The Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty of players from 2022 who will have the opportunity to explore free agency once the new league begins in March. It is anyone's guess as to who the team is going to attempt to re-sign and which individuals will end up elsewhere in 2023. A lot of the talk has been surrounding cornerback, Cameron Sutton, safety Terrell Edmunds and defensive lineman, Larry Ogunjobi. Due to the emergence of rookie tight end, Connor Heyward late in the year, there has not been a ton of discussion when it comes to backup tight end, Zach Gentry.
Steelers tight end, Zach Gentry prepares to catch a pass during warmups prior to a 2022 regular season game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers Could Unlock Connor Heyward's Potential By Signing This Key Free Agent
Gentry has not been used actively in the passing game throughout four years in Pittsburgh and only totaled 19 catches for 139 yards. He was productive when blocking in the running game and has mainly been used in rushing packages. Heyward showed an ability to be involved in the passing attack as the season went on, so it will definitely be interesting to see what direction the franchise is going to go in.
Regardless of what the fan base or the front office thinks, Gentry wasn't shy recently when discussing the possibility of him returning to Pittsburgh for a fifth season. He joined radio host, Van Tate of KRQE, a station in Albuquerque (Gentry's home town) and the tight end believes that the Steelers are going to do what is needed to keep him around:
"I would be surprised if Pittsburgh didn't do the necessary things to keep me there," Gentry said.
Steelers tight end, Zach Gentry runs after catching a pass during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
He does understand that the NFL is a business and anything can happen over the course of the next few months. While acknowledging that, he was not shy when saying that he wants to remain in the black and gold:
"At the end of the day, it's a business. It really comes down to numbers and feels [like a fit] and all that good stuff, I'm gonna have to put it on my agents and stress about [it] in March. We'll see how it all ends up, but I would definitely be happy to remain in Pittsburgh."
One thing Gentry and his agents would have to be accepting of is that it is very possible that Heyward becomes the #2 tight end next season based on his strong play down the stretch. Gentry, as the third string, would be used in short running downs as well as near the goal line. There's a strong chance that the Steelers decide to allow him to test the market and find a #3 elsewhere.
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end, Connor Heyward (#83) catches a pass during 2022 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Heyward had more receiving touchdowns during his rookie season than Gentry has his entire career. He also caught seven fewer passes, but had 12 more receiving yards. Gentry is an extremely likable guy and it would be great to see him come back to the franchise on a team-friendly deal, but it's certainly not a surefire thing given Heyward's arrival and the lack of impact a third tight end truly has on the offense.
Do you want to see Gentry back with the Steelers in 2023? Let us know in the comments below!
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