Pittsburgh Steelers have had a very quiet but solid free agency period
When you look at teams that signed a bunch of players, you will see teams like Oakland and New York Giants jump off the screen with their free agency signings, but no one is really talking about the Steelers. Remember the Steelers did not have a lot of money, but they made some moves that were cost efficient and could really boost this team over the next couple years.
Let’s look at their signings:
The first signing was Mike Mitchell the former Carolina Panthers safety. They signed Mitchell to a five-year deal worth $25 million with $5.25 million guaranteed. Mitchell set career-highs in tackles (66), interceptions (4), sacks (3 1/2) and forced fumbles (2) for the Panthers, blossoming after leaving Oakland for Carolina.
The team then signed Cam Thomas the former San Diego Chargers defensive tackle to a two year deal worth $4 million with $1 million guaranteed. In 2013, Thomas recorded 23 tackles while starting 10 of 16 games at nose tackle for the Chargers and also made his first career interception.
Next the Steelers found Big Ben a couple weapons at the wide receiver position. Both Lance Moore formerly of the Saints, and Darrius Heyward-Bey of the Colts were signed to deals. Moore signed a two year deal worth three million, and Bey signed a one year deal worth 795,000. Moore caught 37 passes for 457 yards and two touchdowns while starting five of the 13 games he played in his final seasons with the Saints, while Bey played a career-high 16 games, starting 12 of them, and caught 29 passes for 309 yards and a touchdown in his only seasons with the Colts.
LaGarrette Blount the big bruiser formerly of the Patriots was signed to a 2 year deal worth $3.85 million, with $950,000 guaranteed. Blount had a huge season for the Patriots rushing for 772 yards and seven touchdowns and averaged 5.0 yards per carry while emerging as the Patriots’ best back by the end of the season. Blount went off in a Patriots playoff win over the Colts, rushing for 166 yards and four touchdowns.
The team also signed some very solid special teams players in Arthur Moats formerly of Buffalo and Brice McCain of the Houston Texans. Both are solid veterans that signed a one year deal worth 795,000 dollars.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have improved all over their roster, and while many are trying to count out the Steelers, you better look again. This offense could be one of the more effect groups in the National Football League.
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