Small headline signings strengthen Steelers roster
As is usual during this time of the NFL’s slow offseason, teams are making moves to secure their rosters for the future.
With the official free agency period still a month away, franchises are maintaining their own homes, signing restricted and exclusive rights free agents as well as negotiating with any of their players who could hit the open market when the official league year and free agency period begin.
Right now the Pittsburgh Steelers are making moves, with most of those flying under the radar. Among those they have made include “business as usual” deals which retain role players for an additional year. (And one of those was a longterm deal.)
Here are some of those signings which haven’t made big headlines like a Le’Veon Bell contract, but will have an impact on the Steelers 2018 season.
Mike Hilton
One-year contract extension
Rising from obscurity to starting slot corner, Hilton made a tremendous impact during the 2017 season, even earning a conference defensive player of the week award for his three sacks against the Houston Texans on Christmas Day.
The one-year deal may seem strange for some fans, but as noted, this is a “business as usual” approach where teams sign one and two-year deals for players who are under exclusive rights or restricted contracts. So there’s nothing to fear for 2018, as Hilton will return to the team to further grow his career in Pittsburgh.
Roosevelt Nix
New four-year deal
This as the surprise deal mentioned above, as many expected the first-time Pro Bowl fullback to just sign another single year contract like his peers. However, the Steelers have committed to Nix for four seasons. Full details of the contract have yet to be released to the public, but it’s clear that the team views him as part of their offensive plans going forward.
Jordan Berry
One-year contract extension
The Steelers have gone years without a solid and consistent punter before they found Berry in 2015. The Australian born player was set to become a restricted free agent, but the Steelers swooped in and signed Berry for another season.
Some have pointed out that 2017 wasn’t Berry’s strongest year. Using the eyeball test, he had some punts that weren’t the best, but that’s neither here nor there. Berry never handicapped the Steelers defense like past punters or those on other teams. Using stats, such as net average, also doesn’t justify situations where punters have a short field to work with. (Which, with a top-flight offense, was often the case for Berry this season.)
By and far he’s the best punter the team has had in ages. I’m looking forward to seeing him back in a Steelers uniform for 2018.
Kameron Canaday
One-year contract extension
One of several surprises from the 2017 season was the retirement of long-time long snapper Greg Warren. To put a cherry on top of that surprise, the team burned a sixth-round draft pick to select his apparent replacement, who ended up being cut after losing the job to Canaday.
As with most undrafted free agents, Canaday signs a one-year deal to remain with the team. We shall see if he continues to go unnoticed in 2018, which is nothing but the highest compliment you could give a long snapper.
(Note: Colin Holba, who was drafted, ended up as the Jaguars long snapper for 2017.)
Xavier Grimble
One-year contract extension
The “X-Man” had a quiet 2017 season, appearing in 15 games but catching only five passes for 32 yards and a touchdown, as the Steelers added Vance McDonald via trade, essentially bumping Grimble down the depth chart to where many felt he would have to fight to make the roster during camp.
This year he may have a similar battle, as Pittsburgh opted to do a single-year deal, making Grimble expendable if another option comes along. On the plus side, Grimble has shown steady progress in short appearances and could still have some upside in the Steelers offense.
B.J. Finney
One-year contract extension
Maybe one of the most underrated players on the entire team, Finney, a backup guard, and center, is a vital piece to the Steelers success.
It’s clear the team always valued Finney, as they gave him multiple incentives to remain on the practice squad before starting three games in 2016. Last season he started four games, typically in relief of Ramon Foster, but also in the final week of the season as the starting center in place of Maurkice Pouncey (who was rested along with others).
I’m under the impression that Finney could be Foster’s heir, and is simply lying in wait. However, even in a reserve role, his versatility cannot be understated as a quality plug and play piece on the offensive line.
Matt Feiler
One-year contract extension
Feiler falls into the Finney category if it were not for others being ahead of him on the depth chart.
Officially listed as a tackle on the team’s roster, Feiler is another versatile lineman who is capable of playing tackle or guard. He appeared in five games for the Steelers last season, getting one start in place of David DeCastro in the season finale against Cleveland.
Feiler is another developing lineman who comes from a futures contract background. I suspect the Steelers will continue to keep him around in 2018 unless there’s a reason not to.
