Why Are Steelers Fans Surprised About the Lack of Free Agency Moves?

Just two weeks after free agency began the Pittsburgh Steelers seem content to stick with what they have and wait for the NFL draft to begin. Art Rooney II was recently quoted saying,

"“At this point we’re not expecting a lot more activity out there, but we will continue to look,” Rooney said, “We’re still looking at what the options are and will continue to do that. If there is a player out there that makes sense for us to pursue we’ll do that.”"

The Steelers signed running back DeAngelo Williams, and brought back plenty of their own players such as James Harrison, Arthur Moats, and Antwon Blake. They also gave Ben Roethlisberger a well deserved contract extension. Other than that and taking a look at cornerback Patrick Robinson, the Steelers have not made any big splash moves.

My question is why do people seem upset about the lack of moves? The Steelers have never been a team that goes out and makes huge free agent signings like the Washington Redskins have been known for, or what the Dolphins did this year grabbing Ndamukong Suh.

Here is a list from Steelers.com with the five best free agent signings made in franchise history. Ryan Clark, James Farrior, Kevin Greene, Kimo von Oelhoffen, and Jeff Hartings are the list. Those guys were all very good to great for the Steelers but none of those guys where the hottest commodity on the market when the Steelers brought them into Pittsburgh. And who is the most recent big free agency signing for the Steelers other than Ryan Clark. Mike Mitchell? That’s worked out real well after just one season.

Outside of the Steelers having kept Brice McCain or signed a veteran cornerback, nothing the Steelers have done has been a surprise. A move like the DeAngelo Williams signing is a very Steelers-esque move. It’s reminiscent of them signing Duce Staley in 2004 to join Jerome Bettis and the unknown Willie Parker in the backfield. Staley was 29 when the Steelers added him. Williams turns 32 in April.

The Steelers have never believed in building their team through free agency. Whether you agree with that method or not that’s just the way it’s always been and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Art Rooney II is about ready to close the book on free agency ’15.

Next: Steelers Sign James Harrison

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