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Latest On LB Blake Cashman’s Free Agency

July 4th, 2024 at 6:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Texans’ success on defense in 2023 led to a few members of that unit securing lucrative deals on the open market this spring. In the case of linebacker Blake Cashman, several interested parties emerged before he chose his next destination.

The 28-year-old inked a three-year, $22.5MM contract with his hometown Vikings in March. Considering Cashman primarily on special teams for three of his five seasons to date, the pact represents a notable windfall. Houston was interested in keeping him in the fold for 2024 and beyond, but the team expected a strong market to exist once Cashman was known to be available.

Going further on that note, the former fifth-rounder indicated (via Andrew Krammer of Minneapolis Star Tribune) that the Broncos, Packers, Falcons and Steelers showed interest in addition to the Texans prior to his Vikings agreement. Cashman is a veteran of 21 starts, 13 of which came last season. During DeMeco Ryans‘ debut campaign as Houston’s head coach, he shattered his career high in tackles (106) while adding a pair of sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.

That production – along with the terms of his contract, which includes $15MM in total guarantees – will lead to high expectations for Cashman. Minnesota made a notable investment in another ex-Texan (edge rusher Jonathan Greenard) this offseason, and both players will be counted on to handle a starter’s workload on defense. For Cashman, that would have been the case on any new team considering the contract he landed.

Denver lost Josey Jewell in free agency, creating a linebacker vacancy which was filled (at least in part) by the addition of Cody Barton. Green Bay released De’Vondre Campbell in a cost-shedding move, but no outside move was made to replace him before Edgerrin Cooper‘s selection in the second round of the draft. Atlanta was quiet on the linebacker front this offseason, waiting until Day 3 of the draft to make a move (JD Bertrand). Pittsburgh made by far the most lucrative LB investment of the group by inking Patrick Queen to a three-year, $41MM deal.

The decisions made by the other teams interested in Cashman is a simple ‘what if’ matter at this point, of course. Still, it is notable he managed to generate enough of a market to draw interest from several teams after his strong showing in 2023. Repeating that performance moving forward will prove Minnesota’s investment in him to be worthwhile.

Steelers, DT Cameron Heyward No Closer On Extension

July 3rd, 2024 at 9:02pm CST by Ely Allen

Since initially contemplating retirement following an injury-riddled 2023 season, Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward has made it clear that he’s looking for a two-year extension to continue playing in Pittsburgh. In an appearance today on The Jim Rome Show, Heyward didn’t have much to say regarding an update to the situation, indicating that a new contract doesn’t appear to be imminent.

Heyward, 35, has spent all 13 of his NFL seasons with the Steelers, somehow getting better with age. Before reaching the fifth-year option of his first-round rookie contact, the Steelers extended Heyward to a six-year, $59.25MM deal. Up to that point, Heyward had showed plus attributes as a pass rusher with a career-high of 7.5 sacks in a season. After missing the team’s final 10 games of the first year of his new contract in 2016, Heyward delivered a career year with 12.0 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, and 22 quarterback hits the following season.

Since then, Heyward has perennially been considered one of the top interior pass rushers in the NFL, missing a Pro Bowl last year for the first time since that breakout season. In addition to a down year, Heyward missed more than two games with injury for the first time since 2016, sitting out six contests near the beginning of the year. That groin injury was part of Heyward’s consideration to hang up his cleats, but the Steelers are expecting Heyward to rebound strongly in 2024.

Since expressing his desires for a new contract, Heyward sat out of all spring activities for Pittsburgh. A month ago, he put forth the idea that he’d like to retire with the Steelers sometime after a new two-year deal. A week later, Heyward reeled in the line a bit, claiming that, should Pittsburgh pass up another contract, he’d be open to playing in a new city in 2025, after his current deal expires.

The only big piece of new information in today’s interview was that Heyward has already ruled out at least one destination should he hit the free agent market. Despite having attended college in Ohio with the Buckeyes and having family in the Cleveland area, Heyward doesn’t see himself in brown and orange. He claimed that he didn’t think he could play for a Steelers’ rival with “such bad blood” should he move on. That would likely rule out the Ravens and Bengals, as well, but for now, his focus remains in Pittsburgh.

