The Pittsburgh Steelers’ unrestricted free agents aren’t likely coming back
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a short list of unrestricted free agents this summer, and likely won’t resign many of them.
Out of the eight unrestricted free agents the Pittsburgh Steelers have to deal with this offseason, maybe two could be looking at deals. With one major name standing out above the rest, the team is focusing on the big picture rather than keeping everyone around.
This offseason it’s all about Le’Veon Bell. No matter what it takes, it appears the Steelers have finally made the decision to get a long-term deal done.
That’s where all the money’s going. Right now, Pittsburgh has barely over $9 million in cap space. To get Bell, they’ll need somewhere around $12-15 million, which means it’s time to trim the roster.
The Steelers’ list of unrestricted free agents stands as is:
- Le’Veon Bell
- Arthur Moats
- Sean Spence
- Chris Hubbard
- Stevan Ridley
- Daimion Stafford
- Daniel McCullers
- Justin Hunter
Bell needs a contract. Pittsburgh is going to give him one and it’s going to take a lot of money to do so.
Moats, Spence and McCullers did literally nothing on defense last season. Their combined 28 tackles impacted this defense to a minimum and there’s no need to spend money on them to remain on the roster.
Daimion Stafford may never play football again. At least that’s what it sounded like last year when he decided he wasn’t going to show up to training camp.
Chris Hubbard can find himself negotiating, but it probably won’t be for much money. B.J. Finney has already resigned and the Steelers could find another inside backup lineman in the draft or free agency for cheap.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Justin Hunter remained on this team. Eli Rogers may not be ready for the start of the 2018 season, which means Pittsburgh is going to need another receiver.
Hunter could be the first option depending on what the Steelers’ draft looks like. But either way, he’ll likely end up at camp competing for a spot.
Stevan Ridley isn’t needed, and if Pittsburgh is thinking running back, they can pull one from the free agent market. But with James Conner coming back the Steelers don’t need another running back on the roster.