4 free agents the Steelers should happily let leave

The Steelers are determined to get back into the playoffs next season. Letting these four free agents walk will help Pittsburgh accomplish that goal. 

Mike Tomlin did a nice job piloting the Steelers to a 9-8 regular season record in 2022 but the clear goal for Pittsburgh heading into next year is to rejoin the NFL’s postseason party. That will require a quality offseason from the organization’s front office.

Much attention will be paid to who the Steelers should sign in free agency, but it’s equally important that the team let go of the right players. Overpaying a player to stay can be just as costly as making the wrong signing on the open market.

Decision-makers in Pittsburgh should make the ruthless decision to let the following four free agents head elsewhere. Bringing any of the quartet back on a significant deal would be a big mistake for the Steelers.

4. Tyson Alualu

There’s no case for bringing the 35-year-old nose tackle back for the 2023 campaign. He was literally one of the worst performers in the entire NFL last year. His PFF grade of 30.4 perfectly illustrated how hapless he was in the middle of Pittsburgh’s defensive line.

Montravius Adams may get another chance to lock down the nose tackle spot as his own next year, but Pittsburgh should look to add depth at the specialized position via the draft. It’s relatively easy for 3-4 teams to get value at the position since not many teams are interested in a pure space-eater up front. Drafting a nose tackle who can outperform Alualu should be an easy thing for the Steelers’ front office to achieve.