Steelers Could Look to Target All-Pro Safety In Light of Recent Trade
As the offseason slowly approaches its end and the upcoming season is around the corner, teams are looking to make moves that will solidify their hopes of hosting a Lombardi trophy. Recently, sending Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Dolphins in a blockbuster trade, the Steelers could be looking to fix the starting safety position. On one hand, they recently signed Deshon Elliot to a two-year extension. However, trading Minkah is a very impactful loss for the defense. Every year, there are a few players who make it very far in free agency, flying under the radar, and end up getting scooped by a team that can make them contenders. All-Pro safety Justin Simmons is currently sitting in the free agency pool. Should Pittsburgh make a move?
Although Simmons, 31, is an aging veteran, he can still produce in a strong defensive system. He’s currently entering his 10th season in the league while playing in 12+ games in each season of his career. Longevity is one of the most important elements of a player’s football ability, and Simmons has shown that he still has a lot of juice left. Excelling in coverage, applying quick reads, and having a high IQ for the game, Simmons would pair extremely well with Elliot and could be the perfect fit to replace Fitzpatrick.
Coming off a one-year, $7.5 million contract with Atlanta, Simmons is only getting older, which will drive his price down even more. Also, trends in recent years lead to the conclusion that there is a time in every player’s career in which they’re ready to put everything they have left onto the field, for whatever amount of money, and give one more shot at winning a Super Bowl. With the right incentive, such as a veteran quarterback, brand new offensive weapons, a historically winning head coach, and a brute, strong defense, the Steelers could grab Justin Simmons for something around a one-year, five-six million dollar deal. Pittsburgh continues to convey its “all-in” mindset for the upcoming season, and signing one more experienced, talented vet to cover the skies could be exactly what they need to bring the Steelers back to glory.
