Steelers most important free agency target isn’t a quarterback

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ most important free agency target is not a quarterback, but rather Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen.

According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Pittsburgh Steelers are interested in acquiring Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen in his NFL free agency.

Jensen has just completed his four-year deal worth $42 million with the Buccaneers he signed in 2018. He won a Super Bowl with the 2020 team and earned his first Pro Bowl nod this past year. This will be his age-31 season out of CSU Pueblo. Having initially played in-division for the arch rival Baltimore Ravens, it makes sense for the Steelers to have some interest in adding Jensen.

With over $29.5 million in available cap space, it serves the Steelers to prioritize signing him.

Steelers targeting Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen in NFL free agency

It is obvious why spending top-dollar on a top-tier center is so important for the Steelers. They are going to have a new quarterback under center with Ben Roethlisberger having just retired. While Pittsburgh could look to trade for a veteran, it will be next to impossible for the Steelers to have success with an unproven quarterback without the presence of an elite interior offensive lineman.

Had Tom Brady not retired as well, it would have made things easier for Jensen to return to Tampa Bay. However, the Buccaneers are expected to pull back without the greatest quarterback of all time. Since this is Jensen’s potential last big pay day in the league, he has to take advantage of his opportunities in free agency. While the Steelers are unsettled at quarterback, they have a defense.

No matter who the Steelers draft, trade for, sign or promote from within to be the heir apparent to Big Ben, they must be better in the trenches. This will be a defensive-led team again in 2022. What will serve them is having a bigger emphasis in the ground game with Najee Harris. If he can approach a Pro Bowl-caliber season in year two, the Steelers may be decent enough on offense.

Though adding a quarterback is a good idea, what good would that be without a quality center?