- Joined
- Apr 7, 2014
- Messages
- 2,542
- Reaction score
- 4,985
- Points
- 93
The finale to the NFL season is here. Pittsburgh Steelers fans everywhere will be rooting for the Los Angeles Rams to beat the Cincinnati Bengals. If you say otherwise, maybe mix in a few waters to start thinking a little clearer. While everyone will most certainly be watching the game for enjoyment, there are plenty of potential free agents in this game that the Steelers could be targeting. Below are a few names to keep your eye on, who could possibly don the black & gold.
Jessie Bates III S Bengals
This is a pipe dream all Steelers fans would welcome, given it would be an (expensive) opportunity to right their wrong in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Steelers drafted Terrell Edmunds with the 28th overall pick in the 2018, while Bates was the next safety off the board at the 54th overall pick. Bates has performed as the better of the two since coming into the league and even the Steelers would agree that Edmunds hasn’t lived up to the first round pick standard, resulting in his 5th-year option being declined. A signing like this would be a seismic move for the Steelers as they would be pairing one of the best young safeties in the game with arguably the best safety in the game Minkah Fitzpatrick. While I don’t see the Steelers electing to spend their money on a new safety, since they have Tre Norwood and could opt to offer Edmunds a more team friendly deal after a solid 2021 season, the possibility of a Bates/Fitzpatrick tandem gets the excitement going. One more thing, the Bengals have the salary cap needed if they want to re-sign him….like I said pipe dream.
Larry Ogunjobi DT Bengals
The Steelers have a huge question mark on the interior of their defense that goes by the name of Stephon Tuitt. He had plenty of struggles throughout the year with the loss of his brother and a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve, which led to Tuitt never seeing the field in 2021. If he doesn’t return, which is the stance the Steelers need to take instead of waiting, they need to find some help. Cam Heyward and Chris Wormley operate as their top defensive ends/tackles heading into 2022 with a little help behind them. Ogunjobi would be an ideal candidate as a cheaper rotational player behind Heyward and Wormley. Ogunjobi has plenty of experience in the AFC North, playing four years for the Cleveland Browns and this year for the Bengals. He wouldn’t be a flashy signing and one could argue it could be better to address the need in the draft, but it never hurts to have someone familiar with the physicality of the division.
Brian Allen C & Austin Corbett G Rams
This isn’t saying the Steelers should sign both of them, which I wouldn’t mind if they did, the decision of which the Steelers would sign solely depends on Kendrick Green’s future. Green had plenty of struggles last season adjusting to playing center, as well as playing his first year in the NFL, so it is not out of the realm of possibility that he slides back to his more natural position of guard. On the flip side of things, it makes sense to keep the youngster working at center as he has been spotted training with none other than Maurkice Pouncey recently. Now inserting Allen or Corbett into the mix of Green, Kevin Dotson, and Dan Moore Jr. wouldn’t only solidify a fourth starter in the group but bring experience and expertise playing in a system that wants to run the ball. Both players would also bring veteran leadership and the championship pedigree needed to an offense whose most seasoned starter looks to be Mason Rudolph.
What do you think #SteelerNation should the Steelers look to the Super Bowl to better their team?
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
Jessie Bates III S Bengals
This is a pipe dream all Steelers fans would welcome, given it would be an (expensive) opportunity to right their wrong in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Steelers drafted Terrell Edmunds with the 28th overall pick in the 2018, while Bates was the next safety off the board at the 54th overall pick. Bates has performed as the better of the two since coming into the league and even the Steelers would agree that Edmunds hasn’t lived up to the first round pick standard, resulting in his 5th-year option being declined. A signing like this would be a seismic move for the Steelers as they would be pairing one of the best young safeties in the game with arguably the best safety in the game Minkah Fitzpatrick. While I don’t see the Steelers electing to spend their money on a new safety, since they have Tre Norwood and could opt to offer Edmunds a more team friendly deal after a solid 2021 season, the possibility of a Bates/Fitzpatrick tandem gets the excitement going. One more thing, the Bengals have the salary cap needed if they want to re-sign him….like I said pipe dream.
Larry Ogunjobi DT Bengals
The Steelers have a huge question mark on the interior of their defense that goes by the name of Stephon Tuitt. He had plenty of struggles throughout the year with the loss of his brother and a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve, which led to Tuitt never seeing the field in 2021. If he doesn’t return, which is the stance the Steelers need to take instead of waiting, they need to find some help. Cam Heyward and Chris Wormley operate as their top defensive ends/tackles heading into 2022 with a little help behind them. Ogunjobi would be an ideal candidate as a cheaper rotational player behind Heyward and Wormley. Ogunjobi has plenty of experience in the AFC North, playing four years for the Cleveland Browns and this year for the Bengals. He wouldn’t be a flashy signing and one could argue it could be better to address the need in the draft, but it never hurts to have someone familiar with the physicality of the division.
Brian Allen C & Austin Corbett G Rams
This isn’t saying the Steelers should sign both of them, which I wouldn’t mind if they did, the decision of which the Steelers would sign solely depends on Kendrick Green’s future. Green had plenty of struggles last season adjusting to playing center, as well as playing his first year in the NFL, so it is not out of the realm of possibility that he slides back to his more natural position of guard. On the flip side of things, it makes sense to keep the youngster working at center as he has been spotted training with none other than Maurkice Pouncey recently. Now inserting Allen or Corbett into the mix of Green, Kevin Dotson, and Dan Moore Jr. wouldn’t only solidify a fourth starter in the group but bring experience and expertise playing in a system that wants to run the ball. Both players would also bring veteran leadership and the championship pedigree needed to an offense whose most seasoned starter looks to be Mason Rudolph.
What do you think #SteelerNation should the Steelers look to the Super Bowl to better their team?
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..