The Steelers Could Still Bring Back Some Unpopular Names For The 2023 Season

The NFL free agency period started off with a bang for teams around the league, including the Pittsburgh Steelers. With free agency comes a whirlwind of emotions. First comes panic when players you wanted your team to sign go somewhere else. Then comes the excitement when your team makes an unexpected move to sign a talented new player. The team has already brought back a few high-profile free agents on new deals including DE Larry Ogunjobi (3-Year, $28.75 Million), S Damontae Kazee (2-Year, $6 Million), and TE Zach Gentry (1-Year, 1.4 Million). 

The duo of new GM Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl also got to work and brought in a handful of outside names to join the fold for 2023 and beyond. But now that this initial wave has come and gone, and as we approach the NFL Draft on April 27th, a handful of former Steelers from the 2022 season remain unsigned. 

Now obviously everyone can’t come back, but I do think there are at least a few names that could make a return to the Black and Gold once the draft process has come and gone, and fans might not be thrilled about a few of them. As of April 8th, the team has just under $10 million in available cap space for the 2023 season. A portion of that will go to sign this year's draft class, but I could see another portion be used to bring back a few more familiar faces. 

Below are a three players that I wouldn’t mind making a return for the 2023 NFL season, at a reasonable price of course.

Steelers Fullback - Derek Watt

This one should come as no surprise. Watt only had nine total carries for 21 yards in 2023, but still was on the field significantly more than he had been in previous years. He has also been a great locker room presence, and a key contributor on special teams during his time in the Black and Gold. Watt was special teams captain for the 2021 season, and for 2022 he still played over 66% of special teams snaps for the season. The team signed Watt to a 3-Year, $9.75 million deal back in 2020. Looking back I definitely think it was a slight overpay, but with that being said, I don't think he'll garner such a price this time around. If he and the team can come to an affordable agreement, I would love to see the Watt brothers back in action together again this season.

In an article from The Athletic, Senior Steelers writer Mark Kaboly had this to say when asked about the team's vacant fullback position with Derek Watt still out there on the open market.

"I am not sure anybody is going to break Watt’s door down trying to sign him. I wouldn’t be shocked if he came back because of all the special teams guys they have lost or expect to lose. This time, though, it needs to be at a reasonable price, and who knows if Watt wants to play for something a little more than the vet minimum. As for the fullback, do you really need one? Connor Heyward can play there in a pinch."

Steelers Linebacker - Marcus Allen 

Speaking of key special teams contributors, enter Marcus Allen. And yes, I can already hear the complaints about his bone-headed penalty on special teams against the Carolina Panthers last season, but generally speaking, Allen has been a top special teams player since being drafted by Pittsburgh in 2018. Allen was drafted as a safety, but quickly transitioned to inside linebacker early into his NFL career. 

This move didn't necessarily contribute to playing time, as he was unable to log a single defensive snap last season. With that being said, in the 15 games he appeared in last year, he tallied 230 special teams snaps which included 12 tackles. The overall linebacker core has seen a complete rework this offseason with the departures of Devin Bush, Myles Jack, and Robert Spillane. 

The team did sign former free agent linebackers Cole Holecomb (3-Years, $18 million) and Elandon Roberts (2-Years, $7 million) to attempt to fill the gaps. I would also have to assume the team will address the position at some point in the draft, but Allen would still be a depth piece in the linebacker room and could continue to contribute on special teams on a cheap contract.

Steelers Quarterback - Mason Rudolph

Bet you didn’t see this one coming, but whether you (or Rudolph) like it or not, Pittsburgh currently needs a third quarterback to round out the roster. To be completely honest, I’m surprised Rudolph hasn’t been signed. He has a solid amount of starting experience, and would be a serviceable backup and mentor for a handful of teams. With that being said, for now it looks like Mitch Trubisky is here to stay to backup Kenny Pickett, but unless the team looks late in this year’s draft to fill the void, it wouldn’t shock me if we saw Rudolph back in the fold for 2023.

Some other notable Steelers from the 2022 roster who are still out there and I do not expect to be back include: ILB Myles Jack, DE Tyson Alualu, DT Chris Wormley, SS Karl Joseph, WR Miles Boykin, CB William Jackson, RB Benny Snell Jr. and G Jesse Davis. 

So what do you think? Is there a possibility we see any of these names back for the Steelers for 2023? Any other pending free agents you’d rather see instead? Drop a comment below and let me know!

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