The Pittsburgh Steelers are in prime position to add to their already young, talented offense, along with their savvy and experienced defense. The 2023 NFL free agency period is right around the corner, starting March 15th, and the 2023 NFL Draft will be shortly after that beginning April 27th in Kansas City. You can bet on Pittsburgh re-tooling their current roster using both of these methods to definitively position themselves as a Super Bowl contender starting in September.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers defense takes the field at Acrisure Stadium in 2022.
Some still say "defense wins championships," and while the NFL is a much different, higher offensive powered game than it was 10-20 years ago, Pittsburgh still believes in that philosophy. They were the highest paid defense in 2022, but Steeler Nation will be the first to tell you that the black and gold unit from this past season still shows a tad bit more to be desired.
It feels like cornerback has been this team's Achilles heel since the early 2000's and the lack of draft success at the position since then has been a major concern. Coming off his best year as a Steelers defensive back, and another surprising free agent boost this past off-season, both Cam Sutton and Levi Wallace, respectively, have been a solid one-two punch in the secondary on the outside. But is it enough to trust going into the 2023 season?
Enter rumors about All-Pro cornerback, Jalen Ramsey.
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Los Angeles Rams All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey (#5).
Why the Steelers unfortunately won't pursue Ramsey
Ramsey is a 3x First Team All-Pro, a 6x Pro Bowler, and oh yeah, a Super Bowl LVI Champion. Although depth, and more concerning, a solidified number one CB is a top priority for Pittsburgh, Steelers.com's Bob Labriola explains why we shouldn't get our hopes up on trying to acquire the Los Angeles Rams' star defender:
"Jalen Ramsey is under contract to the Los Angeles Rams through the 2025 season, and so he either would have to be acquired via trade (and you can be certain that a 3x, First Team All-Pro cornerback who will begin the 2023 season as a 28-year-old ain't gonna come cheap in a trade) or by the Rams cutting him, which would cost them a $32.1 million dead cap hit and place Ramsey on the open market where the Steelers then would be placed in a bidding war for a 3x, First Team All-Pro cornerback who will begin the 2023 season as a 28-year-old."
Seems more like a pipe dream than an actual scenario Pittsburgh would entangle themselves in. If you ask me, I think Pittsburgh will look to replenish the position through the upcoming draft, or look at another pending free agent who won't cost as much to bolster the unit.
So now, what about the other side of the ball? Questions continue to swirl about veteran quarterback, Mitch Trubisky and his status with the team. There are two reasons why he's likely to stay put. For one, President Art Rooney II has already mentioned he expects the former No. 2 overall pick from the Chicago Bears to return to the team. Secondly, Labriola further puts the situation in better perspective:
"I believe the top of the depth chart at quarterback in 2023 will contain Kenny Pickett as the starter and Mitch Trubisky as the No. 2. After them, I would expect the Steelers will fill out the rest of their training camp roster at the position with some combination of young players – draft picks, undrafted rookies, or young free agents on minimum contracts."
Trubisky will command a cap hit of over $10.6 million in 2023. Although that is extremely expensive for a backup quarterback, Kenny Pickett will still be on his rookie deal entering his second season, and the comfort Pittsburgh has in Trubisky to be a leader in the locker room (and also someone who already knows the playbook) is ideal for the organization. He seems set to return (despite any trade rumors or issues with his salary), which brings me to my last point about the quarterback depth.
The Steelers will undoubtedly replenish their QB room
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Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (#2) preparing to make a throw during 2022 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
With Mason Rudolph likely on his way out of the Steel City, I still look for Pittsburgh to enter training camp with three-four quarterbacks per usual. I think it's possible we see a Chris Oladokun situation from last year where the Steelers draft a quarterback in the later rounds to compete during the early stages of the preseason. This process has been standard under Mike Tomlin's teams, and I don't see it changing in 2023. Click here for some quarterback names you can keep an eye on late in the draft from rounds 6, 7, and undrafted.
So, Steeler Nation. Are yinz ok with not having Ramsey, keeping Trubisky, and adding depth to the quarterback room via the draft? Leave a comment below!
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