Early grades for every Steelers 2021 free agency signing

Chris Wormley

2-years, 4.5 million, 1.6 million dollar cap hit

Grade: D+

When you put this deal in a vacuum, it’s really hard to be thrilled with it. In all honesty, this seemed like an overreaction by the Steelers, as Chris Wormley inked this deal shortly after it was reported that Tyson Alualu had signed a deal with the Jaguars (more on him later). Wormley’s signing was announced shortly afterward, and he got far more money than most thought he would.

Wormley was a fine backup last year, and he figures to be the first defensive end off the bench next season. That said, the Steelers are extremely deep at defensive line, as they have eight players with a realistic chance to make the roster at a position that they typically only keep six at. Sure, this was before the team shockingly drafted Isaiahh Loudermilk in a trade-up, but even then, the team could have gotten by without Wormley.

Had this been a year that the cap wasn’t so strained, giving a player like Wormley this deal wouldn’t have graded out so lowly. With so many other needs on the roster and eventual cuts that took place to far better starters though, giving Wormley this much was an overpay. Had there been no other options on the defensive end on the roster, then this contract would have made more sense. Instead, it seems as though the team overpaid for a depth player when they really didn’t need to.