5 players Steelers could sign in 2023 if they don’t extend Diontae Johnson

S Jessie Bates

Pairing a player like Jessie Bates with Minkah Fitzpatrick might seem a bit redundant, but this would instantly make for the best safety pairing in the NFL. While Bates and Fitzpatrick are both best in the free safety role, the Steelers run a heavy Cover-2 defense that would allow both of them to make plays on the back end.

Many teams these days are regularly putting three safeties on the field together. As offenses become harder to stop because of elite quarterback play and rule changes that favor the offense, having playmakers in the secondary is critical to the success of a defense.

Bates and Fitzpatrick both former 2018 draft picks and the two have combined for 23 interceptions in their first four seasons. Pairing two of the best young safeties in the league together could prove to cause more big plays and offer more stability in the secondary.

While the Bengals may not want to give Bates a massive new deal, the Steelers would actually save money by signing Bates in free agency as opposed to retaining Diontae Johnson, based on current projections. This would also save Pittsburgh from being forced to spend an early draft choice on the safety position in the NFL Draft next year.