The Steelers signed their first unrestricted free agent from another team today when they came to terms with tight end John Gilmore of Tampa Bay.
John Gilmore was drafted in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL Draft by New Orleans, but never played for the Saints, latching on with the Chicago Bears.
He played for six years in Chicago, mainly as a back up tight end, before playing for Tampa from 2008 through 2010. Gilmore played his college ball for Joe Paterno at Penn State.
Gilmore is primarily a blocking tight end, and is expected to compete with David Johnson for the number two tight end job, although his presence could allow Johnson to play the hybrid tight end/fullback or H-Back position which he played well in last season.
The Steelers also resigned long snapper Greg Warren, who was injured last year.
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Capology confuses me. I don’t know how a team can be so over the cap and still sign guys. I guess the whole restructuring thing is what makes the difference.
Tony,
Thanks for the comment. I don’t know. While Steelers fans no longer repeat “Dan Rooney is cheap” by rote, I don’t think the Steelers would let themselves get into too bad a shape financially or with respect to the cap.