Steelers free-agency news, grades: Pittsburgh adds Armon Watts to DL rotation

PITTSBURGH — Omar Khan has been on the job for nearly a year now and has gone through almost the entire process of being a first-time general manager. Only a couple of things left to be checked off — the finishing touches on free agency and the draft at the end of April.

Last year, the Steelers spent $84.7 million on outside free agents in a week and approximately $140.5 million when you include re-signing their own players. This year hasn’t brought quite that spending spree, but key pieces have been added. The Steelers will also add at least seven players in the draft and a handful more undrafted free agents before OTAs start in May.

Below are the latest details on what the Steelers have done, where the salary cap stands and what the moves mean in the big picture. This post will be updated as new roster moves are made. Grades will be handed out with every incoming transaction.

Big Board: Current best available free agents
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Grades: Assessing every major agreement

Players under contract: 67 of 90

Estimated salary cap space: Approximately $9.8 million, according to Over the Cap

Unrestricted free agents (9): QB Mason Rudolph; RB Benny Snell; FB Derek Watt; WR Miles Boykin; OL Jesse Davis; DL Tyson Alualu; DL Chris Wormley; S Karl Joseph; LB Marcus Allen

Untendered restricted free agents (now UFAs) (1): RB Jeremy McNichols

Steelers add more DL depth in Watts

Date: April 10

Impact: Moderate

DeFabo’s thoughts: The Steelers continued to add depth to their defensive front on Monday. Former Bears defensive tackle Armon Watts has agreed to terms with the Steelers, his agent David Canter tweeted.

Watts, 26, began his career with the Vikings as a sixth-round draft pick out of Arkansas in 2019. After three seasons in Minnesota, he was waived by the Vikings and picked up by the Bears. In 17 games last season (12 starts), Watts accumulated 35 tackles (four for loss), two QB hits and a sack. His most-productive season came in 2021, when he recorded five sacks, 10 QB hits and 46 total tackles (three for loss). For a bigger-bodied lineman, Watts brings some interior pass-rush potential in a rotational role.

The Steelers already added one defensive tackle this free-agency period in Breiden Fehoko. Now with the 6-foot-5, 310-pound Watts on board, the Steelers have more competition and depth alongside Montravius Adams. It remains to be seen if Watts can also contribute elsewhere along the defensive front.

Grade: C — The Steelers have now given themselves a number of options at defensive tackle. We probably won’t know how it all fits together until we get a first glimpse at training camp.

Steelers add S Keanu Neal

Date: March 30

Impact: Moderate

DeFabo’s thoughts: The Steelers bolstered their secondary Thursday, agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Keanu Neal.

Neal, the 17th pick in the 2016 draft, visited the Steelers during his pre-draft process but was off the board well before Pittsburgh began addressing its secondary with the now-infamous additions of Artie Burns and Sean Davis.

Here's the most important thing you need to know about new Steelers safety Keanu Neal: He was in fact named after actor Keanu Reeves.

“My brother is a huge fan of Keanu Reeves, so he was like ‘Keanu.’ (My mother) loved it and it stuck," Neal told reporters at the Combine in 2016

— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) March 30, 2023

After he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, Neal quickly established himself as a big-time hitter. He racked up more than 100 tackles in each of his first two seasons, producing eight forced fumbles in his first 30 NFL games. After his second season in Atlanta, he was selected to his first and only Pro Bowl.

However, injuries in back-to-back seasons robbed Neal of two years of his prime and likely changed the trajectory of his career. He tore his ACL one game into the 2018 season. Then, just three games into his comeback in 2019, he ruptured his Achilles and was again lost for the season.

The 6-foot, 211-pound Neal brings versatility and physicality to the Steelers’ defense, so much so that he opted to play linebacker for the Cowboys in 2021. He transitioned back to strong safety last year in Tampa. He appeared in 17 games, making eight starts and accumulating 63 tackles for the Bucs.

The Steelers needed to add depth at safety after Terrell Edmunds opted to sign a one-year, $2 million deal with the Eagles last week. It remains to be seen exactly how Neal fits in Pittsburgh’s depth chart.

