Category Archives: Steelers 2025 Free Agency

Steelers Lose Calvin Austin, Connor Heyward as Final Picks from 2022 Draft Depart

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The Pittsburgh Steelers can [almost] officially declare their 2022 NFL Draft as a wash, as the final members of that draft class, Calvin Austin and Connor Heyward, have departed in free agency.

Calvin Austin will leave the Steelers to play for former AFC North Rival John Harbaugh with the New York Giants. Reports indicate that Austin has signed a one-year contract with a base salary of 1.5 million and incentives that could bring him up to 4.5 million.

Calvin Austin, Greg Newsome, Pittsburgh Steelers

Calvin Austin hauls in a touchdown. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Connor Heyward for his part has agreed to terms with the Las Vegas Raiders, who have given Cam Heyward’s little brother a 5.5 million dollar, 2-year contract with 2 million guaranteed.

Neither move should be considered a surprise, although both count as minor disappointments to this Steelers scribe. Of the two moves, Austin’s departure is the most impactful.

The Steelers have D.K. Metcalf and just traded for Michael Pittman Jr., giving them two legitimate NFL caliber wide receivers for the first time since the 2023 season when they had Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. But behind Metcalf and Michael Pittman the Steelers have Ben Skowronek and Roman Wilson.

The Steelers entered the 2025 season counting on Roman Wilson to establish himself as Robin to D.K. Metcalf’s Batman. Instead, he finished the year on the inactive list. And while Ben Skowronek has represented himself well in spot duty at wide receiver, he’s a core special teamer.

Even if they’d kept Calvin Austin in the fold the Steelers would have likely looked to draft a wide receiver in the first round, but now they’re in a position of almost take a wide out no later than round 2 in the 2026 NFL Draft.

  • Connor Heyward’s departure also thins out depth at tight end.

The Steelers do have JJ Galbreath behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, but they don’t even have another player under a “futures” contract at the tight end position. Connor Heyward’s departure also robs the team of the only player they had who had worked as a fullback.

Finally, Heyward was an impressive contributor on special teams who will now need to be replaced.

With Austin and Heyward officially no longer Steelers, nothing remains of the Steelers 2022 draft class, save for the third round pick they have from Dallas following the George Pickens trade.

Killebrew Reunites with Danny Smith in Tampa

Miles Killebrew has been a special teams ace for the Pittsburgh Steelers since his arrival in 2021 until suffering an awful season-ending injury on the turf at Acrisure Stadium in the Steelers win over the Cleveland Browns last October.

Miles Killebrew, Steelers vs Chargers 2021, Miles Killebrew blocked punt

Miles Killebrew blocks a punt. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

Unfortunately, that was Killebrew’s final game with the Steelers, as he will reunite with special teams coach Danny Smith, after signing as one-year 1.8 million dollar contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Killebrew’s decision is hardly a surprise, as reports indicated that he had put his home in Pittsburgh up for sale earlier this year.

There have other comings and goings in Steelers free agency which we’ll have more to say about soon.

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Steelers Free Agency: Should Pittsburgh Re-Sign Calvin Austin?

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With NFL free agency about to open, the Steelers again face questions about their wide receiver room and whether they should keep one of their own. It wasn’t always this way….

…Once upon a time, word was that “The Pittsburgh Steelers have the touch of gold when it comes to finding wide receivers.”

Sure, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but the Steelers opened the last decade fielding the following four wide out set: Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown.

When Martavis Bryant started sabotaging himself with substance abuse, the Steelers drafted JuJu Smith-Schuster seemingly as easily as if it were stopping in at Giant Eagle to get a half pound of Kielbasa, a half pound of chipped ham and a package of Kondikes.

  • Alas, their golden touch began to leaden as decade closed.

Yes, Kevin Colbert drafted good wide receivers like former Steelers Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and George Pickens, but they all turned into divas, and each of them got traded away. So finding wide outs that they want to keep in Pittsburgh has been a problem.

Calvin Austin III becomes a free agent next week, and today we look at whether he should be the one to break the recent trend.

Calvin Austin catches to go ahead touchdown pass during the 2025 Steelers regular season finale win over the Ravens.

Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin catches the go-ahead touchdown vs the Ravens in the 2025 season finale. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

Capsule Profile of Calvin Austin’s Career with the Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers drafted Calvin Austin in the 4th round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Austin, unfortunately, lost his rookie season to injury. He returned for his season as WR No. 3 behind Johnson and Pickens and appeared in all 17 games, but only made 17 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown.

In 2024, Austin started 8 games and in many ways made the proverbial “second year leap.” While he didn’t prove he was someone who could “step up” in George Pickens’ absence, Austin did show an ability to make tough catches late in the season.

Calvin Austin, Greg Newsome, Pittsburgh Steelers

Calvin Austin hauls in a touchdown. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Injuries hampered Austin to start 2025, and he was less of an impact player than he’d been the year before. Still, he came on strong in the season finale, and will always hold the distinction of being the man to catch the last touchdown pass of the Mike Tomlin era.

