NFL free agency is just one week away, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are in a strong financial position to make a splash. With the seventh-most cap space in the league—currently sitting at roughly $60 million—the team has more flexibility than ever to be aggressive in the market and strengthen the roster.
The Steelers' roster has a few notable gaps, and free agency will be a crucial tool in addressing those needs. With additional players already released or expected to hit the market, Pittsburgh will have a clear list of positions to target. Here are five bold free agent signings the Steelers could make this offseason.
3 bold free agency predictions: 5 players the Pittsburgh Steelers will sign
Prediction #1: The Steelers will land two former Eagles Super Bowl Champs – Milton Williams & Darius Slay Jr.
Given Pittsburgh’s ample cap space, I expect them to make at least one major splash signing, similar to last offseason’s addition of Patrick Queen. A smart move would be cutting ties with Larry Ogunjobi to free up additional cap room and pursue Milton Williams.
With Andy Weidl—who was with the Eagles when they drafted Williams—now in Pittsburgh, the Steelers have been building their roster in a similar mold to Philadelphia’s. Last year, they heavily invested in the offensive line, and this offseason, the focus will likely shift to the defensive front.
Pittsburgh’s defensive line needs a full overhaul, especially with Cameron Heyward aging. Keeanu Benton is the only young cornerstone, and a move to defensive end could be in the cards. Adding Williams at defensive tackle while still targeting another lineman in the top 100 of the draft would set them up for the future. At just 25 years old, Williams won’t come cheap, but he’d be a valuable long-term investment to inject much-needed youth into the unit.
Another former Eagle who seems strongly linked to the Steelers is Darius Slay Jr. With Philadelphia drafting cornerbacks in back-to-back rounds and both rookies thriving, moving on from Slay made sense given his age and cap hit.
At 34, there’s understandable hesitation considering how aging cornerbacks like Patrick Peterson and Donte Jackson have fared in Pittsburgh recently. However, the Steelers still need a starting outside corner, and Slay has a key connection to defensive coordinator Teryl Austin from their time together in Detroit. That familiarity could make him an ideal short-term solution in the secondary.
Prediction #2: Wide receiver room revamped with additions of and Darius Slayton
After Pittsburgh largely stood pat last offseason in terms of adding to their wide receiver room—and seeing every trade attempt for a WR fall through—it’s clear the Steelers learned their lesson. This time around, I expect them to make a push for two wide receivers through free agency. The Steelers tried to trade for Darius Slayton during the season.
Now, Slayton is expected to test the market. The former New York Giants receiver seems to be generating a lot of interest and won’t come cheap. What’s clear is that the Steelers have barely spent on offense, and if they re-sign Justin Fields, that won't break the bank either.
Slayton is 28 and still has some of his best football ahead of him. If George Pickens winds up on the trade block, the Steelers could still draft a wide receiver in the first round, and with the additions of a savvy veteran like Slayton, they would have some security at the position.
Prediction #3: Steelers look to bolster cornerback depth, signing veteran slot CB Nate Hobbs
The Steelers have struggled to find a reliable slot cornerback since Mike Hilton left in free agency a few years ago, and one player they should target is former Raider Nate Hobbs. Like Darius Slay Jr., Hobbs has a connection to a Steelers coach—this time with Gerald Alexander, who worked as the safeties coach in Las Vegas before being brought back as Pittsburgh's defensive backs coach. That connection makes Hobbs a natural fit for the Steelers.
At just 25 years old, Hobbs is a young veteran who could provide the defensive boost Pittsburgh desperately needs. Beanie Bishop Jr. showed flashes, but the coaching staff preferred to keep Cameron Sutton in the slot.
For years, the Steelers have struggled with cornerback depth, and this offseason, they must finally address that need. Hobbs could be the key piece to solidifying their secondary.