Here are the five former Steelers who may reunite with the team this offseason
While the Steelers have a long history of letting some of their players that they can’t afford to go in free agency, it isn’t uncommon for some of those guys to circle back to the team. There are quite a few former Steelers set to be free agents next season, and the team would be wise to consider having them return. The team is set to see quite a few talented players leave this offseason, so getting a couple of former players that have a history with the team for cheap could be a wise move. With all of that said, here are the five former Steelers that should reunite with the team this year.
B.J. Finney
Once a promising interior guard for the Steelers, B.J. Finney had a disappointing season in 2020. The Seahawks paid him 8 million dollars over two years, but he never worked his way onto the field. Then, they traded him to the Bengals midway through the season for veteran Carlos Dunlap. Despite the Bengals line being bad, Finney still never found his way onto the field. Considering the Bengals can save 3.5 million by releasing him, it seems like a forgone conclusion that Finney is once again a free agent.
If that happens, the Steelers should be quick to give him a call. As of now, the future of Maurkice Pouncey is up in the air, and even if he decides to not retire, the team may not have the money to keep him around. Finney could easily serve as a transitional center as an early-round rookie learns the ropes. Even if the team keeps Pouncey or finds a different starter, Finney has experience as a guard. If the team could land him for cheap, he would be a worthwhile addition this offseason.
Ross Cockrell
While it is currently being overlooked as a need right now, the Steelers will have to invest something significant in the position due to the potential loss of players they could suffer here in 2021. For starters, Mike Hilton and Cameron Sutton are set to be free agents, and the team will be lucky to resign one of them due to cap constraints. As well, veteran Joe Haden began to show some of his age this past year, and given his age, he could be cut in order to save some cap space.
Behind the starters are inexperienced options like Justin Layne and James Pierre. While it would be risky to have them start on the outside, it would still leave a huge hole at slot cornerback. That’s why bringing back veteran journeyman Ross Cockrell could be a solid move this offseason. While he was never a great option while with the Steelers and he has only been ok since leaving the team, he would be in a better spot with the team this time as opposed to before.
When the team claimed him off waivers, he was forced into considerable playing time early. As well, the team was playing a lot more of a lax zone scheme as opposed to the more aggressive man scheme they are currently using. Finally, he has the size and ability to play in the slot as well as on the outside. While the team would still want to try and find a better player than him, adding him for the minimum would make sense. He could be penciled in for the slot if they don’t have anyone better, and worse comes to worst he could be the top backup like Sutton was this past season.
Kelvin Beachum
Kelvin Beachum has been quite the underdog as an NFL player. He was taken in the seventh round of the 2021 draft, but he significantly outplayed then second-round pick Mike Adams. He became a good left tackle despite having a body more similar to a guard. Then, after he got signed to a big-money contract with the Jaguars and Jets, his career seemed over after 2019. That was until the Cardinals, desperate for offensive line help, signed him in mid-July.
No, Beachum didn’t have a dominant season in 2020, but he was solid considering what the expectations were. He started every game for the Cardinals and graded out in the middle of the pack for offensive tackles. While the Steelers will likely start both Zach Banner and Chukwuma Okorafor next year, adding a veteran swing tackle that could start in a pinch would be ideal. Beachum would fill that role well, and considering his age, he likely won’t command much more than the minimum.
While many fans are projecting the Steelers to target an offensive tackle early in the draft, the multiple other holes could force them to ignore that position until later. Adding Beachum doesn’t mean they won’t pick a tackle, but it means that they won’t have to reach for one if better players are on the board. Beachum was a great story while with the Steelers, and he would be a welcome addition if he decided to come back.
Le’Veon Bell
I wrote that the Steelers and Le’Veon Bell could reunite after the 2020 season shortly after the Jets cut him, and frankly, it still seems like it is on the table. The team is in need of a new running back, and Bell has yet to find the same success that he had with the Steelers on his rookie contract. Assuming he was willing to play for the minimum, it would be a decent move to reunite with the running back.
Again, fans are clamoring for the Steelers to draft a running back, but the team needs to feel confident with their players beforehand to avoid reaching for a needed position. Thus, adding Bell gives the team the luxury to not draft a running back atop the draft if the value isn’t there. As well, even if they do add a young back, having Bell as a rotational piece will keep this unit’s wear and tear down. This should aid in having a better rushing attack in 2021.
Ultimately, I think this comes down to price and interest from other teams. While I hold no ill will towards Bell, I could understand if he is hesitant to return after how he left and subsequently struggled when off the team. That said if the Steelers are the only team to offer him a contract, a reunion between the two could be good. Even if it is only for a season, getting Bell back on a team-friendly deal could go a long way in restoring this rushing attack.
Jesse James
Out of everyone on this list, the idea of bringing back tight end Jesse James is the most exciting. With Vance McDonald recently retiring and the future of starter Eric Ebron up in the air, the team could use a solid, steady option to play tight end for them. Realistically, Jesse James could do all that and more, as he has proven to be a good player in the Steelers scheme.
Like Finney, James is still technically under contract with the Lions, but considering they barely use him and can cut him and save money this offseason, it seems likely he is a free agent once again. Assuming that happens, the Steelers shouldn’t hesitate to offer him a minimum contract or even a multi-year deal as long as it is team-friendly. While James starting wouldn’t be ideal, he could serve as the 1B option like he did with McDonald when the two played together.
Adding him shouldn’t stop the Steelers from going after a tight end early in the draft either. Typically, tight ends take a year or two before becoming true starters, so he could split time with James as he develops. Even if Ebron is retained, he is only under contract for one more year and the team could actually go into the season with three legitimate tight end options. James makes too much sense, and assuming the Lions cut him, the Steelers should be the first team to call him.
While this offseason will certainly feature a lot of moving parts for the Steelers, they should have the chance to reunite with some of their previous players. Assuming all are willing to play for cheap, the options above would make a lot of sense as additions this offseason. Keep them in mind as the NFL gets closer to free agency, as any of the five would do well by returning to the Steelers.