Minkah Fitzpatrick will obviously be the starting free safety. That theoretically leaves Neal and Damontae Kazee to battle for the strong safety spot. All three could be on the field in the three-safety package that was effective last year, with Neal the most likely candidate to play in the box. But all that can change as free agency continues to unfold and the Steelers add players in the draft.

Grade: B- — The Steelers needed to address the secondary after Edmunds’ departure. The question remains: Is Neal a replacement for Edmunds, or merely a depth piece to contribute rotationally on defense and on special teams? The answer to that question will determine how this signing pans out.

Breiden Fehoko adds DL depth

Date: March 30

Impact: Low to moderate

DeFabo’s thoughts: The Steelers agreed to terms with former Chargers defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko on Thursday, according to his agent, David Canter.

Fehoko, 26, began last season on the Chargers’ practice squad before injuries thrust him into the lineup. The 6-foot-2, 295-pound defensive tackle appeared in a career-high nine games last year, with three starts. Over the entirety of his three-year career, Fehoko has played in 19 games and made four starts.

The Steelers have made it a point to add competitive depth in the trenches this free-agency period. On defense, they re-signed starting defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi. Offensively, they added a starting offensive guard in Isaac Seumalo, provided some competition at guard with Nate Herbig and found a backup tackle in Le’Raven Clark.

The addition of Fehoko only continues that trend. Given the Steelers’ current depth chart and Fehoko’s resume, he’ll likely have to compete to earn a rotational role.

Grade: C — The Steelers do not have a lot of quality depth behind Ogunjobi and Cameron Heyward. Chris Wormley is still unsigned and recovering from a season-ending ACL injury. Pittsburgh should still be looking for starting-caliber defensive linemen in the draft (possibly one who could be an eventual replacement when Heyward retires), but Fehoko fills a need and helps round out the position group.

Tight end Zach Gentry returns

Date: March 25

Impact: Moderate

DeFabo’s thoughts: The Steelers maintained continuity in their tight end room on Saturday, agreeing to terms with Zach Gentry, according to NFL Network.

Gentry is one of the rare projects that panned out in the NFL. The Steelers knew when they drafted the former QB in the fifth round that it would take time to add mass to his frame and technique to his game. He is never going to be a flashy player, but he has rounded into form as a 6-foot-8, 265-pound blocking tight end.

While Pat Freiermuth will remain the primary pass-catching tight end, Pittsburgh used two tight ends or more on about 25 percent of snaps last season, according to TruMedia. With Connor Heyward coming along as the season progressed, the Steelers now have three tight ends, each with a somewhat different body type and skillset to contribute in different situations.

Grade: B — The Steelers had to practice patience as Gentry evolved into a blocking tight end. Now that he does have the body type and necessary technique to serve as a blocking tight end, it made sense for the Steelers to take advantage of their years of development.

Le’Raven Clark becomes third offensive line addition 

Date: March 24

Impact: Low to moderate

DeFabo’s thoughts: The Steelers continued to fortify the trenches Friday, agreeing to terms with former Tennessee swing tackle Le’Raven Clark, according to a report from Jordan Schultz of The Score.

Clark, 29, was selected in the third round of the 2016 draft by the Colts. After playing his first four seasons in Indianapolis, the 6-5, 319-pound lineman had one-year stints with the Eagles and the Titans.

Mostly a backup to this point, Clark has appeared in 64 career games with 18 starts. In 1,117 career snaps (721 pass blocking), Clark has allowed just three sacks and 19 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. He also brings a bit of positional flexibility. In a pinch, he has played some guard.

The Steelers have made a concerted effort to add reinforcements on the offensive line this offseason. Earlier in free agency, they signed a starting guard in Isaac Seumalo and some competition at guard in Nate Herbig. It’s no small coincidence that all three of the linemen spent time in Philadelphia when Steelers assistant GM Andy Weidl was part of the Eagles’ organization.

After losing swing tackle Trent Scott to the Commanders, Clark figures to provide depth and competition. It remains to be seen if he can do enough to supplant current starters Dan Moore Jr. and Chukwuma Okorafor.

Grade: C+ — The Steelers are making the offensive line a priority this offseason, something that will likely continue in the draft. While this addition addresses an area of need, it doesn’t move the needle a ton.

