3 biggest regrets for the Steelers from free agency

While the Steelers made some splashes early in free agency and filled some needs, they made several moves that they’ll regret when all is said and done.

The Steelers entered free agency with more cap space than they have had in years, and they made sure to address most of their needs when spending it. Some of the positions they addressed include quarterback, offensive line, cornerback, and middle linebacker, and they might not be done yet.

Despite making a splash, and making signings that greatly improved their roster, there are a few moves that the team didn’t make that they could regret. This listing doesn’t include big fish free agent targets that they clearly weren’t investing in, rather it includes players who signed in their price range, but the team opted not to sign.

Choosing Mason Cole over Ted Karras

One of the first signings made by the Steelers this offseason was Mason Cole, an offensive lineman who has experience at both guard and center. While signing Cole was definitely an effort at improving the line, and getting a player who is versatile, they would have been better served to sign a player like Ted Karras.

Karras signed a three-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals worth $18 million to play center for them. Meanwhile, Cole’s contract with the Steelers was three years for $15.75 million, despite having much less success as a pro. Cole is younger than Karras, but Karras has championship experience and is a definitive starter.

Unlike Karras, who would’ve been able to be inserted over Kendrick Green as the starting center, Mason Cole is not even a clear-cut starter, it is possible he is a backup offensive lineman who fills in at center and at guard whenever there is an injury.

If Mason Cole wins the job and plays well, then this could prove to be wrong just because they got a younger offensive lineman as a starter, and thus he can play with the team longer. However, it is more likely that Kendrick Green starts at center since the team drafted him high, and Cole hasn’t proven that he can be any more than a low-end starter at the NFL level, thus far.

While Cole’s versatility will definitely be valuable, if the team was going to shell out over $5 million annually to an offensive lineman, they could’ve forked over an extra $750,000 per year to ensure they signed a starter that will make an impact.