5 targets for Steelers in 2022 NFL free agency

CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts from the sideline during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 07: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Will Hernandez #71 and Devontae Booker #28 of the New York Giants in action against the Las Vegas Raiders at MetLife Stadium on November 07, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Raiders 23-16. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Mike Tomlin’s team managed to clinch a playoff spot in 2021 but it was a short stay. Could the Pittsburgh Steelers be busier than usual this offseason?

Following a 1-3 start, the Pittsburgh Steelers rebounded to go 8-4-1 the rest of the season and returned to the playoffs. In what turned out to be quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s final NFL game, the club was rolled by the Kansas City Chiefs, 42-21, in the wild card round.

For the first time since 2003, “Big Ben” will not be a member of the organization. That also happens to be the last time the franchise finished with a losing campaign. And this offseason, the Steelers will finally have some salary-cap room (see Spotrac). What veterans could general manager Kevin Colbert (who will retire after the 2022 NFL Draft) have his eye on?

Steelers: 5 free agent targets for 2022

5. G Will Hernandez (New York Giants)

Last April, general manager Kevin Colbert and the organization used the 24th overall pick on University of Alabama running back Najee Harris. He finished with 307 carries for 1,200 yards and seven scores on the ground, plus finished second on the team with 74 receptions – good for 467 yards and three touchdowns. But the team still finished 29th in the league in rushing.

Simply put, a rebuilt offensive line had too many downs and instead of ups. Last offseason, the team added guard Trai Turner in free agency. But he could test the open market this year again.

Will Hernandez was a second-round pick by the Giants in 2018. He started every game in three of his four seasons with the team and could still be re-signed by New York. The 6-foot-2, 327-pound pro could bring some power to Pittsburgh’s offensive front still trying to find itself.

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