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The Pittsburgh Steelers are faced with yet another tough decision heading into the 2022 season; what to do with safety, Terrell Edmunds. Although he’s started in almost every game during his four-year career thus far in Pittsburgh, the organization decided against picking up the young talent’s fifth-year option last year, and he is now slotted to enter free agency in just a few short days. The Steelers themselves have been quite hush regarding their next move at strong safety so far this off-season and have not given SteelerNation much of an indication on what direction they are leaning.
Although Edmunds failed to make a name for himself early on in his career, it wasn’t until the Steelers traded for his counterpart, Minkah Fitzpatrick, that things started to change. The Fitzpatrick trade did wonders for the development of Edmunds’ game itself. Being a first round pick, I think there was initial pressure on Edmunds at the start of his career to ultimately be the guy who could turn the defensive secondary around after many years of mediocracy. Although Edmunds has always been effective as a rush defender, his inability to be consistent as a pass defender is what causes many Steelers fans to have concerns.
That being said, Edmunds is coming off one of his best all around seasons as a pro yet. The four-year starter accounted for 89 total combined tackles, one sack and two interceptions (both tied for career highs). This was the first full year that we saw Fitzpatrick and Edmunds on the field together and to be honest, they work well together. Edmunds was just 11 tackles away from the Steelers having both of their safeties surpass 100 tackles on the season (Fitzpatrick had 124) and he seemed to be more comfortable in the Steelers defensive scheme as the season went on.
Where he has really stood out has been in regards to his availability. In those four seasons as a starter, Edmunds has played in a total of 64 games in the black and gold — only missing one game back in his rookie season in 2018. Edmunds has been an extremely durable player at a position where depth is lacking, and while I do think the organization would have loved to see more production from Edmunds, his ability to stay on the football field consistently is what has captured the attention of head coach Mike Tomlin.
The question is, will that be enough to keep him on the roster? As stated before, the Steelers had declined to pick up his fifth-year option from his rookie contract signed back in 2018 and as of now, there have been no reports or any rumors indicating that Edmunds will return to Pittsburgh for a fifth season or beyond. That being said, the Steelers drafted safety Tre Norwood in the seventh round of last year’s NFL Draft and were impressed by his play on the field during his rookie season. Norwood was a guy who caught the attention of Coach Tomlin early last season and judging off of his comments earlier, it doesn’t sound like Edmunds will be re-signed any time soon, leaving the door potentially open for Norwood to become the starter if not addressed during this off-season.
Do you think the Steelers should sign Edmunds to a long-term deal? Click to comment below!
#SteelerNation
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Although Edmunds failed to make a name for himself early on in his career, it wasn’t until the Steelers traded for his counterpart, Minkah Fitzpatrick, that things started to change. The Fitzpatrick trade did wonders for the development of Edmunds’ game itself. Being a first round pick, I think there was initial pressure on Edmunds at the start of his career to ultimately be the guy who could turn the defensive secondary around after many years of mediocracy. Although Edmunds has always been effective as a rush defender, his inability to be consistent as a pass defender is what causes many Steelers fans to have concerns.
That being said, Edmunds is coming off one of his best all around seasons as a pro yet. The four-year starter accounted for 89 total combined tackles, one sack and two interceptions (both tied for career highs). This was the first full year that we saw Fitzpatrick and Edmunds on the field together and to be honest, they work well together. Edmunds was just 11 tackles away from the Steelers having both of their safeties surpass 100 tackles on the season (Fitzpatrick had 124) and he seemed to be more comfortable in the Steelers defensive scheme as the season went on.
Where he has really stood out has been in regards to his availability. In those four seasons as a starter, Edmunds has played in a total of 64 games in the black and gold — only missing one game back in his rookie season in 2018. Edmunds has been an extremely durable player at a position where depth is lacking, and while I do think the organization would have loved to see more production from Edmunds, his ability to stay on the football field consistently is what has captured the attention of head coach Mike Tomlin.
The question is, will that be enough to keep him on the roster? As stated before, the Steelers had declined to pick up his fifth-year option from his rookie contract signed back in 2018 and as of now, there have been no reports or any rumors indicating that Edmunds will return to Pittsburgh for a fifth season or beyond. That being said, the Steelers drafted safety Tre Norwood in the seventh round of last year’s NFL Draft and were impressed by his play on the field during his rookie season. Norwood was a guy who caught the attention of Coach Tomlin early last season and judging off of his comments earlier, it doesn’t sound like Edmunds will be re-signed any time soon, leaving the door potentially open for Norwood to become the starter if not addressed during this off-season.
Do you think the Steelers should sign Edmunds to a long-term deal? Click to comment below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
