It is finally the new year and the Steelers will have a lot of work to do this offseason to get back into the playoff hunt.
Pittsburgh is going to try their best and finish the 2022 season strong after a shaky year overall. It has seen many triumphs and tribulations along the way that exploits the issue of talent. The Steelers will have a lot of work to do this upcoming offseason to try and build this team back into contention.
Currently, the black and gold are projected to lack cap space to work with this offseason. They could make a few roster moves and contract restructures to open more spending cash for both free agency and re-signing some of their own players. It is going to be a very busy offseason for Omar Khan, his first as acting General Manager for the Steelers.
Steelers to sign or to not re-sign dilemma this offseason
Pittsburgh should cut Ahkello Witherspoon
Cutting Ahkello Witherspoon seems like something the Steelers need to consider. He has been hurt most of the season and got exposed when he was able to start. Witherspoon was given too big of a role, and he did not handle the promotion as the team would have liked. Either he or Levi Wallace seems like they will get the boot. Wallace stays as he has shown a better ability as a starter lately.
They need to let Devin Bush walk
There could be a world where Myles Jack gets cut and the team tries to bring Devin Bush back on a shorter-term deal. It seems like the relationship between Bush and Pittsburgh is over and there are no repairs in sight. Expect him to generate a decent market this offseason and that will end with his departure from the team.
Make the following re-sign Cam Sutton, Terrell Edmunds Damontae Kazee, Zach Gentry, and Chris Wormley to short-term deals
There are some priority free agents that the black and gold need to make heading into the offseason. They get both Cam Sutton and Terrell Edmunds back on longer-term deals to lessen their cap hits. They follow that up by re-signing Damontae Kazee, Zach Gentry, and Chris Wormley to very short contract extensions for the 2023 season.
Steelers free agent additions focus on filling depth and starting spots
Noah Brown, WR, Dallas
Getting a receiver in free agency might not seem like a top priority, but the Steelers need an experienced slot guy. They get that here by signing Noah Brown from the Dallas Cowboys. He is a former seventh round pick out of Ohio State and has gotten a bigger role this season. The Steelers need competition for the slot receiver role in 2023 with Calvin Austin III returning from injury. They get a veteran to come in and compete for the starting job.
Lorenzo Carter, EDGE, Atlanta
One of the things that the black and gold continue to learn the hard way is the importance of depth at the outside linebacker position. T.J. Watt is injury prone, so the hunt for a veteran presence behind him will be a top priority. Bringing in Lorenzo Carter would be a great addition on a short-term contract. He has draft pedigree behind him and would fit in nicely in that depth role.
Alex Anzalone, LB, Detroit
Bush is gone since he signed elsewhere in free agency, but the Steelers do not have to wait long to find a replacement. Alex Anzalone has been enjoying a nice season, which has been one of his best statistically of his career. Pittsburgh brings him aboard to fill in a starting spot and to become a tackling machine. Stability in defending the run game needs to be another priority and signing Anzalone helps.
Steelers 2023 draft class attacks the trenches to start
Coming into the draft, Pittsburgh still needs to focus on some needs before the event concludes. Defensive line, cornerback, and other positions in the trenches still need to be addressed. There are seven picks to be made for the Steelers and they are going to need a good crop of rookies to turn this ship around.
1.13: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Welcome to the Steel City Bryan Bresee as he falls to the 13th selection in the first round. The Steelers run to the commissioner with this selection as they need to fortify the spot next to Cam Heyward in the trenches. Chris Wormley and DeMarvin Leal will provide good depth behind them as they jostle for playing time.
2.33: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Another solid pick as Broderick Jones falls to the second round for Pittsburgh to take. He will come into training camp and immediately battle for the starting left tackle spot with Dan Moore Jr. This pick originally belonged to the Chicago Bears before they traded it to the Steelers for Chase Claypool. It turns out to be an extra first round talent going to the black and gold because of it.
2.43: Emmanuel Forbes. CB. Mississippi
Cam Sutton is back, and Damontae Kazee can play at safety and in the slot, but cornerback is still a need. Pittsburgh drafts Emmanuel Forbes out of Mississippi State to become their top corner on defense. This cornerback has the size and appeal that every NFL team is looking for in their players at the position. He is solid in coverage and knows how to make turnovers, but he needs to focus on stopping the run better.
Pittsburgh applies some extra competition to their remaining issues
3.74: Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State
Linebacker is still another need even though Anzalone was signed in free agency to be a starter. Drafting Tommy Eichenberg here allows for him to come in and compete for the starting job on day one, but also sit behind the starters if need be. He is a good athlete that plays well in all phases. Eichenberg’s biggest knock is the lack of playing time he had in college before this past college season.
4.109: Luke Wypler, OC, Ohio State
Another Ohio State product makes the Steelers draft class as they take a center. Luke Wypler is still a young prospect as he is only a Redshirt Junior coming out of college. He still has improvements to be made in his game, but Wypler should be able to come in and compete for a starting job at either guard or center.
7.209: Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State
The lack of size on Deuce Vaughn is going to scare a lot of teams away, but you cannot deny his productivity at Kansas State. The Steelers need another depth running back behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, and they find that here. Vaughn has been highly productive in college both running and catching the football. He could also add an element to special teams as well.
7.225: Matthew Jones, OG, Ohio State
Make that three Ohio State products to be drafted by Pittsburgh in this class or rookies. The investment into the trenches is evident with the number of selections that went into the defensive and offensive lines. Matthew Jones is the last selection as he brings some competition for the bottom of the roster guys. He has something that could be unlocked through coaching, but he might be a project more than anything.
The Steelers are able to fill most of their issues when it comes to plugging holes across their starting group. They are also able to bring in some proven depth across the board and allow for a decent roster to jump on the field in 2023.