Commanders, Steelers Were Contenders For WR Brandon Aiyuk

June 29th, 2024 at 10:35pm CST by Ely Allen

The month of June has been full of news pertaining to the strained contract negotiations between wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers. As things currently stand, it appears that a trade is no longer expected separate the two parties, but negotiations seem to be at a standstill as both sides refuse to cede ground on price. While most all signs are still pointing to Aiyuk playing for San Francisco in 2024, he did mention two other teams whose uniforms he could see himself in should negotiations fall through over the summer.

In his appearance on The Pivot Podcast (video link), Aiyuk was asked what uniform he sees himself playing in next season. “If I were to take a guess, probably a Niner uniform,” he answered. “Probably a Niner uniform. If not a Niners uniform, probably a Washington Commanders uniform. If not a Washington Commanders uniform, probably a Steelers uniform.”

Aiyuk would be a phenomenal addition to either squad. In D.C., the second-team All-Pro wideout would join Terry McLaurin atop the depth chart as Jahan Dotson would return to a WR3 role. Aiyuk would be a massive upgrade over last year’s WR2, Curtis Samuel. Currently, without Aiyuk, Washington has Dotson bumping up to WR2 in his third season as Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheus, and Jamison Crowder attempt to hold off third-round rookie Luke McCaffrey for the WR3 job.

Aiyuk would also be an interesting addition to the Commanders due to his history with No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels. The rookie out of LSU transferred to Baton Rouge after three years at Arizona State. Daniels’ freshman season in Tempe aligned with Aiyuk’s senior year with the Sun Devils. Working together on offense, Aiyuk led the team with 65 catches for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns. Reuniting the two could be a huge safety blanket for Daniels as he makes the jump to professional play.

It’s been no secret that the Steelers are looking for veteran wide receiver help after sending Diontae Johnson to Carolina. The team currently rosters budding star George Pickens and Van Jefferson, who impressed in 2021 with an 800-yard, six-touchdown season but has faltered in the two seasons since. Pittsburgh also selected Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson in the third round of this year’s draft and are holding out hope that third-year wideout Calvin Austin will blossom soon.

Still adding Aiyuk to the roster in Pittsburgh would be huge for new quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. The Steelers showed early interest in acquiring Aiyuk’s teammate, Deebo Samuel, back around the time of the draft, but should Aiyuk come up in an offer, it’s hard to imagine they would turn him away.

When all is said and done, it’s still widely expected that Aiyuk will remain in the Bay Area for at least next season. The two sides continue to work towards a common goal, but the 49ers seem to be employing similar tactics as they did when extending Samuel two years ago. If that road continues, a new Aiyuk deal could be coming around the end of July, like Samuel’s did. Should things fall through, though, it sounds like Aiyuk is open to a change of scenery.

Steelers DL Isaiahh Loudermilk On Roster Bubble?

June 29th, 2024 at 10:36am CST by Ben Levine

Isaiahh Loudermilk has seen an inconsistent role in Pittsburgh since being selected in the fifth round of the 2021 draft. With the defensive lineman being pushed even further down the depth chart this offseason, there’s a chance he doesn’t reach Week 1 with the Steelers. As Mark Kaboly of The Athletic writes, training camp may “force a decision on Loudermilk,” with the reporter hinting that the fourth-year pro could ultimately earn his walking papers.

The defensive lineman had a productive college career at Wisconsin, including a 2020 campaign where he earned third-team All-Big Ten honors. That production hasn’t translated to the pros, where Loudermilk has started only five of his 42 regular-season appearances. The six-foot-seven, 293-pound defensive tackle got into 29 percent of his team’s defensive snaps as a rookie, but that number fell to 19 percent in 2022 before bottoming out at 18 percent in 2023.

In total, the 26-year-old has collected 46 tackles and one sack, and he added another three stops to his resume in a pair of postseason appearances. Loudermilk has shown some talent on special teams, culminating in a 2023 campaign where he appeared in a career-high 82 ST snaps. Still, that might not be enough to save the player’s job heading into the 2024 campaign.

Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, and Keeanu Benton are secure atop the DL depth chart. However, the Steelers have to start preparing for an uncertain future on their defensive line. As Kaboly notes, Heyward is set to hit free agency next offseason, and Ogunjobi will be an obvious cut candidate prior to the 2025 campaign.

Loudermilk’s impending free agency means he doesn’t have a definitive spot on future iterations of Pittsburgh’s roster, and the organization started to add some youth to the unit this offseason. The team used a sixth-round pick on Logan Lee, and assuming the rookie makes the roster, that would only leave a handful of DL spots for veteran backups. Loudermilk’s ST experience could give him a leg up in that competition, although there’s a chance the team opts for more recent draft picks like 2022 third-round pick DeMarvin Leal.

Elsewhere on Pittsburgh’s defense, it sounds like linebacker Cole Holcomb could begin the 2024 season on the physically unable to perform list. As Kaboly notes, the linebacker will only be eight months removed from a serious knee injury by the time training camp opens up, and the team could look to buy themselves some time by keeping him off the field for at least the first four games of the 2024 season.

Steelers WR Calvin Austin To Take On Increased Role

June 28th, 2024 at 10:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers’ receiver room is short on know commodities aside from George Pickens, but a number of in-house options will get the opportunity to serve in a more prominent capacity this season. That applies to Calvin Austin.

The 25-year-old is in line to see the largest workload of his young career to date, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic writes (subscription required). That come as little surprise considering Pittsburgh’s decision to trade away Diontae Johnson and release Allen Robinson. Those moves have created a pair of starting vacancies, and no veteran presence on the roster is a lock to secure one of them.

Austin was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 draft, but a foot injury cost him his entire rookie campaign. The 5-9, 162-pound speedster was healthy for the entire 2023 season, but the presence of Pickens, Johnson and Robinson limited his offensive role. Austin logged a 35% offensive snap share and made just 17 catches. The Memphis product did chip in on special teams as a punt returner, although free agent addition Cordarrelle Patterson could take on those responsibilities in 2024.

The slot is likely Austin’s primary location for offensive usage, but the same could be true (at least early in his career) of third-round rookie Roman Wilson. The Michigan product was part of a stellar receiver class in this year’s draft, and he should be able to compete for a rotational role amongst Pittsburgh’s other options – a list which includes the likes of Quez Watkins, Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller. Watkins saw his new team as an opportunity to earn a first-team role, but training camp will go a long way in determining the receiver pecking order.

Keeping in line with his previous stance on the matter, Kaboly adds in a separate piece that the Steelers could still be in the market for a wideout addition. Such a move may not happen until the start of training camp, the point at which unsigned veterans often commit to a team. Pittsburgh has nearly $16MM in cap space, so the team certainly has the flexibility to bring in another experienced pass-catcher.

Regardless of whether or not that happens, though, Austin could be primed to take on a starter’s workload in 2024. Doing so would be key for him given he will be eligible for an extension after the coming season. A strong performance would help his leverage in potential contract talks in addition to providing the Steelers with needed production from the WR spot.

Latest On Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick

June 28th, 2024 at 6:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

As the Steelers dealt with injuries in the linebacking corps and the secondary last season, Minkah Fitzpatrick was forced to handle a number of different responsibilities. The All-Pro safety is in line to handle a more familiar workload in 2024, however.

Fitzpatrick – known to be at his best when used as a free safety based on his ballhawking skills – saw a decrease in his usage rate with respect to centerfield-type deployment last season. Instead, his varied workload included an uptick in time spent in the box as well as at slot corner. That played a key role in the four-time Pro Bowler being held without an interception for the first time in his career last year.

“The biggest thing is as coaches, our job is to try to get all of our guys in the best position as possible so they can play as well as they can and play up to their abilities,” Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said about Fitzpatrick’s usage (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “And so last year I probably failed in that regard. We tried to have him do too much stuff, and I think I’m going to get back to really what makes him special.”

