Free agency is not the normal way of business for the Steelers throughout their history. That train of thought has started to fall away as it seems each year Pittsburgh is trying their best to acquire talent through the free agency process. They have become more aggressive as each year passes by. Omar Khan will try and keep that trend going this upcoming offseason.
The biggest issue here is that the team has too much money tied to the cap right now. That can change quickly will some cap casualties and contracts being re-negotiated. Pittsburgh could make a lot of spending changes if they wish to accomplish that task. There is a lot of work ahead of this club if they want to make the Steelers of next year a much better team.
Trenton Brown would make a significant upgrade at offensive tackle
Broderick Jones has been good since becoming the starter at right tackle for the Steelers. Most have to imagine that Jones will be a starting left tackle at some point during his career. Even though he has done a terrific job on the right side, he needs to become the upgrade over Dan Moore Jr. that most have begged for.
Free agency could be a costly process, especially when you look at the tackle market. Left tackles are the most pricey free agents out there along with quarterbacks and such. The Steeler's offensive line would be much better if Jones could slide over to the left and sign someone like Trenton Brown. He is scheduled to become a free agent following this season with the New England Patriots.
He has been one of the better tackles in the NFL and should command a decent market. If Pittsburgh releases Chuks Okorafor, then they will be in the market for at least a depth tackle. Brown would allow Jones to move to the left side and force Moore to a depth tackle role. That would solidify their tackle spots moving forward and get this offensive line to an elite level.
K.J. Osborn is a slot receiver with a lot of experience in fee agency
An interesting option that could fly under the radar during free agency is K.J. Osborn. He has played both outside and in the slot during his time with the Vikings. Many will want the Steelers to go after his current teammate, Kirk Cousins this offseason. Osborn has proven to be a reliable slot receiver, and that is something the Steelers could use.
They currently have Allen Robinson II holding that spot, but his contract numbers do not make sense to keep past this season. Pittsburgh would save a lot of money by cutting Robinson. He has been a good blocker, but he has little to prove in his stats as a pass catcher. Osborn is much younger and quicker. He could help this offense.
Calvin Austin III was seen as a potential option to play in the slot or even on the outside. That experiment has failed this year. Maybe he will be better in year two, but the Steelers cannot rely on those "what ifs". Osborn is a proven receiver in the NFL and can start in the slot and provide depth on the outside if Pittsburgh needs him there.
He is still only 26 years old until early June rolls around. The numbers are nothing crazy when you look over his career. With that being said, Osborn is a guy that has been there and done that. He should be able to sit in the slot receiver role well with the Steelers. A nice free-agent option that could be a cheaper price for the black and gold.
The Steelers could look to add in upgrade at center with Lloyd Cushenberry III
Another area of need this offseason regarding the offense will be the center. Mason Cole was signed during free agency a couple of years ago and things have not worked out. Many saw him as a player who should be a good anchor to this offensive line, but that has not happened. The Steelers will have to look long and hard at a decision about Cole.
They can save a lot of money if they decide to part with him. He has been one of the worst starting centers in the NFL since joining the black and gold. He needs to finish the season at a high level if he wants any shot at returning. Cole has opened the door for the Steelers to try and add a starting center either through the draft or free agency.
If free agency is the route Pittsburgh decides to go with, then someone like Lloyd Cushenberry III makes a lot of sense. He has been the starting center for the Denver Broncos over the past four seasons there. Cole did grade out over Cushenberry last season, but the upcoming free agent only participated in eight games last year.
He would be an upgrade over Cole, but it is unknown what kind of price he would dictate. Center is one of the most important positions on offense. They directly communicate with the quarterback about blitzes and the protection needed to fend them off. Cushenberry would be a nice get for the Steelers if they want to add a center in free agency.
Tyler Boyd has obvious Pittsburgh connections and could fit a need
Adding another receiver option onto the list here as this one sticks out like a sore thumb. Tyler Boyd went to the University of Pittsburgh and grew up around the city. It would make a lot of sense for the Steelers to show some interest in the local guy once free agency opens. His market could either be great, or it could be something small.
Boyd has been vocally critical of the Steelers in the past, but he was also on the opposite side of the Steelers-Bengals rivalry. He has been a reliable receiver since entering the NFL in 2016. The former Pitt Panther could make a lot of sense in a leaderless receiver room. The Steelers need a veteran guy who is not afraid to say hard things.
This free agent has proven that he can step into that leadership role. He has been a captain in Cincinnati for many years and has seen his role slow down since Joe Burrow and the offensive weapons entered the Bengals organization. One would have to imagine that Boyd would become expendable as Cincinnati has limited finances.
That is where someone like the Steelers could swoop in. Boyd should not cost an arm and a leg to sign in free agency. He is still only 29 years old so giving him a multi-year contract should not be the worst value given out. It would be an interesting development to see the Pittsburgh product come back to play for his local team growing up.
Most interesting free agent could be Baker Mayfield for the Steelers
Have to throw a quarterback in this article as Kenny Pickett refuses to show that he is the undoubted franchise quarterback for the Steelers. He has not shown that yet. There have been glimpses, but he has not been able to show it throughout the entirety of a game. Now with his injury affecting Pittsburgh's evaluation of their second-year quarterback, anything is on the table.
A lot of his future will ride on how the conclusion of the season happens. But the facts are that Pickett continues to get older with each passing day and has not shown much as the starter for a season and a half. Pittsburgh has to bring in competition or even an upgrade at the starting quarterback spot next season no matter if that's through the draft or free agency.
Many want Cousins to be the reliable veteran option, but someone like Baker Mayfield might make more sense. He is younger than Cousins and is having a great season overall with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has been part of their solution and not the problem of a club that seems to be struggling to find much footing elsewhere.
Mayfield should also be cheaper than Cousins would be. He is a former number-one overall pick and has been able to put up quality numbers throughout his NFL starts. Signing someone like Mayfield would not guarantee him a starting role, but it would push Pickett for that job. The Steelers need to figure out the quarterback position and Mayfield could be part of the solution.