NFL Free Agency is a month away. And like the 2013 free agent period, 2014 figures to be just as or more busy for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And like 2013 this coming free agent period figures to be more about who is leaving than who is coming in.
The Steelers have a staggering 22 unrestrcited free agents. In addition to that, there are at least three players under contract who could become free agents thanks to their salary cap status.
Salary Cap Purgatory Not Over, Yet….
That’s a staggering number, especially for a team which is struggling for cap space. Nonetheless, the Steelers salary cap situation is said to be better now than it was in 2012 or 2013, but some moves and some pain will be needed. And a number of players who all things being equal would probably stay will likely be lost.
There also remains the matter of Ben Roethlisberger’s contract. Roethlsiberger is under contract for two more years, but his cap values are very, very high thanks to several renegotiations.
Art Rooney II has said that he wants Roethlisberger to retire as a Steelers, but that his contract might not be extended this year. This is certainly possible, but it is hard to figure how the Steelers will manage without a more cap-friendly deal.
Steel Curtain Rising plans to chart the Steelers moves in free agency and profile all of their free agents. Below is a list of free agents and players who are not free agents but could be.
Steelers Who Could Become Free Agents:
Troy Polamalu
LaMarr Woodley
Ike Taylor
Steelers 2014 Free Agents:
S Will Allen
WR Plaxico Burress
S Ryan Clark
WR Jerricho Cotchery
RB Jonathan Dwyer
DE Ziggy Hood
TE David Johnson
RB Felix Jones
DE Brett Keisel
P Mat McBriar
OL Eric Olsen
TE Michael Palmer
WR Emmanuel Sanders
RB LaRod Stephens-Howling
LB Stevenson Sylvester
C Cody Wallace
LS Greg Warren
LB Jamaal Westerman
OL Guy Whimper
DT Al Woods
LB Jason Worilds
OL Fernando Velasco
What a long list indeed. Check back regularly for updates to the Steelers 2014 Free Agent Focus containing profiles on each player and updates and news as it breaks.
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