8 cheap free agents that make sense for the Steelers in 2022

With free agency coming up, here are eight budget-free agents that should interest the Steelers in 2022.

Free agency is a time of excess for the NFL, as teams dedicate huge contracts to new players in hopes that they help set them apart in the next season. The Steelers are a notoriously frugal team, usually opting for players on cheap deals and hoping to get the most out of them.

Even with more money than usual in 2022, the team will likely still target cheaper free agents under the 2-million-dollar price tag. Here are eight budget-free agents that should interest the Steelers.

Steelers may sign Avery

Genard Avery has had an interesting career arch in the NFL. Drafted by the Browns, he quickly made an impact as a reserve and rotational pass rusher. He was subsequently traded in his second season due to his scheme fit no longer being there. The Eagles tried using him as a linebacker and occasional end, which also didn’t play into his strengths. He now enters free agency hoping to get one more shot at being on a roster.

While he hasn’t been an overly productive player since his rookie season, Avery fits the bill of what the Steelers should be looking for in a reserve edge this offseason. He is used to only seeing the field rarely and contributing on special teams as well as defense. The team had an interest in Avery in the draft as well, further linking him to the team.

Considering he has struggled to consistently play well for the Eagles (in part due to his poor scheme fit) he likely won’t be playing on a significant deal. While he may get more than the minimum, it won’t be much more than that. He fits the mold as a slightly undersized edge rusher for the Steelers and would be a good addition to the roster in 2022.