Pittsburgh Steelers: Early 2020 free agency recap, outlook moving forward

After the start of the new NFL league year, the Pittsburgh Steelers moved to open roster space for Bud Dupree and several other players.

Possessing minimal cap space compared to other teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers passed on signing big-ticket free agents in favor of retaining contributors. Pittsburgh opened their offseason by franchise tagging former first-round pick Bud Dupree. The outside linebacker will make roughly $15.8 million on the one-year deal.

Last season, Dupree set career-highs in sacks (11.5), quarterback hits (17), tackles (68), forced fumbles (four), and fumble recoveries (two). While the 2015 first-round pick disappointed in his first four seasons, the Steelers want to see if he can consistently play at a high level before considering a long-term deal.

Pittsburgh also brought safety Jordan Dangerfield back on a one-year deal. The undrafted Towson product first joined the Steelers in 2014. He played 71 percent of the team’s special teams snaps this past season.

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The Steelers also focused on maintaining offensive line depth. The team re-signed backup offensive tackle Zach Banner to a one-year deal worth $1.75 million. Pittsburgh also brought back long snapper Kameron Canaday on a two-year deal worth $2.425 million.

Pittsburgh further augmented its offensive line by signing Stefen Wisniewski to a two-year deal. The former second-round pick started 11 games for the Philadelphia Eagles when Philly won the Super Bowl in 2017. He also appeared in 11 games for Kansas City last season. Wisniewski’s signing serves as a replacement for B.J. Finney, who recently signed a two-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks.

One of Pittsburgh’s significant free-agent signing came early in the week. The Steelers agreed to a three-year, $9.75 million deal with Derek Watt, T.J. Watt‘s older brother. The signing gives Pittsburgh two-thirds of the Watt family, with J.J. Watt serving as the castaway in Houston. Last season, Derek played 12 percent of the offensive snaps and 78 percent of the special teams snaps with the Chargers.

On Friday, the team agreed to a deal with Eric Ebron. The former Colt and Lion signed a two-year contract worth $12 million. The No. 10 overall pick in 2014 disappointed in four seasons with the Detroit Lions. He did make the Pro Bowl in 2018 with Indianapolis but saw his production more than halved last season. Ebron joins Vance McDonald in Pittsburgh’s tight end room.

Also on Friday, the Steelers made a rare trade with the Baltimore Ravens. Pittsburgh sent their division rival a 2021 fifth-round pick for Chris Wormley and a seventh-round pick in 2021. Wormley, a third-round pick from 2017, could help fill the void left by Javon Hargrave.

Releases, Retirements and Restructuring

Tagging Dupree and signing Watt led to the Steelers releasing several veterans. Mark Barron, Anthony Chickillo and Johnny Holton all got the ax following the Dupree deal. Pittsburgh signed Barron to a two-year deal last spring, but he played poorly and didn’t fit on the team’s depth chart moving forward.

The Steelers also gave Chickillo a two-year deal last offseason. However, Chickillo saw his role decrease in 2019 and, with Dupree coming back, the Steelers don’t need Chickillo. Holton played 27 percent of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps and 65 percent of the special teams snaps in 2019.

After adding Watt, the Steelers also released Roosevelt Nix. The fullback entered the NFL in 2014 as an undrafted free agent from Kent St. He joined Pittsburgh in 2015 and became a Pro Bowler in 2017. The team signed Nix to a four-year contract in 2018, but an injury-shortened 2019 season convinced them to go in another direction.

Ramon Foster joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He became the team’s full-time starter in 2011 and held the title as the team’s second-longest tenured player entering this offseason.

However, with Foster’s play declining, it seemed like a forgone conclusion that the Steelers would part ways with the veteran. Instead, the guard chose to go out on his terms, retiring as a Steeler.

After franchise tagging Dupree, the Steelers got busy restructuring contracts. At the time, tagging Dupree ate up nearly half of Pittsburgh’s available cap space. Needing more room to retain restricted free agents like Matt Feiler and Mike Hilton and add a few extra pieces, the Steelers turned toward some of the heftiest contracts on the roster.

Pittsburgh restructured contracts for Chris Boswell, Joe Haden, McDonald, Steven Nelson, Maurkice Pouncey and Ben Roethlisberger. The wave of moves opened enough space for the Steelers to sneak by this offseason, but the team will face cap pressure in the future.

The Steelers also placed Ryan Shazier on the Reserve/Retired list. After suffering a spinal injury in 2017, Shazier missed the last two seasons and will likely never play football again. Pittsburgh drafted the Ohio State product with the 15th overall pick in 2014. He made Pro Bowls in two of his four seasons and continues serving the Steelers organization on the sidelines.