Pittsburgh Steelers: Silence in free agency remains the standard

Free Agency is now in full-swing and the Pittsburgh Steelers are again keeping silent by not signing big-name players, but at what cost?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have never been a team that spends big money when it comes to acquiring free agents.  This has long been the blueprint of an organization that keeps business moves simple and their cards close to their chest. The “Steeler” way is that of retaining players in-house and building through the draft, a strategy that will again be followed in the 2018 offseason.

It’s not as if the Steelers are completely against bringing in brand-name players. From signing Michael Vick, Ladarius Green, DeAngelo Williams and even hosting a visit for the highly coveted Dont’a Hightower last season, Pittsburgh has to certain extents proved they are capable of attaining talent when needed. The thought, and effort, somewhat exists.

However, for a majority of attempts, Pittsburgh has consistently failed to bring in help via free agency. Out of 32 teams in the league, the Cowboys and Steelers were the last two teams to sign a player off the open market for the 2018 season. With Pittsburgh having glaring needs at positions such as inside linebacker and safety, many were calling for the Steelers to reach out and put themselves in play for the likes of Tyrann Mathieu.

Yet the Steelers failed to sign the Honey Badger, or any high-level player up to this point in free agency. There has yet to even be a report by any reputable source Pittsburgh has engaged in talks with free agents. With the Steelers championship window seemingly closing when Ben Roethlisberger retires, it appears time is thin for the Steelers to solidify roster spots and make another run at a Super Bowl.

So what’s the hold up?

Per the NFLPA, Pittsburgh currently holds $6,512,746 in free cap space on a $177,200,000 limit for 2018. The $6.5 million ranks as the fourth-lowest amount for the league, positioning the Steelers in a corner where they are forced to slow-play their cap situation.

This also comes after the restructuring contracts of Alejandro Villanueva, Antonio Brown, Stephon Tuitt and David DeCastro. Additionally, the cap figure accounts for the $14.5 million tag placed on Le’Veon Bell earlier this month as well. If money grew on trees, they certainly wouldn’t be able to grow in Pittsburgh.

It’s no secret money is tight for the Steelers. Besides a possibility of restructuring Cameron Heyward’s contract, Pittsburgh essentially has to make-due with what little capital they have. As previously mentioned, the Steelers like to work inside-out in terms of signing players. Retaining players has proven much more favorable for the front office thanks to familiarity, something that is not always a guarantee to be rectified when a new signing happens. In example, the likes of Eli Rogers and Mike Mitchell are currently available to teams, yet might find themselves back in Pittsburgh should the market not suit their aspirations.

The “Steeler” way has been the subject of many debates between supporters of the team. On one hand, it’s how the team has gone about business for practically its entire existence in the modern era of football, and has proven to be successful. Teams who consistently spend big year after year in free agency (see: 2010 Philadelphia Eagles “Dream Team”) historically don’t live up to expectations.

Building through the draft is seen as the most valuable way of constructing a team, and for good reason. You’re bringing in youth, on low value contracts, to grow in your system and you’re able to mold your team as they play more. Pittsburgh has stuck to this method and will consistently shy away from large spending money to bring outsiders in.

On the other hand, we’ve seen teams that have been able to accomplish a healthy dose of both bringing in free agents while drafting extremely well. The most recent example? The Jacksonville Jaguars, whose thrashing of the Steelers in both 2017 meetings still remains fresh in the city’s mind. Bringing in free agents allows the team to better understand what player they’re acquiring rather than drafting players who might/might not pan out like they should.

Finding the happy medium between spending in free agency/building through the draft is the goal of every team in the league. Yet the Steelers still struggle to balance the needle between the two. The needs on the defensive side of the ball will surely be met in the upcoming NFL Draft, but many feel the Steelers missed great opportunities in free agency thanks in part to their cap situation.

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Post-free agency 3 rounds

Between Bell’s franchise tag and trying their best to retain as many familiar faces as possible, Pittsburgh will likely sit and try to sign players of lower value. The team’s hands are and have been tied with a low amount of cap and a high amount of need to fill. The Steelers will continue this method as long as Kevin Colbert remains in control of the chess board.

Will this method prove to cost Pittsburgh down the road? It’s too early to tell. However, the low-key, laid back approach to this free agency period is only a reminder that this is par for the course in the Steelers organization.