The Case for the Steelers Resigning Calvin Austin in 2026

After seeing Calvin Austin down the stretch in 2024 and 2025 something is clear – he’s not a legit NFL No. 2 wide receiver, let alone a No. 1. And that’s the point – Calvin Austin wasn’t drafted to be one. Asking him to be says more about the team than it does about Austin.

Austin has shown himself as a legit number 3 wide receiver who, despite his small size, can make tough catches.

Calvin Austin, Steelers vs Ravens

Calvin Austin hauls in a sideline pass. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

No one is going to throw a lot of money at Calvin Austin and Pittsburgh’s wide receiver room is perilously thin. They can and should keep him in Pittsburgh on a cap-friendly deal.

The Case Against the Steelers Resigning Calvin Austin in 2026

The Steelers wide receivers have been atrocious for the last two seasons. Calling them a JV wide receiving corps might be generous. Calvin Austin has been part of the problem and isn’t part of the solution.

  • The 2022 Draft was Kevin Colbert’s last and arguably his worst.

Connor Heyward and Calvin Austin are all that remain of that class. Time to finish ripping off the band aid.

The Curtain’s Call on Calvin Austin and the Steelers

Word was last summer at St. Vincents that the Steelers might be targeting Austin for a contract extension. They did not, and Omar Khan can be glad he kept Art Rooney II’s check book shut. Because Austin didn’t continue to improve in 2025 the way he had in 2024.

  • But that doesn’t mean the Steelers should give up on him.

The Steelers have nothing behind D.K. Metcalf at wide out. Sure, Roman Wilson gets a fresh start with a new coaching staff, but you can’t count on him. For this scribe’s money retaining Calvin Austin and asking him to play or complete for the WR No. 3 role would be a win-win for both sides.

  • But it isn’t this scribe’s money.

The Steelers rarely give second contracts to wide receivers and Mike McCarthy has a history of favoring tall wide outs. Calvin Austin is 5’9”. All of which means that the touchdown pass he caught helping Mike Tomlin win his last game during the 2025 season finale is likely Calvin Austin’s last as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

 

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Steelers Sign Aaron Rodgers – Bobby Layne 3.0 Arrives in Pittsburgh

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Well… It has happened. Aaron Rodgers has signed a one-year, team-friendly contract to be the Steelers quarterback for the 2025 season. Rodgers per reports will attend Steelers minicamp after missing OTAs.

Aaron Rodgers, Casey Hampton, Steelers vs Packers, Steelers Packer Super Bowl,

Aaron Rodgers celebrates a touchdown in the Super Bowl against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Photo Credit: Al Bello, Getty Images via Bleacher Report

For the record, like most of Steelers Nation, I did not want to see Aaron Rodgers in a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform.

But now that it has happened, it is time to be practical. So let’s define several truths about the Steelers situation:

  1. A long-term quarterback solution was unavailable this spring.
  2. Aaron Rodgers has lost a lot since his time as a Super Bowl and league MVP.
  3. Yet, he still has something left in the tank.
  4. Rodgers offered Pittsburgh its best shot for an upgrade at quarterback.

Number 4 might provoke eye rolls.

To be sure, Chris Ward of Steelers NOW took a detailed look at Rodgers’ games in 2024 and found cause for concern.

Alex Highsmith, Aaron Rodgers

Alex Highsmith pressures Aaron Rodgers. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Rodgers struggles against the blitz largely because age has robbed him of the mobility needed to improvise. Some of his decision making under pressure suggests that perhaps he isn’t able to process at the speed he once could. Finally, Ward found that Rodgers’ famed accuracy is slipping.

However, Ward also maintains that Rodgers’ arm remains strong, terming it as his “superpower.” His timing, ability run RPOs remains sharp, allowing him to function as “a general at the line of scrimmage that is confident in his ability to get his unit in the best play possible.”

Risk of Riding with Rodgers is Real

Even if Rodgers is the best available option the Steelers had to achieve a year-to-year improvement at quarterback, signing him carries both objective and subjective risks.

After 18 years in Pittsburgh, Mike Tomlin’s fascination with giving fabled athletes a final dance well- documented.

Joey Galloway signed but never saw the field. Ditto William Jackson. Plaxico Burress finished his career in a Steelers uniform by scoring touchdown at Heinz Field. That was great for him but his second stint in Pittsburgh did little to help the team. Michael Vick had one great quarter of football left in him that set up a Monday Night Football win that was a difference-maker when playoff time came.

Rodgers will be 42 by season’s end and is well past the point where age and injury can quickly conspire to end a career.

  • The subjective risks Rodgers brings are perhaps more pertinent.

Mike Tomlin praised first round pick Derrick Harmon for having “Steelers DNA.” Look up and down the members of the Steelers 2025 Draft Class, and you’ll see the words “strong character guy,” “great for the locker room,” and/or “natural leader.” Ditto their 2024 class.