Steven Sims headed to Houston 

Date: March 24

Impact: Low to moderate

DeFabo’s thoughts: The Steelers lost one possible solution at slot receiver on Friday when Steven Sims agreed to terms with the Texans.

Sims toiled on the practice squad for all but one game in 2021. In 2022, Gunner Olszewski showed some inconsistencies in the return game, which prompted the coaching staff to shake up the depth chart. Sims became the primary punt returner for the final 12 games of the season. His workload increased again when the Steelers traded Chase Claypool to the Bears. Sims ended the season with 14 catches for 104 yards and no touchdowns. He added 105 punt return yards on 19 attempts (a 5.5-yard average) and 434 kick return yards (a 25.5-yard average).

Had Sims returned, he likely would have been forced to earn a similar role in the slot and the return game through a training camp competition. Calvin Austin III, a 2022 fourth-round pick who lost his entire rookie season to a foot injury, is currently the leading candidate for both of those jobs. Olszewski, who has one year left on his current deal, could also re-enter that conversation if the Steelers do not further address their receiver room in free agency or the draft.

Grade: B — Sims was a restricted free agent, but the Steelers chose not to tender him, a common practice with players on the roster’s fringe. While Sims exceeded expectations last season, the Steelers have at least two alternatives on the roster and could be looking for an upgrade in the draft anyway.

Terrell Edmunds leaves in free agency 

Date: March 23

Impact: Moderate to high

DeFabo’s thoughts: Terrell Edmunds said his goodbyes to Pittsburgh on Thursday. One day later, his destination became clear when he agreed to a one-year deal with the Eagles, the team announced.

Edmunds was ranked the 66th-best free agent on The Athletic’s Top 150 and was the best safety still on the market when the news broke. His departure creates an obvious void for the Steelers at the starting strong safety position.

When the Steelers drafted Edmunds 28th overall in 2018, the selection was viewed by many in the scouting community as a reach for a player many graded as a third-round talent. Edmunds proved durable, playing in 79 games (with 75 starts) over his five seasons in Pittsburgh. However, he didn’t generate the splash typically associated with first-round picks, intercepting just five passes in five years and making one total fumble recovery.

After the Steelers declined his fifth-year option, an indication they didn’t feel he lived up to his billing as a first-round pick, Edmunds returned to the organization on a one-year, $2.5 million deal last year. He proceeded to turn in his best season as a pro. Edmunds’ ability to play in the box and cover tight ends provided a nice complement alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick.

With Edmunds gone, the Steelers now need to find a replacement at strong safety. Damontae Kazee, who re-signed last week, has the positional flexibility to contribute in this role. But he is probably better cast as a backup or the third safety in the three-safety package. Other possible starting options still on the free market as of Thursday afternoon include: former Rams safety Taylor Rapp, former Colt Rodney McLeod, former Packer Adrian Amos and former Raider Duron Harmon. If the Steelers choose to address their starting safety position in the draft, versatile Alabama safety Brian Branch is projected to be selected right around the middle of the first round, when the Steelers pick for the first time.

The departure also has a ripple effect on the linebacker position. Edmunds could have been an option to represent a linebacker in certain subpackages. With that option gone, the Steelers will either need to find a safety with a similar skill set or perhaps lean toward another linebacker with coverage ability to round out that room.

Grade: Incomplete — While Edmunds didn’t live up to his billing as a first-round pick early in his career, he rounded into form and provided a nice, cost-effective complement alongside Fitzpatrick. How much will losing Edmunds hurt the Steelers? That really depends on who they find to replace him. The Steelers are paying Fitzpatrick to be one of the best players in the league. Now, the challenge will be to get another safety that allows the All-Pro to unlock his full potential. For that reason, it’s too soon to grade this move.

Isaac Seumalo arrives on three-year deal

Date: March 18

Impact: Moderate to high

Former Eagles guard Isaac Seumalo, the top-ranked interior lineman and No. 20 player on The Athletic’s ranking of the top 150 free agents, is joining the Steelers on a three-year deal, according to multiple reports late Saturday night.

Seumalo, 29, spent seven seasons with Philadelphia, starting 60 games, including all 17 at right guard on the team that reached the Super Bowl last season, allowing just one sack and 17 pressures in 620 snaps as a pass blocker. A third-round pick by the Eagles in 2016, Seumalo missed 21 combined games from 2020 to 2021 before playing almost every snap in 2022.

