You’ve got to love the Steelers when it comes to free agency and contracts. Last week both Kevin Colbert and Art Rooney II both went on record essentially declaring that the Steelers were done in free agency. Almost less than 24 hours later, the Steelers resigned James Harrison. And now they’ve done it again as the Steelers resign Darrius Heyward Bey to a one year contract. Once again, the men on the South Side prove the old adage:
- Watch what the Steelers do about personnel, not what they say.
At the end of the day the neither the case for resigning Darrius Heyward Bey nor the case for letting Heyward Bey walk was overly strong. While Bey might have entered the league as a the 7th overall pick, at this stage in his career he’s essentially a role player, and one of those player’s whose existence in the NFL is now a year-to-year affair, as he clings to one of the final roster spots available.
- Still, as a role player, Bey has done a pretty good job.
Yes, he only caught 3 passes in 2014, but he was only targeted 5 times. And he got a helmet in all 16 contests, which shows that Steelers special teams coach Danny Smith regards him highly.
And with his speed, Bey could be in play for the 4th wide receiver slot that was vacated when the Steelers cut Lance Moore.
Wither Will Allen?
The decision to resign Darrius Heyward Bey is an interesting one in another respect. Most observers expected the Steelers to continue to resign their own players, and with the Bey deal being completed, on might ask if they’re done.
- If that is the case, then safety Will Allen could be looking at beginning his “Life’s Work.”
As a free agent, Will Allen did not figure to get much attention from either the Steelers or anyone else in the NFL when signing period began, but the Steelers defense was playing its best ball late in the season when Allen was starting and Troy Polamalu was on the bench.
While the Steelers certainly could and perhaps should look to boost their depth at safety in the draft, Will Allen remains a viable option at least on paper.
Perhaps the Steelers see him that way, but if so they’re in no hurry to sign him.
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