Steelers Now
Historically speaking, it hasn’t exactly been the Pittsburgh Steelers’ M.O. , but team president Art Rooney II isn’t opposed to making a big splash in the free agency pool this off-season.
Joining Rob King of the Steelers Audio Network for an exclusive interview that was posted to Steelers.com on Monday, Rooney spoke of the possibility the team pursues a high-profile free agent in an effort to improve.
“You know, I think we always have to look at opportunities, and if we can add somebody that’s going to make a difference for us, we’ve got to do that,” Rooney said. “We’ve never been adverse to doing it, but, you know, you have to have sort of the right guy show up at the right time and right place, and hopefully we’ll have some opportunities this coming spring.”
There are some rather forgettable additions — think tight end Ladarius Green and wideout Donte Moncrief — but the Steelers have brought in guys like linebackers Kevin Greene and James Farrior in the past.
Under roster-building general manager Omar Khan, Pittsburgh recently warmed up to dishing out the money necessary to lure impact players from other franchises. Last year, the Steelers signed former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen to a three-year, $41 million deal, the richest in the team’s history for an outside free agent.
Pittsburgh’s decision to add former Miami safety DeShon Elliott in 2024 also turned out to be one of its best in recent memory, as Elliott provided a veteran presence on the back end and seemed to embody the type of defender the franchise values. Other free agent insertions included Russell Wilson, who started the bulk of the team’s games behind center, and former Houston punter Cameron Johnston, who was lost for the season in the Steelers’ first game.
With Pittsburgh’s need to strengthen its receiver room, one big name that comes to mind is Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins, who will likely be one of the most-sought after play makers available.