Devin Bush leaves for Seattle

Date: March 17

Impact: Moderate

DeFabo’s thoughts: The Steelers’ inside linebacker exodus continued on Friday, when Devin Bush agreed to terms on a one-year, $4 million deal in Seattle, per multiple reports. The news brings a predictable — and perhaps inevitable — conclusion to Bush’s disappointing tenure in Pittsburgh.

In 2019, the Steelers were so convinced Bush had the necessary speed and coverage ability to be the missing piece of their defense that they traded up to draft him at No. 10. After a solid rookie season, Bush tore his ACL in 2020. For a variety of reasons, he was never the same player, proving too slow in coverage and not physical enough in run defense. It’s telling that he was eventually leapfrogged by 2022 seventh-round pick Mark Robinson and played just 10 defensive snaps in the final two games.

Zooming out, the move is just one piece of a busy week that saw the Steelers fundamentally reshape their linebacker room. Bush was part of a three-man rotation at this position last season. With the news that he’s officially gone, that means all three have left the organization, each for different reasons.

Robert Spillane, after playing as a rotational linebacker last year, saw an opportunity for a pay raise and the potential for more playing time in Las Vegas. The Steelers also released Myles Jack, saving $8 million against the cap by moving on from a player who dealt with numerous injuries last year.

In their place, the Steelers signed a speedy signal caller in Cole Holcomb to a three-year deal and a traditional thumper, Elandon Roberts, to a two-year contract.

Grade: A — The writing has been on the wall here for a while, especially with the way Bush’s playing time diminished at the end of the season. As a whole, the three departures and two additions signal that the Steelers were looking for a different answer at inside linebacker.

Myles Jack released after Elandon Roberts’ addition

Date: March 16

Impact: Moderate

Kaboly’s thoughts: The Steelers continued to reinforce a weak position when they agreed to terms with former Patriots and Dolphins off-ball linebacker Elandon Roberts, according to an NFL Network report Thursday. This is coming off the heels of the Steelers bringing in former Washington linebacker Cole Holcomb — who passed his physical Thursday for a three-year deal worth up to $18 million — and the sure departures of free agents Robert Spillane, Devin Bush and Marcus Allen.

The other shoe dropped soon afterward, as news broke that the Steelers are releasing Myles Jack, who led the team in tackles last season.

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Roberts fits the mold of a hard-hitting, downhill linebacker. At 6 foot 1 and 240 pounds, he’s been known to decleat running backs with vicious hits. He started 43 of 47 games over three seasons in Miami and 76 of 107 in his career. He had his best season last year with 107 tackles, 10 TFLs, 4.5 sacks and six QB hits, all career highs. Roberts, who will turn 29 in April, is not known for his coverage ability.

He also played special teams last year, which could be one reason why they signed him. The Steelers need special teams help after losing a huge chunk of their regulars from last year including Spillane, Allen, Derek Watt, Miles Boykin and Benny Snell.

Jack is only 27 but has battled injuries throughout his career. He was released by the Jaguars last offseason and signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Steelers. His release saves $8 million of his $11.25 million cap hit for 2023.

Grade: C+ — It sure looks like a change of philosophy for the Steelers at the inside linebacker position with Holcomb and Roberts in and Jack out. They are more interested now in run-stopping linebackers rather than sideline-to-sideline ones. Only time will tell how it works out, but Roberts is a good start at the transition.

Minkah Fitzpatrick’s deal restructured

Date: March 16

Impact: High

Kaboly’s thoughts: Fitzpatrick was the first but surely not the last to restructure his deal during the offseason. He converted his salary into a bonus to save the Steelers $10 million in cap space so they could fit their newly signed free agents under the cap, according to an ESPN report.

Fitzpatrick signed a four-year, $73.6 million extension with the Steelers last June. T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Chukwuma Okorafor, Diontae Johnson and James Daniels are all potential candidates for restructures in the near future.

All RFAs untendered

Date: March 15

Impact: Low

The Steelers declined to offer a tender to any of their restricted free agents — offensive lineman J.C. Hassenauer, cornerback James Pierre, running back Jeremy McNichols and wideout and return man Steven Sims — making them unrestricted free agents.

