The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the 2024 offseason with over a dozen players hitting free agency. Who will they re-sign? Steelers' insider Mark Kaboly believes there isn't a single player on the list that the Steelers desperately need to bring back.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A8220-544x306.jpg "Steelers Mason Rudolph")
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph practices passing during training camp
The Steelers have already cut a handful of players from their roster by releasing quarterback Mitch Trubisky, punter Pressley Harvin III, tackle Chukwuma Okorafor and center Mason Cole most recently.
The Steelers are looking to save some money, and re-signing most of the remaining free agents wouldn't benefit them. The most notable Steelers' free agents include Miles Killebrew, Markus Golden, Kwon Alexander, Levi Wallace, Montravius Adams and Mason Rudolph. On oneBURGH's The Black and Gold Three Rivers Podcast with Ed Troup, Kaboly was asked about the Steelers' notable free agents and who they should bring back.
"I don't think any are a must to be honest with you, any of them at all. You would love to Killebrew back and he would be crazy not to come back. He would probably get a decent raise, I don't know, three or four million a year, for a guy that just plays special teams."
Killebrew would in fact probably be on the priority list out of the rest of them for the Steelers. Killebrew is a dynamic, splash, play-making player that has his fair share of impact moments in games. Whenever the Steelers seem to be in desperate need of a defensive or special teams game changing play, Killebrew will come through. The first time All-Pro and Pro Bowler has been the special teams captain for years.
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Steelers veteran Levi Wallace may continue to see less snaps moving forward, as rookie Joey Porter Jr. continues to earn more playing time.
As far as the rest of the free agents, Kaboly went on to say that the Steelers should wait on most of them. For a guy like Wallace, he believes Pittsburgh should wait to see how well the draft goes and possibly take a chance on a corner in free agency. The remaining should wait until May or June to see what spots the Steelers have left on the roster.
A huge question mark for the Steelers lies within the quarterback room. The only current quarterback on the roster is Kenny Pickett, who is believed to end up being the starting quarterback for the Steelers in 2024. The Steelers aren't going to make it easy on Pickett though, with Head Coach Mike Tomlin making it clear he will be given competition.
Who will that competition be? Not Trubisky, of course. Tomlin was appreciative of Rudolph's efforts and play at the end of the season for the Steelers, and wasn't shy of hiding his hopes of Rudolph returning. Kaboly was asked about the quarterback situation and he believes signing Rudolph would be the best option. Although he might be the best option, he might not be an option at all as he's seeking for a new start.
"I think their best bet is to give Rudolph an offer he cannot refuse."
The other defensive free agents like Alexander, Adams, and Golden all had some bright spots. A guy like Adams has no statistics to show for, but always seemed to get some good recognition by Tomlin. Adams will only find himself back in the black and gold if he takes a cheap offer, otherwise he will end up elsewhere. Golden was a solid backup outside linebacker behind the two stars Pittsburgh withholds, but the type of money he will demand will decide where he winds up.
Mariah Wild / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Kwon Alexander makes a tackle against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 of the 2023 season.
Steelers Could Have Inside Linebacker Trio All Return In 2024
Alexander was a part of a three way tandem on the inside between him, Cole Holecomb and Elandon Roberts. The Steelers signed all three linebackers in the 2023 offseason, as a group of quality veterans that are all capable of starting.
Holecomb would end up going down early in the season with an ACL injury, ending his year. To make things even worse for the Steel City, Alexander also went down with a season-ending Achilles injury just a few weeks later. Depending on the Steelers' draft, Alexander may not be back with Roberts and Holecomb on the roster, but he might be an inexpensive option to bring back. The free agency group for the Steelers isn't earth shattering, and they would probably be fine without almost all of them.
What do you think SteelerNation? Who should be back in the black and gold next season?
