Free agency is the next huge event of the NFL offseason, and there is sure to be a whirlwind of moves made early next week. However, the NFL Draft always seems to be the event that football fans look forward to the most; and for good reason. The Pittsburgh Steelers happen to have three selections inside the top 50 picks this year, and they will have a chance to really turn their team around with a good draft.
As we get set to enter the last weekend before the start of the 2023 free agency period, Pittsburgh is finally making roster moves and the NFL makes an announcement. Here's the Steelers news you need to know before we prep for a big week of free agency.
Steelers news:
The Pittsburgh Steelers made their first big roster move of the 2023 offseason on Friday evening as the team officially released cornerback William Jackson III, Ari Meirov reports. This was a move that everyone saw coming, as Jackson was set to have a massive $12.1 million cap hit this coming season.
The Steelers traded for Jackson just before the 2022 deadline, but because he landed on IR last year and didn't see the field, it doesn't cost them anything. Jackson is 30 years old and is coming off arguably the worst and most injury-plauged season of his NFL career. It will be intersting to see if Pittsburgh tries to sign him back on a veteran minimum-type deal.
More Steelers news:
In other Steelers news, Pittsburgh mourns the passing of Dick Haley after a long fight with dementia and Parkinson's. Haley was the father of former Steelers offensive coordinator, Todd Haley, and he played a pivotal role in selecting Pittsburgh's legendary draft class of 1974. Haley was 85 years old.
Steelers President Art Rooney II on the passing of Dick Haley: pic.twitter.com/SDWoGjYuKJ
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 10, 2023
The Pittsburgh Steelers website and social media accounts released a heartfelt statement after learning of Haley's passing. Our hearts go out to the Haley family during this difficult time.
NFL news:
Just before the start of free agency, the NFL announced the official draft selections of each team for the upcoming 2023 NFL draft. The Pittsburgh Steelers will have the following seven selections in the draft this year: 17th, 32nd, 49th, 80th, 120th, 234th, and 231st overall.
The Steelers are without their fifth and sixth-round draft choices this year, but they do own the top pick in the second round thanks to the Chase Claypool trade before the 2022 deadline. You can see the full official draft order at NFL.com.