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5 Pittsburgh Steelers free agents who won’t be back in 2022

By Tommy Jaggi

Pittsburgh Steelers center J.C. Hassenauer (60) and linebacker Ulysees Gilbert (54) and cornerback Joe Haden (23) and fullback Derek Watt (44). Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers center J.C. Hassenauer (60) and linebacker Ulysees Gilbert (54) and cornerback Joe Haden (23) and fullback Derek Watt (44). Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) carries the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34). /

Steelers SS Terrell Edmunds

I was completely opposed to the Terrell Edmunds selection when the Steelers took him with the 28th overall pick in 2018 (mainly because Lamar Jackson was ripe for the picking). However, the strong safety has really grown on me over the past two seasons and has developed into a respectable starter.

Still, that may not be enough to keep him around long-term. The Steelers know that Minkah Fitzpatrick has a massive paycheck coming his way (likely next offseason), and the team isn’t going to be able to afford to invest this much into their defense right now — especially considering they just made T.J. Watt the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.

Edmunds is still just 24 years old with good size, length, and athletic traits. He may not earn a lucrative new deal on the open market, but I have a feeling there are several teams out there who would be willing to pay him more than what the Steelers will offer to keep him around.

With a lot of money lost next season due to voidable-year contracts they handed out this past year, Pittsburgh is going to have to prioritize their spending, and paying big for two safeties in the same offseason doesn’t seem likely at all.

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