For now, the Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to have $43.55 million to spend this offseason. That number will shrink between now and when free agency kicks off, as they have 24 pending free agents, with some notable names littered on that list. With that said, according to a new report by Bleacher Report, they wouldn't be surprised to see Pittsburgh shell out mounds of cash.
With Aaron Rodgers becoming a free agent following the season, there have already been reports about a potential extension. He hasn't been playing at an MVP-caliber level, but you cannot expect that from a 41-year-old gunslinger. His mental aspect of his game is what could lure Rodgers and the Steelers back for another campaign, especially if this season ends with a playoff victory.
Unless things drop off a cliff the rest of the way, or Rodgers is ready to retire, it's hard to imagine the Steelers being heavily involved with top free agents.
They are going to attack the quarterback position early in the NFL Draft. While that has been the prevailing consensus in Pittsburgh, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has offered a contrasting vision for their free agency strategy.
Pittsburgh Steelers would be wise to pass on spending money on QB Daniel Jones
According to Knox, he wouldn't be surprised if the Steelers approached Daniel Jones in free agency next year. Pittsburgh just watched its defense force Jones into a tough loss last week, so it wouldn't be a popular decision. Looking ahead is unsettling, particularly if Knox’s forecast of Jones signing a four-year, $200 million contract proves accurate.
It's too early to tell how desperate Pittsburgh will become when it starts evaluating different free agents this offseason.
Unless they experience another end-of-season collapse like last year’s, their preferred option would be for Rodgers to return next season. After that, they have plenty of ammunition to trade up in the draft and take one of the better quarterback prospects rather than pay Jones.
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There is a collision course for Jones to ink a massive contract in free agency next year. Let's just hope it's not with Pittsburgh. He has found a new lease on life with the Indianapolis Colts, and that might be his best landing spot in the offseason. They have a good play caller and talented playmakers surrounding him. If he leaves that, it could lead to massive buyer's remorse.
Knox listed the Steelers and Cleveland Browns as potential destinations for Jones if he becomes a free agent.
No matter which team signs him, they will probably make the same mistake that the New York Giants made years ago. Jones has proven he can be a solid quarterback with solid weapons around him, but the Steelers would be best either rolling with Rodgers or a rookie next season.