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Free agency. The “Wild West” period of the NFL off-season, where front offices are in a constant state of urgency to create the best version of their organizations as possible before the annual NFL Draft. Whether it’s a superstar quarterback getting a record-breaking deal, or your favorite team re-signing that “glue guy” that keeps it all together, we’ve seen that free agency in the NFL can be the most exciting portion of the off-season.
While the Pittsburgh Steelers in the past are more known for cultivating home-grown talent more so than big splashes in acquiring new talent, the addition of inside linebacker Myles Jack, quarterback Mitch Trubisky, offensive guard James Daniels, center Mason Cole, cornerback Levi Wallace, return specialist Gunner Olszewski, along with the re-signing of cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, has proven to be one of the most active and exciting free agency periods we’ve seen for the Steelers, in one of the most exciting free agency periods in NFL history.
With all of these off-season acquisitions, I thought it would be appropriate to go back and make a list of my personal top 5 free agent signings the Steelers have made in their illustrious history.
Steelers.com
This former first round draft pick played four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before joining the Steelers in 1998. Washington didn’t miss a game in his six seasons with the Steelers, accounting for 19 interceptions, 366 solo tackles, and two touchdowns.
He was a bright spot for the 1998 Steelers team that would finish 7-9, grabbing five interceptions, with two being returned for touchdowns. He also had 79 solo tackles and two fumble recoveries.
While he may not be the first player you think of from late 90’s/early 00’s Steelers defenses, his durability and contributions should not be forgotten by the Steeler faithful.
Christian Peterson / Getty Images
Fans might find it hard to believe in Pittsburgh, but Ryan Clark went undrafted in 2002. Clark would spend four seasons playing for the New York Giants and the formerly known Washington Redskins (two seasons with each respected team), before coming to Pittsburgh in 2006.
It’s difficult to imagine Clark in anything other than a Steelers uniform, as he patrolled the back end of many great Steelers defenses along with Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu for eight seasons.
During his time in Pittsburgh, Clark started 109 regular season and six postseason games, grabbing 12 interceptions, 667 combined tackles, along with numerous hits that resulted in so many “oooooooo’s,” from the crowd that I wish were measured in stats, as well as a victory in Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals.
While Polamalu was the silent assassin, Clark provided the attitude and grit that endears a player to every Yinzer that is privileged enough to witness it.
Clark would make the Pro Bowl in 2011, having 100 or more combined tackles in each of his last 3 seasons in Pittsburgh.
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Photo Credit: Teresa Varley
The most thankless yet important job in professional sports, the offensive linemen. Men who make their living in the trenches and yet, receive none of the glory. Not in Pittsburgh.
Here’s what you have to understand about Jeff Hartings; he followed what could be argued as the greatest legacy for centers in the NFL. From 1974-2000, Mike Webster and Dermontti Dawson quarterbacked the offensive lines of some of the greatest Steelers teams of all-time. Oh, and by the way, both of those guys ended up with gold jackets.
Then along comes Jeff Hartings after five seasons with the Detroit Lions, who selected him in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft. Hartings signed with the Steelers in 2001 and didn’t miss a snap in all but two games in his six seasons with the Steelers.
A two-time Pro Bowler, along with two All-Pro selections in 2001 (Second Team), and 2004 (First Team), Hartings would be the anchor for an offensive line that helped the Steelers win 63 regular season games, and seven postseason games, including Super Bowl XL against the Seattle Seahawks.
While Hartings may not end up in Canton, we give thanks to a man that played a thankless position, and did it at a high level for six seasons.
Michael F. Fabus / Pittsburgh Steelers
If you looked up “passion” or “intensity” in the dictionary, you would find a picture of the late, great Kevin Greene. Even though he only spent three seasons in Pittsburgh, his impact on the team and the city is felt to this day by fans, coaches, and players alike.
Greene joined the Steelers in 1993 after spending eight seasons with the Los Angeles Rams where he had already compiled 72.5 sacks, 375 combined tackles, a Pro Bowl selection and a Second Team All-Pro nod in 1989.
That consistency continued with the Steelers, where he would start 48 games, have 35.5 sacks, and 184 combined tackles. Greene was selected to the Pro Bowl two out of his three seasons in Pittsburgh, including a First Team All-Pro selection in 1994.
His 14 sacks in 1994 led the league, and was voted the NFLPA AFC Linebacker of the Year award along with fellow Hall of Famer Junior Seau of the San Diego Chargers. Greene led a Pittsburgh defense that, during his time there, would lead the league in sacks (139), and allow the fewest yards per rush (3.48), and would help the Steelers make an appearance in Super Bowl XXX.
