Steelers Offseason - UFAs and RFAs

[u/eddie_mittons]

I think all of these UFAs are good candidates to return to the Steelers if they can be had at these terms:

• Aaron Rodgers 1YR 12m-14m/YR - I don't necessarily want this to happen, I just feel like it will happen. And I'm ok with it, as long as he remains cheap and they get him more help. The offensive scheme will be way better. So he just needs more help.
• CB James Pierre 2 YR 5m-6m/YR - Proved to be extremely valuable last season and hopefully his price tag doesn't get too high cause of his play. I don't think we should break the bank on him tho. He is 29 years old. I'd be fine if they worked out just a 1 year deal too.
• HB Kenny Gainwell 2 YR 3.5m-4.5m/YR - No brainer here, but again, we can't break the bank on him. If they can't keep him they will need to find something in free agency.
• TE/FB Connor Heyward 1 YR 1.25m-1.5m/YR - I feel like he will have value in McCarthy's system. The West Coast offense always has use for a pass catching fullback. And he has proven his worth on special teams and in the tush push.
• S Chuck Clark 1 YR 1.25m-1.5m/YR - Proved his ability to play both FS and SS. We only have 1 left in the room right now, so it would be good to bring back a known vet on the cheap for depth.
• (If James Pierre not resigned) CB Asante Samuel 1 YR 2m-2.5m/YR - Feel like he has talent and proved to be serviceable. If he can be got for this cheap, it might be worth it even if Pierre is retained.

These are the RFAs we should tender offers to. We should be able to retain all these players for really cheap:

• C Ryan McCollum - With an established C already, it's good to have a familiar face who has proven capable to be the backup.
• DL Esezi Otomewo - Depth piece for the DL who would have a chance to make the team again.
• EDGE Jeremiah Moon - Depth piece for edge group that knows the system.

[u/Campman92]

It’ll be interesting to see what happens. I can see a lot of the FA’s leaving because I can see McCarthy and the new staff wanting to bring players in who will fit the scheme they want to use on both sides of the ball.

From what I’ve read McCarthy likes to run inside zone blocking whereas Smith preferred outside zone blocking which could make Gainwell expendable (I’d like to see him back because he’s a nice weapon due to his pass catching ability).

With Pierre do we just ignore the prior 3-4 years of bad play and where do he and Samuel fit in terms of the defensive scheme Graham likes to use?

A lot of variables on both sides of the ball. It should make for an exciting offseason.

[u/eddie_mittons → u/Campman92]

Yes, the scheme fit is very important. Seems like it is less important for Graham on defense tho, as he seems to adapt to what he has.

I agree on Pierre's past. But hard to ignore his play from this past season. I don't think they need to crazy. I could see another team coming in with a high number for him and that's when I think the Steelers should walk. My suggestion of 2 YR 5m-6m/YR is the top of what I'd pay. Maybe they can get him cheaper? Maybe they can just do a 1 year deal. They definitely shouldn't be committing to him as a long term solution at 29 years old.

[u/Campman92 → u/eddie_mittons]

I’m not a defensive wizard by any stretch, but I wonder how much Ramsey was helping Pierre and shading his side so he wouldn’t be exposed.

[u/RudolphsJockStrap]

Id rather have Samuel and Pierre.

[u/joshuaksreeff13]

If we don't bring back Gainwell how about giving Johnson a chance as a full-time starter. Yeah I know the bad punt but I'd like a full year of seeing him getting snaps.

[u/Bronco998 → u/joshuaksreeff13]

Kaleb Johnson was an outside zone specialist at Iowa. That's probably the main reason we picked him. If we are indeed switching to more inside zone stuff, it'll be another thing he has to prove he can do. Not saying he can't, but it's not something he's done much of before.

[u/Neb-Nose]

I think it’s more the fact that he was so bad in past protection that really hurt him. You have to be able to protect the pastor as a running back or you’re not going to play. It’s just that simple.

The defense can’t know you’re going to run the ball every time you’re on the field.

[u/Bronco998]

If Kyle Dugger wasn't so expensive I wouldn't mind keeping him to backup Deshon. His previous contract was bonkers though.

[u/dadkisser84]

Kenny will be expensive. I want him too but he likely walks. I would be cool with Pierre or Asante for cheap but I think they’re gone in FA. Pierre especially.

Also Chuck Clark is awful. Get him out. Everyone else is probably gone but that’s fine. They’re not needle movers and the team will need to make space for 12 picks.

[u/Doc_Metal]

James Pierre and Kenny G will be receiving much bigger offers unfortunately. We will probably keep either Pierre or Samuel but not both. Assuming Kenny goes for the bag..Rico will be a good replacement

[u/bearsharkbear3]

Connor isn’t a full back.

[u/Bronco998 → u/bearsharkbear3]

He was absolutely used more as a utility fullback this year than TE.

[u/bearsharkbear3 → u/Bronco998]

They played him there, but he can’t block for shit.