Pittsburgh has Damontae Kazee set to return to from the suspension which ended his regular season, and the team added a veteran safety in the form of DeShon Elliott in free agency. The Steelers’ linebacking corps (which includes holdovers Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts) was also strengthened this offseason with the signing of Patrick Queen and the selection of Payton Wilson in the draft. Better health and increased depth at both positions in 2024 should allow Fitzpatrick to return to an all-but exclusive role as a free safety.

The 27-year-old has proven to be a productive acquisition for the Steelers, amassing 17 interceptions and 41 pass deflections since being traded by the Dolphins. Fitzpatrick is under contract through 2026 on his $18.25MM-per-year deal, and expectations will be high for him in 2024 especially if he manages to return to his preferred alignment.

Pittsburgh ranked 11th in the league in interceptions last year despite Fitzpatrick being kept off the board in that regard, but the team finished just 17th in passing yards allowed. Improvement in both areas could take place with him returning to his most effective spot.

AFC Staff Rumors: Canada, Steelers, Shaw, Broncos, Chargers, Jaguars, Titans

June 26th, 2024 at 2:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Steelers opted for an outside OC hire, adding Arthur Smith, but both halves of their interim setup from last season — Eddie Faulkner and Mike Sullivan — remain with the team. Sullivan drew OC interest elsewhere, after calling the plays for a Mason Rudolph-led offense that ended up in the playoffs, but he is in place as a Steelers senior offensive assistant. Faulkner remains the team’s RBs coach. Smith should be considered likely to include the duo in his game plans, per The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly, who adds ousted OC Matt Canada was not known for a collaborative approach. Canada did not receive input from staffers especially well, Kaboly notes, before becoming the historically rare Steelers assistant fired in-season.

Here is the latest from AFC coaching staffs and front offices:

  • One of the Broncos‘ HC candidates in 2023, David Shaw is now in place to work remotely as a staffer under Sean Payton and George Paton. Shaw has coached with the former (on Ray Rhodes‘ 1997 Eagles staff) and began communicating with the GM more often since the January 2023 interview. Months after the longtime Stanford HC’s interview, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes he expressed an interest to Paton regarding work in NFL personnel. During the time between his Broncos connections, Shaw interviewed for the Chargers and Titans’ HC jobs. The Paton conversations, with likely help from the Stanford ties owners Greg Penner and Condoleezza Rice have, led to the longtime Stanford coach landing with the AFC West franchise.
  • Elsewhere on the Broncos’ staff, InsidetheLeague.com’s Neil Stratton notes Ty Murphy has moved from scouting intern to pro scout. Murphy initially caught on with the team in July 2023.
  • Four years ago, the Chargers were new on the analytics front. They hired Aditya Krishnan to lead that department in February 2020. Early in Jim Harbaugh‘s tenure, the Bolts are moving in a different direction. Krishnan, who held the title of football research and analytics director, is no longer with the team, according to ESPN.com’s Seth Walder. While new regimes shake up staffs, it will be interesting to see how Harbaugh goes about assembling an analytics department in Los Angeles.
  • The Jaguars are also losing an experienced staffer. Brian Squeglia, who worked as an area scout for the past six years and spent eight seasons in Jacksonville, is leaving the team, per Stratton. Squeglia is set to remain in the industry but is not planning to work for another team presently.
  • The Titans added two staffers recently, with Walder indicating they hired Erin Psajdl Davis and Alex Rogers as analysts. Psajdl Davis comes over from the Chiefs, having worked on the business side in Kansas City. She previously held a football-related role in Houston. Rogers interned for the Saints previously.

Steelers Sign WR Jacob Copeland, Claim DT

June 21st, 2024 at 7:00pm CST by Ely Allen

It may not be the veteran contributor that Steelers fans would prefer to see, but the team added some depth today at the wide receiver position, signing Jacob Copeland, according to Steelers.com writer Teresa Varley. Aaron Williams of KPRC 2 adds that the team was also awarded defensive tackle Willington Previlon off of waivers after he was waived from Atlanta.