While his time in Pittsburgh was short-lived, the impact he left on the organization was not.
Steelers.com
Thought he was going to be #1, didn’t you? While he may be the #2 free agent signing on my list, #51 was #1 on the field for the Steelers defense for 10 seasons.
After coming over from the New York Jets in 2002, nobody could’ve predicted what would come next from the former #8 overall pick in Pittsburgh.
154 regular season and 15 postseason starts, 1,085 combined tackles, 30 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, eight interceptions, and one touchdown later, James Farrior would carry the torch and quarterback a defense that would help the Steelers win 105 regular season games and two Super Bowls.
During his time in the black & gold, Farrior would make two Pro Bowls and be selected First Feam All-Pro in 2004, and Second Team All-Pro in 2008, not to mention he is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor.
I’m sure Steelers fans everywhere would like to give a big thank you to the Jets for giving us a player that would live up to the legacy that comes along with playing linebacker for the Steelers.
One word: Deebo.
Yes, I know, I cheated here, while Harrison wasn’t your classic free agent signing, the Steelers still signed him as an undrafted free agent, which I’m going to count as eligible for this list.
We all know the story, cut four times, considered retiring, ended up squeaking onto the roster, and never looked back — which Steelers fans everywhere should be eternally grateful for.
In his what we’ll call 13.5 seasons with the Steelers, Harrison was one of the most feared and dominant edge rushers both the Steelers and the NFL have seen.
80.5 sacks (Steelers all-time leader), 772 combined tackles, 107 regular season and 12 postseason games started, 33 forced fumbles, 7 regular season interceptions and 1 postseason interception that went for a touchdown that all Steelers fans will never forget.
Speaking of things Steelers fans will never forget, Harrison would go on to make the Pro Bowl five times in five straight seasons (2007-2011), be selected to four All-Pro teams (two Second Team, two First Team), and be the 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year in a season where he was fourth in the NFL MVP voting.
Deebo terrorized NFL offensive tackles for 16 years and should be a shoe-in to get a gold jacket in Canton.
Just remember one more thing, if you get hit by James Harrison, he isn’t going to lay a pillow down for you…
That’s our list of the top 5 Steelers free agent signings of all-time! Do you agree with the list? Who got left off? Who should rank where? Let us know in the comment section below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
While the Pittsburgh Steelers in the past are more known for cultivating home-grown talent more so than big splashes in acquiring new talent, the addition of inside linebacker Myles Jack, quarterback Mitch Trubisky, offensive guard James Daniels, center Mason Cole, cornerback Levi Wallace, return specialist Gunner Olszewski, along with the re-signing of cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, has proven to be one of the most active and exciting free agency periods we’ve seen for the Steelers, in one of the most exciting free agency periods in NFL history.
With all of these off-season acquisitions, I thought it would be appropriate to go back and make a list of my personal top 5 free agent signings the Steelers have made in their illustrious history.
Honorable Mention: CB Dewayne Washington (1998-2003)
Steelers.com
This former first round draft pick played four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before joining the Steelers in 1998. Washington didn’t miss a game in his six seasons with the Steelers, accounting for 19 interceptions, 366 solo tackles, and two touchdowns.
He was a bright spot for the 1998 Steelers team that would finish 7-9, grabbing five interceptions, with two being returned for touchdowns. He also had 79 solo tackles and two fumble recoveries.
While he may not be the first player you think of from late 90’s/early 00’s Steelers defenses, his durability and contributions should not be forgotten by the Steeler faithful.
#5: FS Ryan Clark (2006-2013)
Christian Peterson / Getty Images
Fans might find it hard to believe in Pittsburgh, but Ryan Clark went undrafted in 2002. Clark would spend four seasons playing for the New York Giants and the formerly known Washington Redskins (two seasons with each respected team), before coming to Pittsburgh in 2006.
It’s difficult to imagine Clark in anything other than a Steelers uniform, as he patrolled the back end of many great Steelers defenses along with Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu for eight seasons.
During his time in Pittsburgh, Clark started 109 regular season and six postseason games, grabbing 12 interceptions, 667 combined tackles, along with numerous hits that resulted in so many “oooooooo’s,” from the crowd that I wish were measured in stats, as well as a victory in Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals.
While Polamalu was the silent assassin, Clark provided the attitude and grit that endears a player to every Yinzer that is privileged enough to witness it.
Clark would make the Pro Bowl in 2011, having 100 or more combined tackles in each of his last 3 seasons in Pittsburgh.
