3 biggest regrets for the Steelers from free agency

Not Signing Jordan Whitehead

The biggest hole on the Steelers roster currently is the strong safety position, because Terrell Edmunds is a free agent and the team has not addressed the position in free agency. While an Edmunds return could still happen, as things currently stand, passing on Jordan Whitehead is one of the biggest mistakes of the offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Whitehead played a key role as the starting strong safety in Tampa Bay, opposite Antoine Winfield. Whitehead has spent time as both a strong safety and a free safety thus far in his career, showing the versatility to be a quality starter at both positions. His versatility is valuable, but he would’ve fit in perfectly in Pittsburgh’s defense as a strong safety, opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Unlike the big-name safeties like Tyrann Mathieu and Jessie Bates, Whitehead wasn’t asking for top dollar. Whitehead signed a two-year contract worth $14.5 million with the Jets in free agency. Not only is he making a manageable salary, but he’s also only 25 years old, which means he could have been a piece on this Steelers’ defense for years to come opposite Fitzpatrick in the secondary.

Whitehead’s physicality and willingness to stick his nose in and stop the run, as well as his ability to play in coverage makes him such a desirable player, particularly for a team like the Steelers, who put so much emphasis on tackling.

If the Steelers do re-sign Edmunds for an equal or lesser value then this will no longer be one of their biggest mistakes this offseason. However, if they don’t find a way to bring Edmunds back, or if they bring him back but at a price higher than this, then it is a grave mistake because of the talent and age of the player they missed out on, the position of need, and the value of the contract.