Sims, who turns 26 on March 31, returned 19 punts for 105 yards and 17 kicks for 434 yards last season while adding 10 catches for 104 yards on offense.

Pierre, 26, also had a significant role last year, playing 260 snaps on defense and 196 on special teams. He has started a combined six games over the last two seasons and forced three fumbles in 2021.

Hassenauer, 27, has been a reserve on the interior of the offensive line, starting seven games from 2020 to 2021 before Pittsburgh’s starting five didn’t miss a single game in 2022.

McNichols, 27, did not play for the Steelers last season.

Holcomb arrives to address ILB

Date: March 15

Impact: Moderate

Kaboly’s thoughts: What looked like a glaring omission to the roster during the first couple of days of the legal tampering period turned out to be just not that. According to an NFL Network report, the Steelers agreed to terms with former Washington off-ball linebacker Cole Holcomb (6-foot-1, 240) earlier in the week (pending a physical) on a three-year deal.

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With Robert Spillane signing with the Raiders, and Devin Bush and Marcus Allen not expected to return, the Steelers’ inside linebacker position was light, with Myles Jack and Mark Robinson being the only ones of note.

Holcomb is latest in the Steelers’ attempt to replace Ryan Shazier, who suffered a career-ending injury late during the 2017 season. Since then, they have brought in Jon Bostic, Mark Barron, Avery Williamson, Joe Schobert and Jack either during free agency or via a trade.

With Holcomb, they have a three-pronged option at inside linebacker again. The move allows wiggle room if Jack gets hurt and allows Robinson to continue to develop.

After walking on at North Carolina, Holcomb was a fifth-round pick (No. 173) in 2019 — the same year the Steelers moved up to No. 10 to take Bush. Holcomb has started 48 of 50 career games. He suffered a foot injury in Week 7 that ultimately ended his season and had foot surgery in early December, making the physical an important step in this process.

Holcomb, who played Mike linebacker in Washington and wore the green dot, is described as a football junkie and tackling machine. He had 142 tackles two years ago and 388 over his 50 games in the league. He has good speed, but the Commanders have Jamin Davis and brought in Cody Barton from Seattle at the position and were said to not be interested in Holcomb returning. Unlike Spillane, Holcomb hasn’t been a regular special teamer since 2019.

Holcomb’s three-year deal is significant. The Steelers normally sign mid-level free agents to two-year deals. Three-year deals are typically given to players who they as immediate starters

Grade: C+ — Anything is better than Bush, right? It’s interesting that they replaced Bush with an off-ball linebacker who more fits the size they like and is a downhill, hitting machine. Still, Holcomb shouldn’t be mistaken for Shazier, but should be an upgrade and provide depth at a position of need, and on the cheap.

Spillane leaves for Las Vegas

Date: March 14

Impact: Moderate

DeFabo’s thoughts: While the Steelers spent Tuesday locking up several of their own free agents, including Larry Ogunjobi and Damontae Kazee, they also lost one to the market.

Inside linebacker Robert Spillane reportedly agreed to terms with the Las Vegas Raiders on a two-year contract worth as much as $9 million and $4 million in guarantees, according to a report from Doug Kyed.

The Steelers have long valued Spillane’s versatility and football IQ. He deserves credit for sticking with the process, as he climbed the ranks from an undrafted practice squad player to a core special teamer to a rotational defender on the fringe of becoming a starter. That said, Spillane had his limitations. It’s more than reasonable for the Steelers to walk away rather than overpay someone who was mostly a role player.

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Last year, Spillane competed in a three-man rotation that also featured Myles Jack and Devin Bush. With Spillane gone and Bush (also a free agent) likely on his way out of town, inside linebacker becomes one of the most glaring needs on the Steelers’ depth chart. As it currently stands, the next option would be Mark Robinson, a 2022 seventh-round pick who converted from running back in college. One would think Pittsburgh wants more quality depth at that position entering the season.

This year’s inside linebacker class was one of the deeper position groups in free agency. The Athletic’s ranking of the top 150 free agents featured 19 off-ball linebackers, the most of any position. But a whopping 12 have already agreed to deals, by far the most of any position.