#4: C Jeff Hartings (2001-2006)
Photo Credit: Teresa Varley
The most thankless yet important job in professional sports, the offensive linemen. Men who make their living in the trenches and yet, receive none of the glory. Not in Pittsburgh.
Here’s what you have to understand about Jeff Hartings; he followed what could be argued as the greatest legacy for centers in the NFL. From 1974-2000, Mike Webster and Dermontti Dawson quarterbacked the offensive lines of some of the greatest Steelers teams of all-time. Oh, and by the way, both of those guys ended up with gold jackets.
Then along comes Jeff Hartings after five seasons with the Detroit Lions, who selected him in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft. Hartings signed with the Steelers in 2001 and didn’t miss a snap in all but two games in his six seasons with the Steelers.
A two-time Pro Bowler, along with two All-Pro selections in 2001 (Second Team), and 2004 (First Team), Hartings would be the anchor for an offensive line that helped the Steelers win 63 regular season games, and seven postseason games, including Super Bowl XL against the Seattle Seahawks.
While Hartings may not end up in Canton, we give thanks to a man that played a thankless position, and did it at a high level for six seasons.
#3: OLB Kevin Greene (1993-1995)
Michael F. Fabus / Pittsburgh Steelers
If you looked up “passion” or “intensity” in the dictionary, you would find a picture of the late, great Kevin Greene. Even though he only spent three seasons in Pittsburgh, his impact on the team and the city is felt to this day by fans, coaches, and players alike.
Greene joined the Steelers in 1993 after spending eight seasons with the Los Angeles Rams where he had already compiled 72.5 sacks, 375 combined tackles, a Pro Bowl selection and a Second Team All-Pro nod in 1989.
That consistency continued with the Steelers, where he would start 48 games, have 35.5 sacks, and 184 combined tackles. Greene was selected to the Pro Bowl two out of his three seasons in Pittsburgh, including a First Team All-Pro selection in 1994.
His 14 sacks in 1994 led the league, and was voted the NFLPA AFC Linebacker of the Year award along with fellow Hall of Famer Junior Seau of the San Diego Chargers. Greene led a Pittsburgh defense that, during his time there, would lead the league in sacks (139), and allow the fewest yards per rush (3.48), and would help the Steelers make an appearance in Super Bowl XXX.
While his time in Pittsburgh was short-lived, the impact he left on the organization was not.
#2: ILB James Farrior (2002-2011)
Steelers.com
Thought he was going to be #1, didn’t you? While he may be the #2 free agent signing on my list, #51 was #1 on the field for the Steelers defense for 10 seasons.
After coming over from the New York Jets in 2002, nobody could’ve predicted what would come next from the former #8 overall pick in Pittsburgh.
154 regular season and 15 postseason starts, 1,085 combined tackles, 30 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, eight interceptions, and one touchdown later, James Farrior would carry the torch and quarterback a defense that would help the Steelers win 105 regular season games and two Super Bowls.
During his time in the black & gold, Farrior would make two Pro Bowls and be selected First Feam All-Pro in 2004, and Second Team All-Pro in 2008, not to mention he is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor.
I’m sure Steelers fans everywhere would like to give a big thank you to the Jets for giving us a player that would live up to the legacy that comes along with playing linebacker for the Steelers.
#1: ILB James Harrison (2002, 2004-2012, 2014-2017)
One word: Deebo.
Yes, I know, I cheated here, while Harrison wasn’t your classic free agent signing, the Steelers still signed him as an undrafted free agent, which I’m going to count as eligible for this list.
We all know the story, cut four times, considered retiring, ended up squeaking onto the roster, and never looked back — which Steelers fans everywhere should be eternally grateful for.
In his what we’ll call 13.5 seasons with the Steelers, Harrison was one of the most feared and dominant edge rushers both the Steelers and the NFL have seen.
80.5 sacks (Steelers all-time leader), 772 combined tackles, 107 regular season and 12 postseason games started, 33 forced fumbles, 7 regular season interceptions and 1 postseason interception that went for a touchdown that all Steelers fans will never forget.
Speaking of things Steelers fans will never forget, Harrison would go on to make the Pro Bowl five times in five straight seasons (2007-2011), be selected to four All-Pro teams (two Second Team, two First Team), and be the 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year in a season where he was fourth in the NFL MVP voting.
Deebo terrorized NFL offensive tackles for 16 years and should be a shoe-in to get a gold jacket in Canton.
Just remember one more thing, if you get hit by James Harrison, he isn’t going to lay a pillow down for you…
That’s our list of the top 5 Steelers free agent signings of all-time! Do you agree with the list? Who got left off? Who should rank where? Let us know in the comment section below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
