The Pittsburgh Steelers got better on Tuesday by signing three players to contracts. They were able to keep defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi and safety Damontae Kazee, while signing offensive lineman Nate Herbig. These three deals came after Patrick Peterson agreed to a two-year contract on Monday. The Cincinnati Bengals retained two of their own by re-signing linebacker Germaine Pratt and safety Michael Thomas. This came after losing both of their starting safeties, Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell. They have been quiet on Tuesday, could they be preparing to make a big splash with a star running back that wants to be traded?
Wesley Hitt
Chargers' Running Back Austin Ekeler
Los Angeles Chargers' running back Austin Ekeler requested a trade Monday morning after the two sides couldn’t progress on a contract extension. The Chargers granted Ekeler permission to seek a trade Tuesday afternoon. He's in the final year of his contract, only owed $6.25 million next year. Ekeler is a premier back, excelling in the passing game both as a blocker and a receiving option. This could be dangerous for the Steelers if Joe Burrow and company get their hands on him.
Cincinnati is listed as a potential suitor for Ekeler. With Joe Mixon on the roster, why would they trade for another top running back? If the Bengals prefer Ekeler over Mixon, they could trade for Ekeler and attempt to trade away Mixon. Mixon has been on the wrong side of the news over the last couple of weeks. While no charges have been placed, Cincinnati could choose to part ways with Mixon by cutting him and saving the $12.7 million cap.
Cincinnati Loses Another Piece
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bengals RB Samaje Perine against Steelers
The Bengals lost their backup running back to the Denver Broncos Tuesday afternoon. Samaje Perine received a 2-year, $7.5 million deal to play in Denver. With one less running back on the roster, that could further their interest in pursuing Ekeler. Perine was great as a receiving back last season when he got the opportunity. In a game against Pittsburgh, he tallied four catches for 52 yards, three of which went for touchdowns. It's no secret that Burrow and the Bengals love targeting their running backs, adding Ekeler with his elite receiving ability to the equation could be even more lethal.
Bengals would be the top landing spot for Austin Ekeler if they move on from Mixon.
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) March 13, 2023
- Ekeler's best run concept has been man the last 3 seasons. 38% first down/TD rate.
- CIN used man run concepts 33% of the time last season, 2nd most.
- CIN 3rd most targets to HBs last season
Steelers Should Keep Adding
Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker Robert Spillane
The AFC is loaded, with more and more players getting added throughout the week. We have seen four total players signed or re-signed by the Steelers on Monday and Tuesday, and they shouldn't stop there. Herbig was a great pickup, but Pittsburgh could use another body on the OL to ensure Kenny Pickett stays upright. With a good amount of free agent wide receivers still available, could the Steelers look to add one of them? They still have one glaring need: inside linebacker. The linebacker market is getting thinner and thinner as the days pass as the Las Vegas Raiders just signed Robert Spillane. While some holes can be filled with the NFL Draft next month, Pittsburgh will be looking to add even more players in the coming days.
Who else would you like to see Pittsburgh add in free agency? Would the Bengals be even better with Ekeler? Let us know in the comments below.
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