Copeland went undrafted a year ago after a five-year playing career at Florida and Maryland. Copeland originally signed with the Gators as a consensus top-100 recruit in the nation. He spent his first three years in Gainesville buried on the depth chart under names like Kadarius Toney and Kyle Pitts but proved to be an effective deep threat, averaging 18.9 yards per reception in his redshirt sophomore season with 435 yards and three touchdowns on only 23 receptions.

With Toney and Pitts (and quarterback Kyle Trask) gone in 2021, Copeland finally got to lead the room, tying for the team-lead in receptions (41) and receiving touchdowns (4) while leading the school with 642 receiving yards. Copeland made the decision to transfer for his redshirt senior season, opting to join the Terrapins in College Park. At Maryland, Copeland failed to make the same impact on the offense, finishing fourth on the team with 376 receiving yards to go along with 26 catches and two touchdowns, though he did lead the team with 14.5 yards per reception.

After signing initially with the Titans as an undrafted free agent, Copeland has spent short stints of time with the Vikings, Steelers, and Chiefs. He’ll now return for a second try with Pittsburgh.

Previlon has been floating around the NFL a little longer than Copeland after going undrafted in 2020. The former Rutgers big man was disruptive for the Scarlet Knights, totaling three sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss in his final two collegiate seasons. He’s bounced around since then, spending time with the Packers, Buccaneers, Cowboys, and Falcons before getting claimed by Pittsburgh.

Omar Khan Confirms Steelers Will Not Adjust Contract Negotiation Policy

June 21st, 2024 at 1:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

In his second year as general manager of the Steelers, Omar Khan has made a number of moves to date in his tenure. More will be coming if deals are worked out before the start of the campaign, but the organization’s philosophy with respect to in-season negotiating will remain in place.

Pittsburgh has exclusively used the offseason to work out signings and extensions for years, and Khan’s succession of Kevin Colbert has resulted in a continuation of that approach. The Steelers are certainly not alone in the sense of imposing a deadline prior to the start of the regular season for agreements to be worked out, though Khan’s stance could lead to plenty of interesting financial situations ahead of free agency in 2025.

“I think it’s an awesome policy,” Khan said during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan. “That policy predates even before [Colbert] and I got here. Once we get into the season, I’m a believer it should be all focused on football. Obviously, there’s a business aspect to this, and that’s okay. That’s just part of it. But once we get into the season, it’s to focus on the season.”

Both of the Steelers’ top quarterbacks – veteran signing Russell Wilson and trade acquisition Justin Fields – are under contract for 2024. The team is open to working out new deals in both cases, but that will only take place after an evaluation of their respective performances this year. Unless extensions with other notable players are worked out in the coming weeks, they too will enter the campaign facing uncertain futures.

Amongst the Steelers’ pending free agent class is starting guard James Daniels. Once thought to be on the extension radar, he will not have a new deal in hand by the time the 2024 campaign starts. Tight end Pat Freiermuth is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and his value would be worth watching closely if he did not have an extension worked out in time for Week 1.

In addition to the uncertain futures of Wilson and Fields, D-line stalwart Cameron Heyward may not be in Pittsburgh beyond 2024. The latter’s contract situation is fluid, and team and player still have plenty of time to work out an agreement allowing him to finish his career as a Steeler. In neither Heyward’s case nor that of any other player will an exception to the in-season negotiating policy be made, though.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/19/24

June 19th, 2024 at 8:09pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Denver Broncos

  • Signed: LB Dondrea Tillman

New York Jets

  • Waived: OL Vitaliy Gurman

Pittsburgh Steelers

After winning a UFL championship with the Birmingham Stallions, Tillman will be joining the Broncos. According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, the linebacker will get a three-year deal from Denver that includes a $10K signing bonus. Monday was the first day that UFL players could officially join NFL teams, and Tillman’s agent, Marty Magid, told Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette that his client received interest from a handful of squads before landing in Denver.

A former standout at Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Tillman went undrafted in 2019. After spending the past two years in the USFL, he caught on with the UFL for the 2024 campaign and proceeded to have a breakout season. The linebacker finished the campaign with 27 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.

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