Final roster cuts end the NFL dreams of hundreds of players each September. But getting a visit from the Turk doesn’t always spell doom. Sometimes it simply opens another opportunity.
Steven Simms played for two years in Washington, before he got cut loose. Then the Buffalo Bills gave him a shot. Six days later the Bills cut him, only for the Steelers to sign him to their practice squad two days later.
Now Steven Sims is a restricted free agent – will he cash in?
Steve Simms breaks open a punt return. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review
Capsule Profile of Steven Sims Career with the Steelers
Steven Sims got activated for the Steelers mid-season tie to the Detroit Lions, (so perhaps he has Ben Roethlisberger’s bout with COVID-19 to thank for his break in Pittsburgh.) But that the extent of Sims 2021 campaign.
Steven Sims made the Steelers final regular season roster but started out behind Gunner Olszewski on the return team and was also buried pretty deeply on the wide receiver depth chart. As a result, he was inactive for all but 2 of the Steelers first 7 games.
- But in the NFL one man’s misfortune equals another’s opportunity.
Gunner Olszewski brought his fumbling problems with him from New England, and Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan used Chase Claypool to swindle the 32nd pick in the 2023 NFL Draft away from Chicago. That opened the door for Steven Sims on both fronts and Sims took advantage.
Stevens came in gave an immediate boost to the return game helping power the upset over Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. During the season he added 14 catches for 104 yards as a wide receiver. He also added 70 yards on 13 rushes via Jet Sweeps.
The Case for the Steelers Resigning Steven Sims
The Steelers have no third wide receiver to speak of, unless you’re counting on Calvin Austin. Nor do they have anyone who is capable of handing return duties, assuming they let Gunner Olszewski go. 2.6 million, the lowest tender possible, isn’t a high price to pay for a little stability at wide receiver.
The Case Against the Steelers Resigning Steven Sims
The Steelers need a true third wide receiver and a return man who won’t fumble. Steven’s production as a receiver as dropped ever year he’s been in the NFL. His kick returns are pretty solid, but he mishandled to punts. The Steelers owe it to themselves to see if they can do better at wide out than Steven Sims.
Curtain’s Call on the Steelers and Steven Sims
Is Steven Sims a true number 3 NFL wide receiver? I have my doubts.
But that’s fine: The Steelers don’t necessarily need him to be one. Omar Khan as much confirmed this when explained, “We wouldn’t have traded Chase (Claypool) if we didn’t feel good about the depth in that [wide receivers] room and didn’t feel good about the guys that we have there.”
To that end, Steven Sims provides depth and serviceable skills both at wide out and as a returner and he’s certainly worth a restricted free agent offer.
Follow Steelers free agency. Visit our Steelers 2023 Free Agent tracker or click here for all Steelers 2023 free agent focus articles.
