NFL Rumors: What The Pittsburgh Steelers Are Doing In Free Agency As Le'Veon Bell Signs Elsewhere
The Pittsburgh Steelers might be the top candidate when trying to decide which team has had the worst 2019 NFL offseason. The team traded Antonio Brown to the Oakland Raiders for 10 cents on the dollar, and they are about to lose Le’Veon Bell for a 2020 compensatory draft pick in free agency.
It was only two seasons ago that Brown and Bell were First-Team All-Pro selections for a Steelers’ team that went 13-3. Bell held out for the entirety of 2018 and Brown essentially quit on Pittsburgh in Week 17 as the Steelers missed the playoffs for the first time in five years.
What will Pittsburgh do to make up for the loss of two dynamic playmakers?
The best the Steelers can hope for might be signing Tyrell Williams. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has reported that Pittsburgh has inquired on the wide receiver as they look to add a new playmaker for Ben Roethlisberger.
Williams, 27, had 41 catches for 653 yards and five touchdowns with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018. Williams set a career-high with 69 catches and 1,059 yards as a second-year player in 2016, but he hasn’t caught more than 43 passes since then.
Golden Tate is the top receiver in free agency. Jamison Crowder has agreed to sign with the New York Jets, and Cole Beasley is headed for the Buffalo Bills.
JuJu Smith-Schuster will take over as Pittsburgh’s clear No.1 wide receiver in 2019. He led the Steelers with 1,426 receiving yards a year ago after reaching 917 yards in just 14 games as a rookie in 2017.
We have agreed to terms with G Ramon Foster on a new two-year deal and C Maurkice Pouncey on a new three-year deal.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 7, 2019
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Steelers are involved in the receiver market. They've inquired on several, including Tyrell Williams. Could settle on second-tier player market depending on price, but it wouldn't surprise if they signed a new playmaker for Ben Roethlisberger.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 12, 2019
Ryan Shazier will remain under contract in 2019, according to the Steelers, who will place him on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. His contract tolls on a minimum salary. Gives him another year toward benefits/pension.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 12, 2019
Pittsburgh has re-signed two players this offseason. The Steelers made Maurkice Pouncey the highest-paid center in football with a three-year, $33 million deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Guard Ramon Foster got a two-year contract.
Pouncey and Foster will lead an offensive line that blocks for James Conner, who will replace Bell as Pittsburgh’s starting running back for a second straight season. He ran for 973 yards and added 497 receiving yards in 13 games in 2018.
Conner is set to make well under $1 million, while Bell’s new contract could pay him upwards of $15 million per season.
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