Check out Jim Wexell’s interview with Darius Slay and you’ll see a veteran who oozes a “been there, done that” ethos who embraces his role as mentor for players like Joey Porter Jr., Cory Trice and Beanie Bishop.

In contrast, Aaron Rodgers carries a well-earned reputation for forcing an “I” into the word “team.”

He tried to get the coach and GM fired at the end of his time Green Bay. He succeeded in doing that with the Jets. He unhesitatingly points fingers at teammates when things get tough.

Per Over the Cap, Aaron Rodgers has earned $381,692,206 in his career. But that didn’t stop him from whining about having to buy his own plane ticket for his final meeting with the Jets. (Hint for Rodgers – next time splurge on an economy plus upgrade, and enjoy the extra leg room.)

  • Mike Tomlin is no stranger to managing diva locker room personalities.

Perhaps he was at his best in doing that when Ben Roethlisberger was hooking up with Antonio Brown for the Christmas Night Immaculate Extension that set up Pittsburgh’s most recent playoff wins.

antonio brown, steelers christmas win over ravens, steelers vs. ravens

Four Ravens can’t stop Antonio Brown from score the game winning touchdown in Steelers Christmas win over Ravens. Photo Credit: Steelers.com

But Aaron Rodgers could easily put those skills to the test.

Welcome to Pittsburgh Bobby Layne 3.0

Shortly after the smoke cleared following the playoff ridiculing against the Ravens, Steel City Insider’s Jim Wexell mused that the Steelers had tried Neil O’Donnell (Mason Rudolph), Mark Malone (Kenny Pickett) and Bobby Layne (Russell Wilson) to no avail.

Once the Rodgers signing became official, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabio took the Steelers brain trust to task for promising not to do the same thing over again and expect different results.

  • DeFabio has the facts on his side.

A year ago, the Steelers brought in an aging Super Bowl champion quarterback at a bargain basement price and suffered yet another embarrassing playoff loss. Now they just signed another, older Super Bowl quarterback.

Ziggy Hood, Aaron Rodgers, LaMarr Woodley, Casey Hampton, Super Bowl XLV

Ziggy Hood sacks Aaron Rodgers in Super Bowl XLV. Photo Credit: Tribune-Review

So be it. Unless Seattle proves that “the sixth time is the charm” with Sam Darnold or Justin Fields can mature into Jalen Hurts-lite in New York, finding a bridge quarterback was the best Steelers could have done this spring.

  • So think of Aaron Rodgers as Bobby Layne 3.0.

No, Layne did not bring an NFL Championship to the Steel City, but he give Pittsburgh the best professional football the city had ever seen.

While is far from a certain thing, Aaron Rodgers could bring Pittsburgh the best football its seen since Ben Roethlisberger threw out his arm in the second week of the 2019 season.

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Steelers Sign Mason Rudolph. Now Let’s Stop the Aaron Rodgers Nonsense

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The NFL free agent market has been humming and, while the Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t been passive, they have been less active than expected. Today the made their first move at quarterback, and it is a surprise.

The Steelers opted to reconnect with a familiar face, but not the one everyone expected to see, as they signed Mason Rudolph to a 2-year contract worth a reported 8 million dollars.

Mason Rudolph, Steelers vs. Seahawks, Najee Harris

Mason Rudoph and Najee Harris during the Steelers 2023 win over the Seahawks. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.come

It says here that Mason Rudolph’s return to Pittsburgh should end the franchise’s flirtation with Aaron Rodgers. Period.

  • Full Stop. Do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars. Just end the nonsense now.

Aaron Rodgers has been released by the Jets and his name has been linked to the Steelers since he began making noises about getting out of Green Bay. The Steelers have, per reports made him an offer. The fact that he still has yet to take it should tell Art Rooney II, Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin all they need to know — they should rescind the offer and end this nonsense now.

If the Steelers don’t see Mason Rudolph as their starter for 2025, and his contract says they don’t, they should resign Russell Wilson.

  • No, Russell Wilson doesn’t have a lot left in the tank — Aaron Rodgers has less.
  • Yes, age has robbed Russell Wilson of his abilities —  age has ransacked Aaron Rodgers.
  • Yes, Russ had issues with his coaches — Aaron Rodgers is an unrepentant coach killer.
  • No, Russ isn’t likely to get the Steelers to a Super Bowl next year — neither is Aaron Rodgers.
  • Yes, Russ may create some locker room friction — Aaron Rodgers does that unhesitatingly.

The Steelers have taken a conservative approach, to say the least, at quarterback this off season. They’ve declined to engage in a bidding war for Justin Fields or Sam Darnold. They’re unwilling (and wisely so) to give up draft capital to bring in a Geno Smith or Derrick Carr.

  • And they’re not allowing inertia to pull them back to Russell Wilson by default.

Fair enough.