As of Tuesday afternoon, a number of high-end inside linebackers were still available, including Bobby Wagner, Lavonte David and Drue Tranquill. Any of those three is likely to carry a heavier price tag than the Steelers are used to paying in free agency. More cost-effective options include Cole Holcomb, Denzel Perryman, Anthony Walker, Rashaan Evans and Nicholas Morrow.

Due to the numerous question marks at the position, Spillane’s signing and Bush’s likely departure could also make inside linebacker a bigger need for the Steelers in the draft than initially anticipated. Perhaps it’s fitting that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin attended Clemson’s pro day on Tuesday. Inside linebacker Trenton Simpson told reporters in Clemson that he dined with members of the Steelers’ staff on Monday night.

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Simpson is considered by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler as the second-best off-ball linebacker in the draft, behind only Arkansas’ Drew Sanders.

Grade: A- — While Spillane proved his value, he’s also 27 years old and has never been a full-time starter in the NFL. After making $2.433 million last year, he will be getting a sizable pay raise. It’s logical for the Steelers to walk away at that number, even though it now makes inside linebacker one of the more glaring needs.

Ogunjobi agrees to 3-year deal

Date: March 14

Impact: High

DeFabo’s thoughts: The Steelers continued to prioritize their own free agents on Tuesday afternoon when they agreed to terms on a three-year deal with defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi. According to ESPN, the contract pays Ogunjobi $21.75 million in the first two seasons and $28.75 million in total.

The investment is sizable. On a per-year basis, Ogunjobi will become one of the NFL’s 30 highest-paid defensive tackles. However, had the Steelers let Ogunjobi walk, they would have been quite thin in the trenches, which is not a winning formula in the AFC North.

The new contract also speaks to Ogunjobi’s performance last year on a prove-it contract. Last year at this time, Ogunjobi thought he was on his way to Chicago on a three-year, $40.5 million deal. However, after he failed a physical, the Steelers were able to ink him to a one-year agreement.

Those questions about his health came to fruition, as Ogunjobi fought through several injuries in 2022. Often, he missed an entire week of practice and then suited up on Sunday. Still, when he’s healthy, Ogunjobi is a quite productive player at a position where the Steelers do not have a ton of depth.

The 6-foot-4, 305-pound defensive lineman started in 16 games with the Steelers last season, registering 48 tackles (four for loss), 11 QB hits and 1.5 sacks. He was especially impactful when it came to shoring up the Steelers’ run defense.

Pittsburgh will eventually need to plan for the future of the defensive line. Ogunjobi is set to play this season at 29 years old, and Cameron Heyward will be 34. However, by extending Ogunjobi, the Steelers have set themselves up for at least the short term. They can still look for their future in the draft but will not necessarily need to find a Day 1 starter.

With Ogunjobi back, the Steelers have now addressed cornerback (Patrick Peterson), safety (Damontae Kazee) and offensive line (Nate Herbig). In terms of their own free agents, inside linebacker Robert Spillane and safety Terrell Edmunds remain two of the next wave of players to watch. One way or the other, the Steelers will need to sign an off-ball linebacker and, more than likely, a strong safety.

Grade: B — The Steelers needed to retain Ogunjobi or find a replacement defensive tackle in a free-agency market that’s not especially strong at that position. The deal really hinges upon Ogunjobi’s health. If he’s able to play out the deal, it should prove worthwhile and provide the Steelers with the necessary bridge to draft and develop a defensive lineman behind Heyward and Ogunjobi.

Kazee returns

Date: March 14

Impact: Moderate

Kaboly’s thoughts: The Steelers brought back one of their own as they agreed to terms on a two-year contract with Kazee, according to multiple reports. The move provides stability at the safety position as they decide whether or not to re-sign Terrell Edmunds, a free agent who didn’t sign until late in the free-agency process a year ago, and it could be a similar situation this year.

Kazee brings versatility in the secondary while being a ballhawk. The Steelers signed him just after the draft last year and were instantly impressed with his ability to play multiple positions and allow them to have three safeties on the field at once.

After a solid preseason, Kazee broke his forearm and was lost for the first half of the year.

