Steelers: 3 worst moves of the 2023 offseason

The Steelers executed a brilliant 2023 NFL Draft strategy. Unfortunately, these three free agent moves will drag down the team’s hopes of improving. 

Steelers fans have every right to feel great about their team’s 2023 NFL Draft class. If only free agency had gone as well for Pittsburgh.

The moves that GM Omar Khan and his staff executed on the open market don’t grade out nearly as well as the team’s stellar draft class. The Steelers let several quality players sign reasonable contracts elsewhere. Conversely, they overpaid several veterans to fill the gaps created by those departures.

None of the following three mistakes will torpedo the team’s hopes of making a lengthy playoff run in 2023, but each represents a missed opportunity to give head coach Mike Tomlin the time of talent he needs to compete for a Super Bowl title.

Worst offseason moves for the Steelers: 3. Overpaying Larry Ogunjobi

Playing defensive tackle in Pittsburgh’s three-man front can be a thankless job. Interior linemen for the Steelers are expected to occupy blocks more often than they’re asked to rack up stats in the opposing backfield.

Even if you give Ogunjobi the benefit of the doubt regarding his lack of counting stats, his PFF grade of 61.7 accurately illustrates just what an average player he is. That’s why giving him a three-year deal worth up to $28.75 million represents a significant overpay by the Steelers.

Pittsburgh made the move after losing several other veteran contributors up front. The idea was to make sure they had a steady player capable of soaking up snaps while newcomers acclimated themselves to the team’s defensive system. Ogunjobi can handle that role adequately, but he has no chance of outperforming this contract. It’s not a killer for the team’s cap sheet but it will be viewed negatively for the next three years assuming Ogunjobi doesn’t get cut.