5 players Steelers could sign in 2023 if they don’t extend Diontae Johnson
By Tommy Jaggi
EDGE Bradley Chubb
A few years ago, it would have been asinine to suggest that a player like Diontae Johnson could make more money in free agency than a highly-touted pass rusher like Bradley Chubb. However, that’s where we currently stand in today’s infalted wide receiver market.
Chubb hasn’t done himself any favors with his injuries over the years. After bursting onto the NFL scene with a 12.0-sack rookie season for the Denver Broncos, Chubb has played in just 25 games over the past three years. However, the injuries are the only thing keeping the Broncos from already extending Chubb’s contract.
2021 certainly wasn’t Chubb’s best season, as he failed to record a sack in 7 games. But this was largely due to playing just 19 total defensive snaps by Week 12. After dealing with injuries, he clearly wasn’t up to speed.
Now finally healthy, Chubb could go back to being the Pro Bowl edge defender the Broncos once had. Meanwhile, Alex Highsmith will be entering a contract year in 2023, and the Steelers need some insurance here. A healthy Chubb is a big upgrade over Highsmith and pairing him with T.J. Watt is what dreams are made of.