With the 2022 NFL regular season almost over, the Pittsburgh Steelers need to start thinking about who to keep and who they should allow to walk away. Here are three players that the team should re-sign and three players whose time here should be up:
DL Larry Ogunjobi: After failing a physical with the Chicago Bears, the Steelers were able to pick him up for cheap, and he's been a needed piece for the interior defensive line. He's been an effective pass rusher up the middle, while helping stop runs in the A gaps. As long as he doesn't fail another physical in the off-season, he should be signed for the short-term future, and to be the starter for at least next year, and until he hits his decline.
Potential Contract: 3 years, $30 million, $14 million guaranteed
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SS Terrell Edmunds: It was a toss-up between him and Damontae Kazee for who to keep, but the edge goes to Edmunds due to age, although it would be ideal to keep both. After not getting much of a market this past off-season, Edmunds came back on a 1-year, $2 million contract. He’s underrated due to being a slight reach in the 2018 NFL Draft (28th overall), but he is a very effective safety.
He’s a top tier tackler that can play man coverage against running backs and tight ends. He’s also developed the ability to play deep zone. He’s a very talented safety that’s earned a real contract. The only reason to not sign him is if the team wants to try and get him for cheap again due to a struggling market, but do they want to make that risk again?
Potential Contract: 2 years, $21 million, $9 million guaranteed
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LB Devin Bush: Bush has finally started to develop again after a disastrous comeback campaign in 2021. He’s become a good tackler and has been solid in coverage, including a game-saving pass breakup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was drafted to be the QB of the defense, so the Steelers should try letting him call plays next season. He should probably get a cheap 1-year deal that's heavily incentive-based, just to make sure this year isn't a fluke.
Potential contract: 1 year, $3 million, $2 million guaranteed, up to $10 million in bonuses
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Now for the players the Steelers shouldn't offer an extension to. There are probably plenty of other names that the team could consider, but these three come to mind the most.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation.com (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
FB Derek Watt: Oh cool, he’s a special teams ace and TJ Watt's brother, so what? It’s not hard to find a guy to make tackles on special teams, and he’s not even needed for 3rd/4th and 1 with how Pickett has already mastered the art of the QB sneak. You can find special teamers for much less than what Derek is making, and that $3+ million can be used elsewhere, like Bush’s potential contract.
If you really wanted someone to play FB, just have a backup DL come in and block. Other teams have already embraced having big men come in for a play as a lead blocker. Don’t let nepotism trump logic. Let Watt walk and don’t worry about grabbing an actual FB.
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
EDGE Malik Reed: To be fair to Reed, he was put in a horrible position in trying to fill TJ Watt’s shoes. In a season full of underwhelming pass rush, Reed has been no different. He’s struggled to get any sort of pressure as a starter or as a rotational piece. Of course, letting him go doesn’t help or hurt anything, but it just seems like the Steelers can get better depth for cheaper. The trade to get Reed cost next to nothing, so it’s not like having him leave is a total loss. It was just unfortunate circumstances for Reed, and both team and player will probably be better apart.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation.com (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
NT Tyson Alualu: Alualu never lived up to his first round draft hype, but he turned into a very solid contributor for many years. Coming to the Steelers from Jacksonville he offered a huge boost to the run D when he switched from DE to NT, but age and a broken foot has taken him down. He lost his starting spot this season to Montravius Adams who joined the team last season after being signed off the practice squad. It's likely that Alualu retires after this season, regardless.
Is there anyone else that this team should or shouldn’t re-sign? Leave a comment below and let us know.
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