We're keeping track of every majorNFL free-agent signing, trade and release of the 2022 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The first round of the 2022 NFL draft begins April 28 on ESPN.
Here's a breakdown of every 2022 NFL free agent signing by the Steelers, and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Terrell Edmunds, S
The one-year deal is worth $2.5 million.
What it means: The Steelers opted not to pick up Edmunds' fifth-year option a year ago and instead let the starting strong safety hit free agency. But after Edmunds' market didn't materialize and the Steelers couldn't find a better fit at the right price to pair with Minkah Fitzpatrick, the two sides decided to reunite for one more year. Edmunds, a four-year starter, finished the 2021 season with two interceptions and 89 tackles.
What's the risk: Edmunds' versatility made him an important piece in the Steelers' defense and he came on strong in the second half of the 2021 season. In bringing him back for one more year, the Steelers aren't committing to Edmunds long-term, and he'll likely cost them less than the $6.7 million fully guaranteed salary he was due to make with the fifth-year option.
Myles Jack, LB
The Steelers had a big need at inside linebacker, someone to pair with former top-10 pick Devin Bush, and they found one in former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack with a two-year, $16 million deal.
What it means: When the Jaguars released Jack, their leading tackler in 2021, it almost made too much sense for the Steelers to go after him. In signing Jack, the Steelers add an inside linebacker to play alongside and mentor former top-10 pick Devin Bush, and someone who can succeed at playing both the run and dropping into coverage. His addition likely means it's the end of the road for fellow former Jaguar ILB Joe Schobert, who is set to count almost $10 million against the cap in 2022. Releasing Schobert saves $7.8 million against the cap for the upcoming season.
What's the risk: Jack is on the pricier end of the Steelers' free agency acquisitions, but he's worth the money. Not only can he play both inside and outside linebacker, he's also just 26 years old with six seasons of NFL experience under his belt. He has some injury concerns, but he played in 15 games last season and 94% of defensive snaps.
James Daniels, G
Inking Daniels to a three-year, $26.5 million deal underscores the importance the Steelers placed on beefing up their offensive line in the offseason.
What it means: Steelers GM Kevin Colbert was frank in his end-of-season analysis last month. He regretted not signing an additional offensive lineman prior to the 2021 season. This year, Colbert is ensuring he won't have the same frustrations with the addition of a second starting-caliber lineman. Daniels fits the Steelers' free-agent mold: a young player coming off his rookie deal. He was a four-year starter in Chicago -- though his 2020 season was cut short after five games with a pectoral injury.
What's the risk: While capable of playing multiple spots on the line, Daniels figures to be best at guard. That complicates things for 2021 third-round pick Kendrick Green. The earlier addition of Mason Cole seemed to signal the Steelers viewed Green as a guard rather than center. But Daniels is a solid starter and figures to plug in at right guard in the spot vacated by Trai Turner, seemingly bumping Green out of the starting lineup. There's a lot of time between now and the start of the season to figure things out, but there will likely be a lot of jockeying for starting positions on the offensive line. On the plus side, the recent acquisitions should give the Steelers meaningful interior depth --- something they needed last season.
Gunner Olszewski, WR
The Steelers had a hole in the return game after the departure of Ray-Ray McCloud, and they filled it by signing former All-Pro returner Gunner Olszewski to a two-year, $4.2 million deal.
What it means: With McCloud joining the San Francisco 49ers, the Steelers found a replacement in Olszewski, who will be most valuable as a returner. He had just nine catches in three seasons with the New England Patriots. As a returner, though, he racked up 309 punt return yards last season, along with 416 kickoff return yards. And in 2020, Olszewski had a punt return for a touchdown.
What's the risk: Olszewski doesn't have the same upside as McCloud as a receiver, leaving the Steelers still in need of depth receivers with McCloud and JuJu Smith-Schuster departing in free agency. But the addition of Olszewski gives the Steelers another reliable player on special teams and someone who can make things happen in the return game.
Montravius Adams, DT
After joining the Steelers late in the season, Adams played his way into a two-year, $5 million contract in Pittsburgh as a solid nose tackle.
What it means: The Steelers signed Adams off the New Orleans Saints' practice squad in late November, and he provided an instant boost to the run defense as a solid nose tackle. Adams appeared in five games for Pittsburgh, recording eight tackles, including one for a loss, and three quarterback hits. Bringing him back gives the Steelers another option at nose tackle along with Tyson Alualu, who missed most of the 2021 season with an ankle injury.
What's the risk: A 2017 third-round pick by the Green Bay Packers, Adams underperformed during his four-year stint with the Packers before bouncing around the league with stops in New England and New Orleans. Adams was productive in Pittsburgh last season, so maybe he just needed a change of scenery and the right fit and culture to flourish. Adams' inconsistency is something to monitor, but at $5 million over two years, his upside is worth taking a low-cost chance.
Levi Wallace, CB
The Steelers filled a necessary hole at cornerback by signing former Buffalo Bills cornerback Levi Wallace to a two-year, $8 million deal.
