What a rush the past few days have been. After a quiet start to the offseason that consisted of several easy-to-predict roster cuts, Pittsburgh Steelers fans can hardly keep up with everything that's going on with their team right now.
The second day of the NFL's legal tampering period came with a flurry of moves. Suddenly, Russell Wilson has become an afterthought with all that's going on right now. Here's the latest Steelers news as free agency begins.
Steelers brass at Georgia's Pro Day
It was notable that Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan were not on hand for Oregon's Pro Day to see top center prospect, Jackson Powers-Johnson. But you better believe that Pittsburgh's brass wouldn't miss Georgia's Pro Day for the world.
Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy confirmed that Tomlin and Khan are one of two teams that have both their head coach and general manager in attendance to watch Georgia draft prospects take the field.
Confirmed attendee list for today's Georgia pro-day. All 32 NFL clubs represented. Steelers and Titans have both HC and GM, as well as Raiders HC Antonio Pierce.
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 13, 2024
Here's position coach breakdown:
OC- Panthers, Bengals, Steelers
DC- Steelers
WR- Patriots, Cowboys, Panthers
RB-… https://t.co/2aMBqTlYSt
Joining Tomlin and Khan at Georgia's Pro Day are offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. Simply put, the Steelers brought the house with them.
Some of the top prospects that could be on Pittsburgh's draft radar include OT Amarius Mims, WR Ladd McConkey, CB Kamari Lassiter, C Sedrick Van Pran, and S Javon Bullard. The strong representation from Pittsburgh's brass means that a player like Mims is very much in discussion to be the selection with the 20th overall pick this year.
Diontae Johnson traded to Panthers
Even with all of the rumors swirling around Diontae Johnson this offseason, it was still a bit surprising to see him get traded. The Steelers clearly wanted to move in another direction, and Johnson's effort and scheme fit may have played a big factor in this decision.
Johnson was recently traded to the Carolina Panthers, along with a seventh-round pick, for CB Donte Jackson and Carolina's sixth-round pick. Early on, this feels like a win for the Panthers who will now give Bryce Young a quality receiver at an affordable price.
Jackson has been a starting cornerback for the Panthers, but his career has been very up and down. He also has a very similar contract, so the Steelers hardly save any money by swapping these players. Now the Steelers still need CB help, but they suddenly have a huge need at wide receiver next to George Pickens.
Steelers sign top free agent LB Patrick Queen
Steelers fans were thrilled when news broke that Pittsburgh poached Patrick Queen from the Baltimore Ravens. Queen is coming off a very good season in his fourth year in the NFL that included his first Pro Bowl honors.
Omar Khan signed Queen to a three-year, $41 million contract, and his average annual earnings came in a little under expected. However, Queen is a one-year wonder. He struggled early in his career, but he's coming off his best season in 2023.
The decision to fork up for a top linebacker in free agency likely means that Cole Holcomb's injury is even worse than we thought. Khan did not give a timetable for Holcomb's return. With the money the Steelers gave Queen in free agency, the 24-year-old linebacker is expected to be the new three-down linebacker in Pittsburgh who won't be asked to leave the field.