It is yet to be seen when it comes to how busy the Steelers will be when free agency opens up. The offseason kicks off officially in a couple of months with free agency. There are plenty of names that could be re-signed between now and in March when players can negotiate elsewhere.
Many players will hear their names rumored to Pittsburgh, especially at certain positions. The Steelers have a lot if needs. They also have little cap space to work with right now. They will need to open up some extra cash through cap casualties and contract restructures. They can make some moves.
James Hurst could help solidify the right side of the offensive line
First up on the list is James Hurst. He might not be the biggest name on the market, nor the best, but he could be a nice get. He is coming off one of his worst years as a starter in the NFL, but he would still be an upgrade. The Steelers need a right tackle option to come in and start so Broderick Jones can start on the left side.
Hurst has been around the NFL for a while now, and it would make sense for the black and gold to sign a veteran like him. Hurst shouldn't cost too much money to sign, and he fits a need. Bringing him on board would stop right tackle being a pressing need when the draft rolls around.
Maybe he wouldn't be the best if he was the only starting option, but Hurst would be an upgrade over their current situation. His experience and small cap number that he would bring should be a good match. The Steelers should show some interest in Hurst when free agency begins.
Calvin Ridley could make sense for the Steelers if they move a top receiver out of the building
Calvin Ridley joined the Jacksonville Jaguars this past season after missing the prior one due to suspension for gambling. No one has ever doubted his talent, but many did wonder what the year away from football would do to his career. Ridley did a great job since joining the Jaguars this past campaign.
He hasn't proven that he can be a true number one option for an offense, but he has shown that he can be consistent throughout a season. Many might question Ridley being on this list. He will probably have a fair market in free agency, but he shouldn't command too much cash.
Another short-term deal makes sense for Ridley moving forward. George Pickens will be back, but maybe it is time to move on from Diontae Johnson. Pittsburgh has a lot of decisions to make, especially after their top receivers showed some diva tendencies towards the end of the season.
If the Steelers do move Johnson then another outside receiver will need to replace his spot. Ridley would be able to provide some explosiveness and hopefully be a better teammate as a whole. This would allow Pickens to be the number one guy with Ridley taking advantage of being the second option.
Jameis Winston would be an interesting character to sign in free agency
Those of you shaking your head at this idea might not be thinking deep enough into this idea. Jameis Winston has come under fire recently with how he concluded his career with the Saints after faking a kneel down. It was a cheap move in a game that they had won by a couple possessions.
That might hurt some of his reputations in the NFL, but many around the league love his characteristics. He is a funny guy that has his own unique way of leading a team. The Steelers have an issue at the quarterback position and they need completion there.
Winston has been a backup for a couple years in New Orleans, but he has started a handful of games for them too. He could be a decent option that shouldn't cost an arm and a leg to sign in free agency this offseason. It also wouldn't be the first time he was connected to Pittsburgh.
Biggest concern with Winston has always been the number of turnovers that he commits. He might not be the ideal option in the minds of fans to push Kenny Pickett for the starting job. He would be a discounted option that could bring a new fresh feel to the position if both Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph depart the team.
Andre James could help anchor Pittsburgh's offensive line
Offensive line still needs help going forward as the Steelers get closer to a good group up front. If they can successfully move Jones back over to the left side and find an answer at right tackle then they will be in a good spot. If they can upgrade over Mason Cole at center then they could be one of the best groups in football.
There are a couple of options that could be nice pickups in free agency if they make it to market. Lloyd Cushenberry is one option that could make sense for Pittsburgh. Another name to monitor is Andre James of the Las Vegas Raiders.
He has graded out better than Cole for the past couple of seasons and should upgrade that spot immediately. Biggest concern here is if the Steelers are going to move on from Cole or not. He is a great teammate and leader, but his play on the field this year has been bad.
Center is a spot that could also be an option come draft day, but free agency should also get a look. The Steelers should consider James to slide into their center role by signing him this offseason. He's a quality center that has a good chunk of NFL starts and is still a good age to shell out a longer term deal.
Noah Brown is an interesting slot receiver option in free agency
Another receiver option here as it makes little sense to keep Allen Robinson II around with his cap hit. The Steelers can save a lot of money by cutting him, and that is probably the route they end up taking. Robinson has been a good blocker and could be more enticing for Pittsburgh if he signed back with a cheap contract.
Robinson will likely look elsewhere for a better opportunity before thinking about re-signing in Pittsburgh for cheaper. That is where someone like Noah Brown comes in. He was one of the better slot receivers in football this season for the Houston Texans.
The Steelers need more production from their slot guys and neither Robinson nor Calvin Austin III have been able to produce there. This would allow Brown to slide into that slot role and provide a significant upgrade at that role. He is coming off back-to-back productive season, one in Houston and the other with the Dallas Cowboys.
Brown will have more suitors for his efforts compared to last season. He signed a prove-it deal with the Texans last offseason and it should pay off. He won't command too much money, but the term is where he could earn something significant. Brown would be a nice pickup for the Steelers struggling offense.
Russel Wilson to the Steelers would be a good competition for the starting quarterback spot
We arrive at what might be the most controversial person on this list. Wilson is technically still not a free agent upon writing thus article, but the writing is on the wall. Russel Wilson was benched weeks ago, and Denver is ready to move on from the former star quarterback.
It seems like Wilson is only a big name now, and his production has started to fall off. Maybe the fit with the Broncos was a disaster, or it is possible that father time is catching up to the quarterback. It does make sense for Pittsburgh to possibly have interest in the former Seahawks legend.
Pickett will be back but the futures of Trubisky and Rudolph are in question for different reasons. Pittsburgh will look over free agency and see if there are any quality options to come join the club to push Pickett for the starting job. If not, then they will be ok with rolling with Pickett and a couple other options in a backup role.
Main thing here will be how much Wilson wants and for how long term wise. He doesn't deserve a huge contract, so maybe a one-year deal that isn't too pricey would make a lot of sense. He would have a chance to start for the Steelers. Wilson has also put up far better numbers than Pickett ever has in his career.