Throughout the Pittsburgh Steelers' history, allowing a player to leave in free agency meant a death sentence to their career. In the past, a player leaving to try and find greener grass on the other side never rarely worked out for the departing free agent. It meant that the best days of their career consisted of wearing the Black and Gold.
That trend has altered over the past several decades for the club.
Forcing a divorce and jumping onto a new team did work wonders for some notable former Steelers who left in free agency. For one reason or another, their time in Pittsburgh ended, but their careers found success with another franchise. Even though more players have routinely failed after leaving the Steelers, some outliers found even more success elsewhere.
Pittsburgh Steelers history shows they shouldn't have let these players walk in free agency
Mike Vrabel
One of the first notable players to leave the team and have a fantastic career was Mike Vrabel. Many know him as the embattled coach right now, but he also produced a strong NFL career as a linebacker. Vrabel's time in Pittsburgh didn't allow him to grow into a star defensive player.
After he left the Steelers, he won three Super Bowls and became a legendary member of the Patriots franchise.
Emmanuel Sanders
He was on the team with Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace, which meant Emmanuel Sanders was continuously overlooked by the Steelers offense. Sanders didn't get enough targets in Pittsburgh and left for Denver in free agency. The playmaker became a focal point on the Broncos offense. He produced great numbers in Denver and even helped the team win a Super Bowl.
Nate Washington
After joining the Steelers as an undrafted free agent, Nate Washington became a reliable target. He was surrounded by many talented receivers on that offense, including Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El. After winning two Super Bowls with Pittsburgh, Washington left as a free agent. While he never won another Super Bowl, Washington's numbers increased after leaving the team.
Javon Hargrave
After not getting a massive role on defense during his time in Pittsburgh, Javon Hargrave saw the best days of his career happen after leaving the Steelers.
Things just never worked out with an expanded role for the player, as Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt were in the mix. Hargrave leaving as a free agent still leaves a sour taste in the mouths of fans, but he has produced a strong career that continues.
Johnny Unitas
Perhaps one of the biggest "what ifs" in Steelers history is if they kept Johnny Unitas around instead of cutting him at training camp. He was drafted by the Steelers, but after failing to make their fragile roster, he joined the Baltimore Colts and produced one of the best careers of all time by an NFL quarterback. Unitas was from Pittsburgh, so this fantasy only makes this sting more.
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