Dee Ford rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency for the pass rusher

Dee Ford rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 30: Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Dee Ford (55) runs onto the field before an NFL game between the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs on December 30, 2018 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 02: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Heinz Field on December 2, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers fans are currently consumed with conjecture about what’s going to happen with Antonio Brown. Nothing that occurs with the enigmatic wide receiver changes the reality that Pittsburgh needs more athleticism at the linebacker position.

The team has really struggled to find a linebacker with the versatility that Ryan Shazier provided before his injury. Ford isn’t a like-for-like replacement for Shazier, but he’d give coach Mike Tomlin a lot more options on defense.

The idea of putting T.J. Watt on one side and Ford on the other is enough to cause nightmares for opposing offensive coordinators. Forging such a fierce pass rush would also cover up the weaknesses in the Steelers’ secondary. It’s much easier to cover wide receivers when their quarterback is running for his life.

Signing Ford would also give the Steelers the added boost of weakening an AFC rival. That’s never the primary motivation for making a signing, but it would be an added benefit in this instance. Chiefs fans would hate to see Ford in a Pittsburgh uniform, but signing him would help the Steelers close the gap on Kansas City.

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