It's been quite the off-season for Pittsburgh Steelers safety, Terrell Edmunds. After the team decided to decline his fifth-year option in 2021, Edmunds was then free to test free agency once the season ended. Edmunds spoke to the media this week about that process and how he inevitably came back to the Steel City.
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt (#90), and safety, Terrell Edmunds (#34), share a moment against the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field back in 2021. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
"Really, it's just the best situation," said Edmunds on staying in Pittsburgh. "Back with my guys. I don't have to go meet a whole lot of new faces. I don't have to learn a new defense. I can just go out there and play my game. I feel comfortable, so it's just a great situation for me."
Before ultimately re-signing with the Steelers, Edmunds gave insight on his free agency experience:
"Man, it was just a waiting process," Edmunds said according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. "We was in communication with a lot of different teams. I had a few offers out there, but it was just like trying to figure out the best situation. Because at one point, it was going to take a two or three-year deal, then it started doing one-year deals, and then it was just all about the best situation for me. I'm glad to be back, it's time to work now." He continued. "I'm comfortable here. My teammates, I'm about to go out there with some more dogs, and then I already know the defense. And then I'm beside Minkah [Fitzpatrick], you already know that helps out everything too, so, just being with the same faces, the same group, the same system, that helps out everything."
And he addressed the fact that the Steelers signed safety Damontae Kazee which will result in a direct competition for his job this summer.
“I feel like I’m the starter,” Edmunds said on Wednesday. “He’s [Kazee] going to help us out the best he can. There’s no doubt in my mind about the starter’s position. I feel like it’s locked down, but we’re definitely going to be competing every day. That’s part of football. Every year you have to compete. But at the same time, I’m confident in myself. I’m going out there trying to be a leader.”
Although Edmunds is returning as a Steeler and there's much familiarity there, he will see a slight change on defense in terms of having a new defensive coordinator in Teryl Austin. Edmunds spoke to his relationship with Austin and what he expects in 2022:
"That's my dog, TA, man. TA get a break now," Edmunds said smiling. "You see TA in the office now chillin', but TA, you know, he's still the same guy. Super smart. He's going to put us in the best positions. He's going to help us out. He's going to have that voice. He was a leader last year, and now being in that dominant role, you can definitely tell."
Pittsburgh Steelers senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Teryl Austin calls a coverage during the first practice session at training camp at St. Vincent College on Friday, July. 26, 2019 in Latrobe. Barry Reeger | Special to PennLive
Edmunds was originally drafted by Pittsburgh in 2018 in the first round, and has been with the team ever since. He finished the 2021 season with 2 interceptions, 1 sack, 89 tackles, and 8 tackles for loss. For this Steelers defense to be elite, Edmunds will need to continue to improve his game and be a reliable starter in the secondary.
Watch his full clip with the media here:
Are yinz excited to have Edmunds back in the secondary? What are your expectations of him moving into 2022? Click to comment below!
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