NFL Free Agency starts at 4:00 pm Eastern Time today. The Steelers have an inordinate number of free agents and they began the off season over the NFL’s salary cap.
The Steelers made some “easy” moves to get under the cap by restructuring the contracts of Lawrence Timmons, Ben Roethlisberger, and Antonio Brown.
But the experience has been far from pain free, as salary cap pressures have already forced the Steelers to part way with iconic outside linebacker James Harrison.
- What happens with the rest?
At the end of the day it’s a guessing game, but that is what the blogesphere is all about. Over the last month Steel Curtain Rising has featured its Steelers 2013 Free Agency Focus series, where each free agent has been profiled. You can click here (and then scroll down) to view the entire series.
The results of the Steelers 2013 Free Agency Focus are also summarized here – you can click on the bolded name of each player listed his individual Steelers Free Agent Focus profile (note unbolded names link to Pro Football Reference)
Steelers Free 2013 Agents – All But Gone
Mike Wallace
Keenan Lewis
Rashard Mendenhall
Byron Leftwich
Mike Wallace is the only one here with almost ZERO chances of returning and Byron Leftwich’s chances are little better. Keenan Lewis and Rashard Mendenhall are more interesting cases, but odds still favor them playing elsewhere in 2013
Free Agents the Steelers Must Resign
Steve McLendon
Isaac Redman
Emmanuel Sanders
Many fans felt that Steve McLendon and Isaac Redman should already be starters. Perhaps that’s exaggerated, but these are young players on the rise. So is Emmanuel Sanders, although Sanders does have some injury history. All three men are restricted free agents and the Steelers should attempt to lock all three down to long term contracts.
Steelers Free Agents Likely Gone
Casey Hampton
Max Starks
David Johnson
Ryan Mundy
In the case of Casey Hampton and Max Starks, their return depends on what they find elsewhere. Both can play and get paid more than the Steelers can offer. But will others pony up? Little has been said in the press about David Johnson or Ryan Mundy and it’s quite possible that neither the Steelers nor others will want them.
Steelers Free Agents Already in the Fold
Ramon FosterJustin KingJonathan Dwyer
The Steelers took the NFL by surprise when they signed Ramon Foster 24 hours before free agency started. They also apparently came to terms with Justin King in recent weeks, although no one will wonder why that move drew no press coverage. And the word is that Jonathan Dwyer did not want to wait and has already signed his restricted free agency tender, meaning he’ll be back with the team.
Steelers Free Agents on the Bubble
Plaxico Burress
Jeremy Kapinos
Doug Legursky
Plaxico Burress is a wild card who could be back or could just as easily be gone. Early in the preseason there was lots of talk about Plex returning, now not so much. Doug Legursky is a wild card because the Steelers want him back, but will not bid heavily for his services.
Kapinos didn’t get a restricted free agency tender, won’t get $ flashed at him, but could nonetheless get an invitation to Latrobe.
Free Agents the Steelers Want Back….
Charlie Batch
Larry Foote
Will Allen
Greg Warren
The Steelers have said they want Larry Foote back and Charlie Batch feels wanted too. That will probably happen but one never knows. Will Allen’s fate could rest in the 2013 NFL Draft. Warren should make it to Latrobe, at least.
“For What Its Worth” Free Agents that the Steelers Can Get Back Should They Choose
Brandon Johnson
Stevenson Sylvester
Leonard Pope
The Steelers can get these men back if they want them largely because no one else is going to sign them unless it’s to fill out training camp rosters.
Follow the Steelers 2013 Free Agent Moves as the Happen…
It could be a wild ride. Rest assured that Steel Curtain Rising will cover the action. Should Google, Bing or Yahoo! have brought you to this page in the thick of things, remember that you can click here to read our entire Steelers 2013 Free Agent Focus archive (remember to scroll down, as this article will appear first.)
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