Steelers 2-a-days: Edmunds brothers ready for one more training camp together

Editor’s note: From now until the first practice of training camp at Saint Vincent College, the Trib will be running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, assessing each player’s outlook for the 2022 season. The breakdown will go through the roster in mostly alphabetical order, two per day, between June 11 and July 25. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

SS TERRELL EDMUNDS

Experience: 5th season

Contract status: $1,187,500 cap hit ($2.5 million salary) for 2022, will be free agent in 2023

2022 outlook: After exploring the free agent market, Edmunds returned to the Steelers on a one-year deal that provides some cap relief for the organization. It was a steep drop in salary for Edmunds, who could have earned $6.75 million had the Steelers picked up his fifth-year option.

Edmunds is the front-runner to start at strong safety for the fifth year in a row. The Steelers, though, brought in some experienced competition in former Dallas and Atlanta safety Damontae Kazee.

With the Steelers transitioning from Keith Butler to Teryl Austin as defensive coordinator, Edmunds has the benefit of familiarity with the system. He has started 60 of 64 games played since the Steelers selected him in the first round of the 2018 draft. He started all 17 games last year when he tied a career-high with two interceptions and one sack. He also broke up six passes and played 98% of all defensive snaps.

DBs ???? pic.twitter.com/TDkz3iBFbo

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) June 9, 2022

FB TREY EDMUNDS

Experience: 4th season

Contract status: $895,000 cap hit ($1.035 million salary) for 2022, will be free agent in 2023

2022 outlook: If nothing else, the middle brother of the Edmunds trio, is persistent. In 2018, his second NFL season, he was reunited with his brother when the Steelers signed Trey to the practice squad before the start of the season.

Edmunds was cut after training camp after the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons but ended up back on the practice squad each time and eventually the 53-man roster during the year. His high point came in 2019 when he rushed for 92 yards on 22 carries and intercepted a pass on a fake punt. It’s the value Edmunds brings on special teams that has enabled him to stick with the organization for so long.

Although Edmunds played a career-low two games last season, he continued to get work in practice at fullback and could be an option there if the Steelers decide not to keep veteran Derek Watt.

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