The Pittsburgh Steelers offseason has just begun — but the “legal tampering” period for unrestricted free agency begins a mere two months from Friday. As such, the Trib will take a look at each of the Steelers’ 18 players scheduled for free agency, and why (or why not) the Steelers might want to keep each.

Today is defense, and Monday will be a look at those from offense and special teams.

Listed in order of snaps played in 2022:

CB Cameron Sutton

Bring him back: A versatile and intelligent defensive back who is one of the Steelers’ longest-tenured players, Sutton was seen as indispensable enough that he literally played every defensive snap during the Steelers’ final 10 games. He is the Steelers’ incumbent No. 1 cornerback.

Let him go: Sutton and his representation surely feel as if he’s been underpaid ($9 million total over the past two seasons) and — rightly — can speculate one of the other 31 teams will value him much higher. But while Sutton is the Steelers’ CB1, does that mean he’s an upper-level NFL CB1?

Prediction: The Steelers perhaps extend out of their comfort zone and offer Sutton a contract for significantly more than last time he was a free agent. Quite simply, they don’t have many alternatives, and Sutton’s floor is high enough that the worst that could happen is he is just a well-compensated slightly above-average starter.

S Terrell Edmunds

Bring him back: Edmunds has been a reliable, steady starter for five seasons, popular with teammates and coaches.

Let him go: Edmunds seems averse to “splash plays” — in 81 career games (including playoffs) he has just five interceptions, one fumble recovery, no forced fumbles and five sacks.

Prediction: Last year, Edmunds lingered in free agency for six weeks before the Steelers brought him back at a bargain rate. Here’s betting he is back on a modest multi-year deal again this spring.

ILB Devin Bush

Bring him back: Ummm, sunk cost?

Let him go: Bush had fallen so far down the Steelers depth chart by season’s end that he played just five snaps in each of their final two games. The 2020 torn ACL certainly contributed, but it’s past time to acknowledge Bush is never going to be the player the Steelers thought they were getting when they traded up to select him at No. 10 overall in the 2019 draft.

Prediction: There’s a better chance Devin Bush Sr. plays for the Steelers next year — and Bush’s dad (a former NFL safety) turns 50 in July.

• A case for — and against — the Steelers keeping each of their UFAs on offense/special teams

ILB Robert Spillane

Bring him back: By definition, Spillane became the Steelers’ top inside linebacker by the end of the season. He is respected by coaches for his football IQ.

Let him go: There’s a reason Spillane went undrafted and was never a starter over his first 4½ NFL seasons aside from as an injury replacement.

Prediction: With much uncertainty at his position — Bush is a free agent, Myles Jack is a candidate to be a salary cap casualty and Mark Robinson was a raw rookie — bringing back Spillane at a reasonable price to serve as a No. 2 ILB who (ideally) ends up as a No. 3 would make sense.

DL Larry Ogunjobi

Bring him back: The run defense improved markedly from 2021 to ’22, and Ogunjobi was the only significant piece added to the defensive line. He’s a proven veteran with pedigree who hasn’t missed more than one game in any season over the past five years.

Let him go: Is Ogunjobi’s durability misleading? He rarely practiced as this season progressed and was on the injury report for a variety of ailments. A foot injury ended his 2021 season and ultimately ended up getting a big contract with the Chicago Bears voided after he failed a physical.

Prediction: Ogunjobi fit in well with the Steelers, so maybe he’s willing to come back on a shorter-term deal at similar money to the $8 million salary he played for in 2022. If so, the odds are the sides can agree.

OLB Malik Reed

Bring him back: Someone has to be the backup edge rusher.

Let him go: It became clear by the end of the season that Steelers coaches had lost faith in Reed. He was a healthy scratch in three of the final five games and played a total of 19 defensive snaps in the other two.

Prediction: The Steelers will make it a major priority to upgrade their depth at outside linebacker behind their elite starting duo of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Reed won’t be part of that.

DL Chris Wormley

Bring him back: An ideal fit for the Steelers’ scheme, Wormley is a veteran respected by teammates and coaches. He is the type of player you look for to be a versatile fourth defensive lineman in a 3-4 scheme.

Let him go: The Steelers have had no shortage of veteran defensive linemen in recent years, and they might try to get significantly younger at the position. Wormley, who will turn 30 next season, also is coming off major knee surgery.

Prediction: There would seem to be some common ground here because both sides appear to have genuine appreciation for each other. But there’s a lot of variables at play — other free agents at the position, Wormley’s rehab from surgery, etc. — that odds of his return can be pegged at slightly less than a coin flip.

S Damontae Kazee

Bring him back: He is a proven, starting-caliber NFL playmaker in the secondary. Kazee has forced 22 turnovers in 81 games (including playoffs).

Let him go: The circumstances that landed Kazee in Pittsburgh in 2022 for such a bargain rate (prorated $870,000) aren’t applicable to 2023. Kazee had to serve a suspension this season, and as a natural free safety, he is a less-than-ideal complement to All-Pro Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Prediction: Kazee was a great addition for the Steelers over his nine games this past season (the Steelers went 7-2 with him in the lineup). But he’d probably end up as a third safety with the Steelers, and another team is bound dangle more money in free agency.

DL Tyson Alualu

Bring him back: Alualu has been everything the Steelers could have asked from him over his trio of two-year contacts beginning in 2017. Aside from a broken ankle in 2021, Alualu has been a reliable veteran presence on the field and in the locker room.

Let him go: He’ll be 36 years old soon and increasingly has shown his age and the wear and tear 13 NFL seasons can leave on the body of a defensive lineman.

Prediction: Alualu announces his retirement and keeps his family in the Pittsburgh area as a valued member of the community.

S Karl Joseph

Bring him back: Joseph at one time was considered a future star. He was drafted 16th overall in 2016 after a standout career at West Virginia.

Let him go: Joseph was on the practice squad and during training camp, he suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

Prediction: Joseph will be 30 years old by the time next season begins. He’s not worth taking up a spot on the offseason roster.

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