The Steelers have done their due-dilgence. They’ve refused to throw money at mediocre quarterbacks. It is time to either resign-Wilson, assuming he’s willing, or simply go with Mason Rudolph.

Mason Rudolph & the Steelers: What a Long Strange Trip Its Been

The Steelers of course drafted Mason Rudolph in the 3rd round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Rudolph stood in street clothes throughout 2018, only to be thrust into the starting role 6 quarters into 2019 as Ben Roethlisberger injured his elbow in the home-0pening loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

  • And thus began Rudolph’s rollercoaster ride with the Steelers.

Over the next 4 years, Rudolph would appear in 21 games for the Steelers, starting 13 of those and going 8-4-1. Once seen as Ben Roethlisberger’s potential heir-apparent, he spent the summer of 2022 behind Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett as QB No. 3 despite arguably out playing both men.

Mason Rudolph, Kenny Pickett, Steelers 2022 Training Camp, Steelers St. Vincents 2022

Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett in 2022 at St. Vincents. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Mason Rudolph spent the 2023 off season as an afterthought, until signing a veteran minimum deal with the Steelers. There he remained an afterthought, until an ugly 3 game losing streak that included a major injury to Kenny Pickett led Mike Tomlin to start him.

Rudolph responded by quarterbacking the Steelers to 3 straight wins, and had the team with in a touchdown of tying the Buffalo Bills with 8 minutes left in the 4th quarter of the AFC Divisional playoffs.

The Steelers opened the 2024 off season with Mike Tomlin declaring the team wanted to resign him. Steel City Insider’s Jim Wexell did report that the Steelers made him an offer, but with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields’ arrivals, Rudolph opted to sign with Tennessee Titans.

With the Titans Rudolph appeared in 8 games, starting 5 of those and going 1-4 in those contests.

  • He did, however come off the bench to lead two comeback wins.
  • Overall, he posted respectable passing numbers.

Do those numbers suggest that Rudolph is capable a Baker Mayfield like revival? No, they do not. But if the Steelers offensive line investments pay the dividends they expect it to pay, and if Jaylen Warren and a yet to be drafted running back can establish the run, the Steelers could win a lot of games with Mason Rudolph running Arthur Smith’s under center offense.

Barring that, he strikes me as the perfect “bridge quarterback” to the lead the team on the eve of what is said to be a quarterback-rich 2026 NFL Draft class.

Its been a long strange trip indeed, but welcome back to Pittsburgh Mason.

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Steelers Trade for D.K. Metcalf – Now Who Will Throw Him the Ball?

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He may have taken his time, but Omar Khan made the Steelers first major move of the 2025 free agent season, and he did so with a bang. The Pittsburgh Steelers have reached an agreement with the Seattle Seahawks to trade their 2025 second-round pick in exchange for wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.

D.K. Metcalf, Terrell Edmunds, Steelers vs Seahawks

D.K. Metcalf burns Terrell Edmunds for a touchdown. Photo Credit: Yahoo.com

The Steelers have been linked to via trade for Metcalf for close to a year, and now those rumors have come to fruition. With the trade comes a new contract for Metcalf, as the Steelers have tacked on 4 years to his existing 5-year deal, that will pay the wide receiver 150 million over the next five seasons.

  • The Steelers we expected to add a veteran wide receiver room this spring.

Omar Khan said as much at the 2025 NFL scouting combine when confirming that the Steelers wanted a quarterback under contract for the start of free agency as that would impact what wide receiver they signed.

The Steelers of course do not have a quarterback under contract, begging the question, “Just who is going to throw Metcalf the ball?”

The Steelers had hoped to sign either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson last week. Its been indicated that the Steelers did make an offer to Fields, but that Fields declined to accept, instead wanting to test the free agency waters. The conventional wisdom has been that the Steelers been unable to sign Fields, they’d rever to Wilson, who actively wishes to return.

However, multiple reports suggest that the Steelers plan to make an offer to free agent Sam Darnold, most recently of the Minnesota Vikings. The Steelers can begin formally negotiating with Darnold today, Monday March 10th, at noon.

Impact on Pickens?

Time and time again it was shown throughout the 2024 season that the wide receivers were the Steelers weakest link. George Pickens proved he was a legitimate NFL number 1 receiver, but the Steelers had nothing behind him save for Calvin Austin.

  • But Pickens has maturity issues.

These maturity issues have been evident since his rookie year, but have not been improving. That’s led some to suggest that the Steelers should be looking to off load Pickens this spring. Don’t expect that to happen in the wake of the D.K. Metcalf trade.

Yes, Kevin Colbert managed to get a third and 5th round pick for Antonio Brown and a third for Martavis Bryant. Omar Khan got a 2nd round pick for Chase Claypool and got Donte Jackson for Diontae Johnson.

But don’t expect the Steelers to reap a similar bonanza for George Pickens in the wake of the Metcalf trade. From the Steelers perspective, they still have a very thin depth chart at wide receiver.

