The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves with about $ 13 million in wage cap space and, with a number of other changes, they can quickly push that number close to $ 20 million. With rookie deals and season spending on the horizon, the team will need to spend their free dollars wisely, as they don’t have as much free money as the numbers might suggest. However, the Steelers will need to work their way through the bargain box at the NFL thrift store to add some talent to this team.
While we are sitting here today, one of the most interesting pieces remaining is the ex-Texans, Seahawks and, more recently, Titans pass rusher, Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney’s value is at an all-time low after consecutive seasons of failure to reach a long-term deal. In 2020, Clowney was one of the supposed best free agents in the class and turned down some long-term deals in places like Cleveland. However, the market dried up quickly and Clowney had to wait until early September to close a $ 12 million deal in Tennessee.
After a season of zero sack in a pitiful defense, Clowney must once again try to sign a one-year contract to re-inflate his actions. In that case, he must be looking for a perfect scheme, as well as talent around him to mitigate double teams. That perfect fit could be right here in Pittsburgh. After Bud Dupree went to Tennessee, the Steelers were left with only three linebackers out, TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith and recently hired Cassius Marsh. While Highsmith should receive a significant increase in playing time, adding an athletic, over-the-top freak like Clowney to the mix would be a no-brainer. A rotation between Highsmith in passing situations and Clowney in descents would be better to use either player, while both could give Watt a rest every now and then.
For the “with what money” crowd, NBC Sports columnist Peter King wrote about the value of Clowney stating “I can’t figure out why any team would pay real money to Jadeveon Clowney now,” Then explaining “He received a lot of money, he played an entire season in seven in the NFL, he has 32.5 sacks in seven years, [and] is coming out of a zero redundancy season. ” King would hit the nail on the head of how much he would pay Clowney, saying “Clowney is a nice and contributing player, not a dominant player, and unless he signed a deal on a $ 5 million or less basis and big incentives, I wouldn’t touch him.”
As the days go by, Clowney’s value will continue to fall. I think he would do well in a deal if the Steelers offered him one. It is also not so unlikely, as the Steelers apparently had an interest in the previous number one general choice last summer. Who, according to Pro Football Network insider Tony Pauline they were “Snooping around to see if they can hire you.”
Perhaps the Steelers can come in and get Clowney for a minimal fee. I am also sure that Clowney does not want to stretch his contract saga throughout the off-season again, and he can strike a deal between now and the draft.
But what do you think? Will the Steelers make a bold and financially surprising move like this one this year? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.