What it means: The Steelers needed to sign someone at cornerback with both Joe Haden and Ahkello Witherspoon hitting free agency. Signing Wallace, a starter in Buffalo who nearly signed with the Steelers as a UDFA in 2018, makes it less likely they bring back Witherspoon and/or Haden. Wallace gives the Steelers another starting outside corner opposite of Cam Sutton.
What's the risk: The Steelers haven't been successful drafting productive cornerbacks recently, making it even more crucial they bring one in during free agency. Wallace is a four-year starter with two interceptions in each of the last three seasons. As a 26-year-old and an Alabama product, he fits the mold of a Steelers' signing: young and from a prestigious college program. Wallace will be the fourth Alabama player on Pittsburgh's roster, joining Minkah Fitzpatrick, J.C. Hassenauer and Najee Harris.
Chukwuma Okorafor, OT
The Steelers have agreed to sign right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor to a three-year, $29.25 million deal after two years as a starter.
What it means: The Steelers opted to re-sign one of their own at right tackle rather than upgrade the position through free agency. With Okorafor returning, the Steelers figure to have at least three returning starters to an offensive line that struggled in 2021, including LT Dan Moore Jr. and guard Kevin Dotson. Kendrick Green, a 2021 third-round pick, will also likely have a role on the line, but it's unclear if he'll remain at center or move to guard. Improving the offensive line is a priority this offseason, but early on, the Steelers haven't made any splash moves, likely signaling they intend to build at the position through the draft.
What's the risk: By not landing a big-name free agent, the Steelers signaled that they were content with the status quo at right tackle -- but they're giving him a significant raise with the three-year, $29.25 million deal. The 2018 third-round pick had some solid performances, especially against Myles Garrett, but he's not in the highest tier of offensive tackles. He allowed only two sacks last year but was whistled for 11 penalties.
Mason Cole, C
The Steelers intend to sign Mason Cole to a three-year deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, adding a veteran NFL center to the fold.
What it means: In adding Cole, the Steelers land a veteran NFL center, possibly signaling the team's intention to move 2021 third-round pick Kendrick Green to guard. Cole started 32 of 46 career games with the Arizona Cardinals before he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings prior to last season. Cole started seven games in Minnesota -- including three at right guard -- last season before landing on injured reserve with an elbow injury.
What's the risk: Cole is the first new face added to the Steelers' offensive line this offseason. He and Green figure to compete for either center or guard, depending on the rest of the Steelers' offseason moves, but Cole has more experience as a pure center. If the Steelers intend to play Cole at center, it allows Green to go back to his natural position at guard. It's a relatively low-risk move, and one that needed to happen for the Steelers to improve their line play and ground game in 2022.
Mitchell Trubisky, QB
The Steelers added to their quarterback room by agreeing to terms with former Bills and Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky on a two-year deal. Trubisky, a former No. 2 overall selection, spent last season in Buffalo behind Josh Allen after four years as a starter in Chicago. Trubisky gives the Steelers an insurance policy entering the NFL Draft, granting them the flexibility to pass on a first-round quarterback if the right one isn't available.
What it means: The Steelers have been clear they're going to carry four quarterbacks into training camp and they wanted competition for Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins. Trubisky, a former first-round pick, fits that bill perfectly as a low-cost, veteran option. He's not being brought in as the heir apparent to Ben Roethlisberger, but he'll push Rudolph for the starting job.
What's the risk: It's a relatively low-risk signing. It's not as flashy as a Russell Wilson trade, but Trubisky is a cheap option who doesn't cost draft capital, and he gives the Steelers more insurance heading into a weaker quarterback draft class. They could still draft a signal-caller, but now they also have the freedom to use Trubisky as a bridge guy until a stronger QB class next year.
Miles Killebrew, safety
The Steelers re-signed safety and special teams ace Killebrew just before free agency, giving the 28-year-old a two-year deal worth $4 million. Killebrew joined the team prior to the 2021 season after five seasons in Detroit. The Steelers also re-signed cornerback Arthur Maulet to a two-year deal, according to NFL Network. Maulet stepped up in the slot and emerged as a potential replacement for Mike Hilton. Maulet had 47 tackles in 16 games with the Steelers, including five for loss.
What it means: The Steelers keep a key special-teamer in the fold for two more years after he recorded two blocked punts in his first year in Pittsburgh. The Steelers value high-impact special-teamers and made keeping him around a priority.
What's the risk: No real risk here, high upside and a lot of cap space. This is a good signing by the Steelers.
Ahkello Witherspoon, CB
After a late-season surge, Witherspoon is back in the Pittsburgh Steelers' fold on a two-year deal.
What it means: Witherspoon didn't see much action in the first 10 weeks of the season, but after Joe Haden's injury, he grabbed three interceptions in the final five games of the regular season -- including two against the Minnesota Vikings. His late-season surge in production gave the Steelers confidence in bringing him back to be Haden's long-term replacement, while letting the expensive veteran walk.
What's the risk: Witherspoon had his most productive season in Pittsburgh with the three interceptions, but he didn't play a full year. In four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Witherspoon only had four interceptions total. He showed up when it mattered in 2021, now he'll have prove that he can consistently do it in 2022.