The NFL’s free agency period began on Monday with the legal tampering period. The Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t expected to be heavily active, but general manager Omar Khan had other plans. He came out swinging on Monday, making various moves to upgrade the roster before the new league year even begins. There is no way that Steelers fans can be disappointed with the haul that Khan brought back to the Steel City.
The Steelers WR2 Has Finally Arrived
The Steelers started the day hot. After the Indianapolis Colts gave Alec Pierce a new contract for $114 million over four years, Khan made his move. He got on the phone and finally brought the Pittsburgh WR2 to pair with D.K. Metcalf. The terms aren’t official, but Mark Kaboly reports that the Steelers are sending a sixth-round pick to the Colts for Michael Pittman Jr and their seventh-round pick. It was a shock to the fanbase, but they rejoiced after years of skimpy wide receiver depth. Acquiring a receiver with two 1,000+ yard seasons under his belt for a sixth-round pick is big time.
In addition to the trade, Pittsburgh worked out a new contract for Pittman Jr, giving him $59 million over three years. That averages out to roughly $19 million per year. As far as receivers go nowadays, that isn’t a terrible price to pay for a productive pass catcher. Over six seasons, Pittman Jr has hauled in 485 passes for 5,254 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 55.3 yards per game. He has never had a chance to play beside a receiver of Metcalf’s caliber, and that is going to benefit both of them.
Last season was a struggle for Metcalf. He didn’t have anyone to pull eyes away from him. Now, Pittman Jr gets injected into the offense. Last season, he scored a career high seven touchdowns while averaging 46.1 yards per game. The Steelers’ WR2 last season was Calvin Austin, who scored three touchdowns and averaged 26.6 yards per game. It’s safe to say Pittsburgh upgraded. Unfortunately, it is still unclear who will be throwing them the ball, but a reunion with Aaron Rodgers could be on the horizon. A player like Pittman Jr is a perfect weapon for him.
Two More Splashes
After the dust of the Pittman Jr trade had settled later in the day, the Steelers struck again, this time signing cornerback Jamel Dean for three years, $36.75 million. Pittsburgh brought Asante Samuel back, but they remained in need of a cornerback after James Pierre signed in Minnesota. Dean is a great addition. Last year, he hauled in a career high three interceptions. He allowed the fewest yards per target at 4.7, the lowest passer rating at 41.3, and the lowest target EPA among active receivers. The Steelers got another demon to play alongside Joey Porter Jr.
Earlier in the day, Kenneth Gainwell decided to take his talents south and sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The dynamic duo of Jaylen Warren and Gainwell was officially dead, but Pittsburgh didn’t let that last long. They went out and signed Rico Dowdle to a two year contract worth $12 million. Warren gets his new partner in crime, and they are ready to wreak havoc. Dowdle played for McCarthy in Dallas, where McCarthy called him a “bowling ball full of butcher knives”. Nobody knows what it means, but it’s provocative.
Despite being in a run-by-committee offense in Dallas and Carolina, Dowdle has been able to post 1,000+ yards on the ground for two straight seasons. He scored a career-high six rushing touchdowns last season. The Steelers found someone who can fill the void left behind by Gainwell’s departure, and it didn’t even take 24 hours. It is sad to see Gainwell go after the superb season he had in the Steel City, but nobody knows if he’ll be able to capture that lightning in a bottle again.
End Of My Pittsburgh Steelers Rant
Pittsburgh had a great first day of moves, but the work doesn’t stop there. They still need to address a handful of spots, including the left side of the offensive line and other additional depth pieces. Omar Khan took the league by storm on Monday, and he still has the most picks in the NFL Draft in the Steelers back yard next month. The quarterback situation is still the elephant in the room, but Brooke Pryor from ESPN thinks that it will be Rodgers. Whatever happens, it’s fair to say Pittsburgh opened the offseason with a bang.
