Pittsburgh Steelers land two key players on list of top NFL free agents for 2022

The Pittsburgh Steelers are turning an unprecedented corner in the history of their franchise and plenty of tough decisions will be made with key starters hitting free agency.

For the first time in what feels like forever, Mike Tomlin and his staff will enter next season without Ben Roethlisberger. While Tomlin and the Steelers’ brass have proven they can identify and assemble a roster full of young talent like TJ Watt, Chase Claypool, Najee Harris and make free agent moves like the addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick?

There are still significant looming questions. This doesn’t feel like a team with an overhaul “rebuild” mindset like the Houston Texans in 2021. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a bevy of weapons on both sides of the ball, and with the right signal caller and a few tough decisions, they could make yet another playoff run in 2022.

Pittsburgh Steelers top free agents

ESPN recently published an article highlighting the top free agents heading into 2022 and two Steelers made the list.

The first player on the list is a fan favorite who almost was dealt with ahead of last season but was willing to restructure in order to stay. Unfortunately, an injury derailed the former USC star and while he’s a free agent, it’s reasonable to assume the Pittsburgh Steelers will move on from the 25-year-old wideout.

Here’s what ESPN says about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top free agents.

42. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR,

“If Smith-Schuster was disappointed with the interest he received on the market last offseason, what will he think now after a shoulder injury limited him to five games?” the ESPN analysis began.

He is now three seasons removed from his lone 1,000-yard season and has averaged 8.6 yards per reception over the past two years. On the other hand, he is still young for a player who has been in the league for five seasons, and his low production should be considered in the context of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s declining downfield arm strength” ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote.

Many believed the Pittsburgh Steelers made a jump to select the former Virginia Tech defensive back in the first round. He’s surrounded by elite talent and hasn’t thrived on a consistent basis.

But, Edmunds is coming off his best career season in 2021. ESPN makes several valid points when it comes to the young corner’s potential future.

50. Terrell Edmunds, S

Seifert gave a blunt assessment of Edmunds that leaves a grey cloud over his future.

“Edmunds is not the most well-known of the Steelers’ starting safeties, and he’s not the most talented, either,” Seifert continued. Minkah Fitzpatrick holds both of those titles.

The Steelers, in fact, declined Edmunds’ fifth-year option last spring. But he had this best season in 2021, starting all 17 games and setting a career high with eight tackles for loss. Even so, the Steelers might not be able to clear up much cap space to re-sign Edmunds, assuming they want to re-sign Fitzpatrick next year.”

It’s clear the Pittsburgh Steelers front office has plenty of work ahead and the roster could look very different come kickoff next season.