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3 moves Steelers can make with newfound cap room after T.J. Watt deal

By Rucker Haringey

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 22: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on November 22, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 22: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on November 22, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Olivier Vernon, Pittsburgh Steelers
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 3: Olivier Vernon #54 of the Cleveland Browns sacks Brandon Allen #2 of the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Browns 24-19. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

2. Roll the dice on Olivier Vernon

Extending Watt allows the Steelers to retain one of the top individual edge rushers in football, but that doesn’t mean the defense’s overall pass-rushing options can’t be upgraded. Chris Wormley is currently slated to be the starter at one defensive end spot and it’s unclear whether or not he can really pressure the quarterback at a satisfactory level.

Vernon is still available in free agency as he recovers from a torn Achilles injury that prematurely ended his 2020 campaign. He’s not ready to play right away, but the Steelers could theoretically sign him now and wait to unleash him once he fully recovers.

He may not be an ideal fit for the team’s base 3-4 look, but he’s an established edge-rusher who knows how to create pressure. If healthy, he could at least give the Steelers a valuable veteran who can help them on obvious passing downs.

If Vernon hit free agency healthy, he would have been looking for something in the neighborhood of $10 million per season. The Steelers would be wise to try to sign him on the cheap. He won’t help them anytime soon but he could turn into a difference-maker for Pittsburgh down the stretch.

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