Steelers free agent options after latest roster moves clear salary cap space

The black and gold should sign a safety that knows the AFC North

Everything is pretty much set for the starting spots at safety for the black and gold right now. Minkah Fitzpatrick is a star for this defense and should continue that trend into this year. Strong safety is where things could become a hindrance in some respects. Terrell Edmunds was overlooked a lot of the time, but he was a steady contributor to this team in recent years.

Edmunds signed with the Philadelphia Eagles during free agency earlier in the offseason. That left a void to fill, and Pittsburgh solved that immediate need by signing Keanu Neal to a short-term contract. He will be the starting safety alongside Fitzpatrick heading into the 2023 season. He provides an option at starter, but there are others still out there.

No, Budda Baker will not be traded to the Steelers, that would be a shocker. He costs too much money and reportedly wants a contract extension sometime soon. That is a luxury that the Steelers cannot afford. However, there are other affordable options out in the open market that could make sense to challenge Neal.

John Johnson III is a respected safety in the AFC North that has played with the Cleveland Browns for the past two seasons. He would be able to join the club and battle for the starting safety spot opposite Fitzpatrick. Iron sharpens iron and having one of these two as a primary backup would be a huge upgrade over the current situation.