And Pickens’ reputation precedes him in the NFL, making it highly likely the Steelers could get anything other than a day 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 Free Agent Tracker

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Free Agency started on Monday March 10th at noon.

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered free agency with as much as much to lose as they do have to gain.

The Steelers have 17 players set to become free agents. Omar Khan has over 60 million dollars in salary cap money to spend, with the ability to increase that quickly and easily with restructures and extensions. Yet, the team has been cautious.

  • If anyone is panicking over the Steelers lack of a quarterback, they’re not on the South Side.

Beyond that, the Steelers have seen far more free agents depart for greener patures than they have extended the welcome mat to.

steelers press conference,

Is Omar Khan stockpiling compensatory picks? That may not be his intent, but thus far that’s the end-product of his approach to free agency as the legal tampering period comes to an end.

Steelers 2024 Pickups During Free Agency

Jaylen Warren, Running Back
Extended 2nd round Restricted Free Agent Tender
Ryan McCollum, Center
Extended an Exclusive Rights Free Agent tender
D.K. Metcalf
Traded their 2nd round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft for D.K. Metcalf who signed a 4 year extension
Kenneth Gainwell, running back
Signed the former Philadelphia Eagles running back to a 1 year deal.
Malik Harrison, Inside Linebacker
Signs a 2-year, 10 million dollar contract to leave the Baltimore Ravens.
Brandin Echols, Cornerback
Signs with Steelers from the New York Jets, terms undisclosed.
Darius Slay, Cornerback
Signs 1-year, 10 million dollar contract after getting cut from Philadelphia Eagles.
Mason Rudolph, Quarterback
Signs 2-year, 8 million dollar contract.
Scotty Miller, Wide Receiver
Signs 1-year deal, presumptively at the veteran minimum.
Ben Skowronek, Wide Receiver
Signs 2-year deal, 4.5 million dollar contract.
Daniel Ekuale, Defensive End
Signs with Steelers from the New England Patriots
Juan Thornhill, Safety
Signs 1-year deal from the Cleveland Browns
Isaiahh Loudermilk, Defensive line
Signs 1-year deal, presumptively at the veteran minimum.
Esezi Otomewo, defensive lineman
Signs 1-year contract, presumptively at the veteran minimum, from the Jacksonville Jaguars

Steelers 2024 Free Agent Losses


Justin Fields, Quarterback
Signed 2 year, 40 million dollar deal with the New York Jets
Donte Jackson, Cornerback
Signed 2 year, 13 million dollar contract with San Die er um Los Angeles Chargers
Dan Moore, Offensive Tackle
Signed 4 year, 82 million dollar contract with Tennessee Titans
Najee Harris, Running Back
Signs 1 year, 9.25 million dollar contract with Los Angeles Chargers
Elandon Roberts, Inside Linebacker
Signs 1 year, 3 million dollar contract with Las Vegas Raiders
James Daniels, Guard
Signs 3 year 24 million dollar contract with Miami Dolphins
Van Jefferson, Wide Receiver
Signs 1 year, 2.5 million dollar contract with Tennessee Titans
Mike Williams, Wide Receiver
Signs 1 year, 7 million dollar contract to return to the Los Angeles Chargers
Nate Herbig, Guard/Center
Signs 1 year deal with Washington Commanders

Steelers 2024 Remaining Unrestricted Free Agents

Russell Wilson, Quarterback
Cam Sutton, Cornerback
MyCole Pruitt, Tight End
Kyle Allen, Quarterback
Tyler Matakevich, Inside Linebacker/Special Teams
Damontae Kazee, Safety

Exclusive Rights Free Agents

Jeremiah Moon, Outside Linebacker

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Hidden Gem? Do the Steelers Have One in Ben Skowronek?

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NFL commentators use the term “spot duty” to tell you not to trust what you see. In scientific terms “spot duty” would be something like, “taken from a sample that’s far too small and far too unrepresentative to mean anything.”

“Spot duty” is  reserved for NFL roster-bubble players, who, thanks to injury or another extraordinary game circumstances, get a handful of snaps. And “spot duty” signals that we shouldn’t draw any conclusions one way or another based on those snaps.

  • Usually, that’s on target.

But every now and again, a player flashes something in “Spot Duty” that reveals that he’s capable of something far bigger. Could Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek be one of those players? As he reaches free agency, Omar Khan needs to figure that out.

Ben Skowronek, Steelers vs Browns

Ben Skowronek celebrates after recovering a fumble. Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Capsule Profile of Ben Skowronek Career with the Steelers

Ben Skowronek certainly brought quite a back story to Pittsburgh. The Titans traded his pick to the Jaguars 8 months before the 2021 NFL Draft. And then on draft day Jacksonville traded his pick to the Rams, who took him in the 7th round with pick 249. Then, after appearing in 45 games and making 12 starts for Los Angeles,  the Rams traded Skowronek to the Texans after the 2024 NFL Draft, who cut him just before the season.

