Grading the Steelers 9 free agent signings from 2022 moves

Steelers re-sign Okorafor

Contract: 3-years, 29.25 million

Grade: D+

The other major Steelers re-signing, Chukwuma Okorafor got a sizable extension to keep him with the team for at least next season. While this is a three-year deal, the structure makes it essentially a one-year pact, as Pittsburgh can move on very easily next year if he struggles. As well, if he excels, the team can keep him on for an additional year or two.

That said, the nearly 10 million dollars a year he signed for is a significant overpay. Yes, tackles get paid in free agency, and reports came out that Okorafor had other suitors that drove his price up, but this is still a lot for a player of his caliber. He is an average tackle at best that struggles in run blocking. The team didn’t have anything better on the roster at the time, but trying to upgrade from Okorafor would have been the better move.

Names like La’el Collins, Morgan Moses, and Trent Brown were all available or became available this offseason, and each of them signed for less overall money than Okorafor. You even think back to last year with Matt Feiler, who got 7 million a season, and almost 10 million a year is a lot for a player of Okorafor’s caliber. There were better options for less money in free agency, thus this deal can’t be graded that well.