Keep ’em? Let ’em walk? Making a case for each of the Steelers’ pending free agents

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a much better spot with the salary cap now than they were a year ago when they lost five starters to free agency.

Ben Roethlisberger’s salary is off the books, and the league-wide cap is bloated as the revenue-sapping effects of covid diminish. The Steelers have the ability to maneuver and make a splash in free agency. But before that is a consideration, the first priority is weighing who of their own to bring back.

Here’s a look at the Steelers’ 2022 unrestricted free agents, with an argument for — and against — keeping each.

All salary info courtesy spotrac.com. Ordered by average annual value (AAV) of expiring contract.

CB Joe Haden

Prior contract AAV: $11.2 million

Case to keep: Immensely respected in the locker room, Haden has a rock-solid resume of 12 seasons as a high-quality NFL starter. His arrival in Pittsburgh five years ago stabilized a cornerback position that had flummoxed the Steelers for years. There is no obvious in-house replacement.

Case to let go: Haden turns 33 in April, and though there hasn’t been a visible significant drop-off, NFL cornerbacks sometimes see their skills diminish quickly. Represented by super-agent Drew Rosenhaus and with $121 million in career earnings, Haden won’t come cheap.

WR Juju Smith-Schuster

Prior contract AAV: $8 million

Case to keep: The Steelers’ most veteran wide receiver (five NFL seasons) might not yet have reached his prime (he turned 25 three months ago). Smith-Schuster became Roethlisberger’s security blanket on possession downs, and no one else on the roster could fill that role reliably.

Case to let go: Smith-Schuster missed 12½ games this past season because of a shoulder injury, and there are some questions about a perhaps-balky knee. Over the past two seasons, he’s averaged a paltry 8.6 yards per catch.

TE Eric Ebron

Prior contract AAV: $6 million

Case to keep: Ebron averaged almost three catches per game and had seven touchdowns in 23 games for the Steelers the past two seasons. He has the pedigree and dynamic athleticism befitting a former top-10 NFL Draft pick.

Case to let go: Rookie Pat Freiermuth blew past Ebron as the Steelers’ No. 1 tight end in 2021 and has the look of an every-down starter for years to come. Though the Steelers could use another veteran to complement Freiermuth and Zach Gentry, Ebron probably isn’t the best fit for that role.

CB Ahkello Witherspoon

Prior contract AAV: $4 million

Case to keep: After spending the first half of the season glued to the bench, Witherspoon was a pleasant surprise down the stretch in 2021. He became a reliable starter at outside corner and an argument could be made he was the Steelers’ best defensive back at the end of the season.

Case to let go: Is it alarming Witherspoon couldn’t make it onto the field aside from four snaps — during one of which, he allowed a long touchdown pass — over the first nine games? Or that the Seahawks were willing to trade him for a fifth-round pick in September, 5½ months after signing him as a free agent?

G Trai Turner

Prior contract AAV: $3 million

Case to keep: Signed hurriedly in June when it was deemed former longtime starting guard David DeCastro was not healthy, Turner played the role of sage veteran leader for an otherwise young and raw offensive line. He was one of only four Steelers to start every game.

Case to let go: His days as a four-time former Pro Bowl performer are likely over. There might be questions about how his body is holding up after being a regular on the injury report for missing practices and being forced the leave four games early because of injury.

SS Terrell Edmunds

Prior contract AAV: $2.67 million

Case to keep: Labeled an underachiever because of his status as a first-round pick, Edmunds has been stalwart. He’s played well more than 90% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps since his arrival in 2018 and also holds a special-teams role.

Case to let go: “Splash” plays from Edmunds are few and far between, and analytics outlets such as Pro Football Focus rate Edmunds as an average-to-below-average starting safety. The Steelers tipped their hand of how they regard him when they declined a fifth-year option for 2022.

S Miles Killebrew

Prior contract AAV: $1.13 million

Case to keep: Killebrew was worth the investment for one year by way of his two blocked punts in 2021 alone. He also had one for Detroit in 2020, helping reinforce Killebrew’s reputation as a top special-teams player. He had a bit role on defense, too.

Case to let go: It might seem like marginal savings, but if a rookie can perform the same role at a cheaper price every penny counts in the salary cap.

WR James Washington

Prior contract AAV: $1.13 million

Case to keep: A reported trade request last fall duly noted, Washington’s demeanor, work ethic and attitude are welcomed. His big-play ability has flashed at times over his four seasons (i.e., 16.7 yards per catch, four receptions of 40-plus yards in 2019).

Case to let go: Washington was no better than the Steelers’ No. 4 WR in 2021 — and considering Ray-Ray McCloud played more snaps than him, Washington was actually closer to a No. 5. It seems inevitable he moves on.

WR Ray-Ray McCloud

Prior contract AAV: $1 million

Case to keep: McCloud has been a significant upgrade at punt and kickoff returner since his arrival in 2020. This past season, he also played more on offense than ever, seeming to become a favorite of coordinator Matt Canada.

Case to let go: Using metrics such as average depth per target and air yards thrown per target, McCloud was one of the least-utilized wide receivers in the league in any sort of downfield role. His 7.1 yards per catch was worst of any qualifying NFL wide receiver.

DB Arthur Maulet

Prior contract AAV: $990,000

Case to keep: Considering what he was signed for in free agency, Maulet was everything the Steelers could have asked for in 2021. He played more than one-third of the defensive snaps, mostly at nickel inside corner but with ability to fill in at other spots.

Case to let go: At 29 come next season, the Steelers might opt for a younger (slightly cheaper) alternative.

OT Chuks Okorafor

Prior contract AAV: $851,841

Case to keep: Four starting offensive lineman departed after last season; with Turner and Okorafor free agents, do the Steelers want to keep starting over at the position? Okorafor knows the organization, and judging by PFF grades he has gradually improved overall and in run and pass blocking.

Case to let go: Okorafor still grades among the bottom third of starters in the NFL, and he twice lost training-camp competitions to start at right tackle (2019 and 2020). Most agree the Steelers need to upgrade their offensive line; even if Okorafor isn’t the weakest link, the consensus is an overhaul is needed to turn things around.

The others

Prior contracts AAVs: QB Josh Dobbs ($1.04 million), OL B.J. Finney ($990,000), RB Kalen Ballage ($920,000)

Case to keep: Dobbs is well-liked and respected and has become a coach-like resource. Finney is a versatile, veteran lineman well-immersed in the Steelers’ organizational philosophies. Ballage always has been viewed as having sizable raw talent.

Case to let go: After five years, it’s clear Dobbs’ ceiling is no better than a fringe backup. Finney’s body has begun to break down at age 30. Ballage produced very little (44 yards) with 19 combined carries/targets last season.

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