The Pittsburgh Steeles signed their first unrestricted free agent yesterday when they came to terms with   Bruce Gradowksi to serve as at least one of Ben Roethlisberger‘s back ups.

Gradowski is a Dormont native, and graduate of Pittsburgh’s Seton-LaSalle high school and is probably perhaps best known to Steelers Nation to leading the Oakland Raiders to and upset over the Steelers in week 4 of their five game late season swoon in 2009.

Gradowski has played for 5 NFL teams, including the Cincinnati Bengals, since being drafted in 2006 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Gradowski’s arrival almost certainly spells the end of Byron Leftwich’s time in Pittsburgh and could possible also spell the end of Charlie Batch’s tenure with the team as well, depending on whether the Steelers find a capable young quarterback in the draft.

Mendenhall and Arians Reunite

Bruce Arians once said that Rashard Mendenhall reminded him of Edgrin James and he obviously still feels the same way as, after trying and failing to lure Larry Foote to Pittsburgh West aka Arizona, came to terms with former Steelers number one pick.

Mendenhall’s departure was not a surprise, and the Steelers made the right move by not bringing him back, despite the fact that he was the team’s most talented rusher.

And in other free agent news, Keenan Lewis is being courted by the New Orleans Saints while the Baltimore Ravens are wooing James Harrison. Ryan Mundy was reportedly set to visit the New York Giants.

Steelers Sign Long Snapper Entertain Free Agents

Steelers long snapper Greg Warren signed with the team as expected. The Steelers also offered exclusive rights free agent tenders to Baron Batch and DeMarcus Van Dyke.

The Steelers however are not finished, as reports indicate that tight end Kellen Davis and outside linebacker Victor Butler are set to visit the South Side.