The Pittsburgh Steelers have not made any huge splashes this offseason in free agency. That is partially due to their current cap situation, but that may not be the only reason. It seems like the Steelers feel fine with the way last year ended.
As most remember, the Steelers started the season 2-6. However, the team ended the season at 8-8, going 6-2 in their final eight games. That’s a complete 180 degree turnaround from the first eight games. It’s apparent that the Steelers as an organization feel they were right there last year. They aren’t wrong, either. The Steelers were in it until the very end and narrowly missed the postseason. So what exactly is the plan?
To me, the Steelers seem content with the team they had last year for the most part. They did lose LaMarr Woodley, Emmanuel Sanders, Jerricho Cotchery, and will most likely lose Ryan Clark. However, they’ve added Mike Mitchell and Lance Moore. It seems as if the most recent acquisition of linebacker Arthur Moats is a move to add depth at the linebacker position, where Jarvis Jones is ready to be paired with Jason Worilds.
The Steelers are currently just filling the holes created by free agency and they’re doing so with a level head. They’ve reached deals with two guys, Moore and Mitchell, that can really make a big impact next season. It now seems they may be finished with free agency and will just finish reloading in the draft in May. I’m not going to beat a dead horse because everyone knows at this point how deep the draft class is. The Steelers will fill the remaining holes in their roster then.
The Steelers have had a pretty good offseason so far. Nothing real big or jaw-dropping, but the moves they made are above average and will most likely help the team. No one could have really expected the Steelers to make a huge splash in free agency anyway because they never do.
The plan is clearly to finish filling the voids they have in the draft because management and Mike Tomlin feel that by replacing what they lost they can win this season. They aren’t wrong either.
The only worry I have about the Steelers is their depth at wide receiver. The defensive line will be fine considering Cam Heyward played better as the season progressed last year and Brett Keisel may still return. They will get Maurkice Pouncey back on an offensive line that improved as the year went on as well. They’ve gotten younger and faster on defense and can still replace the loss of Emmanuel Sanders through the draft.
The Steelers are in a good spot right now. The AFC North title has a good chance to be the black and gold’s after all is said and done.