysis, “He’s not for everybody at this stage, as his talent set should suit your scheme. He’s greatest when his targets are predetermined and play-action is a daily a part of the offense. He was very danger averse and in addition had inconsistent accuracy in 2023. He’ll maintain the ball and take too many sacks.”

Wilson may not be at his Professional Bowl greatest, however the Steelers gained’t ask him to be. Pittsburgh’s protection, which completed sixth-best in scoring final season, primarily lugged an anemic offense into the postseason.

With new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith anticipated to put in a run-heavy scheme that takes the strain off the quarterback (and one which’s awfully just like the scheme Mueller described), Wilson can be put ready to do what he does greatest: Decrease turnovers, hit just a few deep balls to maximise George Pickens’ big-play potential and win white-knuckle, wonky video games the way in which he’s constructed his profession.

Grade: B- — Wilson is an enchancment over Pickett. However at this stage of his profession, how a lot can he push the Steelers’ ceiling?

Date: March 8

Influence: Medium

DeFabo’s ideas: The Steelers continued to arrange totally free company Friday by releasing two veterans, defensive again Patrick Peterson and receiver Allen Robinson.

Each gamers added worth to the group throughout their lone 12 months in Pittsburgh. Peterson supplied mentorship to Joey Porter Jr. and the opposite younger gamers whereas filling quite a few roles within the secondary, together with exterior nook, nickel nook and security. Whereas he informed The Athletic through the season he’d wish to play two extra seasons to get to fifteen years within the league, he’s additionally set to show 34 and is exhibiting indicators of getting old.

Pittsburgh saved $6.5 million towards the cap however might want to add a nook in free company or the draft. Final 12 months’s seventh-round choose Cory Trice Jr. has promise however can be coming off a knee harm that robbed him of his rookie 12 months. Contemplating how slowly the coaches broke in Porter, they’ll want a extra established starter forward of Trice on the depth chart.

Robinson was acquired by way of a commerce final 12 months. Whereas he was a reliable blocker who embraced the position he was forged in, the workforce saved $10 million towards the cap by releasing him, making it an apparent transfer.

In whole, the Steelers have saved $36.3 million by slicing Mitch Trubisky ($2.9 million), offensive deal with Chukwuma Okorafor ($8.8 million), punter Pressley Harvin III ($1.1 million), middle Mason Cole ($4.75 million), security Keanu Neal ($2.25 million), plus Robinson and Peterson.

Grade: A — This was the proper enterprise transfer contemplating age and wage.

Steelers comply with phrases with depth DL Fehoko

Date: March 8

Influence: Low

DeFabo’s ideas: On Friday, the Steelers introduced they agreed to phrases with depth defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko. The 27-year-old nostril deal with joined the group final offseason, because the Steelers made a concerted effort so as to add high quality depth and construct by the trenches. Nevertheless, he toiled totally on the apply squad final 12 months.

It is going to be attention-grabbing to see how considerably the Steelers handle their defensive position this offseason. In a really perfect world, they’ll add sufficient key items that Fehoko is once more in a reserve position.

Grade: C+ — Fehoko gives good depth, nevertheless it’s onerous to get too excited given his lack of taking part in time final 12 months.

(Photograph: Charles LeClaire / USA At this time)