The Steelers signed him to the practice squad, elevated him to the active roster for the first two weeks of the season, and then put him on IR.

The Steelers activated Skowronek for the Washington game. Over the course of the final 9 weeks of the season Skowronek caught 5 of 5 passes thrown his way, participated in 55% of special teams snaps, made 7 tackles on return coverage while recovering two fumbles.

The Case for the Steelers Resigning Ben Skowronek

The sight of Ben Skowronek streaking downfield to make a tackle on a return became a regular one during the waning part of the season. Special teams delivered the Steelers a real competitive edge during the run to 10-3 and provided several of the “missed opportunities” that characterized the early portion of the late season collapse.

  • That alone makes Skowronek an intriguing prospect.

So does his work in the passing game. Skowronek went 5 for 5 on targets, averaging 13.8 yards per catch, with an 80% “success rate” as four of those catches went for first downs. He’s not a player whose going to open anyone’s check book very widely, so keeping him in Pittsburgh at a veteran minimum is a no brainer.

The Case Against the Steelers Resigning Ben Skowronek

If the Steelers resigning Ben Skowronek is such a “no brainer” then answer this question for me: If he’s supposedly some sort of hidden asset in the passing game, then why was he only targeted 5 times with the Steelers screaming for someone to step up when George Pickens was out?

Sure, his special teams skill set is nice, but the Pittsburgh’s receiver room is plagued with place holders and now is the time to replace them with difference makers.

Curtain’s Call on the Steelers and Ben Skowronek

Ben Skowronek‘s special teams resume is probably sufficient to earn him a second contract in Pittsburgh that’s at or near the veteran minimum.

  • But that’s not the real reason to hope he’s back.

As the Steelers reached the true off season in June of 2024 it was clear that the Omar Khan’s plans to replace Diontae Johnson had hit a major bump in the road. And yours truly mused about whether the Steelers had the next Yancey Thigpen hiding on their roster.

  • Today that’s more than laughable.

Clearly the Steelers didn’t have the next Yancey Thigpen on their roster in June of 2024…

…But could they have had him on their roster in September 2024? The parallels between Ben Skowronek and Thigpen are striking. Consider this about both:

  • Are over 6 feet tall and top the 200 pound mark.
  • Got their starts as roster-bubble players for California teams.
  • Found their way to Pittsburgh via the waiver wire.
  • Cut their teeth on special teams.
  • Played in offenses that struggled with serious talent deficiencies at wide out.
  • Raised eyebrows with the production in “spot duty” at wide receiver.

Thigpen only had 9 catches on 12 targets in his first full year with the 1993 Steelers – but 3 of those catches went for touchdowns. Skowronek literally caught everything thrown his way and almost always turned it into a first down.

Yes. They do call it “spot duty” for a reason. Think of John Clay who earned 4.1 yards per carry and scored a touchdown in “spot duty” at the end of the Steelers 2011 season and never played another down.

But this scribe has a hunch that Ben Skowronek is a lot more of a Yancey Thigpen than a he is a John Clay.

 

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Even a Theoretical Van Jefferson Return to the Steelers Is Hard to See

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New coaches bringing players from their old teams is a time-honored tradition in sports. Steve Spurrier loaded Washington with players who’d starred for him at Florida. Rick Pitino brought so many players from Kentucky to Boston that people quipped about them being “The Boston Wildcats.”

  • Several players that Arthur Smith had worked with in Atlanta followed him to Pittsburgh.

Van Jefferson was the biggest name. Now that his one year deal is almost up, the Steelers need to decide whether there’s anything they saw that gives them a hint of a reason to ask him back.

Van Jefferson, Steelers vs Ravens

Van Jefferson catches a 30 yard touchdown. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Profile of Van Jefferson’s Steelers Career

Omar Khan signed Van Jefferson with the hope was that the Steelers would either sign, draft or trade for a wide receiver to replace Diontae Johnson, whom they’d traded 3 days before. Those hopes never came to fruition.

That opened the door for Van Jefferson to realize the potential he’d shown while catching passes as a starting wideout for the 2021 Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams. After all, someone had to take advantage of the double teams that George Pickens was going to draw.

Right?

Van Jefferson started 17 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2024 season. He caught 24 passes on 40 targets and 2 touchdowns totaling 276 yards.

The Case for the Steelers Resigning Van Jefferson

OK. This one’s rough. Even if this is a theoretical exercise.

2024 was a tough year for the Steelers offense. The unit experienced a lot of growing pains in several different spots on the depth chart. Van Jefferson might not have proven himself to be a true number NFL number 2 wideout, but he could be a real asset as a number 3 or 4 receiver.

After all, Jefferson posted the highest catch rate of his career. …Didn’t he?

The Case Against the Steelers Resigning Van Jefferson

24 pass receptions in 17 starts.