He was a much-needed addition to the defense after the bye as the team went on its run to end the season. The Steelers won seven of the nine games Kazee played in, and he played a lot — more than half of the defensive snaps — while finishing with two interceptions and 20 tackles. In 78 NFL games, Kazee has 14 interceptions and seven forced fumbles. He led the league in interceptions in 2018 with seven.

Kazee said after the season finale he wasn’t sure if he would return.

“I hope I come back, but business is business,” he said.

Grade: B — The Steelers have the peace of mind of a starter-capable safety returning, which allows them to not force one in the draft or entice Edmunds with a bigger offer. That’s significant. We’ll see if they can bring back Edmunds and have the same three-safety look as last year.

Steelers add to OL with Herbig

Date: March 14

Impact: Moderate

DeFabo’s thoughts: The Steelers addressed their offensive line on the second day of legal tampering, agreeing to terms with former Eagles and Jets offensive guard Nate Herbig. The deal will reportedly be two years and $8 million, with $4 million guaranteed, once finalized.

Entering the 2022 season, the Steelers’ offensive line appeared to be the weak link that would hold the offense back. However, as the season unfolded, no position group improved more. Following the Week 8 bye, Pittsburgh averaged 146 rushing yards per game, the eighth-best total in the league over that span. Its 17 sacks allowed from Week 9 through Week 18 was the 10th-fewest over that stretch.

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Continuity was a key for this turnaround, as the five regulars started in all 17 games. However, the Steelers cannot count on the same injury luck and would be well served to find some competition in free agency and the draft. At a minimum, Herbig provides quality depth on the interior offensive line. Given Kevin Dotson’s inconsistent performance last year and his numerous penalties, Herbig’s most direct path to the playing field appears to be at left guard.

Herbig, a 6-foot-4, 334-pounder from Kalaheo, Hawaii, earned the fitting nickname “Big Island.” He’s also been called “Nasty Nate” with the Jets. His NFL.com pre-draft scouting report described his robust build as “a refrigerator with thick arms.”

Initially, many believed Herbig would be a mid-round draft pick out of Stanford, where he was an all-conference guard in 2017 and second-team all-conference in 2018. However, his stock fell following a poor performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran a 5.41 40-yard dash, the slowest of any participants.

After going undrafted, Herbig signed with the Eagles, where his path first crossed with now Steelers assistant GM Andy Weidl. Herbig appeared in 33 games (including 17 starts) over three seasons with the Eagles. Last season, he played in 11 games with the Jets (all starts).

Considering the Steelers’ history of pursuing players with NFL bloodlines, it’s worth noting that Herbig’s brother, Nick, is a linebacker out of Wisconsin who is projected to be a mid-round pick in April.

Grade: B- — Even though the offensive line improved last season, the Steelers still need to find ways to upgrade the personnel. Herbig figures to compete for a starting job at guard, most likely at left guard. This isn’t a flashy move, but it’s a necessary one.

Steelers adding Patrick Peterson

Date: March 13

Impact: High

DeFabo’s thoughts: After losing Cameron Sutton to the Lions earlier Monday, the Steelers didn’t take long to address their need at cornerback, agreeing to terms with Patrick Peterson. The deal will be a two-year agreement once finalized.

The 6-foot-1, 198-pound corner burst onto the scene in 2011, when the Arizona Cardinals drafted him No. 5 out of LSU. Peterson immediately became an impact player, earning All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl nod as a rookie. That set the tone for what was to come. Over his 12-year NFL career, Peterson has attended the Pro Bowl eight times and earned first-team All-Pro honors three times.

Peterson, who will turn 33 in July, has remained a productive player even in the back half of his career. Last season in Minnesota, he reeled in five interceptions (one off the NFL lead), logged 15 pass breakups and registered a career-high 66 tackles. After playing mostly in zone coverage the last two seasons, Peterson will be asked to play a lot more man-to-man in Pittsburgh.

While his age might be a question mark, Peterson doesn’t believe it is.

“I’m done talking about my age, man,” Peterson said on “All Things Covered,” his podcast with former Steelers DB Bryan McFadden. “I know I still can ball. … I train different than anyone across the league.”

"I'm going to take my talents to the Steel Curtain."

