As if the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't already have a lot of free agents. Now they run the risk of losing three more depth pieces as the new league year begins. Wide receiver Steven Sims, cornerback James Pierre, and offensive lineman JC Hassenhauer all failed to receiver tender offers from the team before the deadline. Along with those three was running back, Jeremy McNichols, who also failed to receive a tender offer. McNichols was signed during training camp and was lost for the season after only a few practices.
Photo Credit: Karl Roser/ Pittsburgh Steelers
Receiver Steven Sims showed some useful skills in his first full season in Pittsburgh
With the Steelers tight up against the salary cap it isn't exactly surprising that the team decided to pass on offering a restricted free agent tender. Outside of McNicols the rest of those players all have contributed in the past few years. At one point Pierre was believed to be an up-and-coming cornerback with starter potential before his performances fell off a cliff in opportunities since. Hassenauer started 7 games for Pittsburgh between 2019 and 2020 and offers good depth.
After Chase Claypool was traded Sims worked his way into a role as the slot receiver. He also had success as the teams return man after Gunner Olszewski was benched because of a costly fumble against New England.
STEVEN SIMS WITH A HUUUUUGE RETURN! 😱 pic.twitter.com/hf9wf9IuFs
— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) October 16, 2022
Teams can place a first round tender, second round tender, or original round tender on a restricted free agent. Restricted free agents that receive a tender offer are allowed to receive contract offers from other teams. But if another team does agree to a contract with a player the original team is allowed to match the offer. If they chose to not match the offer the team signing the player must send a draft selection based on the tender back to the original team. If the player wasn't drafted the original team won't receive anything unless they put a first or second round tender on the player. The price tags are as follows according to OverTheCap.com:
| First Round Tender | $6,838,000 |
| Second Round Tender | $4,901,000 |
| Original Round / First Right To Refusal | $2,992,000 |
As you can see it would've cost the Steelers nearly 3 million for each player on a guaranteed contract which would've taken up nearly their entire salary cap prior to free agency beginning. It's likely the team has decided to gamble and bet on none of them drawing a ton of interest on the open market and will attempt to sign them back on a smaller
Jordan Schofield / Steeler Nation (Twitter: JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers center, JC Hassenauer (#60) snaps a ball to rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) against the Detroit Lions in preseason action at Acrisure Stadium. |
With the signing of Patrick Peterson on Monday, and the likely possibility the Steelers use a first round pick next month on a cornerback it might just be the end of Pierre's time with the team. Hassenauer is a solid back up that can play multiple positions in a pinch. But if he's looking for a chance to compete for a starting job it's not going to be in Pittsburgh.
Sims is the most intriguing option. He was figured to be in a competition with rookie Calvin Austin for a role as the slot receiver next year. Austin missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury and remains a question mark for next year.
Do you think the Steelers will bring any of these players back? Let us know in the comments below!
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