When it was clear early in 2024 that the Steelers wide receivers would struggle all season long, this Steelers scribe mused about “longing for the days of Charles Lockett, Dwight Stone and Derek Hill.”

IF only we had been so lucky. Number don’t lie. And remember, these stats came from an offense that was hard-wired to run first:

  • In 5 starts for the 1988 Steelers, Lockett hauled in 22 catches and 1 touchdown
  • In 8 starts on the NFL’s worst offense, Hill logged 28 passes for the 1989 Steelers
  • Dwight Stone managed 41 catches starting 15 games for the 1993 Steelers

And it was that 1993 campaign that led coaches to conclude that Stone really wasn’t a viable NFL wide receiver (he caught 8 more passes in the next 7 seasons.)

And unlike those players, Van Jefferson had the benefit of an 11th overall draft pick in Justin Fields and a Super Bowl winner in Russell Wilson throwing to him. Yet he only managed to catch 24 passes. Lockett, Hill and Stone were catching their passes from the likes of Mark Malone, Bubby Brister, Todd Blackledge, Steve Bono and Neil O’Donnell.

There is no reason for Van Jefferson ever to don a Black and Gold uniform again. Period.

Curtain’s Call on the Steelers and Van Jefferson

It’s not Van Jefferson’s fault that the Steelers never found a legit number 2 to take heat off of George Pickens, but the experiment certainly gave them a large enough sample size to know that Jefferson is not part of the answer at wideout, even at the veteran minimum.

  • Perhaps he can be another team’s number 3 or 4 pass grabber.

But after what we saw from Van Jefferson in 2024, it is obvious that the Steelers would be better suited using his roster spot to an undrafted rookie free agent who might, say, turn into the next Nate Washington or, dare we say, the next Dwight Stone.

Either would be an upgrade on what they had from Van Jefferson in 2024.

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Trading Up for Isaiahh Loudermilk Was a Mistake by the Steelers. But, Should He Be Done in Pittsburgh?

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are conservative about making draft-day trades involving future draft picks. So when they do it raises eyebrows and turns heads. This was the reaction when they traded up for Shamarko Thomas in 2013.

When they did it again in 2021 with Isaiahh Loudermilk triggered memories of that ill-fated draft-day trade.

As he reaches free agency, there’s no question that, like Shamarko Thomas before him, Loudermilk clearly hasn’t been worth trading up for. The question remains, can anything be salvaged with an extended stay in Pittsburgh?

Isaiahh Loudermilk, James Conner, Steelers vs Cardinals

Isaiahh Loudermilk tackles James Conner. Photo Credit: SteelersNOW.com

Profile of Isaiahh Loudermilk’s  Steelers Career

When the Steelers traded their 2022 4th round pick for the Dolphin’s 2021 5th round pick and drafted Isaiahh Loudermilk, little did they know that their defense line was about to fall off a cliff. First Stephon Tuitt retired. And then, 5 quarters into the season, Tyson Alualu was lost.

Suddenly, the Steelers defensive line was down to Cam Heyward playing alongside a bunch of J.V. defensive lineman whose names no one remembers. Loudermilk got pressed into service sooner than expected appearing in 15 games clocking in at 29% of the defensive snaps.

  • And the early look on Loudermilk was good.

In his rookie year he batted down 3 passes, recorded a sack and logged 23 tackles – not bad for a 5th round draft pick, right? Steel City Insider’s Jim Wexell even flirted with the idea that Loudermilk reminded him a bit of a young Aaron Smith.

Unfortunately, Loudermilk had difficulty building on that, as he averaged below 20% of defensive snaps for 2022 and 2023. While Larry Ogunjobi and Keeanu Benton’s arrivals had a lot to do with that, Loudermilk failed to push either man for playing time.

Loudermilk’s snap count did increase in 2024, but he only registered 1 more tackle than 2023. He’s also been a regular contributor on special teams, highlighted by his block of Brandon Aubrey’s field goal attempt in the Steelers loss to the Cowboys.

The Case for the Steelers Resigning Isaiahh Loudermilk

Let’s embrace the elephant in the room: Isaiahh Loudermilk has not proved himself worthy of trading a future 4th round pick in order to get him in the 5th round.

But that’s not his fault any more than it was Matt Spaeth’s fault that the Steelers traded up to the third round to grab him. If you view Loudermilk as solely on his status as a 5th-round draft pick who has developed into a serviceable back up and solid special teamer you see him in a different light.

That makes him the perfect “…He knows the system” veteran that you resign at the veteran minimum for depth and to staff special teams.

The Case Against the Steelers Resigning Isaiahh Loudermilk

The good news is that the Steelers defensive line has improved since suffering its historic lows of the Loudermilk’s rookie season. The bad new is that there’s scant evidence to show that Loudermilk has contributed to that improvement. Worse yet, the 2024 NFL playoffs reinforced the reality that the Steelers defensive line is a long, long way away from being championship caliber.

