Steelers Will Probably Sign Former Chiefs Breaston…. maybe.
September 23, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Steve Breaston (15) is pursued by New Orleans Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson (21) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Chiefs defeated the Saints 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs (and now former) WR Steve Breaston was released by the team on Tuesday. The Steelers are expected to either shop or draft (or both) a receiver during this offseason. Steve Breaston is not a perfect fit for the Steelers, but his past with Todd Haley may land him on the team anyways.
Breaston worked under Haley in both Arizona and Kansas City. Haley liked Breaston and used him frequently in the slot. Breaston caught on average 60 passes per season from 2008-2011. He even collected a 1,000 yard season in 2008, the same year that the Cardinals went to the Super Bowl and lost to the Steelers. For whatever reason, Breaston fell out of favor with then head coach Romeo Crennel. Crennel criticized Breaston for not knowing the game plan following Breaston’s three week benching. If you want to read the full glory of who said what in this amazing showing of asshattery by Crennel, check out the link to the Chiefs blog here on the story. (It’s a good read I promise.)
Even with the questionable past and work ethic of Breaston (however invalid it is) won’t matter much if offensive coordinator, Todd Haley wants Breaston. The Steelers are in need of some help in that position. Wallace will be gone and off to another team in a few weeks. Breaston is not the big play maker that Wallace is – or let’s just say the big play making skills. He is, however, a good slot receiver at 6-0. That height doesn’t help out the vertical challenged Steelers, but it may take some pressure off of forcing Emmanuel Sanders into the starting lineup when he has longevity issues over the course of a season. Plaxico Burress isn’t a sure thing in bringing him back. It’s not like he did anything to shoot himself in the foot (pun heavily intended), but for whatever reason, he was ill used by the team after being re-signed. He has enough speed and can be an asset in Dink & Dunk 2.0.
Breaston’s contract was slated to be $3.8 million in 2013. Not a very good price for the cap weary Steelers, but with Breaston’s stats and playing time on a severe down swing last season, I’m sure the Steelers can get him for much cheaper.