The Pittsburgh Steelers have not been idle as free agency has heated up. After coming to terms with Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson, the Steelers turned their attention to their own free agents.
Their first move was the perhaps the biggest surprise, as they resigned backup linebacker Anthony Chickillo. Anthony Chickillo was set to be a free agent and the Steelers wanted him back. However, the size of Anthony Chickillo’s contract amounts to a big of a surprise.
- Anthony Chickillo signed a 2 year 8 million dollar contract, after turning down a similar offer from the New England Patriots.
The four million dollar per-year average puts Chickillo’s average salary well into range of the NFL’s top starters in that category. Such a contract for Anthony Chickillo would seem to indicate that the Steelers would perhaps be considering moving on from Bud Dupree.
Steelers placed an original round restricted free agent tender on Anthony Chickillo . Photo Credit: David Richard, AP via PennLive.com
However, the Steelers have opted not to renegotiate Bud Dupree’s 7.9 million dollar 5th year tender, and now that is guaranteed. The Steelers could still resign Bud Dupree to a long-term deal the summer as the did with David DeCastro, shortly before the 2016 season.
- The Steelers also resigned punter Jordan Berry to a two year contract.
Jordan Berry has drawn a lot of fire from fans, and his punting average is near the bottom of the league. However, Jordan Berry has improved at directional punting. And perhaps more importantly, past analysis has shown that quality punting for the Steelers holds no correlation to Super Bowl seasons.
Remember, the Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII with Mitch Berger handling the punting duties.
Brown, Bell and James Out
With the NFL’s year officially started, the Steelers trade of Antonio Brown to the Raiders became official. As did Le’Veon Bell’s contract with the New York Jets, as well as Jesse James’ with the Detroit Lions. Steel Curtain Rising will have more to say on those departures later.
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