6 free agents Steelers must still sign in early free agency
By Andrew Falce
Steelers must target Mathieu
This is a name I have honestly gone back and forth on. Despite the rumors that the Steelers are trying to sign Tyrann Mathieu, his fit with the team seems like a stretch. As already discussed, the Steelers need a strong safety if Edmunds decides to walk in free agency. The issue is, Mathieu is much more of a free safety, and given his size, he wouldn’t be an ideal fit for strong safety.
That isn’t to say the Steelers couldn’t play him at strong safety, but rather he would break away from their typical mold for the position. Typically, the strong safety is over six feet and weighs over 210 pounds. The bigger bodies naturally hold up better in run defense. Mathieu doesn’t fit any of those criteria though, making his fit with the team questionable, to say the least.
Where Mathieu could realistically play is in the slot, as his size and aggressiveness would be a huge aid there. That said, paying him top dollar as he deserves for only slot snaps is an overpay. Could Mathieu still end up a Steelers signing? Sure, you can’t rule it out. That said, I find it unlikely he ultimately winds up in Pittsburgh.