Listen to @P2 announce he's signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.#HereWeGo | @BMac_SportsTalk pic.twitter.com/dqvtblWzWe

— All Things Covered (@ATCoveredPod) March 13, 2023

The Steelers have a track record of getting the most out of defensive backs in their early 30s. In a similar way, Joe Haden came to the Steelers in the backstretch of his career to earn a Pro Bowl nod at 30 years old. He provided years of stability at a position the Steelers have struggled to find via drafting and developing.

Cornerback has been a glaring area of need for Pittsburgh, even before it lost Sutton on Monday. The Steelers allowed 55 completions of 20 yards or more last season, which was the fifth-most in the entire league. As the Steelers look to change that narrative, Peterson figures to slot in as the CB1 on the depth chart. That leaves Levi Wallace, Akhello Witherspoon and James Pierre (a pending restricted free agent) to compete for the other outside corner job.

Even after bringing in Peterson, the Steelers will likely still look to address their secondary later in free agency or in the draft. Peterson was a great mentor and leader in the Minnesota locker room, inviting the young defensive backs to his house weekly for dinner and film review. In this way, should the Steelers land a top cornerback early in the draft, he’ll be in a good position with a perennial Pro Bowler to help guide the future at the position.

Grade: B+ — The Steelers found a starting outside corner and a possible mentor to their next generation at the position. Omar Khan can still draft the corner of the future (possibly even as high as No. 17), but he won’t go into the draft feeling like his hands are tied to go with one specific position.

Cameron Sutton leaves for Lions

Date: March 13

Impact: High

Kaboly’s thoughts: The Steelers’ secondary took a pretty significant hit when Sutton agreed to terms with the Lions on a three-year, $33 million deal, removing their most veteran cornerback from a roster that lacks cornerback talent. Currently under contract at the position are Ahkello Witherspoon (benched last year and stayed on IR the rest of the season), James Pierre (benched two years ago) and Levi Wallace.

Sutton said after the season he wanted to return. Art Rooney II and Omar Khan hinted as they wanted him back within the last month. However, the Steelers didn’t value him at $11 million per year.

You would have to imagine this sets the Steelers up to not only draft a cornerback early but also add a potential starter in free agency. Either way, it’s going to be difficult to replace Sutton for the 2023 season. He ranked sixth league-wide in passes defended with 15, intercepted three passes and allowed a passer rating of 65.3 when his coverage was targeted. He played more than 87 percent of the snaps a season ago for a defense that did have issues allowing the deep ball.

Sutton is very versatile. He cut his teeth in the NFL playing cornerback and slot. He also took reps at safety and has been lauded by his teammates and coaches for his smarts.

The Steelers had an opportunity to sign Sutton a year ago but passed. Sutton told The Athletic late in camp: “God will take care of that and let that take its course. There haven’t been any talks or anything like that. I just come out here every day and work. This stuff will be handled when it is handled.”

Grade: D — The money was kind of steep, but when your cornerback position isn’t strong, sometimes you have to pay to keep your good players. The Steelers didn’t.

Steelers cut William Jackson III

Date: March 10

Impact: Low

Kaboly’s thoughts: The Steelers never had any interest in paying Jackson nearly $10 million for the 2023 season after acquiring him in a trade-deadline deal with the Commanders. They looked at it as a low-risk move with a high upside of a former first-round pick they were interested in the 2016 draft, because the bonuses due to him before the start of the league year were voided as part of the transaction

A back injury a day into acquiring him put him on injured reserve, thus voiding the conditional 2025 sixth-round pick that was owed to Washington, but it felt like more than that later in the season. Jackson was healthy down the stretch, but the Steelers decided not to activate him from injured reserve until there were two days left in the season.

The belief was he could have the entire spring to show he can still play at age 30. That never happened. Jackson could ultimately return to the team later in the offseason, but that depends on free agency and the draft and whether any other team shows interest.

Also released was defensive back Carlins Platel. A rookie signed off a tryout in 2022, Platel flashed during minicamp but suffered a knee injury during the final preseason game against the Lions.

Grade: C

What to watch for next

Who the heck knows? Every time you think the Steelers are slowing down in free agency, along comes another move. Realistically, they do need to add depth at edge rusher, and Bud Dupree could fill that spot.

(Photo of Armon Watts: David Berding / Getty Images)