While the Steelers will be set to rebuild in 2022, these five free agents have to be brought back before becoming free agents in the offseason.
The Steelers are a team that notoriously likes to keep their own, and 2022 should be no different. While the team will be receiving a new look with some staple players likely leaving or retiring, there are some core players that need to be kept. Even in a rebuild, these five players have to be brought back this year.
Before continuing, I want to include a not on a name not on this list: JuJu Smith-Schuster. While I believe he is a supremely talented receiver, the cost to keep him will likely be high, and the team isn’t keen on paying multiple receivers. With Diontae Johnson needing an extension next year, I would personally rather see the money go to him. While I wish the best for Smith-Schuster, I don’t think he has to be kept this offseason unless the right scenario (mainly cost) works out.
That all said, here are the five Steelers that have to be re-signed this offseason.
Steelers must re-sign Killibrew
While one will look at Miles Killibrew and his defensive role and scoff at the idea of him having to be brought back, his special team’s tape has been elite. He is consistently getting a good jump on punt coverages, applies pressure on the punter, and has been key in getting some blocks on this unit. Without a doubt, he has been a key contributor there.
While he is on a minimum salary right now, odds are he will want a pay increase in 2022. He is well-deserving of it, as some of his special team’s play has altered games. Even if he is on a deal more than the minimum, his contract won’t break the bank. 2-3 million dollars a season over two to three years makes sense. Killibrew has become the Steelers’ best special team’s defender and he has to be brought back in 2022.