2 Players That The Steelers Absolutely Should And Shouldn't Re-sign in 2024

Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers are still looking to make a last-minute playoff run, some players are playing for extra contracts. Omar Khan is watching this team to see who would be allowed to stay and who should be allowed to walk away. The pending free agent list is smaller in 2024 compared to 2023's list. It doesn't help that they are over the cap ceiling for 2024. Everyone that comes back needs to be cheap. Who should be given another contract?

Steelers That Should Stay In Pittsburgh In 2024

Miles Killebrew is more than your average special teams ace. He's more than just a captain. He is the biggest threat of blocking punts that the league has seen in recent years. He has blocked two in 2023, including one to set up a fourth-quarter comeback against the Baltimore Ravens back in Week 5. In fact, there's only one team that has more blocked punts over the last three years than Killebrew has by himself, and that's the team he plays for. 

While he is listed as a safety, he has barely played any defense in 2023 despite all the injuries in the secondary. If the Steelers do bring him back, it would be strictly as a special teams ace, as well as a veteran leader and captain. Blocked punts are rare in the NFL, but having that specialist forces teams to think a little harder to prevent him from getting loose in the backfield.

Potential Contract: 2 years, $6 million

Mason Rudolph came into 2023 as more of an afterthought, especially with the performances that Mitch Trubisky put up while stepping in for an injured Kenny Pickett. However, after their latest win against the Cincinnati Bengals, it has become clear that Rudolph is not only the better backup, but the player that his teammates respond to more. 

While cutting Trubisky won't save the team much money, Rudolph should enter 2024 as the primary backup to Pickett, even if Trubisky has to stay on the roster. Trubisky can continue to coach Pickett while Rudolph enters the game when needed. This could also potentially spark a quarterback competition in training camp, which could force Pickett to abandon his negative tendencies in an attempt to win the starting job. 

Potential Contract: 1 year, $3 Million Guaranteed, Up To $3 Million In Potential Bonuses

Steelers That Shouldn't Be Brought Back

Levi Wallace had a solid year in 2022, but he has had a rough 2023, making him lose playing time on the outside. It doesn't help that Joey Porter Jr. has emerged as a potentially elite corner opposite of him. Porter Jr. will be the team's top corner for years to come, but he needs a partner on the other side of the field. 

An aging, declining player is not what Porter Jr. needs to help him lock down an opponent's receiving core. Besides, he already has Patrick Peterson as a mentor. The Steelers can find someone else to be their second cornerback. 

Montravius Adams has done well for what he was brought in to do. He was claimed off of waivers to try and fill Tyson Alualu's shoes after he broke his foot in 2021. He did a solid job in a bad scenario, but the Steelers no longer need him. Like with the cornerbacks, the future is on the roster, and Adams is taking his spot. Keeanu Benton emerged as a guy that could wreak havoc in the middle of the defensive line. 

Both second-round rookies for the Steelers have come out swinging, and Benton has shown all year why he should've been named a starter a long time ago. He will be the starter in 2024, and Larry Ogunjobi can rotate to nose tackle when Benton comes out of the game. Adams did what he needed to, and it's time for him to get a contract from a different team.

What do you think about the pending free agent class for the Steelers? Who should remain a Steeler, and who should be allowed to leave? Let us know in the comments.

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