Has Loudermilk shown us any evidence to suggest that he can be a component of a championship caliber NFL defensive line?

No he hasn’t.

Ergo Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin should like Loudermilk walk and find this generation’s Nick Eason or Travis Kirschke elsewhere.

Curtain’s Call on the Steelers and Isaiahh Loudermilk

Defensive line is clearly Pittsburgh’s biggest need in the 2025 off season. They must add quality and quantity. An ideal scenario would see them adding a 3-down capable nose tackle or a pure defensive end capable of taking Cam Heyward’s place. And, if they could find someone capable of replacing Larry Ogunjobi either now or in the future that would be even better.

Loudermilk’s fate likely hinges on how the draft unfolds for the Steelers.

If the Steelers come out of the 2025 NFL Draft with 3 new defensive lineman, Loudermilk likely gets caught up in a numbers game. If they don’t then he’ll likely get return for at or near the veteran minimum.

 

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Does Cam Sutton’s Second Steelers Act Deserve an Encore?

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Once upon a time, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t do second acts.

When Rod Woodson and Eric Green discovered that the grass isn’t necessarily greener on the other side of free agency’s fence, both asked to return. Tom Donahoe derisively dismissed them explaining, “We’re not the Salvation Army.” Jerry Olsavsky got a similar cold shoulder when he wanted to come home.

  • Kevin Colbert brought a new attitude.

And with it, players like Orpheus Roye, Sean Spence, Myron Bell, Ainsley Battles, Matt Spaeth, Willie Williams, Larry Foote, Antwaan Randle El and James Harrison all returned to Pittsburgh for second acts with the Steelers.

Last spring, Cam Sutton became the first former player that Omar Khan welcomed back. Should Sutton’s second act get an encore?

Cam Sutton, Mark Andrews, Steelers vs Ravens, Ben Roethlisberger final regular season game

Cam Sutton intercepts a pass to Mark Andrews. Photo Credit: Ravens.com

Profile of Cam Sutton’s Steelers Career

The Steelers drafted Cam Sutton in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. In a moment that’s ironically coincidental to his current situation, Sutton saw his first action on December 4th, 2017.

  • For deep dives on Sutton’s first act with the Steelers see his 2021 and 2023 free agent profile.

The Steelers expected to resign Sutton, but the Detroit Lions offered him a far bigger number than Omar Khan was willing to match, so Sutton spent 2023 in the Motor City. There Sutton revealed that he probably wasn’t worth a CB No. 1 salary, but it was a domestic violence arrest led the Lions to cut him.

The Steelers did their own due-diligence and resigned Sutton, expecting a suspension. Sutton indeed was suspended for the first 8 games of the 2024 season, returning for the win over Washington.

Sutton played in 43% of the snaps during the rest of the season, with his statistical peek coming on the road against the Bengals, where he made 4 tackles and batted away 2 passes. Sutton’s participation topped out at 69, 72 and 82 percent of the snaps in the win at Cincinnati, the Christmas day loss to the Chiefs and the 2024 regular season finale home loss to the Bengals.

The Case for Resigning Cam Sutton

Cam Sutton is just turning 30, he has 110 games and 58 starts under his belt. Sutton has position flexibility, being able to play on the outside or in the slot as corner and can also work at safety. He knows the Steelers defensive system and can be signed on a team-friendly deal, if not for the league minimum.

The Case Against the Steelers Resigning Cam Sutton

On paper, the idea of bringing Cam Sutton back should have worked out brilliantly for the Steelers defense. The Steelers were getting a starter-capable cornerback, who knew their defense that would suddenly become available in the middle of the season when everyone else in the secondary was nursing their bumps and bruises.

  • Sound fishy? Then check out Bud Dupree’s impact after coming off the PUP list in late 2016.

Alas, it didn’t work out that way with Sutton. He saw his playing time increase during the final four games of the regular season, when injuries cost the Steelers the services of Joey Porter Jr., DeShon Elliott, and Donte Jackson.

  • The defense struggled in their absence.

Cam Sutton certainly doesn’t deserve to be a scapegoat for the defense’s late season meltdown. But clearly he wasn’t part of the solution either. With the emergence of Beanie Bishop and Cory Trice the Steelers can and should move on from Cam Sutton.

Curtain’s Call on the Steelers and Cam Sutton

Sutton’s first game of a Steelers came at Cincinnati, the night Ryan Shazier suffered his spinal contusion. That injury led to Sean Spence’s thoroughly disappointing second act with the Steelers.

  • The parallel between Spence and Sutton only goes so far.

The Steelers needed Spence to replace a player who formed a critical cog in their defense and Spence simply wasn’t good enough. Sutton was supposed to reinforce a secondary that was being rebuilt, end-to-end and he really didn’t add a lot.

The Steelers are likely to add a corner in free agency and in the 2025 NFL Draft. So Cam Sutton’s best shot at extending his second act in Pittsburgh would likely be to agree to play for the veteran minimum.

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